Urban Park

"Young Maple Seeds"
Olympus E-3 with Zuiko Digital 50mm 1:2
1/640s, f/4, ISO 800

The end of fall/onset of winter comes very late to Orlando, usually around Thanksgiving. Spring begins to assert itself in an equally early fashion, usually around the last week of January. By the first of February plants begin to show signs of spring, especially man-transplanted, non-native varieties.

It was late afternoon, and the light was low and reddish, enhancing the color of the maple seeds. I was attracted by the subtle iridescence of the seeds; they seemed to almost glow from within. I performed a bit more work than normal on the original, boosting the red and yellow channel luminance by 50, while decreasing the red and yellow channels saturation by 50. The orange channel had its luminance and saturation decreased by 50. I increased the black clipping to 25, and finally cropped the image to a 3:2 aspect ratio, removing the entire top of the original photo. Perhaps familiarity does breed contempt, but there are times I prefer 3:2 over 4:3rds.

This was taken at Lake Underhill Park, close to the boat ramp. The entrance to the park and a very small parking lot is located at the corner of Lake Underhill Road and South Conway, right next to the 408, across the expressway and due south from the Executive airport.

"Eastbound 408 Andes Exit"
Olympus E-3 with Zuiko Digital 50mm 1:2
1/6400s, f/4, ISO 200

Lake Underhill Park, including the roadways around it, has been nicely improved. It looks to be an excellent urban park and green space. For the short time I was there I observed a fair number of people entering, leaving, and walking through the part I was in. There's a very nice walkway that starts at the park entrance and runs next to the 408 across south end of Lake Underhill. It looks to be worth a Pooh-style explore.

"Lake Underhill Walkway Entrance"
Olympus E-3 with Zuiko Digital 50mm 1:2
1/1000s, f/4, ISO 200