05122021 Sumpter Landing
 

Here are a few from today's walk around Sumter Landing.

I kind of got chased out of where I was doing most of my shooting - it was in the Square where a live music show was going on.

It turns out The Villages doesn't allow photography there, maybe because of a bunch of old people dancing outside - LOL... but, it is private property, so, to avoid a fuss, I left and deleted all the potentially "embarrassing" candid photos.

Most of my shots today were candids of the crowd watching the music, so there aren't many left.

Here are a few I took out by the lake and I left in a few that normally would have been "outtakes" so you get to see what they look like before I edit out some duplicates.

I would be interested in which of the duplicates you all prefer. I know which I would normally have left in, so, let me know your choices.

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EDITED: The vote is in and the B&W Light House and the Anhinga appear to be the favorites, with the B&W edging out the win. And thank you to those that identified the blackbird sunning itself as an Anhinga, I hope to learn the names of all the birds I photograph. The Lighthouse made me think of The Great Gatsby - and hence the B&W.

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Hint, I think the Hibiscus sucks - lol - that is one that would normally have been cut.

Who would tell you to leave? So you cant take pictures on the square, stay on the sidewalk,along the curb thats a rite of way. you can film from there...doesnt seem right there are always people taking video of the groups while on stage...

I know, the law is that you can photograph if you are in a public place. The square is private so they could ask me to leave.

The lens I was using was too long for walking around in the square anyway - LOL. I couldn't get far enough away from anyone there. I could have walked across the street and gotten the same shots with that lens. And the law says that if you can see something in a private space from a public space then the person in the private space can not expect to not be photographed.

But, that's okay. The intent was to provide some privacy for the people trying to enjoy themselves, and I respect that. There is enough stress without my adding to it.

There are plenty of places I can photograph, I see no reason to cause a scene.

Interesting....why do you think that one sucks? I really like it. BTW, all your pictures are great.

Thank you,

The main thing about the hibiscus is that it is not perfect. It has damage along an edge, and the focus is a little off. I wanted the tip of the stigma to be in focus and the entire blossom, but the very tip is slightly soft and the bottom inside is soft.

But, thank you for the compliment, it means a lot to me.

Wow...your photos are awesome! I especially like those in black and white.Thanks for sharing.

Thank you very much.

Very cool - I really like the look of using B/W for the lighthouse.

Very nice!! Thank you for sharing.

The light tower, in black and white is really nice.

B&W’s are not my favorite, but the lighthouse pic is stunning!

Love these photos.
Your attitude towards others is refreshing.
I just love the black and white of the lighthouse.

I appreciate your talent. ������

Nice work. My favorite is the Amhinga (I think) with its feathers sticking up like hair and light on its beak and eye. Well done! Your bird photos made me SEE details about those birds that I hadn’t seen before. That’s high praise.

I am a photographer also. Actually the law says that even if you are on private property if you are looking into someone’s private space you still cannot take a photo legally. You cannot stand on a public sidewalk and use a 500 mm lens to take a photo through an open window into someone’s private home. There is an “ expectation of privacy” where you cross the line. It is vague at times and open to interpretation I admit. The square is iffy. It’s privately owned but meant for public gatherings. But if there’s a photo policy and someone of authority told u to stop you should.

Nice work with the photos! What do you shoot with, brand and lens?

As a side you note you have the right attitude, I share what you wrote about when and where to take photos.

Thanks for sharing your photos! You are very talented!

Your photos are all wonderful! I especially like the black and white one of the lighthouse.

I like the hibiscus- lots of texture and a lovely shadow of the stamen. Pictures are great. Thanks so much for sharing.

Well, many of us are not perfect and have damage along some edges, sometimes lose focus, and have soft bottoms. In this case, the hibiscus is PERFECT. 😀

Really good pics!

AMAZING photos.....you really have fantastic photography skills!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!

Great pics. The bird in the 3rd one looks like it has a hurt wing. :(

I love your black and whites and all of your bird images😊

Gorgeous shots!

Beautiful pictures, all of them!!

They are all very nice.
Black and white light house is nice

I have had problems with closeups of flowers. I know there's a macro-type setting on my DSLR (is macro even the correct term?), but I never took the time to learn how to use it. My closeups are not crystal clear, and my guess is that is what you don't like about the hibiscus photo.

I love the second anhinga (cormorant?) with the bird looking to the right. It seems to show movement. Also, the other birds are showing movement, which I like. Makes you wonder what they're up to. And the one with his feet hanging over the piling is very good--something different.

I prefer the second picture of the lighthouse because it is uncluttered and focuses on one part. JMO, I'm no photographer.

All of your photos are great and it is refreshing to see posts about the beauty of where we live. You help focus our eyes to the details we would otherwise not be privy to. Thank you for sharing.

Oh gosh, do I have to choose, ok. Ok, i choose ALL of them.

I like your B&W of the lighthouse. Good choice for B&W! Really has the old time feel.

Wow. Phenomenal pictures.

Absolutely beautiful…all of them!

These are beautiful. I love the ones of the anhingas! The ones of the lighthouse are great too! I could see these framed someplace! Great job!

Beautiful photos! Love seeing the birds in such detail.

Love the first Great Blue, love the black and white lighthouse, and love the first Anhinga!

Great photos! I like the wildlife and floral pictures best but the other pictures of buildings are nice too. The Anhinga photo is especially good. Thanks.

Beautiful photos, Very talented. Thanks for sharing

Great pictures! I especially loved the Anhinga. The details of the hair & feathers was amazing. Thank you.