The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Sunset

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge at Sunset

Here is the Sunset Shot that Matches Yesterdays Post: http://www.awesomephotographyblog.com/twilight-photography/the-sunshine-skyway-bridge-in-twilight/

I have always found the Sunshine Skyway to be one of the most elusive Landmarks to Photograph. Getting the right lighting, clouds, and weather plus getting the lights on the top of the span to all cooperate is a full time job.

While driving home from the office on Friday night, November 11th, 2008, we noticed that the clouds were tall and billowy. The light was exceptional. The weather was picture perfect. The Paint job and lights on the bridge were all brand new. After Years of chasing the Skyway with Lori (In memoriam 1960 – 2008), we finally got some awesome shots of this, the most magnificent of all bridges.

This HDR Photograph was taken from the South Fishing Pier just minutes before Sunset.

HDR Photograph Taken on: 11-12-08 6:05PM EST
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 2.5 Seconds F-Stop: F11 ISO:100 Aperture Priority
Focal length: 95mm Lens: Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR [Vibration Reduction] DX Lens

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Twilight

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Twilight

I have always found the Sunshine Skyway to be one of the most elusive Landmarks to Photograph. Getting the right lighting, clouds, and weather plus getting the lights on the top of the span to all cooperate is a full time job.

While driving home from the office on Friday night, November 11th, 2008, we noticed that the clouds were tall and billowy. The light was exceptional. The weather was picture perfect. The Paint job and lights on the bridge were all brand new. After Years of chasing the Skyway with Lori (In memoriam 1960 – 2008), we finally got some awesome shots of this, the most magnificent of all bridges.

This HDR Photograph was taken from the South Fishing Pier during the brief 24 minutes of Twilight we get here in Florida… with my dearest Lori by my Side…

Tomorrow I’ll Post the Sunset Shot.

HDR Photograph Taken on: 11-12-08 6:05PM EST
Model: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera
Shutter Speed: 2.5 Seconds F-Stop: F11 ISO:100 Aperture Priority
Focal length: 95mm Lens: Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR [Vibration Reduction] DX Lens

Yellow Crowed Night Heron Grabs Breakfast – Sunshine Skyway, FL

The Sunshine Skyway bridge is one of favorite places to visit wildlife, mostly Birds and Dolphins. The birds are most active Sunrise and Sunset. The Dolphins mostly Sunset, and you have to be lucky to see them.

On this particular morning, I was hanging out south of the bridge in the rest area. I noticed a Yellow Crowned Night Heron fishing near shore between the rocks.  I sat intently as he waited for breakfast, a crab crawling his direction. He nabbed him in a flash and took off for shore. The show continued as he wrestled with the crab attempting to crack his shell. Occasionally, The crab would pinch the heron and break free for a second and the bird would reposition him in his mouth. Finally with a loud crunch, the bird swallowed him whole.

My favorite shot is the top photo. I placed the sequence of events photographs in a panorama below.

Yellow Crowed Night Heron Grabs Breakfast – Sunshine Skyway, FL

Date Taken: 09-24-06 7:55AM
Model: Panasonic Lumix FZ20  Shutter Speed: n/a F-Stop:f4.0 ISO:80
Focal length:45.9mm Lens:Lens: Leica 35 – 432