A good camera and lens combination are essential, like peanut butter and jelly.

A recent trip to Myakka River State Park started off with me hauling a 600mm through the woods chasing after deer and several wild pigs snorting and rooting in the rich mud. But I eventually traded in the long lens and monopod for a tripod and a 19mm PC lens to capture the ever changing light moving across the park’s vast landscape.

The Nikkor 19mm PC (Perspective Control) lens is a wonderful tool and magical in its images. The tilt and shift capabilities bring back the days of using a view camera in the field. The 19mm PC is all manual, sharp and begs for you to take your time as you set up to compose a photograph. The front element is large and protruding, and demands caution where ever you are traveling. This lens may not be in everyone’s arsenal, and it is expensive, but it is one of my favorites.

As a landscape photographer, it’s challenging to capture some scenes in one frame without the distortion of a super wide angle lens. But with the 19mm PC and its shift capabilities, I can “shift” the lens and take advantage of the full cone of light.

Back at home, I will “stitch” together multiple images using Photoshop’s Photomerge and create a seamless high resolution panorama. The landscapes below are made up of multiple frames stitched together using a Nikon 810 and the 19mm PC lens. Much like a peanut and jelly sandwich, the high resolution D810 and the 19mm PC just go together.

The snowbirds are back and it's beautiful

In case you hadn’t noticed the snowbirds are back. I know you have probably experienced an uptick in traffic. And if you shop for groceries on a Saturday, certainly you have pushed through the clogged aisles and maybe even had to hunt for a grocery cart. But I’m not here to remind you of life’s little irritations. I’m here to tell you the snowbirds are back and it’s beautiful.

I witnessed a traffic jam of epic proportions this morning as dozens of White Pelicans all tried to land at the grocery store known as the pond at Robinson Preserve. Seeing those elegant birds glide above the Preserve, drop down and lower their big feet like landing gear, and then ski across the water is something to behold. I could stand for hours watching — and taking photos of this wonderful phenomena. It was an amazing sight and it reminded me to be grateful for all of those who visit Florida for a week or for a season. This is the time of year that brings variety — whether in the people or the wildlife and sometimes there’s the combination of both. And yes, sometimes it tests our patience, but more often it brings wonderful opportunities.

I love the variety of birds that come in this time of year. I enjoy trying to identify the different ducks by their plumage. I relish the mix of colors, roseate spoonbills and yellow-crowned herons mixed in with the White Pelicans, with their black-tipped wings. I am thrilled with the different scenes across Florida. And the human snowbirds mean it’s the season for all sorts of activities. The restaurants are livelier, there are festivals and celebrations of all types, there is a variety of music as bands are playing throughout the region and there are parties everywhere. You certainly can’t claim boredom this time of year.

I have developed lasting friendships with a few photographers and birders who visit Florida during the season. I learn something from all of these seasonal residents and I enjoy their company here and even online when they are at their summer homes. I’ll even say something like, “I wish JoAnne (the most knowledgeable birder I know) was here to tell me about this bird I’m looking at.” So yes, I miss the snowbirds when they head north. And that means today, I greeted the snowbirds with a wide smile and my best lens.