Nokomis Night Sky

For a little while the storms were firing up far from us. I did not let this stop me from getting the most colorful and possibly the most beautiful night scene composition I have had in awhile! It still includes a lightning bolt about 40+ miles from my location!I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Tower Trails

This was one of my first attempts at doing star trails. The moon was really bright so the foreground was lit up perfectly.

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Pink Sneed Sunset

This is the pinkest sunset I have ever witnessed! Emersion Point preserve off of Sneed Island in Palmetto, Florida.

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Baby Alligator Eyes

I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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The Unicorn

One of the most difficult shots to capture and edit in a single shot! A Lightning Milky Way shot! Since I started doing photography I have wanted to capture this shot! I did not know if I would ever get it. Last night it all came together! The Milky Way was in a good spot and the storm went right towards it and spit an absolutely beautiful bolt off the front!I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Anchored in Paradise

When you live in paradise you have to take advantage of being on the water! Thankfully, we have a few awesome friends who took us out to do so.I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Spooning for Dinner

A roseate spoonbill in Robinson Preserve spooning for dinner. He watched me closely but stayed calm and continued to move a the same pace. The light in the sky at dusk and the peaceful waters made for an excellent reflection. I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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The Pollinator

This little guy was flying from flower to flower as I was down a trail. I was not going to photograph him but he steadily stayed in front of me so I grabbed a shot of him in action.I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Seafood Shack Late Night

Got the cover of a local magazine called Taste, Dining and Travel with this photo of the Seafood Shack in Bradenton, Florida! I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Empty Island

When you live near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! This is Anna Maria Island, Florida. It was in the 40s today and no one was on the beach right before sunset which is super rare sight!

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Vulture Tree

They are watching over Deep Hole - a location full of hundreds of American alligators.I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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A Cypress Night

Had to walk in thick tall grass to get this shot of a Big Cypress! During the summer this area is full of water. The landscape in the Florida Everglades swamp is simply breathtaking! It really is a magical place! These are the kind of adventures I live for!I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Beach Lake Trails

Star trails on Anna Maria Island! Sat on the beach alone for a few hours to capture photos for this! I am facing directly south looking over this weird beach lake. I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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Sails, Chairs and Trails

I went to shoot star trails but clouds changed my plans and i got this instead! Anyone else want sit in those chairs with someone to look at the stars!? I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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https://www.instagram.com/justin_labadie/

Milky Way Bridge

Ventured down to Sanibel Island again last night to capture the Milky Way! Last time we were down here I had this idea to capture myself being lit from behind! Chris Haverstick (@ch808_shoots) helped me pull of the shot! We battled a few clouds but I think in the photo it added a cool effect over me!I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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https://www.instagram.com/justin_labadie/

Boy and Mom Catching Sunset

Mom and son catching the sunset! When I was watching them it invoked so many feelings of being a kid again! I took this tonight at Palma Sola bay in Bradenton, Florida! I took this photo of this baby alligator after Hurricane Hermine caused extensive flooding in Myakka State Park. He was on the side of the road. I am sure I was being watched by a parent alligator not far away but my friends and I were taking turns watching out for them as we each took photos.

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30th Sun Star - Holmes Beach, Florida

Damon Powers and I ventured down to shoot a location he had been talking about shooting for a little while now. We got there and some tourists sat right in our initial compositions literally 2 feet in front of us. RUDE! We ended up moving and I think it worked out!

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Sunset Sesh at City Pier - Anna Maria Island, Florida

Local surfer/kiteboarder Tommy Daniels catching big air at the City Pier. Tommy has alway been someone I have looked up to him growing up in the Gulf surf scene. Really rad to see him shredding as always!

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Cold Savannah Cityscape

When on our honeymoon, My wife snapped this awesome shot of me with the Savannah cityscape in the background. It was very cold this day like 20 degrees and the wind blowing but I held my composure.

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Dockside Savannah Sunset

Took this in front of a hotel where boats leave all day full of people to tour Savannah via boat. The sunset had a nice orange glow to it giving my photo a nice warm feeling.

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Arm of Anvils

My friends and I showed up to a storm late as some anvil crawlers lit up the sky. We all ducked a few times as some of these reached far above our heads. (as if it would actually help to duck)

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Sleeping Savannah

A Late night shot of Savannah. A Beautiful city full of history.

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Sunset of Simplicity

When you are in paradise sometimes you see sunsets like this. Just take a deep breath and soak it all in. I snapped a few photos then just closed my eyes and listened to the water softly slapping the shore.

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Dock on the Bay

The boat that resides on this dock must be out for an epic sunset adventure! Well at least I like to Imagine so!

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Sunset Cat

This sunset was magical and full of deep colors. I was at hope looking through these shots when I noticed a hidden feline enjoying it also! Can you find him?

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Path to Paradise

A beautiful sunset for of color on Anna Maria Island. I try as hard as I can not to take where I live for granted as many people pay thousands of dollars to come have a taste of this paradise I live in.

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Nokomis Jetty Monster

Sometimes when a storm is about to die out it will drop one final monster bolt. I have noticed it usually jumps away from the storm. This one jumped right towards me making me duck. It must have struck a mile from where the clouds were. I saw the fingers of the bolt with my eyes!

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Canon 80D
Canon EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
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18mm | f/8| ISO 200 | 30sec

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