Bimini 2016: Day 3 – Dolphins spotted! (Also, spotted dolphins)

Yesterday was my first time snorkeling since I was probably six years old. While we didn’t have good luck finding dolphins, it was good to start getting acclimated to the water before trying to trying to photograph them. (Not that I felt particularly prepared, just more experience than zero.)

The other thing I didn’t mention in yesterday’s post… motion sickness. I’d listed ginger pills and/or Dramamine as things to pack, but I hadn’t gone further than that in the narrative. Knock on wood, I’ve never vomited from motion sickness before. Yesterday was the closest I’ve ever gotten, however, and several people were not so fortunate. It made for a rough start to the week.

Also: I mentioned that you should reapply sunblock on schedule. Yeah, pay close attention to where your hands, feet, and other body parts rub against clothing or parts of the boat, and reapply frequently. I didn’t take any pictures, but you’ll have to trust me when I say that the backs of my hands, down to the first knuckle, were reddish-purple from sunburn. It wasn’t pleasant.

So, with that to set the scene, it’s time to head back out to look for dolphins again. The formula remained the same. Early morning yoga (for those who could roust themselves at 7:30), breakfast, packing lunch boxes, and a bit of time to relax before heading out around 11:30.

Our first stop was Shell Beach, not too far from the channel we pass through to reach the west side of the islands. As you can imagine, it was named this because of the large number of shells you can find on the beach. Shocking, I know.

So, after a rough first day on the boat, it was time to get back in the water and face fears and sunburn again. This is how we grow.

This is me, getting ready to swim to shore, and questioning life decisions. (Atmoji Photography)

This is me, getting ready to swim to shore, and questioning life decisions. (Atmoji Photography)

One small snag. The water today was… occupied.

I’ve taken photos of jellyfish in captivity from time to time, but there was always a thick piece of glass between me and them.

This time, it was a lot closer, and much more personal. And there were a whole lot of them.

 (Warren Schultz)

Moon jellyfish. Lots and lots of them. (Warren Schultz) Buy this photo

 

Continue reading

Bimini 2016: Day 2 – WildQuest, and Learning to Snorkel

Ok, big day. Time to grab a charter flight out to Bimini, and do this thing. (Snorkeling, specifically)

So, here’s the snag. I had a near-drowning incident when I was young that I don’t really recall, but I’ve had mixed feelings about being in water where I couldn’t put my feet on the ground as long as I can remember. But hey, if I can face acrophobia and stand on top of a mountain in the Alps (and take photos), I can handle this, right?
Time to find out.

When we were told to pack for the flight, one of the restrictions is 40 lbs total, per person. Total. My photo bag weighs that much when I’m fully kitted out, and that doesn’t include clothes. I was pretty sure that meant puddle-jumper prop plane.

I wasn’t wrong.

Britten Norman Islander, operated by Island Air Charters (Warren Schultz)

Britten Norman Islander, operated by Island Air Charters (Warren Schultz)Buy this photo

Continue reading

Bimini 2016: Day 1 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Just a quick update from the road. I’m headed out to Bimini (one of the Bahama Islands) to swim with dolphins, and the first leg of the trip is complete.

Wildquest sets the group up with reservations at the Bahia Mar Doubletree in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the Sunday night before the charter flight out. We won’t spend much time here, but the facilities appear to be decent. Check was delayed by having two rooms requested next to each other however. Once we got to the room, however, the view was pretty nice

The view from the Bahia Mar hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Warren Schultz)

The view from the Bahia Mar hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Warren Schultz)

 

Continue reading

2016-07-04 Fourth of July Fireworks

Just a few shots I took at a local fireworks show during this year’s Fourth of July festivities.

I was hand-timing the exposures with a wired remote, and playing with results from different apertures, so you’ll see the results vary a bit by group.

Since the photos were shot with a fisheye lens, I’m actually able to turn the shots into a semispherical VR panorama, so that you can actually see the fireworks from the actual perspective I did. I’m still going through the shots to find which work best for that, but I’ll post them here when I do. (So keep an eye on this post. 🙂


 

Europe 2015: Day 3.2 – Trondheim – Nidaros Cathedral – Gigapixel Panorama

After moving on from the Nidelva, there was a brief stop at a cafe that was recommended by our hosts in Oslo, on the way to Nidaros Cathedral.

Dark hot chocolate, at Dromedar Kaffebar. (http://dromedar.no/) (Warren Schultz)

Dark hot chocolate, at Dromedar Kaffebar. (Warren Schultz)

I can vouch for this dark-chocolate-based hot chocolate at Dromedar Kaffebar.

After the chocolate infusion, it was time to hit the main objective for the day, photographing the Nidaros Cathedral.

 (Warren Schultz)

(Warren Schultz)

This was the view from the side as I approached. Impressive, but not nearly as much as the western face.

Continue reading

Europe 2015: Day 3.1 – Trondheim on the Nidelva (with VR panorama)

The plan was to down to the Nidelva (Nid River) to see the Gamle Bybru (Old Town Bridge) on the first full day in Trondheim, and then explore from there.

First up, food. As I’d mentioned, the hotel used to be a bakery. The breakfast area had left some of the original decor intact, including the faces of the ovens.

 (Warren Schultz)

Werner & Pfleiderer “telescocar” ovens.

 (Warren Schultz)

These ovens were supposed to be ideal for baking “Vienna bread”.

 

The view looking up wasn’t too bad either.

 

Continue reading

Europe 2015: Day 2.2 – On to Trondheim

Leaving Oslo for Trondheim did not mean leaving the rain behind, unfortunately. The train windows were constantly streaked with water, which may not hinder viewing too badly, it certainly restricts photography.

 (Warren Schultz)

Continue reading

Europe 2015: Day 2.1 – Oslo (briefly)

Jet lag, my old nemesis, you’ve returned. Fortunately, flying west-to-east isn’t as bad if you stay up to your normal bedtime the previous night, unfortunately, I got just enough sleep on the flight to be completely out of sync, and slept fitfully at best. But there’s things to do, so off we go into Oslo.

If breakfast at this hotel is anything to go by, I’m not going to have any trouble staying nourished.

The breakfast at Scandic Victoria (Rosenkrantz Gate) in Oslo left nothing to be desired. At least half a dozen types of meats and cheeses, two types of smoked salmon was a good way to start the day. (Warren Schultz)

The breakfast at Scandic Victoria (Rosenkrantz Gate) in Oslo left nothing to be desired. At least half a dozen types of meats and cheeses, two types of smoked salmon was a good way to start the day. (Warren Schultz)

Continue reading

Dining in Europe: Dietary accommodations

Traveling with food allergies can be rough. Trying to get dietary accommodations everywhere you go can be frustrating and potentially embarrassing, when you have to ask about what’s in every item on the menu that looks good to you.

Conversely, in Europe, one of the things I found to be fascinating is how thoroughly food is labeled in the countries I visited. Are you allergic to gluten, lactose, and soy? Many restaurants and shops you visit have you covered. As  you can see in the image below, there is a reference key for allergens at the bottom of most menus.

The bottom of the menu at Cafe Bacchus (Warren Schultz)

The bottom of the menu at Cafe Bacchus (Warren Schultz)

Continue reading