Key Largo: I am sure that you know that Key Largo is the uppermost key in the Florida Keys chain. It is about 50 miles South of Miami and easily reached through Highway 1 South or the...

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am sure that you know that Key Largo is the uppermost key in the Florida Keys chain. It is about 50 miles South of Miami and easily reached through Highway 1 South or the Florida Turnpike. I have a property there and travel regularly to spend a day or weekends.

I visited yesterday that was a gorgeous day with cool temperatures in the 70's, pretty typical of our weather at this time of year. There was a cool breeze inviting to all kind of outdoor activities. Tourists were plentiful as to be expected since Florida harbors a larger population during the winter months. It seemed as if everybody was enjoying the day and having lots of fun.

I visited Gilbert's Resort, by the main bridge entering Key Largo. There are a couple of motels here with an open air restaurant by the intracostal waterway where seafood is very popular. I also visited the Marriott Hotel, a few miles down the road in lower Key Largo that was also busy. I went there to photograph the sunset which I have done in the past. It is a beautiful hotel with lots of amenities. They have a small marina where guests can hire a skipper for a day of back country fishing or rent watercrafts if they want to have fun in the water. The hotel harbors its own private beach and as to be expected there are a couple of excellent restaurants on premises, one of them catering to the seafood lovers. I completed my visit photographing a small marina where a seafood store is located along with a good restaurant overlooking the ocean. As to be expected, it was busy.

I shot all images with my Olympus EP-5, and the following Olympus lenses, the 17mm f2.8, 12-40 f2.8 Pro and Panasonic 7-14 f4. For the images shot during the evening hours I used a cheap Dolica tripod that has served me well. For some of the images I used a polarizer filter.

I am looking forward to return again shortly to have a beer and seafood at one of these open air restaurants.

The first shot is from Gilbert's Resort. It shows a small marina in the waterway and rentable apartments overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The bridge over the waterway leads to upper Key Largo, just a short few miles from here.
The second shot is from one of the restaurants overlooking the waterway on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. This part was less busy than its counterpart looking into the Gulf of Mexico.
The third shot is a partial view of the entrance to the Marriott Hotel Key Largo at dusk. I am not sure if the illuminated sign on the right is a fashion store or a restaurant. Parking is to the right and practically less than 100 feet from this building.
A sunset to the left of the building near a small marina located between two block of guest rooms. There are two tikkis here for guests looking to have dinner overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or just to relax. Tikkis are Indian words meaning small shacks covered with palm leaves but open to the sides. They are very popular in the Florida Keys.

Finally one of the few shots I made at the marina by the seafood house and restaurant.

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Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Ahhhhh, tropical color and ambiance. Thanks!

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

I wish I was there now. Is that your sailboat with the 2 kayaks?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is beautiful right now Bob. Winter is magic in the Florida Keys.
TPharm no, I do not own a sailboat. I did own a beautiful 26 open fisherman that I enjoyed for 30 years but it developed problems with the diesel engine and believe it or not I could not find anyone who wanted to fix it. I ended up selling it and I miss it a lot. I am an avid fisherman but now I hire a skipper when I want to go fishing. Cheaper at the long run.

ad9mac

My old stompin' grounds. Brings back memories.
Thanks

angler Loc: StHelens England

Excellent set Camerapapi.

Carolina Wings Loc: Flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania

camerapapi wrote:

I am sure that you know that Key Largo is the uppermost key in the Florida Keys chain. It is about 50 miles South of Miami and easily reached through Highway 1 South or the Florida Turnpike. I have a property there and travel regularly to spend a day or weekends.

I visited yesterday that was a gorgeous day with cool temperatures in the 70's, pretty typical of our weather at this time of year. There was a cool breeze inviting to all kind of outdoor activities. Tourists were plentiful as to be expected since Florida harbors a larger population during the winter months. It seemed as if everybody was enjoying the day and having lots of fun.

I visited Gilbert's Resort, by the main bridge entering Key Largo. There are a couple of motels here with an open air restaurant by the intracostal waterway where seafood is very popular. I also visited the Marriott Hotel, a few miles down the road in lower Key Largo that was also busy. I went there to photograph the sunset which I have done in the past. It is a beautiful hotel with lots of amenities. They have a small marina where guests can hire a skipper for a day of back country fishing or rent watercrafts if they want to have fun in the water. The hotel harbors its own private beach and as to be expected there are a couple of excellent restaurants on premises, one of them catering to the seafood lovers. I completed my visit photographing a small marina where a seafood store is located along with a good restaurant overlooking the ocean. As to be expected, it was busy.

I shot all images with my Olympus EP-5, and the following Olympus lenses, the 17mm f2.8, 12-40 f2.8 Pro and Panasonic 7-14 f4. For the images shot during the evening hours I used a cheap Dolica tripod that has served me well. For some of the images I used a polarizer filter.

I am looking forward to return again shortly to have a beer and seafood at one of these open air restaurants.

The first shot is from Gilbert's Resort. It shows a small marina in the waterway and rentable apartments overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The bridge over the waterway leads to upper Key Largo, just a short few miles from here.
The second shot is from one of the restaurants overlooking the waterway on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. This part was less busy than its counterpart looking into the Gulf of Mexico.
The third shot is a partial view of the entrance to the Marriott Hotel Key Largo at dusk. I am not sure if the illuminated sign on the right is a fashion store or a restaurant. Parking is to the right and practically less than 100 feet from this building.
A sunset to the left of the building near a small marina located between two block of guest rooms. There are two tikkis here for guests looking to have dinner overlooking the Gulf of Mexico or just to relax. Tikkis are Indian words meaning small shacks covered with palm leaves but open to the sides. They are very popular in the Florida Keys.

Finally one of the few shots I made at the marina by the seafood house and restaurant.

I am sure that you know that Key Largo is the uppe... (show quote)

Love your silhouetted sunset shot!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Great shots William, you caught the essence of the place perfectly!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What a beautiful set William!!! Want to trade houses for a month or two? :):):)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Erv, it is beautiful right now in the Florida Keys. Because of the tourist season most all places are busy and there are plenty of activities going on.
Fishing has been superb and you know that it is impossible to beat fresh fish. People are happy and enjoying the weather. How could I possible think of going to Ohio?
If you make it down to these shores I invite you to spend a weekend at my place. Just let me know. I am in TavernierKey, a short ride South from Key Largo.
I bet you too will have a great time.
I want to thank you all for your kind comments.

arperry Loc: Miami/Florida

My favorite is the sunset photo. Gilbert's is the perfect location to enjoy our beautiful sunsets here. Especially on a weekend when you have live music, the bands are usually very good and the crowd is a very energetic one. Wonderful people watching while you have a rum punch or a Miami Vice, sitting under the coconut palms. I agree, winters here in South Florida are addicting.