Just returned from a wonderful vacation in Florida, where I went to visit my dear friend Lisa. She and her boyfriend Rich went out of their way to show me some amazing wildlife to photograph, and I have presented a selection here. Florida is a warm state with an abundance of alligators and birdlife everywhere, almost on Lisa’s doorstep! I managed to capture a variety of wildlife at both the Merritt Island and Ritch Grissom Wetland areas. I didn’t manage to see any manatees, but they’re not a very photogenic species anyway! For the last shot, taken on my camera by Lisa, I got within a few feet of a huge wild alligator basking in the sun. Inside my heart was pounding from the fear of knowing that it had the ability to move in a split second and could run at up to 25 miles per hour. As exhilarating as it was, I was also relieved to be out of there! But I wanted that shot J Other images show egrets, herons, butterflies, otters, turtles and more. All these images were taken with the Nikon D600 and Nikkor 70-200mm VRII + 1.7xTC. While not the longest focal length for it, one can get so close to the wildlife in Florida that it proved ample for my needs. I hope you enjoy the images.
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey PhotographyJust returned from a wonderful vacation in Florida, where I
went to visit my dear friend Lisa. She and her boyfriend Rich went out of their
way to show me some amazing wildlife to photograph, and I have presented a
selection here.
Florida is a warm state with an abundance of alligators and
birdlife everywhere, almost on Lisa’s doorstep! I managed to capture a variety
of wildlife at both the Merritt Island and Ritch Grissom Wetland areas. I
didn’t manage to see any manatees, but they’re not a very photogenic species
anyway!
For the last shot, taken on my camera by Lisa, I got within
a few feet of a huge wild alligator basking in the sun. Inside my heart was
pounding from the fear of knowing that it had the ability to move in a split
second and could run at up to 25 miles per hour. As exhilarating as it was, I
was also relieved to be out of there! But I wanted that shot J
Other images show egrets, herons, butterflies, otters,
turtles and more.
All these images were taken with the Nikon D600 and Nikkor
70-200mm VRII + 1.7xTC. While not the longest focal length for it, one can get
so close to the wildlife in Florida that it proved ample for my needs.
I hope you enjoy the images.
A young alligator feeds on a bird. Tasty!
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
1
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
2
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
2
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
3
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
3
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
4
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
4
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
5
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
5
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
6
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
6
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
7
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
7
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
8
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
8
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
9
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
9
Capture Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
10
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
10
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
10a
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
10a
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:08 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
11
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
11
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
12
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
12
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
13
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
13
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
14
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
14
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
15
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
15
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
16
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
16
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
17
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
17
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
18
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
18
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
A baby alligator.
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
19
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:09 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
20
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
20
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:10 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
21
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
21
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:10 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
22
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
22
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:10 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
This is the huge alligator that I managed to get close to in the following photo.
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
23
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:10 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
Don't try this at home! Outside I'm smiling, but inside I'm terrified!
Mar 14, 2013Mar 14, 2013Alpha Whiskey Photography
24
Upload Date: Mar 14, 2013 02:10 PM
Show Photo Info
Close |
|
kajalMar 14, 2013 03:41 PM
amazing pictures!! loving it!!:)
kajalMar 14, 2013 03:42 PM
whoops! you risked your life to capture the alligator :p bravo!!
LillianMar 15, 2013 02:40 PM
Again some VERY impressive shots
Lillian
Terry M.Mar 16, 2013 12:10 PM
I live near the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (commonly known as the Viera Wetlands) in Viera, Florida, and you've captured some images I've never seen. Thanks for sharing your amazing photography!
AlphaWhiskeyMar 16, 2013 01:24 PM
Thanks guys! :))
ParrishMar 19, 2013 02:07 AM
Excellent nature series Alpha..your becoming quite a twitcher lol :-)...
AlphaWhiskeyMar 19, 2013 06:53 AM
Thanx Parrish! :)
GitzoMar 22, 2013 01:54 AM
Gitzo Mar.22, 1:41 AM
I love that ibis in flight!
You ever get that close to a gator that size, better watch the gator and not the camera ! Believe me, gators are unpredictable; fifteen of them in a row will just lay there and look at you; the sixteenth one will have your leg in his mouth before you can blink ! You did a great job down there with the new D 600.
AlphaWhiskeyMar 22, 2013 03:01 PM
Thanx Gitzo! It was a close one! :)
DebbieJun 22, 2014 04:05 PM
Awesome set of pictures!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Alpha Whiskey PhotographyJun 23, 2014 12:52 AM
Thank you Debbie! :)
All fields are required.
Comment successfully added.