A huge thanks to Waddy!!! (melonmusketeer)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/10/2013 09:36:09 PM · #1

Oh my -- we spent our spring break in Florida and ended up spending some time with

melonmusketeer.

He really knows how to show a person (in this case a family) a real taste of what Florida is really like!

We had a truly incredible time. He is a wonderful host, an awesome photographer, and an all-around great guy.

He showed us gators.

Wow... did we see gators!

we even got to hold one!!

It was raining for quite awhile.

And I really thought it was going to put a damper on things. But he still found great things to do and see, even in the rain:

We got an air boat ride!! I had always wanted to try one, but never thought I'd make it someplace that actually had them. Gators and birds, and birds and gators, and my husband's hat!

Corkscrew swamp was incredible:

And he took us to a place with so many birds it almost made me cry!

I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Waddy -- from our whole family to you -- you gave us a treat we will never forget.

Thanks, waddy:

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

04/10/2013 09:40:40 PM · #2

Waddy is amazing - glad you found him as engaging and wonderful as I did.

So I take it you like the southern swamp?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/10/2013 09:43:01 PM · #3

What a great adventure!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/10/2013 09:52:33 PM · #4

It's wonderful!! Why can't I have all those birds?

I'd take the gators, too.

tanguera

Nikon D750

04/10/2013 10:23:14 PM · #5

How fabulous!!! I'll probably be there in September, so maybe we'll try to gtg then!

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/10/2013 10:26:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by tanguera:

How fabulous!!! I'll probably be there in September, so maybe we'll try to gtg then!

For a second I thought that said "gig" and I was all like: Wow, didn't see her gigging! .. Bet Waddy could really take you on a hell of a gigging run though. :)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

04/10/2013 10:49:46 PM · #7

Sounds like a great time. I'll put Waddy on my bucket list :-)

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

04/10/2013 11:46:50 PM · #8

I really enjoyed reading that and looking at the photos - thanks for sharing. And Waddy, be prepared for an influx of DPCers beating a way to your door!

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/11/2013 12:05:48 AM · #9

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by tanguera:
How fabulous!!! I'll probably be there in September, so maybe we'll try to gtg then!

For a second I thought that said "gig" and I was all like: Wow, didn't see her gigging! .. Bet Waddy could really take you on a hell of a gigging run though. :)

LOL!!

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/11/2013 12:52:46 AM · #10

We did have a nice adventure in the outback, and we didn't let the feet or the shutter buttons cool off the whole time.
Here's Wendy and family, surrounded by wild egrets. They nearly got us, but we were able to shoot our way out with both of us shooting.
I thought she was going to faint when we rounded the corner in the citrus grove revealing the rookery pond. It was the highlight of the week for me, just to see her reaction.
The Wendy family are some of the nicest people that I have met in a long time. We shared some grand views, good food, and lots of camera fun while they were here.

Here's another, from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. I share some night photography with them, and they make their intern cabin and the "Gator Hole" cabin available anytime there is an opening in their normal use.

My only let down was that we didn't get to launch watermelons while they were here.
If you look closely, you will see the reflection of the airboat with us on it in the eye.

Yes, we can go frog gigging, by airboat or by swamp buggy.

Message edited by author 2013-04-11 01:05:03.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

04/11/2013 04:16:01 AM · #11

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

and that's what it's all about (dpc, that is). making it real. way cool!

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

04/11/2013 04:47:52 AM · #12

Sounds great actually. Did he get his hat back?

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

04/11/2013 09:18:31 AM · #13

Yes, Jeff got his hat back, and Wendy has a new "adventure hat".
Thanks to one of my friends arriving at the marina while we were on the airboat tour, we got to go again for another 40 minutes or so for free. That's when Jeff lost his hat, but we were on a six seater boat, so Bubba went back for it.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

04/11/2013 11:47:10 AM · #14

Brilliant! I cannot wait to travel again, glad you had a great time.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/11/2013 12:29:23 PM · #15

As part of the total swamp experience, we did manage to get their car stuck, and, in a restricted area, when it got hung up in some deep ruts.
We didn't get a photo of the "pushing it out" because we were all busy pushing.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

04/11/2013 12:36:14 PM · #16

Looks like a great spot for wildlife. A bit jealous!

04/11/2013 01:52:03 PM · #17

Ok -- off topic for a second. This was the end of the trip at Ding Darling -- but check out the left side of the photo!!

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

04/11/2013 01:55:53 PM · #18

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Looks like a great spot for wildlife. A bit jealous!

Yup -- the wildlife was awesome!! He even discovered a new breed of wood stork!

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

04/11/2013 02:41:09 PM · #19

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

This is why I have 4WD truck...

Oh Wendy did you pet the aligator

04/11/2013 10:30:19 PM · #20

Yes, she did, and we have proof. Why is it that everyone who is holding a gator grins, unless it's an 8 or 10 footer?