Where Have I Been?

I can't believe I'm been away for almost a year.  Too long and so much to share.  I've rolled over my Nikon D600 camera again.  It happened in January of this year while Hubby and I were on our cruise.    So I'm now at 20,248 pictures taken and my camera is still going strong.

I also took another camera with me on our cruise.  I've been looking for a smaller camera with a decent sensor.  I found it in my Fujifilm X100T.  It's a fixed lens camera, but I've been having a wonderful time with this fun camera.

Fujfilm X100T with Joby wrist strap

Here's a few pictures I took while cruising out of Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale:

Captured in Classic Chrome mode (Fujifilm X100T)

Waving to the folks on the beach as head out (Fujifilm X100T)

Along with the two cameras I mentioned we also brought along a GoPro3+ that I bought for Hubby on our 2014 cruise.  He shot some wonderful underwater movies as we were snorkeling in the Western Caribbean.  Since he used his GoPro, I used his Canon S90 P&S in it's underwater case to take some fun underwater shots:

Swimming with the Rays in Grand Cayman (Canon S90)

Following the fish in Roatan (Canon S90)

Finally, I had one more camera with me...my Nikon AW100.  Even though this can also be used underwater, it mostly stayed dry and went with me on our excursions to the beach or sailing.  My motto/experience is if the camera doesn't go into an underwater case, it doesn't go snorkeling in the water with us.  

Playa Mia in Cozumel (Nikon AW100)

Rum Point Beach in Grand Cayman (Nikon AW100)

As you can see, the AW100 takes decent pictures.  Yes, I took a lot of cameras with us.  Each had a special purpose to help document our vacation.  We took over 2800 pictures and we had fun doing it.  

I'll be back with more pictures to share with you....

More White Stuff

I know it's March.  I know there's always the possibility of a snow storm.   I'm reminded that Spring starts this Thursday.  Really?  Hard to believe.

Twenty year old tree (D600)

I really did enjoy seeing this white stuff called snow.  The snow flakes must have been huge because it coated everything nicely.  Stacked high.

This picture was taken with my Nikon AW100 camera.  I enjoy using this all weather point and shoot for days like today:

Looks like a winter hat (AW100)

And speaking of white stuff and the AW100, here's a picture taken in Cozumel this past January.

Passion Island, Cozumel (AW100)

Are you feeling the warmth?

Love my Nikons....

Happy Valentines and Wishing We Were Back in Belize!

Hubby and I have been under the weather.  He caught a cold and has passed it on to me.  He started to feel better a few days ago, but now he's sick again.  I've been to Walmart and CVS and noticed their cold remedy aisles are becoming bare.  I believe the winter bug has finally arrived and hit us hard.

So, hubby and I are spending a quiet evening at home watching movies and taking our cold medicine.

We do wish we were back in Belize.  Having fun in the sun and enjoying the blue water.  Sigh!

Goff's Caye in Belize (S90)

With D7000, Leave the Flash Behind

That's what I should have done when we left for our vacation.  I used my external SB-600 flash for about 15 minutes and I used it to take pictures of our cabin.  That was it.  I'm documenting it here as a lesson learned that I don't need to bring everything with me.  That's how great the D7000 is.  I did bring a spare battery with me.  I'm still averaging about 1200 pictures per battery.  Really cool!

Here's some pictures taken without flash:

Art Gallery on board (I did spend some time here)

Hubby's breakfast

Welcome Aboard champagne

Fellow cruisers dropping off their liquor purchases in Cozumel...they get it back on the last evening of the cruise

The gym on board

Galley tour!

My breakfast of champions (including oatmeal and granola)

A visit to the Medical Center for dear Hubby.  

A martini demonstration

Pouring different martinis...neat trick!

The captain's champagne fall...I watched the crew stack the 616 champagne glasses!

There were times while on the ship I left my camera(s) in the cabin.  There were many times I missed some wonderful shots.  There is always something going on or an event taking place on the ship.

Next time, I'm leaving my flash behind.

(Note:  all pictures taken in P-mode)

Went Over 10,000 Pictures on My D7000

My seven month old D7000 went over 10,000 pictures while on vacation.  After the 9999 picture was taken, the camera reset back to 0001.  Our ship the Crown Princess was leaving Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale) to start the second week of our cruise.  Ahead of us was the recently refurbished Grand Princess.  Here's the "milestone" picture I took from our balcony:

The Grand Princess sailing out of Ft Lauderdale

"C' is for the Island of Cozumel!

Crown Princess & Carnival Paradise docked at Puerta Maya

Colorful shops in Puerta Maya pier

We had a wonderful opportunity to snorkel at the barrier reefs:  Columbia and Palancar.  It was breathtaking to see all the varieties of fish and coral!

Underwater with S90

Underwater with S90

Underwater with S90

Underwater with S90

After snorkeling for 1-1/2 hours, we cruised over to Playa Mia for rest and relaxation.

Playa Mia (S90)

Life guard stand at Playa Mia (S90)

Colorful sombreros in the shops at Playa Mia (S90)

This turned out to be our favorite island.  A fantastic experience for us!

A Stop in Belize

Geoff's Cay

Geoff's Cay

Geoff's Cay

Some Photos from Week One of Our Cruise

We’ve completed the first week of our cruise.  Here are some pictures from our adventures in the southern Caribbean.

Princess Cays, Bahamas:

Curacao:

Arriving at the Mega Pier in Otrabanda

Renaissance Resort

Aruba: 

Our colorful transportation.  Now, this was one fun bus! (AW100)

Moomba Beach (AW100)

Moomba Beach (AW100)

Moomba Beach (AW100)

We have started our second week of cruising.  We are headed to the western Caribbean. 

Somewhere in the Caribbean

 

A day at sea.  Starting with this sunrise:

Underwater Photography - Fish

Taking pictures underwater, is a totally different photography experience. First, one has to deal with water movements or currents. Second, one has to deal with moving targets...as in fish. Fish like to move fast, darting in and out of coral. Just when you think you're going to capture the Kodak moment, the fish is gone. Sometimes you have to anticipate it's next movement, but that's a true guessing game. Sometimes, it just requires taking the picture and hoping for the best.

Here's what we saw while snorkeling in the Caribbean:









The pictures above were taken using the Canon S90 point and shoot camera with a Canon underwater housing. The camera was set to "underwater" mode and the included flash diffuser was attached to the housing. I don't recall the flash going off as we were snorkeling in bright sunshine most of the time.

I have to admit that most photography guidelines are not used while photographing underwater. Creative composition is key meaning if you see something you like, snap away. I admire folks that can take a clear picture of fish or marine life, centered or not. It's not that easy.

More pictures to come...

More Warm Thoughts

This was taken two years ago from our balcony. We were leaving Princess Cays on the last day of our cruise.



Some of you are probably wondering...what's up with all these Caribbean pictures? We are getting ready to go on vacation soon. I'm just prepping my blog for more wonderful warm thoughts.