Back from the Keys. (photos!!)

Rixx · 09-30-2004

Just got back last night.

Hurricane couldn't even spoil the fun! Had a GREAT time, saw a lot, did a lot. Highlight was the Dolphins again. There was a baby Dolphin born the day before we got there. There are still a few decendants of 'Flipper' still around. A lot of the Flipper shows were filmed there.

Went to the Butterfly Conservancy in Key West. Beautiful place! There were quite a few of the Blue Morpho (Mexican) butterflies there, along with other various species.

Partied hardy all along the way. From Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Key West, and back. Spent a week traveling. Saw my friend Marie (Dolphin Trainer-Researcher) stayed with them a couple nights in Marathon. Went to work with her one day, and stayed ALL day. The rest of the time we were in Holiday Inns. From Key West to Key Largo, then Miami. Hell of a trip. Lots of catching up to do around the house.

Stopped in to hand-feed some Tarpon. Quite a site, some weigh 150 lbs. You have to be CAREFUL while feeding! They can take 1/2 your arm with the fish. Never did get a photo of them out of the water...too quick. Also made friends with a couple local Egrets (with FISH of course!)

Took a tour of Miami, saw how the RICH people live. MAN, were talkin' 50 MILLION dollar houses. Julio's, Shaq's, Stallone. House photos are included.

Thought I'd share the photos with you, hope you like them!!

Http://www.pbase.com/rixx/florida

Rixx

**denisea** · 09-30-2004

Rixx, Sorry we weren't able to hook up while you were in NC. However, it was very sweet of you to call. Thanks for sharing your photos... I love the butterflies! They're beautiful!

Rixx · 09-30-2004

I'm sorry we couldn't get together and have a cool one! There was just so much going on. Ryder cup, and all. Tanglewood was reseeding, couldn't get out there.

The Butterflies were magical. There where 1400 butterflies flying around, just beautiful!!

I'll get back there again before too long, if we don't hook up in P.D.C. before then.

THANKS again!
Rixx

TAPPY · 09-30-2004

WOW
GREAT PICS !!!!!!!! Loved the Dolphin ones......

Nerak936 · 10-01-2004

Rixx: Sounds like you had a great time! Happy for you!!! Those photos are wonderful!

Rixx · 10-01-2004

Thanks for the compliments on the photos!

This was my first time visiting Marie since she moved to the Dolphin Research Center. She's SO much happier there vs. Cancun. MUCH better facility, and research center.

D.R.C. is a NON-profit organization, run by people who love their Dolphins and work. It truly is an amazing place. The employees are free to bring their pets with them to work, as well.

I participated in a couple research sessions while I was there. The Dolphins couldn't receive better care. The Sea-pens are only 3 ft high, and considering that Dolphins can jump close to 30 ft... they are free to leave in a moments notice...if so desired.

D.R.C. provides a Manatee Rescue Boat for any instances or accidents with Manatees as well. They stay quite busy, this time of year. Most of the accidents are results of boat props. Considering that Manatees weigh up to 2500 lbs, you can imagine it's a tough job.

Wish you could have seen the new 'baby' Dolphin! I tried and tried to get some photos, couldn't time it right. The 'expecting' Dolphins, as well as the young Dolphins are all kept together. The Mom will keep ALL Dolphins away from the baby for 2-3 weeks, time enough to establish a bond with the baby. After that she will introduce the baby to the other Dolphins, and let them help with the task of raising.

Ever wonder how a Mom Dolphin feeds the baby underwater? The baby curls their toungue like a straw, and inserts into the Mom. The Mom using her muscles will squirt the milk into the 'straw'....in a matter of seconds.

There, they have a Dolphin that is 52 years old . Really unheard of, in the Dolphin world.

Rixx

Taquito · 10-01-2004

Those pictures are really cool, specially the dolphine ones!

Critter · 10-01-2004

Don't know that I would want to take a cruise on the African Queen....

Thank you for sharing those pictures.

Rixx · 10-01-2004

Thanks...and NO Problema!!

Around the WORLD twice? ..........Can you imagine??

Something else interesting was on the boat, I left it out of the photo...a FISHFINDER. Can you imagine? Kinda looked a little out of place!!

Rixx

Critter · 10-01-2004

Maybe they where using it as a depth gage?

**tommy** · 10-01-2004

Nice pic's as always Rixx...great quality!

Beachnutt719 · 10-01-2004

I am amazed by your butterfly pics. Tried to get some shots like that at Xcaret but they cannot compare to yours. What's the secret?

Rixx · 10-01-2004

Really no secrets. Take a BUNCH of shots, and sooner or later you have to get one right!! LOL!!! As well as having Photoshop to make minor corrections, helps a hell of a lot. I was actually dissapointed with the majority of them, overall. I managed to save a few.

Do your best to hold still, especially on close-up shots. Ease the shutter button down, to prevent camera shake. Taking a deep breath before shooting, helps. Especially in low-light conditions. Try not to use your flash, if possible.

Having a good camera is a MUST. I'm shooting with a 4 mega-pixel camera (Nikon 4500) Which some say is the best Macro (Close-up) small digital camera going. However, I never went into the 'macro' mode for these shots. I always shoot in the 'best' mode, meaning highest resolution as possible. EVERY shot. You need to have as much 'info' in the image as possible, to be able to do anything with it LATER. Enlarge, editing, or whatever. Don't get too many shots on a CF Card that way, but what you do get is MUCH higher quality images. I'd hate to think I just shot the best image I have ever taken at low-res, and not be able to enlarge it..OR work with it later. Do yourself a favor, and buy a couple extra flash cards. Well worth it down the road!!

I'll tell you what....send me one of your best Butterfly images. I'll try to see what is going on. And give it a 'spin' with Photoshop, if possible. You may e mail it to me at Rixx4009@aol.com ..........IF you'd like???

Hope I helped some.............

Rixx

Lil G · 10-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

WOW
GREAT PICS !!!!!!!! Loved the Dolphin ones......

I'm with Tappy on this one...loved the Dolphins....

Thanks for sharing!

TAPPY · 10-02-2004

Would have loved to have seen the baby dolphin...what a awesome expereince...
Is the Dolphin Research Center open to the public ? (interaction /educational type programs ???)

Did you get to see any manatee's ? I am in awe every time I see them !!!!

09-30-2004	#1 (permalink)
Rixx reposado Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,230	Back from the Keys. (photos!!) Just got back last night. Hurricane couldn't even spoil the fun! Had a GREAT time, saw a lot, did a lot. Highlight was the Dolphins again. There was a baby Dolphin born the day before we got there. There are still a few decendants of 'Flipper' still around. A lot of the Flipper shows were filmed there. Went to the Butterfly Conservancy in Key West. Beautiful place! There were quite a few of the Blue Morpho (Mexican) butterflies there, along with other various species. Partied hardy all along the way. From Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Key West, and back. Spent a week traveling. Saw my friend Marie (Dolphin Trainer-Researcher) stayed with them a couple nights in Marathon. Went to work with her one day, and stayed ALL day. The rest of the time we were in Holiday Inns. From Key West to Key Largo, then Miami. Hell of a trip. Lots of catching up to do around the house. Stopped in to hand-feed some Tarpon. Quite a site, some weigh 150 lbs. You have to be CAREFUL while feeding! They can take 1/2 your arm with the fish. Never did get a photo of them out of the water...too quick. Also made friends with a couple local Egrets (with FISH of course!) Took a tour of Miami, saw how the RICH people live. MAN, were talkin' 50 MILLION dollar houses. Julio's, Shaq's, Stallone. House photos are included. Thought I'd share the photos with you, hope you like them!! Http://www.pbase.com/rixx/florida Rixx

09-30-2004	#3 (permalink)
Rixx reposado Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,230	Thanks Denise! I'm sorry we couldn't get together and have a cool one! There was just so much going on. Ryder cup, and all. Tanglewood was reseeding, couldn't get out there. The Butterflies were magical. There where 1400 butterflies flying around, just beautiful!! I'll get back there again before too long, if we don't hook up in P.D.C. before then. THANKS again! Rixx

09-30-2004	#4 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,107	WOW GREAT PICS !!!!!!!! Loved the Dolphin ones...... Last edited by TAPPY; 09-30-2004 at 08:35 PM.

10-01-2004	#6 (permalink)
Rixx reposado Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,230	Thanks..Tappy and Karen Thanks for the compliments on the photos! This was my first time visiting Marie since she moved to the Dolphin Research Center. She's SO much happier there vs. Cancun. MUCH better facility, and research center. D.R.C. is a NON-profit organization, run by people who love their Dolphins and work. It truly is an amazing place. The employees are free to bring their pets with them to work, as well. I participated in a couple research sessions while I was there. The Dolphins couldn't receive better care. The Sea-pens are only 3 ft high, and considering that Dolphins can jump close to 30 ft... they are free to leave in a moments notice...if so desired. D.R.C. provides a Manatee Rescue Boat for any instances or accidents with Manatees as well. They stay quite busy, this time of year. Most of the accidents are results of boat props. Considering that Manatees weigh up to 2500 lbs, you can imagine it's a tough job. Wish you could have seen the new 'baby' Dolphin! I tried and tried to get some photos, couldn't time it right. The 'expecting' Dolphins, as well as the young Dolphins are all kept together. The Mom will keep ALL Dolphins away from the baby for 2-3 weeks, time enough to establish a bond with the baby. After that she will introduce the baby to the other Dolphins, and let them help with the task of raising. Ever wonder how a Mom Dolphin feeds the baby underwater? The baby curls their toungue like a straw, and inserts into the Mom. The Mom using her muscles will squirt the milk into the 'straw'....in a matter of seconds. There, they have a Dolphin that is 52 years old . Really unheard of, in the Dolphin world. Rixx

10-01-2004	#9 (permalink)
Rixx reposado Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,230	Critter, Taquito... Thanks...and NO Problema!! Around the WORLD twice? ..........Can you imagine?? Something else interesting was on the boat, I left it out of the photo...a FISHFINDER. Can you imagine? Kinda looked a little out of place!! Rixx

09-30-2004	#2 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,025	Rixx, Sorry we weren't able to hook up while you were in NC. However, it was very sweet of you to call. Thanks for sharing your photos... I love the butterflies! They're beautiful!

10-01-2004	#5 (permalink)
Nerak936 Cat-Lovin Nerak Bead Lady Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,635	Rixx: Sounds like you had a great time! Happy for you!!! Those photos are wonderful!

10-01-2004	#7 (permalink)
Taquito beachaholic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mexico Posts: 262	Those pictures are really cool, specially the dolphine ones!

10-01-2004	#8 (permalink)
Critter añejo Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cerca de Washington DC Posts: 3,343	Don't know that I would want to take a cruise on the African Queen.... Thank you for sharing those pictures.

10-01-2004	#10 (permalink)
Critter añejo Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cerca de Washington DC Posts: 3,343	Maybe they where using it as a depth gage?

10-01-2004	#11 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,216	Nice pic's as always Rixx...great quality!

10-01-2004	#12 (permalink)
Beachnutt719 añejo Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,972	I am amazed by your butterfly pics. Tried to get some shots like that at Xcaret but they cannot compare to yours. What's the secret?

10-01-2004	#13 (permalink)
Rixx reposado Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,230	Karen Really no secrets. Take a BUNCH of shots, and sooner or later you have to get one right!! LOL!!! As well as having Photoshop to make minor corrections, helps a hell of a lot. I was actually dissapointed with the majority of them, overall. I managed to save a few. Do your best to hold still, especially on close-up shots. Ease the shutter button down, to prevent camera shake. Taking a deep breath before shooting, helps. Especially in low-light conditions. Try not to use your flash, if possible. Having a good camera is a MUST. I'm shooting with a 4 mega-pixel camera (Nikon 4500) Which some say is the best Macro (Close-up) small digital camera going. However, I never went into the 'macro' mode for these shots. I always shoot in the 'best' mode, meaning highest resolution as possible. EVERY shot. You need to have as much 'info' in the image as possible, to be able to do anything with it LATER. Enlarge, editing, or whatever. Don't get too many shots on a CF Card that way, but what you do get is MUCH higher quality images. I'd hate to think I just shot the best image I have ever taken at low-res, and not be able to enlarge it..OR work with it later. Do yourself a favor, and buy a couple extra flash cards. Well worth it down the road!! I'll tell you what....send me one of your best Butterfly images. I'll try to see what is going on. And give it a 'spin' with Photoshop, if possible. You may e mail it to me at Rixx4009@aol.com ..........IF you'd like??? Hope I helped some............. Rixx

10-02-2004	#15 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,107	Would have loved to have seen the baby dolphin...what a awesome expereince... Is the Dolphin Research Center open to the public ? (interaction /educational type programs ???) Did you get to see any manatee's ? I am in awe every time I see them !!!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

register to remove these adverts