Landscape

Myakka River Adventures

Alligators, Palms, and Sun in Myakka River State Park

This collection features photographs from Myakka River State Park. As such there are a variety of subjects covered in the collection from alligator wildlife to palm trees, bridge walks through the forest canopy, and river bank views. Pay attention to framing of the photos. What subject matter is your eye drawn to in each photo? There are a series of photographs capturing the same subject from different angles, notice how framing can change the focus even when photographing the same scene.

Horizontal landscape photo. At the bottom a fallen dead tree lies on the Myakka river bank. Moss is draped over the branches and blows in the wind. Above a palm tree stretches out over the river to find the sun. Set against a clear blue sky on a bright sunny day.
Dead Tree on Myakka River
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
320
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

Taken from a different perspective. This is the same dead tree on the river bank taken from the other side. Not clearly visible in the other perspective is the palm tree which is also stretching out over the river to catch the sun.

Horizontal landscape photo. Long branches of a tree stretch out over the Myakka river bank. Moss is draped over the branches and blows in the wind. Above through palm branches is the mid day sun. Set against a clear blue sky.
Florida Sun Over Myakka River
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
160
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

This shot pulls back to capture the sun shinning through the palm branches in the trees overhead.

Horizontal landscape photo. A wooden suspension bridge is center frame. At the far end is a wooden tower. Trees rise on either side and overhead. The bridge allows views to the top of the forest canopy.
Myakka Canopy Bridge
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
320
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

This wooden suspension bridge allows visitors to walk through the top of the tree canopy. While the tower allows views from above. There were few guests on the day of my visit which made getting this shot much easier.

Vertical landscape photo. Cluster of three palm trees along side a boardwalk with Lake Myakka in the background. Set against a blue sky on a sunny day.
Myakka Palms
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/10
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
200
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

Taken out by Lake Myakka. I liked this cluster of palms along the boardwalk.

Horizontal landscape photo. Myakka River is on the right side of the photo with the grassy river bank on the left side. Three alligators rest in the shallow water just off the bank, sunning themselves.
Myakka Sunbathers
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
35 mm
Aperture
f/10
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
160
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

Florida is home to alligators and that includes Myakka River State Park. I saw several during my visit in various areas along the river bank. This shot was taken from a bridge over the river. I then cropped the photo for a closer view.

Vertical landscape photo. Path runs through forest from right to left. Towering trees extend vertically on either side of path. One palm tree grows horizontally along the ground along the path. Set against a blue sky on a sunny day.
Myakka Twists and Turns
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
320
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

The horizontal palm tree is what caught my attention in this shot. Everything else was growing vertically, but that tree grew horizontally along the ground.

Horizontal landscape photo. Taken in the shade of a tree that stretches over the Myakka River. Moss hangs down from its branches. On the river bank a dead tree has fallen into the river. Set against a clear blue sky on a bright sunny day.
Shade Tree over Myakka River
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
35 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
125
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

This photo, taken under the shade of the tree on the river bank, focuses on the fallen dead trees along the shore.

Vertical landscape photo. Palm trunks extend up on left and right of frame with palm branches at top of frame. Palm trees growing in a row extending back through the photo from right to left across the grassy plain. Set against a blue sky on a sunny day.
Palm Shade
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/10
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
200
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

Also taken out by Lake Myakka. Here there are palms in the foreground but the line extends all the way into the back.

Horizontal landscape photo. Long branches of a tree stretch out over the Myakka river bank. Moss is draped over the branches and blows in the wind. Shadows from the branches dance on the ground. Set against a clear blue sky on a bright sunny day.
Tree over Myakka River
Camera
Sony a7RII
Lens
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Focal Length
16 mm
Aperture
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250 sec
ISO
200
Location
Myakka River State Park, FL
Description:

Taken along the Myakka River near the state park entrance. One of several shots in this location each focusing on a different subject. This one on the tree stretching over the Myakka River.

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