A sunrise visit to coastline of Stuart, Florida

Photos by Lee Smith

The House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar, Stuart, Florida

Kayak Trip in Chokoloskee, FL

Photos taken by Lee Smith

Traveled to Chokoloskee, FL to take a kayak tour with my friend  Don McCumber from the Everglades Area Tours company. The area is alive with beauty and it is vast. An August trip does have a few set backs as far as heat and the mosquitoes, but if you plan carefully it is all doable. We traveled a few miles from the Everglades Area Tours store back to 41 to a location called Turner River where there is a secluded boat launch. We loaded our two man kayak and set off on our short trip as we traveled a few miles down stream through the tree lined river shores and the Mangrove Tunnels that opened to a sea of sawgrass. It was a very comfortable trip on this day with a small breeze, but in some areas there were fierce mosquitoes & slow branches almost blocking our path. My guide, Don,  knew exactly what to do and how to travel through the dense areas. I sat up front and was taking photos as Don paddled guiding us over the river. It was an awesome area full of beauty. I saw many birds and only one small alligator, but in the beginning of the morning we heard the growling of the larger Everglages gators as they were waking up. I look forward to doing another Kayak trip – the Team at Everglades Area Tours were awesome – I rented my kayak, vest and paddle from them as well. Contact the Everglades Area Tours to arrange a kayak tour, they have plenty to choose from!

Turner River, Big Cypress, Everglades
Turner River, Big Cypress, Everglades

Miami Haulover Beach

Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL

Photography by Lee Smith

Got up at 4 am to visit a special place to photograph –  Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL. A favorite location due o the shoreline of Anastasia Limestone formations. The limestone formations run along the east coast of Florida from Palm Beach to St Augustine. The make a beautiful foreground for any photographer.

Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Long Exposure – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
The Amazing Glow – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Split Rock – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Limestone Shoreline – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
A Grand Sunrise Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
House of Refuge – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Small Pier Over Calm Water – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL
5:30am Blue Hour – Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL

Downtown Miami at Night

Photos by Lee Smith

Traveled to a location to photograph Downtown Miami at night. I took a series of photos to catch the transition from sunset to night time.

Night Time -Downtown Miami
Night Time -Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami - The American Airlines Arena
The Miami American Airlines Arena
Downtown Miami - The Pérez Art Museum Miami
The Pérez Art Museum Miami

Kibry Storter Roadside Park, Big Cypress

Photos by Lee Smith

I traveled with my friend Ivan to visit Kirby Storter Park in the Big Cypress Preserve of Highway 41. It was a long ride to the interior region of the Everglades.  After waiting till the sun went down, the stars started to shine through the blue skies. The darker the skies got, the more stars appeared. It was amazing. This is my first attempt at a Milky Way capture and it was a challenge. The key is to focus your camera before it gets dark, otherwise you have to do it by feel.

Be sure you got some really great mosquito repellant – I highly recommend a product called Repel – Lemon Eucalyptus – Repel 94109 Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent, 4-Ounce Pump Spray – Order it from Amazon

Click on an image for a larger view
The Warm Glow of a Sunrise - Coral Cove Park Kirby Storter Walkway Sunset at Kirby Storter Roadside Park IMG_1503

IMG_1511-B&W-2 IMG_1454_5_6-B&W

This is a definite must for being in the Everglades at night!
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Coghlan’s Bug Jacket, Medium

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