Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area~ Day 1

Clyde setting up his camera and enjoying the scenery

We heard about how beautiful the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is and decided to check it out to see if there were any photographic opportunities. We spent two days enjoying the beauty of the place.

Clyde with his Leica M10 monochrome camera

Webb Lake 1 — for sizes and prices CLICK HERE

This Wildlife Management Area is one of Florida's oldest Wildlife Management Areas. In 1941, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission purchased 19,200 acres from cattle rancher Fred Babcock, who owned several thousand acres in the area. Today, with over 80,772 acres, this preserved area is among the last undeveloped expanses of wet pine Flatwoods in Southwest Florida. The area is surrounded by residential development, citrus groves, and pasture. It is located south east of Punta Gorda directly off I-75.

Clyde with his Leica M10 monochrome camera and Nikor 19PC lens being held with a SHOOT lens-clamp

Clyde has been having a fun time playing around with his Leica M10 Monochrome camera using various lenses. He purchased a Nikor 19 PC (tilt & shift) lens for the Lecia and then had a problem. The lens was heavier than the camera! The weight of the lens on the camera made the tilt and shift functions difficult. The weight of the lens caused the light weight Leica to move, making out of focus images. To solve the problem he purchased a SHOOT lens-clamp (Duomianshou). This trip is the first time he has used it. He loves it! Now when he uses the tilt and shift function of the lens, he moves the camera, not the lens. Because the camera is lighter than the lens, there is no problem keeping things in focus. It has made using the Nikor 19 PC so very much more manageable.

Clyde also ordered a new tripod head to replace his ball-head. It's a SunwayFoto GH-PRO II geared head with a level on it. He can now level his tripod before he puts the camera on it. All of this has made his life so much easier.

Blue field-madder

Shrubby St. John’s wort

Sweet Scent

I love flowers and just can’t resist taking photos of them. I purchased a macro lens and I’m learning how to use it…having fun, but have a lot of learning to go :)

It feels good to just sit and absorb the peace and beauty of nature. To me, that is one of the best parts of being a landscape photographer.

“Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”  John Muir