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Baby Manatee 2-8-14-301NF_V1440



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In the wee hours of the day, before everyone else is awake, we slipped into the river someplace in northern Florida. The water is chilly, but outside it is even...
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In the wee hours of the day, before everyone else is awake, we slipped into the river someplace in northern Florida. The water is chilly, but outside it is even colder -perhaps in the mid 50's. We hoped to come upon manatees, and did see many sleeping on the bottom. No matter how cold it was, this little fellow warmed my heart.
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Happy
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1 Comment | Report
CSArt
 
CSArt July 24, 2021
Oh My! You have captured this wonderful creature so perfectly! I never got to do what you have done, underwater and all and I salute you to brave the cold! I have seen so many manatees in Florida who have being hit by boats, full of scars, so thanks for showing this beautiful baby!!!
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Behind The Lens

Location

Somewhere in Homassasas, near Crystal River Florida

Time

This was shot at dawn. It was freezing cold, snotty rainy day. Air temp was about 55 -water temperature up there is a constant 72. This is in fresh water springs.

Lighting

The sun was coming up behind me.This was shot some time ago before the rules were changed. Now the use of strobes is no longer permitted. However, and in any case, I used 2 strobes facing straight outward and then slightly diagonally out so that only the cross beam kisses the subject. Shot at 1/4 power. I also increased selective color black in photoshop to darken up the background a bit.

Equipment

Nikon D200 with Tokina 10-17 in an 8" dome port, 2 inon z220 strobes

Inspiration

I was stolen away for the weekend by some friends of mine who wanted me to experience the manatees. I initially did not want to go because I knew it would be cold and freezing. I honestly forgot about the cold once I saw this baby manatee, that seemed to have lost it's mommy. I say that because it kept trying to hold onto my leg. You are not allowed to approach them, you need permits now, so I consider myself fortunate to have had this encounter, as this little fellow was so charming, and made me smile from ear to ear-for days. Oh, and mommy did show up after a bit- I think she went off to go grab a bite to eat- maybe she just needed some me-time. She gave me the look like "thanks for watching my baby," and smiled a little bit.

Editing

I cropped the image and used selective color black to darken the back ground.

In my camera bag

Because I am doing underwater, I am pre-set for the specific dive either wide angle or macro/super macro. My wide angle go-to lens for underwater is the Tokina 10-17, and for macro I use either a 60mm or a 105mm. I am particularly fond of supermacro, so my kit includes a Subsea 10x diopter. I like it because it swings open or closed easily underwater. Because my environment everything is moving, the less fussing about I have to do-the better.

Feedback

I shot this at f 5.6, iso 160, 1/160th sec. Because strobes are no longer allowed in Three Sisters, Crystal River, it would be very difficult to get this shot without a lot of seriously intelligent Lightroom fenagling. Go on a weekday during season (Feb) and apply for your permits in advance. Rent your own boat- with good directions on how to get from point a to point b so you don't get lost. If you are a professional photographer and handle your contact properly you should be able to really enjoy the experience. I do not recommend taking the morning cattleboats as there are far too many people & kids with arms and legs in every shot, not to mention the foolishness that tends to occur with that type of paparrazzi...hence the reason for the ruling of no flash these days. It is best to be away from the crowds.

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