Tampa Bay
Interesting places in Tampa Bay:
the Tampa Bay is part of Hillsborough County, Florida .
Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia
Check this place on Socialmapia
the Tampa Bay is part of Hillsborough County, Florida .
Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia
Check this place on Socialmapia
Top photos chosen by u all:
"Don't Fence me in."
Made by Michael Skelton
I took a little trip to Tampa to visit Lowry Park Zoo today. This is a Clouded Leopard! Here is some information about this animal... Currently four sub-species are recognized: · Neofelis nebulosa brachyurus: Taiwan (thought to be extinct). · Neofelis nebulosa diardi: Sumatra, Borneo, Java. · Neofelis nebulosa macrosceloides: Nepal to Burma. · Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa: southern China to eastern Burma. Clouded leopards are not a type of leopard, but a separate species of wildcat. They are one of the best climbers in the cat family. They are able to climb upside down underneath tree branches. They are able to hang from branches with their hind feet. Short, stout legs are excellent for leverage and a low center of gravity for climbing. Large, spoon-shaped paws with sharp claws allow them to get a good grip on tree branches. Long tail is extremely important as a balance aid. Hind feet have flexible ankle joints allowing the foot to rotate greatly. This allows them to descend squirrel-like, head first from a tree. Clouded leopards are elusive, solitary cats. Hence, most of what we know about their social behavior has come from observations in captivity. Clouded leopards have been frequently described as bridging the gap between large and small cats. DNA comparisons suggest that the clouded leopard is most closely related to the extinct saber-tooth cat of North America. Canine teeth are longer in proportion to body size than those of any other species of wildcat.
pufferfish
Made by porkfork6
found in my casting net along the beach Since this picture gets so much traffic, I should add a little background. Once a storm passes us here in the Tampa Bay area, it usually rips up the sea grasses in the bay, intercoastal, and estuaries. So if you look closely enough at the stuff that is riding along with the sea grass at the beach you'll see lots of critters. This guy was tiny, and probably didn't survive too much longer being washed back and forth on the beach. So it's very important to remember that the sea grass areas can be just as rich and bountiful as reefs. (A lot of the seagrass areas are destroyed by fertilizer runoff that choke those areas with thick matts of algae.) Also rolling in the beach break, I've found tiny octopi (just slightly bigger than this guy), and a kind of butterfly fish that camoflage themselves by looking like nothing more than leafs. The butterfly fish make the dead seagrass and beachbreak their homes. They usually swim on their sides, and really the only way to find them is to watch the seagrass closely. If you have seagrass wash by your ankle, it will go one way, but the butterfly fish will right themselves and swim another. The largest I've seen one of these butterfly fish was about the size of a quarter. Click to see where this photo was taken.
Reliable Transportation
Made by Damgaard, (TheObsessivePhotographer.com)
See more and purchase prints at TheObsessivePhotographer.com(click here) This is Kim, he is a homeless man living in Tampa. I met him downtown Friday during lunch and asked him if I could take his photo. He agreed and we began to talk. He has a Bachelors Degree in Fluid Thermal Engineering. In his own words he's had a stretch of bad luck and needed some time to get himself back on track. He lost his job after breaking two pieces of equipment where he worked totaling over $10, 000.00. After speaking with him for some time I believe he has a problem with alcohol...but otherwise a very nice man with a genuine smile. He collects cans to recycle at $.88 / lb, and tells me he can get around $5.00 for a full bag of crushed cans. I gave him what I could, and wanted it to be more by the time I was done. I took several shots while we were talking, shook his hand, and left with a different outlook on my world.. We are all connected. Even though sometimes it's scary to look into a stranger's eyes, you may be looking into a mirror of your past or future. Be good to one another.
Birthday Sunrise
Made by Michael Skelton
Whenever I go out to Ft DeSoto, I always wonder why photographers are not lined up at this location to photograph the rising sun. There are so many possibilities for different compositions. I arrived at about 7am, November 30, 2009, and had to wait about ten minutes before the sun peeked over the surface of Tampa Bay. I didn't know at the time that the kick would be good. This would not be so at another time of the year because the sun moves north and south as time goes by. I was able to catch about 30 images of the sunrise that morning. I knew then that this was going to be a great 50th birthday. It started out so well, there was no way that it could do anything but get better, and it did. Later on that day, I was able to get many images of different kinds of birds, two of which, I had never seen before. I hope that ya'll like it! Mike potd.apertureacademy.com/POTD-20100225-Sunrise-at-the-Sky...
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron with Fish
Made by vanessa hilliard
I've rarely seen a yellow-crowned night heron with a fish. Usually, they favor crabs and shrimp, in our area at least. This was my first outing with my new favorite combo, the Canon 800mm F/5.6 and the new Canon 1D Mark IV camera body. I'm going to like it but I've got to learn how it differs from my other cameras. I underexposed most of the photos I took this day by about 1/3 of an f-stop. I used the expsoure compensation settings I usually use for the circumstances and this led to the slight underexposure. The Mark IV apparently requires fewer adjustments to the metered exposure (evaluative) than most of my cameras. I didn't see this underexposure in the histogram. It's the sort of thing I always have to learn about a new camera. The 800mm lens is a pleasure to work with. It seems to focus as rapidly as the 600mm, especially if the 600 is used with a 1.4 converter to give it the equivalent focal length. I'll post more from my first two days of shooting with the new lens/camera.
The Fisher King
Made by jackaloha2 (Very slowly Back)
A Heron tries to find meal of fish at the mouth of Tampa Bay, as it enters the Gulf of Mexico. Title is inspired by the 1991 movie with Jeff Bridges and Robin Wlliams, which was based upon Arthurian Legend. The legend varies, but all variations possess three elements: the Fisher King was charged by God with guarding the Holy Grail, but later incurred some form of incapacitating physical punishment for his sin of pride, and had to wait for someone to deliver him from his suffering. A simpleminded knight named Percival, referred to in the movie as The Fool, healed the wounds with kindness to the king, asking him why he suffers and giving him a cup of water to drink. The king realizes the cup is the grail and is baffled that the boy found it, as demonstrated in the closing exchange: I've sent my brightest and bravest men to search for this. How did you find it? The Fool laughed and said I don't know. I only knew that you were thirsty!”
Red-Legged Seriema Take 2
Made by natural wonders photography
This friendly, curious bird has become a new favorite--his portraits will pop up from time to time. Physical characteristics: The red-legged seriema has, as its name suggests, red legs. It also has a red bill. The eyes are yellow and surrounded by a patch of featherless blue skin. The tip of the tail is white in color. The feathers are generally brownish on the back and pale on the belly. The red-legged seriema also has a 3- to 4-inch (7- to 10-centimeter) crest of stiffened feathers on top of its head. Males and females are generally similar in appearance, although the males are slightly larger than the females. Juvenile seriemas have black bills rather than red ones. The seriema is one of the few birds with eyelashes. Geographic range: The red-legged seriema is found in central and eastern Brazil as well as portions of Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina.
Big boy
Made by Michael Skelton
I don't really know what sex this eagle is but I got this image at Lowry Park Zoo in April. They have two eagles there who's perch is located very near the walkway. I set up my tripod and photographed it there. Yes, I did crop this photo to make it a head shot, other than that it is straight out of the camera. I like photographing the eagles there. I know some of you don't approve of photographing animals at the zoo. I too think that it is cheating because the animal is right there for anyone to photograph. This one was so close that day, that you could have got a photograph with your phone. Therefore, I am not trying to show this image and say how good it is or anything, I just happen to like the photograph. I hope ya'll like it too! Mike
Shoebill Stork / Shoe-Billed Stork / Whale-Headed Stork
Made by canikon1998
Lowry Park Zoo -- Tampa, Florida The Shoebill Stork also called Shoe-Billed Stork, or Whale-Headed Stork (species Balaeniceps rex), large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Ciconiiformes). Shoebills stand about 115 cm (3.5 feet) tall. They are entirely gray, with broad wings and long legs. The head is large in proportion to the body, and the bill is wide and thick, shaped as the bird's name implies. Shoebills fly with the head held back against the body, as do herons and pelicans. They eat small fishes and other aquatic animals. They nest on the ground and lay either one or two eggs. Shoebills inhabit swampy regions in and around the White Nile area of northeastern Africa.
Hudson Hornet
Made by tebographics
The Hudson Hornet is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1951 and 1954. The Hornet was also built by American Motors Corporation (AMC) in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under the Hudson brand between 1955 and 1957. The first generation Hudson Hornets featured a functional step-down design with dropped floorpan and a chassis with a lower center of gravity than contemporary vehicles that helped the car handle well – a bonus for racing. The Hornet's lower and sleeker look was accented by streamlined styling. The car's unique, low slung appearance and silky handling earned Hudson an image that – for many buyers – eclipsed luxury marques like Cadillac's. Explore #30
Bride & Veil Pass-A-Grille Beach Wedding at Sunset
Made by Jason Collin
Nikon D300 with Tamron XR Di II 17-50mm f/2.8 lens @ f/8 ISO 200 1/100th Stobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight at 1/2 power -0.67 on light stand to frame left above bride Nikon SB-600 Speedlight at 1/4th power to frame right on tripod at eye level to bride Taken on Pass-A-Grille Beach, Florida (see map) just at sunset. To reserve Jason Collin Photography for your wedding please visit: jasoncollinphotography.com WHY IS THIS BRIDE SMILING? Florida Wedding Photography Campaign: Beautiful Florida Beach Wedding Photography
STS-128 Space Shuttle Launch
Made by duane.schoon
see it big on black here viewed from Skyway Bridge rest area across Tampa Bay (mapped) This is almost 200 miles away, as Tampa Bay is almost directly across the state from Titusville I can watch it here close to home rather than drive 3 hours, wait in traffic 2 hrs and drive 3 hrs home. I have been there and watched it from 10 miles, however, thats alot of driving and time for a 90 second show. Just imagine somewhere 200 miles from you and they launched a rocket from there, this is what it would look like. It is always an amazing sight to me and I don't think I will ever tire from watching it.
Tampa Bay
Made by Michael Skelton
I love my birds but tonight I thought I would post another image of sunrise over Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway bridge. I loved that there was not much wind and the bay reflected all of those clouds and color. I didn't know that the sun would rise up between the two main bridge supports, but that just added more to the image. I couldn't have asked for anything more on that morning. I took this from the road at the eastern end of Ft Desoto park in St. Pete. I got there a little before sunrise, and as the sun arose, I just knew it would turn out special. I will return up there and take more photos but I will be surprised if I see it this nice again. I hope that ya'll like it! Mike
The Flaming Martini
Made by andrew_v
Strobist: This was lit using a mixture of strobe & a dragged shutter. I used three novatron lights with a 7in reflector behind and below the glass. It was bounced off of a black seamless. And then two strips on either side of the glass to highlight edges. I would float rubbing alcohol on top of the water, light it on fire and immediated grab the shot. The flash fired immediately, but the shutter stayed open for a total of .8s to catch the glow of the flame. www.Twitter.com/Andrew_Vernon www.AndrewVPhotography.Tumblr.com
Happy Fourth of July
Made by Michael Skelton
Well, what could be more appropriate than a image of a bald eagle on the fourth of July. This image was taken on 4-17-09. I posted it before but I thought it to be too dark, so I adjusted the image in photoshop but I over did the saturation. I took it down again and adjusted it once again. I might leave it up this time. Tell me, should it stay or should it go? I decided to post it again today for our nation's birthday. As usual, I hope ya'll like it! Happy 233 birthday to the United States of America. What a great country in which I live. I would strongly urge you to visit, if you have not yet. May God Bless America Mike
Apples on the beach! Fort De Soto State Park , Florida
Made by Sayran
Looks much better with B l a c k M a g i c</ As we walked into Fort De Soto State Park, there was a large Hollywoodish crew filming a commercial. These huge apples were bathing in the sun on the beach and were part of the set. The commercial was for a health care plan for Senior Citizens. I have more images for the set it self, will post later. Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Lens : Canon EF 17 - 40 mm l Filters : Lee SE GND 0.6 No CP Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15) Aperture: f/18.0 Focal Length: 30 mm ISO Speed: 50
Eagle
Made by Michael Skelton
This is one of the eagles at Lowry Park Zoo. I know that people, including me, want to see and photograph them but it is a shame to see this big, beautiful bird not be able to fly. I understand the birds are kept in captivity when they get injured but I hate it. Many times they have been shot or hit by a car. I just think that it is tragic. I feel like I am cheating by being able to get this close. I have seen them and photographed them in the wild and they are so beautiful and deserve their freedom. www.lowryparkzoo.com/
Cascades
Made by andrew_v
This was taken during Academic Excellence day at my school. (IADT in Tampa) And... I was provided with a Hasselblad H3D II-50 for the shoot. :-) Strobist: The entire white background is a 4x6 profoto softbox fired through an 8x8ft scrim on 1/4 power. Two 6ft black cards were on either side of the set to define edges on each glass. www.Twitter.com/Andrew_Vernon www.AndrewVPhotography.Tumblr.com
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Made by cosmosjon
The Sunshine Skyway connects Pinellas County (St Pete) to Manatee County (Bradenton/Sarasota) in Florida. Opened in 1987, it replaced the OLD span which was hit by the freighter Summit Venture on May 9, 1980. That horrific accident killed 35 people when 1261 feet of the main span plunged 150 feet into Tampa Bay. The 'low' parts of the old bridge have been converted to fishing piers, and the south (Manatee County side) pier is now the longest in the world. It is also the spot from which I took the photograph.
All Off Kilter
Made by andrew_v
Strobist: This was lit with one novatron light head using a standard reflector on a 400ws pack. The light is behine and below the glasses bouncing off a white seamless background. All edges were enhanced by black curtains I hung on either side of the shot. The glasses are on a long mirror. www.Twitter.com/Andrew_Vernon www.AndrewVPhotography.Tumblr.com
Nearest places of interest:
| Waterside at Coquina Key Pasadena Yacht and Country Club Middle Tampa Bay Hotel Hampton Inn Ellenton/Bradenton | Gandy/Sun Bay South Ballast Point Whitted Park North Shore Pool |
