This summer, I messed around with the Phantom 4 from DJI robotics, a state-of-the-art aerial camera (or drone whatever you want to call it) that is super user friendly.

Everywhere I went, I found new ways to capture moments from an aerial perspective and the more hours I logged flying, the more comfortable I felt. I now take it hiking with me or even out on boats (as seen in the video).

The phantom 4 is so compact that you can take off from nearly anywhere, making it a great photography tool. Images shown in the video are from the Edwin S. George reserve in Michigan, Lake Blue Ridge, Bar Harbor, Maine, Darlington School, and locations right here in Rome, Georgia.

The University of Michigan sponsored research of the Blanding’s turtle on the Edwin S. George reserve, which I went to with my dad to help track and document these animals. I used the drone to find nesting areas and also to track down patches of invasive plants that were harming the ecosystem.

All in all, this summer was full of aerial adventures for me and I hope you enjoy the photos and videos I took along the way.