I Shoot Cannon.

I Shoot Cannon.

December 26, 2011. I Shoot Cannon.

(Actually, I do when I am using an SLR. This one was taken with my Leica X1, though, which I find much more convenient to travel.)

I loved the textures created by the sunlight shining on this dark cannon barrel at Fort Matanzas.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/250. f/8.0. ISO 100. LR 2.

Dogs Not Allowed

Dogs Not Allowed

December 26, 2011. Dogs Not Allowed. A man plays with his dog outside the Fort Matanzas National Monument, about an hour and a half outside of Orlando.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/250. f/8.0. ISO 100. LR 2.

Is that a fanny pack

Is that a Fanny Pack?

December 26, 2011.
Man: "Is that a dog that you're bringing on the boat to Fort Matanzas?"
Dog: "Is that a fanny pack?..."

There are "No Pets Allowed" signs all over Fort Matanzas National Monument on the way to the ferry boat. One creative family decided to dig in their heals to get their poodle aboard by putting the lapdog in a "Service Dog" leash harness and claiming that the dog was a medical necessity.

As a vacationing chiropractor in an Aloha shirt stared at the dog, wondering if it would work, I couldn't help but think that the dog was staring at him, wondering, "Is that really a fanny pack?"

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/500. f/8.0. ISO 100. LR 2.

Blam

Blam

December 26, 2011. Blam. Two men talk in Spanish while waiting for the pontoon ferry boat to Fort Matanzas National Monument.

I could not make out what they were saying, but I could hear the man on the right say "Blam" repeatedly as he gestured like he was holding a rifle.

Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/250. f/8.0. ISO 100. LR 2.

Family In Motion

Family in Motion

December 26, 2011. Family In Motion. A family runs around Fort Matanzas National Monument about an hour and a half northeast of Orlando.

Built around 1742 to protect the southern inlet approach to Saint Augustine, it only saw about ten minutes of combat action as warning shots were fired to let the British know that the cannons were operational, even though the tower was still under construction.

The area is called "Matanzas" or "bloodbath" because this was the site of a 1565 slaughter of hundreds of French troops from Fort Caroline, modern day Jacksonville, by the Spanish.

The official National Park Service Brochure has some wonderful information about this hidden historical gem, one of my favorite historical and natural spots in Florida.


 Leica X1. 24.0 mm. 1/500. f/8.0. ISO 100. LR 2.