Nature Landscape Photos: Blog

Flamingo Gardens 2023 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 16:07:00 GMT

3 of my Photographs are finalists in the 2023 Flamingo Gardens Photo Contest and are featured in the gallery from now through February 26, 2023.

Stop by the gallery and check them out!

2022 Long Key Nature Center Photo Contest Winner

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 19:40:23 GMT

I won 2nd place in the Scenery Catergory at Long Key Nature Center in Davie, FL in October 2022 for my image titled "Tree Maze"

New Portrait Gallery

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 19:07:37 GMT

I have decided to get out of my comfort zone of only taking nature and landscape photos and have expanded my talents into Portrait Photography. You can find my work in the new Portrait Gallery on my website. I specialize in photographing Families, Kids, Engagements and Maternity. If you would like to hire me for your next family portraits, you can find out more information in the portrait gallery section. I look forward to capturing all of your special moments!

2022 Photo Contest - Flamingo Gardens

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 18:50:11 GMT

2 of my pictures; Quartet of Orchids and White Orchids are finalist in the 2022 Photo Contest at Flaming Gardens in Davie, FL. They are on display from March 12 through to May 8 and are also for sale.

Flamingo Gardens 2018 Photo Contest Exhibit

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 20:04:10 GMT

3 of my pictures are finalists in the 2018 Photo Contest Exhibit which is on display in at the Gallery at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL from March 15 - May 13, 2018. Click here for more information on the exhibit.

US Department of Interior - Photo of the Day

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 19:04:15 GMT

The US Department of Interior featured my photo from Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska on Facebook and Instagram on March 16, 2018.

ShutterBug - Photo of the Day April 6, 2017

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 12:01:08 GMT

A recent photo that I took at sunrise on Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, GA was featured as the "Photo of the Day" by ShutterBug Magazine on April 6, 2017.

Click here to see a larger view of the image.

ShutterBug Photo of the Day

Flamingo Gardens - 2017 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:26:23 GMT

Two of my photographs are currently on display at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL for their 2017 Photo Contest Exhibit which is now through May 14, 2017.

Click here for more information on the pictures on display.

Long Key Park - 2017 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:22:17 GMT

Five of my photographs are currently on display at Long Key Nature Center in Davie, FL for the 2017 Photo Contest.

Two out of five, won prizes. " The Horse Trail" won Honorable Mention for the Scenery Category and "Welcome to the Jungle" won 3rd Place for the Scenery category.

These pictures will be on display until the middle of the May.

Winners Announced on the Sun-Sentinel -
> http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ features/sfl-friends-of-long- key-photo-contest-winners- 20170327-photogallery.html

ShutterBug Photo of the Day

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:14:26 GMT

My photo "Fall Drive" was featured as the Photo of the Day by Shutterbug Magazine on November 22, 2016.
Click here to see the photo in my portfolio, it is also available for sale.

New England in the Fall Time

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 20:30:18 GMT

I recently visited New England during the peak of the fall leaves. It was spectacular seeing every tree vibrant with colors.

We stayed a few days in a small cabin right on Rangeley Lake in Maine and each morning, I was able to watch the thick fog roll away as the sun came up. At night, I would capture pretty pink skies and reflections on the lake.

Check out all of the photos that I captured on my trip in my new portfolio; New England - Fall
Please feel free to comment on my pictures. Enjoy!

Kodak Moment of the Day - November 17, 2016

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 23:36:36 GMT

My photo " Early Riser" was featured as of the photo of the day by Kodak on November 17, 2016.

http://www.kodakmoments.com/kodak-moment-of-the-day/month/

Kodak Moment of the Day

Nature.Org Article - Glacier Bay Photo Featured

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 12:01:05 GMT

My photography from Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska has been featured in a recent article on Nature.org about Alaska's climate change.

Click here to see the article.

Nature.org Article

Weather.com June Photo of the Month

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 14:08:46 GMT

Exciting news to share! My photo "Skeleton Trees" is being featured as the Photo of the Month for June on Weather.com.

Along with the photo recognition is a full article about my experience while taking the shot in Big Talbot State Park, FL.

Click here to read to the full article.

2016 Weather.com Article

Flamingo Gardens 2016 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 08 May 2016 19:51:31 GMT

Two of my photos were selected as finalists in the 2016 Photo Contest at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL. "Spring Bloom and "Swan Lake" are on display in the gallery from March 12 to May 15.

2016 Photo Contest Flamingo Gardens

Outdoor Photographer Magazine Photo of the Day

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:41:06 GMT

My photo "Crashing Waves" taken at Blowing Rocks in Jupiter, Florida was selected as the Photo of the Day on February 17, 2016 by Outdoor Photographer Magazine. https://www.facebook.com/outdoorphotographer/photos/a.10151043180811175.427061.59273816174/10153279194206175/?type=3&theater

Outdoor Photographer

Alaska Photo Featured by US Department of the Interior

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:28:18 GMT

My photo taken while on a trip through Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska was featured on February 11, 2016 by the US Department of the Interior on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Click here to see Facebook Post.

Click here to see Instagram Post.

ShutterBug Photo of the Day

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 15:29:25 GMT

My photo "Sunrise in Midst of a Storm" was selected by ShutterBug as their Photo of the Day for February 2, 2016.

ShutterBug Photo of the Day

Kodak Moment of the Day - January 31, 2016

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:58:49 GMT

My photo "Sunrise in Midst of Storm" was chosen has Kodak's Moment of the Day on January 31, 2016.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=10419&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=42064

Kodak Moment of the Day

2015 Weather.com Photo Contest Finalist

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 18:30:01 GMT

2015 Weather.com It's Amazing Out There Photo Contest

Over 40,000 photos were submitted to the Weather.com 2015 photo contest and they narrowed it down to 73 finalists. I am excited to announce that my image titled "Skeleton Trees" has been chosen has one of the finalists. I took this photo at Big Talbot State Park in Jacksonville, FL during sunset.

Click here to view my photo and the rest of the finalists.

Skeleton Trees

Photo Contest - Please Vote for My Pictures

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 19:01:58 GMT

Two of my photos have been selected as the Top 100 in the 2015 Nature Conservancy "A New Hope for a New Wild" Photo Contest.

The contest has been opened to the public to Vote for the People's Choice Award. Each person can vote once a day from now through August 31, 2015.

Please click here to vote for my for my pictures. They are both located on row 19.

I appreciate all your support in voting for pictures. Thank you!

Sunrise in midst of storm

Icy Waters

Kodak Moment of the Day August 7, 2015

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 02:50:59 GMT

My photograph of Portland Head Light at Sunrise in Portland, Maine was chosen as the Moment of the Day by Kodak on Friday August 7, 2015.
http://kodak.ly/KMotD

Kodak Moment of the Day

New Section - Awards & Exhibits

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:05:21 GMT

I have recently added two new sections to my website. One lists all of the awards I have received along with the pictures and the other lists of all of the places my photographs have been on exhibit. You can view these in drop down menu in the About section.

Click here to view my Awards

Click here to view my Exhibits

Kodak Photo of the Day

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:01:17 GMT

One of my photographs from Acadia National Park taken on top of Cadillac Mountain at sunrise was chosen by Kodak as the Photo of the Day on Saturday June 6, 2015.

Click here to see the post.

New Photo Gallery - New England

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:11:08 GMT

I just wanted to share with you that I have added a new photo gallery to my website filled with images I took in New England over the last few years. There are images from Acadia National Park, various Lighthouses in Maine and Cape Cod, the Vermont countryside and so much more!

Please click here here to view my new gallery. The photographs are also for sale if you are interested in purchasing.

I hope you enjoy them!

Sunset at Portland Head Light

Discover Alaska Gallery Exhibit

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Thu, 21 May 2015 01:52:35 GMT

As my gallery exhibit, "Discover Alaska" at the City of Sunrise Civic Center has come to a close, I wanted to share some pictures from the exhibit as well as the newspaper article from the Sun Sentinel on Sunday April 19, 2015 which featured a story about myself as a photographer and the exhibit.

The exhibit was a success and I look forward to exhibiting my work at local galleries in the future.

Please c lick here to view the Sun Sentinel Article.

Also, you can click here if you are interested in viewing the actual photographs that were on display or purchasing them.

I hope you enjoy looking through the photos and reading the featured article.

Discover Alaska Exhibit - City of Sunrise, FL

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:38:56 GMT

My photographs of Alaska are currently on display at the City of Sunrise Civic Center Gallery through May 9th.

In this exhibit, you will discover America's last frontier through the lens of photographer Melissa Machonis. Her images showcase the beauty of rugged coastlines, sparkling glaciers, and majestic panoramic views - all captured during endless hours of daylight on a journey through Alaska's great wilderness.

Address: 10610 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351

Gallery Hours: The Art Gallery is open to the public on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2015 Earth Day Festival - City of Sunrise, FL

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 01:38:53 GMT

I will be selling my photographs at the 2015 Earth Day Festival for the City of Sunrise on Saturday April 4 from 10am - 4pm.
For more information on this event, please visit http://www.sunrisefl.gov/index.aspx?page=555

Hope to see you there!

Flamingo Gardens 2015 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:40:26 GMT

My photo "Peek-a-Boo" won 1st place in the "Wildlife" category of the 2015 Photo Contest at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL. The photo is currently on display in the gallery through May 3. Click here for more information.

Festival of Treasures

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 23:32:20 GMT

Festival of Treasures - Saturday March 7, 2015

I will be selling my photography at The Festival of Treasures on Saturday March 7 from 10am - 4pm at Volunteer Park in Plantation, FL.

This is an Art, Handcrafts, Collectibles & Handmade Jewelry Event indoors and outdoors. I will be in an outdoor tent for one day only on Saturday so please stop by. This is a free event for the whole family

Hope to see you there.

Festival of Treasures

New Smoky Mountains Photographs

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 01:46:05 GMT

New Gallery Posted: Smoky Mountains:

In the fall of 2014, I visited the Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway for a week to photograph Autumn in the Appalachian Mountains.

Click here to view all of the beautiful photographs and please feel free to post any comments. Enjoy!

Peaceful Creek

Discover Alaska - City of Sunrise Gallery Exhibit

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:40:33 GMT

City of Sunrise - Gallery Exhibit:

The City of Sunrise in Florida has chosen to feature my photographs of Alaska in their gallery from March 24 through May 9, 2015. There will be an opening reception on Friday March 27th at 6:30pm.

Gallery Address: 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33351

Gallery Hours: The Art Gallery is open to the public on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Click here for more information.

2014 Camera Club Exhibit

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:37:07 GMT

Three of my photos are currently on display at the Flamingo Gardens Gallery for the 2014 Camera Club Exhibit. One of my photos "The Rookery" won 2nd place. These photos will be on display until January 4th, 2015.

Flamingo Gardens Native Bird Exhibit 2014

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 21:43:43 GMT

My photograph "White Heron Reflecting" is on display in the Flamingo Gardens Gallery for the Native Bird Exhibit from September 1 through October 31, 2014.

Flamingo Gardens Native Bird Exhibit

2014 Earth Day Festival, City of Sunrise, FL - April 5th

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:40:23 GMT

2014 Earth Day Festival:

I will be selling my photography at the 2014 Earth Day Festival hosted by the City of Sunrise on Saturday April 5 from 10am - 4pm. If you live in the area, stop by for a fun day of live music, food and arts and crafts. For more informtion on the event, visit: http://www.sunrisefl.gov/index.aspx?page=555. Hope to see you there!

2014 Photo Contest Exhibition

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:54:37 GMT

Two of my photos will be on display in the gallery at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL for the 2014 Photo Contest Exhibition from March 22 to May 11, 2014. If you live in the area, please stop by and check them out.

Flamingo Gardens 2014 Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 20:10:05 GMT

Two of my images have been selected as finalists in a Photo Contest at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL. There will be an opening reception on Friday March 21st where the winners will be announced. For more information, please visit http://flamingogardens.org/Gallery.html

New Wildlife Gallery Posted

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:45:05 GMT

I have recently created a new photo gallery on my website for Wildlife Photography. This has become a new interest for me as I recently joined a camera club where the majority of what we take is birds and animals. All of the pictures in this gallery were taken at Flaming Gardens in Davie, FL which is a non-for-profit organization and features over 3000 species of rare & exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees. The Everglades Sanctuary is home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife including alligators, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacock, and of course, flamingos.

Please click here to check out my new photos and feel free to leave any comments. I will be continuing to feature new photos in this section so please continue to check back. Enjoy!

Flamingo Gardens - Garden Festival & Bonsai Show

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:02:58 GMT

On February 22-23, 2014, I sold my photography at the Garden Festival & Bonsai Show at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL.

Flamingo Gardens Event 2014

Alaska Voyage

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:29:35 GMT

Over the summer, I took a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska via a cruise and land tour with Princess Cruises. We started off with a 7 day cruise and visited Ketchikan, Juno, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord. Glacier Bay was amazing with icy waters, freezing cold temperatures and watching Margerie Glacier calving. The cruise stopped in front of Margerie Glacier for 30 minutes so we could watch as the glaciers broke, it was a marvelous site to see and hear. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

After the cruise, we took a 10 hour train ride from Whittier to Denali National Park. The train had 360 views, which were spectacular! I was able to capture some great shots from this ride.

Then we stayed at the Princess Lodge in Denali National Park for two nights, so on the full day, we took an 11 hour bus ride all the way to end of Denali. We saw a lot of Moose, Mountain Goat, Caribou, but only one bear. Mt. McKinley was also in clear view in the morning hours, but then by Noon, it was covered in clouds and you could no longer see it.

We then stayed at the Mt. McKinley Princess lodge for one night and I decided to stay on the viewing deck for most of the night to capture both the sunset and sunrise over the Denali Mountain Range. For the entire night, the sky stayed pink with strange cloud formations which made for some interesting night sky shots.

We ended the trip with a one night stay in Anchorage and then flew back home. Princess cruises handled everything from the cruise to all of the hotel stays, bus rides, train ride and our luggage from place to place. It was a great trip and would definitely recommend it to everyone.

Please click here and enjoy the beautiful landscape shots I took during my trip.

New Florida Landscape Photos

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 01:09:38 GMT

I have uploaded some new pictures in my Florida Landscapes Section. These are from a recent trip to Stuart, FL and the place is called the House of Refuge. On one side of the road, you have the beach with a wooden lighthouse and rock formations and on the other side, you have a lake with a fishing pier that is also used for weddings. The first night of the trip, I had planned to take sunset pictures at the pier, but when I arrived a wedding was taking place so I unable to shoot anything there so I went across the street to the beach and captured a night time shot of the rocks with the moon.

The next morning, I woke up early and headed to the beach side in hopes of capturing an amazing sunrise picture and while I was in mid shooting, I noticed towards the other side of the road that some interesting pink clouds were forming so I immediately grabbed my equipment and ran to where the lake and pier are located and captured a couple of amazing shots of the pink clouds reflecting on the lake with some yellow flowers. After this I ran back over to the beach and a storm was fast approaching which made for some interesting shots with the rocks and the lighthouse. Then as I packed up and headed to my car, I noticed a storm and a rainbow over by the pier so I immediately headed over there and captured images of the pier with the rainbow. I took some of the rainbow with the storm and others of the rainbow starting to disappear has the storm cleared up.

I have been taking sunrise pictures for years and always hoping to capture a shot with storm clouds or a pink sky with clouds and have never had much luck until this trip. I will definitely be back at this location in the future.

Please click here to check them out and feel free to leave any comments.

Bash American Bistro

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:13:03 GMT

A few of my pictures are still up for sale at Bash American Bistro in Sunrise, FL. Stop by and check them and enjoy a nice meal at a great neighborhood restaurant.

Bash American Bistro

Share the Experience Photo Contest

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 13:06:15 GMT

Please vote for my pictures in the Share the Experience National Parks photo contest at the link below:
http://www.sharetheexperience.org/gallery/search?q=melissa+machonis

Smart Travel - Best of 2012: Waterscape Photos

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:49:31 GMT

My Lauderdale by the Sea, Pier at Sunrise image was voted Best of 2012: Waterscape Photos by Smarter Travel. Please view click on the link to view my photo being featured - http://www.smartertravel.com/photo-galleries/editorial/best-of-2012-waterscape-photos.html?id=339

Earth Day Festival - April 20, 2013

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:53:42 GMT

I will be selling my photography at the Earth Day Festival hosted by the City of Sunrise Sawgrass Sanctuary Park (237 North New River Circle, Sunrise 33326) from 10am to 4pm. For more information, please visit: http://www.sunrisefl.gov/index.aspx?page=555

Earth Day Festival photo

Flamingo Gardens 2013 Photo Contest - March 16, 2013

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:47:00 GMT

Two of my photos were selected as Finalists in the 2013 Photo Contest at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL. They will be on display in the Gallery from March 16 through May 17, 2013.

Flamingo Gardens Photo Contest 2013

Bash American Bistro - March through April 2013

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:50:00 GMT

Some of my photography is currently being featured in the Artist Corner at the new location of Bash American Bistro in Sunrise, FL.

Bash American Bistro March - April 2013

YellowBook 2013/2014 - Ocala, FL

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:44:00 GMT

One of my photos was recently selected to be on the cover of YellowBook for Ocala, FL with my name and website address captioned on the inside cover. This directory was distributed 98,500 residents in the area.

Yellow Book

Flamingo Gardens 17th Annual Garden Festival & Bonsai Show February 16 & 17, 2013

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:40:00 GMT

Come check out and purchase my floral photography at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL at the Garden Festival & Bonsai Show on February 16 & 17, 2013.

Bash Wine Cafe and Catering - January and February 2013

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:36:00 GMT

Some of my photography was featured at Bash Wine Cafe and Catering in Sunrise, Florida.

St. Thomas University Law School - September 2012

(Nature Landscape Photos) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:47:00 GMT

I was commissioned to take photographs of the Law School building at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL which resulted in the photo being used for their Thank You cards as well as being featured on an insert in the Winter 2012 St. Thomas Lawyer Magazine.

St. Thomas University Law School