Matt Hopkins Photography

A Secretary Bird stands in the grasses in front of a gnarled tree.

A Secretary Bird walks from the low underbrush into a clearing.

The Secretary Bird's name was once thought to come from the 1800s, when male secretaries wore gray tailcoats and dark knee-length pants. They also often used goose-quill pens that were carried behind their ears.

#Kenya #Africa #Photography #BlueSkyArtShow #Birds #Bird

A baboon sits on the branch of a tree partially hidden in shadow.

In the shadows

#Kenya #Africa #Photography #BlueSkyArtShow

A female lion looks up after drinking at a small watering hole.

Laying in the grass near a watering hole, a female lion scratches her ear.

Just in time for International Lion Day.

This lone female was stalking a watering hole, possibly waiting for the rest of her pride or for an opportunity to ambush a thirsty prey animal.

#Lion #Africa #Kenya #InternationalLionDay #Photography #BlueSkyArtShow

A brown and white gazelle stands in an open field of tall grasses and stares at the camera

Grant's Gazelle

#Africa #Kenya #Wildlife #Nature #BlueSkyArtShow

We were surrounded by them and it was still nearly completely silent. It was amazing

An elephant stands in an open grassy field.

An elephant grazes on some large bushes

An elephant stands amongst some large bushes on a cloudy morning

Birds wander in the tall grass at the feet of a large elephant.

Elephants have always been my favorite animal and getting to see them up close in the wild was an incredible experience. They're so quiet you'd barely know they were there if it wasn't for their size.

#Africa #Kenya #Wildlife #BlueSkyArtShow

A large vulture soars across the sky as the sun sets. The golden light from the sun reflects off its lower body.

This picture of a Ruppell's Griffon Vulture was unexpectedly one of my favorite shots from the trip. The clean background, well focused and that little hint of light from the setting sun lighting up the underside is just perfection.

#Africa #Kenya #Safari #Wildlife #Bird #Birds

Three rhino stand in a field at dusk

Two rhino stand side by side

A plane flies low in the distance keeping watch over rhino in a field below

As dusk settled over us, we were approached by a small group of rhino which were being tracked and counted by a team of researchers by plane in an effort to keep them safe.

#Wildlife #Kenya #Africa #BlueSkyArtShow

A brightly colored bird with blue and red feathers sits atop a thorn covered branch.

A brightly colored bird with blue and red feathers sits atop a wooden post wrapped with a thorn covered branch.

Back from #Kenya and taking some time to edit all the gorgeous photos I took along the way. These Superb Starlings really live up to their name! You'll find them nearly everywhere.

#Safari #Photography #Nature #Wildlife #BlueSkyArtShow #Bird #Birds

The central great hall with its skylight and balcony

A long ballroom with stained glass and ornamental coffered ceiling

A large dining room with wooden walls and ceiling. Stained glass windows break through the darkness

A bar featuring stained glass windows and mosaic floor

Inside Ca' d'Zan in Sarasota FL

#Photography #Architecture #BlueSkyArtShow

The central tower of Ca' d'Zan, flanked by palm trees

Ca' d'Zan in Sarasota Florida

#Photography #Architecture #Travel #BlueSkyArtShow

A great blue heron stands amongst lily pads

Great Blue Heron

#Photography #Wildlife #WaderWednesday #BlueSkyArtShow #Bird #Birds

A pink flower with a red and yellow center

Full bloom

#Photography #Flower #BloomScrolling #BlueSkyArtShow

A young orangutan looks skyward while sitting in a makeshift hammock

Young #orangutan at the Naples Zoo

#Photography #Wildlife #Conservation #Florida

Thanks so much!

A white water lily with a yellow-orange center

Water lily

#Photography #BloomScrolling #Flower #BlueSkyArtShow

A coyote stands with ears perked up in front of a background of foliage

Coyote

#Photography #Wildlife #Florida #BlueSkyArtShow

A Blue Jay clings to the thin branch of a tree, surrounded by leaves

Spotted a blue jay hanging out in a tree at the Naples Zoo

#Photography #Bird #Birds #Wildlife

A blue heron stands in deep water watching for fish to catch

Fishing for breakfast

#Photography #Bird #Birds #Wildlife #Florida

A raccoon looks up at the camera while relaxing in the brush

Two raccoons sit cuddled together

These adorable raccoons were sitting in the brush just of the path at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

#Photography #Florida #Wildlife

A Great Egret soars across a field of green foliage.

#Birds are everywhere in #Florida that you sometimes take scenes like this for granted

#Photography #Bird #Wildlife

A perfectly spherical flower lit by the morning light.

Wandering through Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve near Ft Myers FL were these impressive buttonbush plants in full bloom.

#Photography #Flower #BloomScrolling #BlueSkyArtShow

A barred owl sits perched in the crook of a tree.

We've spent the last few days travelling around the Gulf Coast of #Florida and I have tons of photos to edit. Here's one of sneaky Barred Owl hanging out in a tree at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

#Photography #Bird #Birds #Owl

The Invisible Man stands on a small balcony with his signature face wrappings.

Cosme Acajor, maker and seller of wands in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic

Dart and his Viking handler make an appearance in Isle of Berk

Gobber talks to a guest at the counter of his shop in Isle of Berk.

Today is opening day at #EpicUniverse and it really is the characters that bring the lands to life.

#Photography #UniversalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida

The colorful land with various enemy creatures and the signature Mario flag pole at the top.

Peach's Castle stands as the entrance to the land

Piranha Plants lit up at night in front of Bowser's Castle

The colorful land with various enemy creatures and the signature Mario flag pole at the top.

Super Nintendo World at night in #EpicUniverse

#Photography #UniversalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida

Boats docked in the waters of Isle of Berk

Wood carving of Hiccup meeting Toothless surrounded by wildflowers

A stone map of Isle of Berk with various dragons

A large fountain surrounded by guests at Isle of Berk

Isle of Berk at #EpicUniverse

#Photography #UniversalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida

French style buildings with a large Coupe de Quidditch sign

A multi-story French themed hotel with a sign that reads Le Mollusque Nocturne

A pedestrian stairwell between French style buildings

A side alley with faded posters and a non-functional fountain

Wizarding World at #EpicUniverse

#Photography #UniversalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida

The Vatican in black and white

While I'm not a religious person I do hope whoever the new Pope is continues to be more welcoming, more understanding and more inclusive so the world can be more progressive.

#Photography #Rome #Italy

Helios Hotel and Constellation Carousel seen through a ring with a statue of Luna.

One of the best focal points in #EpicUniverse at night

#Photography #UnicerrsalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida

A statue with a bow and arrow stands over a waterfall with a hotel in the background.

Stardust Racers sign in front of the roller coaster tracks

A large fountain in front of a grand hotel with a copper roof.

The Oak & Star Tavern lit up at dusk.

Wandering around #EpicUniverse

#Photography #UniversalOrlando #ThemePark #Florida