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Sunset on the Assateague Islands

We just finished an early fall trip to the Northeast US. Our First stop was the incomparable Assateague Islands, MD or “The land of the wild Horses”. When we saw this sunset on the first day of our trip, I knew Mother Nature was going to be good to Us as we traveled from here to the top of Maine.

Beginning tomorrow I show a Pony a day until I run out of Pony Photo’s. Today I wanted to show off the Colossal Sunset on the first Day of our Trip. It’s hard for a web optimized Photo to showcase the true Shot. This Panorama was made from 15 Photo’s.

Wow… What a Sunset…

HDR Panorama Photograph Taken on: 09-20-08 11:17PM
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 1/3 Second F-Stop: f18 ISO:200 Aperture Priority
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron SP 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

Click on image to view larger

Suspension Bridge, Hillsborough River State Park, FL

Here is another shot from Hillsborough River state park. The Suspension Bridge is a blast to bounce across. And it makes for a fun Photograph…

HDR Photograph Taken on: 11-04-08 11:17PM
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 1/2 Second F-Stop: f11 ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron SP 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

End of the Rapids, Hillsborough River State Park, FL

I had the opportunity to visit this, one of Mother nature’s little gems on Saturday night.

We meandered past the Suspension Bridge which I will Post Tomorrow night towards the Rapids section of the river. As we approached I saw this shot, just downstream from the rapids…

HDR Photograph Taken on: 11-04-08 11:17PM
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 6 Seconds F-Stop: f11 ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron SP 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF)

click on image to view Larger

Two Storms Converging at Sunset, Indian Rocks Beach

Tropical storm season is in full swing in Florida. These fast moving Bright, Loud storms make it a fun place for photography. Many times you head out for a sunset shoot and the clouds fill the horizon at the last minute. So, you switch lenses and follow the birds.

Other times like tonight. we had Two storms converge right before sunset. Patch’s of light and clouds,  blue sky’s sprinkled here and there and those awesome colors of sunset everywhere. I had hoped the sun would peak out from below for one last time. But I Guess you can’t have everything…

Here is a shot looking south.

HDR Photographs Taken on: 07-03-08 7:19PM
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 1/125 Second F-Stop: f111 ISO:100
Focal length: 16mm Lens: Tamron 11 -18mm Wide angle lens.

“Chasmosaurus Family checking us out - Dinosaur World” Click on image to view Larger

Chasmosaurus, Saltasaurus, Huge Crocodile and a PachyCephaloSaurus at Dinosaur World

Continuing my Dinosaur World Series…

My favorite Dinosaur of all time has to be the Triceratops. Imagine this, it’s spring, the young bull is looking to challenge the Alpha bull for control of his little harem. They charge with those three tusks leading the way. Boom as they bounce off each others armored heads. To See these guys dueling it out. Man that would be a show. From a distance of course…

“Saltasaurus Mom and Her Baby at the Watering Hole” Click on image to view Larger

On this shot I went “Awww” a mom and her pup at the watering hole.

“A Crocodile and a Watersaurus Fighting for king of the Pond” Click on image to view Larger

Here’s a couple of really big guys fighting it out for “King of the Pond Status”

There is a little side trail on the back of the Park. We called it the “Hunting Grounds”. At every corner was realistic depictions of one Dinosaur (Predator) chasing another (The Prey). So we are walking down the trail and we see some Velociraptors, T-Rex’s, the usual cast of characters. Then we turn the corner and see this Guy, The PachyCephaloSaurus, I was startled. The head was covered with Armour. Sitting at the proper position around the corner to surprise the unprepared visitor. I later read that this guy is a vegetarian and head butted other dinosaurs only when defending himself. Yea, my heart jumped when I ran into this Guy…

“A PachyCephaloSaurus Surprised Us - Dinosaur World” Click on image to view Larger

More Dinosaurs coming Tomorrow… Stay Tuned…

Many More Dinosaurs to Come All this Week: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Dinosaur World Official We Site: http://www.dinoworld.net/

Map to Dino World: http://www.dinoworld.net/dino-start003text.php?page=10

All Photographs Taken on April 1st, 2008. All of these Dinosaur World Photograph’s shot in HDR. Taken using a Nikon D80 DSLR Camera and using a Tamron 11 -18mm Wide angle lens.

“A Stegosaurus Family” Click on Photo to view Larger

Dinosaur World - Stegosaurus, Ultrasaurus and Some T-Rex’s Chasing Prey

I guess the Human race is lucky the Dinosaurs are extinct. I cannot imaging running from a charging T-Rex or come out of the house and find a Brontosaurus chilling in your pool. Here are some little guys getting ready to flee from some hungry T-Rex’s.

“Prey Running from a Pair of T-Rex’s” Click on Photo to view Larger

And Lastly the Guys with the long necks, Ultrasaurus, the Largest Dinosaur of them All.

Tomorrow, I will show a few more of these impressive Sculptures…

Many More Dinosaurs to Come All this Week: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Dinosaur World Official We Site: http://www.dinoworld.net/

Map to Dino World: http://www.dinoworld.net/dino-start003text.php?page=10

All Photographs Taken on April 1st, 2008.
All of these Dinosaur World Photograph’s shot in HDR. Taken using a Nikon D80 DSLR Camera and using a Tamron 11 -18mm Wide angle lens.

“Entrance Dinosaur World” Click on Picture to view Larger

Dinosaur World - Visit Dinosaurs in all their Glory

Do you or your Kids want to see True to Life and Life sized Dinosaurs. Well, Dinosaur World is the place to Go. I saw at least 30 different Dinosaurs from Chasmosauraus to Stegosaurus to Ultrasaurus, T-Rex, you name em. Today, I am highlighting the features of the Park. Over the next few Days showcase the wildlife that can be viewed there.

“Road of Necks” Click on Picture to View Larger

There’s All the adventure of Jurassic Park, But no worries about being gobbled like a Thanksgiving Day Turkey. All sorts of Dino-entertainment are to be had here. There’s a fossil dig, A Bone Yard, Playground, A Skeleton Garden…

“Skeleton Garden entrance” Click on Picture to View Larger

“Skeleton Garden” Click on Picture to View Larger

Museum stuff everywhere, A really Cool Cave Picnic Area…

“Picnic Cave” Click on Picture to View Larger

We had a blast for the after noon, on the way way out the Dino Shop is loaded with Fossils and Goodies for all ages and interests.

Many More Dinosaurs to Come All this Week:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Dinosaur World Official We Site: http://www.dinoworld.net/

Map to Dino World: http://www.dinoworld.net/dino-start003text.php?page=10

All Photographs Taken on April 1st, 2008.
All of these Dinosaur World Photograph’s shot in HDR. Taken using a Nikon D80 DSLR Camera and using a Tamron 11 -18mm Wide angle lens.

View looking towards the Docks and Campground, click on images to view Larger

Fort DeSoto Park - America’s Top Beach 2008, “The Portrait of Tranquility”, Tampa Bay, FL

Above is The North Beach at Sunset…

I have been visiting Fort DeSoto’s awesome Scenery and beaches since I was kid in the early 1970’s. Memories of getting there Sunday morning before sunrise. Just to get a great pavilion near the north beach area. Mom with a huge griddle cooking blueberry Pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast. As a kid there was more things to do at Fort DeSoto than could possibly fill the one day a month or so that we would go.

A flock of Short Billed Dowitcher’s near Sunset, click to view larger

I love the wildlife, enough bird species to keep the avid Bird watchers busy year round. Award winning beaches, North Beach is a little slice of paradise.

The dreamy entrance to north beach, click to view larger

Huge Dunes, like on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, soft creamy white stuff as far the eye can see.

Fort DeSoto’s North Beach Dunes at Sunset, click on image to view larger

A cool old fort with lots history and Big Guns, plenty of picnic facilities and hiking trails…

A British Rapid Fire Cannon facing east, click to view larger

View to North from top of Fort, click on image to view larger

The Main Guns inside the Fort, click image to view larger

And it’s very well maintained, here is shot a few palms growing where park rangers had conducted a controlled burn a few years ago…

Fort De Soto’s North beach was just Voted America’s top beach for 2008. It’s nickname is “The Portrait of Tranquility”. Once you go there and do some exploring, You will agree this is a wonderful award winning magical place.

Map of Fort De Soto Park:
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/maps/color/amenities/FORTDESOTO.pdf

Here is the official Fort DeSoto Web Site: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm

How to get to Fort DeSoto, a Pinellas County Park, in Tampa Bay, Florida:

Where: Located off 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. From Interstate 275 take the 54th Ave South exit, just north of the Skyway Bridge. From St. Pete Beach, take the Pinellas Bayway S.R. 682 (at the Don Cesar) east. Turn south on S.R. 679 and drive south for about 5 miles to Fort DeSoto County Park. There is a 50 cent toll on the Bayway, and another 35 cent toll to get to the park.

Parking: Lots of FREE parking

Hours: Park is open from 7am until dark. The fishing piers are open 24 hours and admission is Free.

Beach Facilities: Restrooms, outdoor showers to rinse off, food concession, 2 fishing piers, hiking trails, canoe and kayak rental, bike rentals, beautiful waterfront campground, boat launch ramp with lots of parking, ferry to Egmont Key, hundreds of picnic tables, historic stuff, nature stuff.

All of these Fort DeSoto Photograph’s shot in HDR.
Taken using a Nikon D80 DSLR Camera and using a Tamron 11 -18mm Wide angle lens.

Lone Tree - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

Lake Seminole Park - Seminole, FL

If you live in the Seminole Area in Tampa Bay, you already know of this gem of a park.

Big Pines - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

Right on the east side of Lake Seminole , it as has two smaller lakes on the east side of the Park. Brand New Boat Ramps.

Boat ramps - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

A 2 Mile hiking trail, lots of pavilions, Rocks for jumping across the sprinkled creeks here and there, Playgrounds, well enough to see and do that I’ve spent a lifetime visiting and enjoying this wonderful place.

Small Lake along the Trail - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

It is currently enjoying a reawaking as the lake has been dredged of all the sediment and tons of improvements are finished or almost done park wide. The small lake with the over the lake Pavilion has been drained so improvements can be made around the shore.
Empty Middle Lake and Pavilion under Construction - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

I love to go there and watch all the abundant Wildlife, All of which have been or will be shown here on The Awesome Photograph Blog. Lastly no Good Photo series is complete with out the sunset. Here a Lone tree and a Pair of Cormorants longing on some branches watching sunset on the Shores of Lake Seminole Park…

Sunset Lake Seminole Park, FL - Click on Photo to See Larger Image

Map to Lake Seminole Park:
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/maps/color/location/seminole.pdf

Map of the Park with all amenities listed :
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/maps/color/amenities/LAKESEMINOLE.pdf

Official Lake Seminole Park Website on Pinellas County dot Gov site
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/08_Seminole.htm

Photo Taken on: 02-03-08 All Shots Taken 5:45PM to 6: 30 PM
Aperture Mode / HDR Photograph
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Shutter Speed: F-Stop: f11 ISO: 100
Focal lengths: 11mm Lens: Tamron SP Autofocus 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Wide angle

Click here for Large Image

Watching the Storm from inside the Native Cave - Red Rocks Canyon, Las Vegas, NV

Here is the shot I took while sitting down in the Cave with all the Pertroglyphs. One that Native American’s have chilled out in for many Millennia….

That once in a decade storm was raging all around me, but it was calm and serene inside the cave. This Day Mother Nature took me to a Sacred Native Place during weather that few have witnessed Here. I felt very Safe There and I enjoyed the show…

Shortly after this Photo was taken Mother Nature let loose and we braved Hail, Blowing Snow and Flash floods on our way back to Vegas to watch the Super Bowl. Where I watched one of the Greatest upsets in NFL History.

I am still to this day in Awe of that Day and of that Place…

I would also like to send a special thank you to our dear friends Dan and Lee Ann who said to Us: “You have to go there it’s Awesome !!!”

Photo Taken on: 02-03-08 4:03PM Aperture Mode / HDR Photograph
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 1/60 Second F-Stop: f11 ISO: 100
Focal length: 11mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm Wide angle

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