Lighthouse Light

Some say that the Christmas Star followed by the Wise Men was actually the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. This year on the Solstice, December 21, a Great Conjunction occurred again - meaning the two planets were closer to each other in the (observable) night sky than any time during the past 791 years!  But what intrigued me as much was that one was supposed to be able to see moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn through BINOCULARS (or in my case, a telephoto lens on my camera).  No telescope needed!

Ducks at Lighthouse Pond

Lighthouse Pond Ducks Aplenty

So Crystal and I rigged up our binoculars on a tripod (to keep them very still) and headed down to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge a few days ahead to test it out.  We had a delightful evening show - the ducks and wading birds in the late-day light, the sunset, the crescent moon, and finally the almost-Conjunction - as we ate our picnic dinner along the shore. When the final curtain dropped (clouds moved in), we headed home, full of awe, wonder, and anticipation of the preeminent performance on the Solstice.

Dusky Moon Heron in Dusk Light

On the Solstice, we returned for the Grand Finale, with another more ambitious picnic and a couple friends. We were careful with social distancing (and well away from the parking area), but also marveled at the >100+ others who showed up to watch the Great Conjunction.  The evening's performances that night were every bit as brilliant as the dress rehearsal. (While intently focused on nature photo ops, I neglected to take a single shot of the people scene, even of our own picnic gathering. "In the zone"...  my excuse... sorry)

Sailing in Solstice Sunset

The Wide Angle Sunset

Dusk Sky Detail

The Telephoto Sunset

Quarter Moon in 3D

The Great Conjunction

Lo and behold, THERE in our lenses, we could indeed see four of Jupiter’s moons and the rings encircling Saturn... they were tiny, but visible. A thrill to see.  Somewhat underwhelming as little photos on a computer screen, especially compared to the experience in the BIG SKY theater. I highly recommend getting out there somewhere where you can see the sun set, dusk settle, and the moon and stars appear. You'll be glad you did.
 

Thanks for your visit. I really enjoy all comments you leave below. And feel free to share the link with family and friends.

Merritts Mill Pond

Merritt's Mill Pond, Before the Drawdown

Gator Hole Spring, Before the Drawdown
 

Merritts Mill Pond, a spring-fed dammed lake near Marianna FL, was "drawn down" for maintenance and repair at the headspring, Jackson Blue.  This only happens once every 50 years or so.  The Pond water level was lowered 6 feet or more -- quite an opportunity "to see what's underwater" without actually diving.  One of the springs, Gator Hole, had become a large partially-out-of-water cave into which adventurous folks could actually paddle part way.  And from there, one could wade in the crystal clear knee-deep waters and explore the many nooks, crannies, and side tunnels.  After seeing some photos on FB (Thanks Giedra Mazelyte and Guy Bryant), we were intrigued, and then hearing the Pond would be refilled very soon, Crystal and I decided to try to see it. We got there just in time - they began refilling it a couple days later.

Foggy Launch

Scruff is keeping a close eye on Crystal as she fades into the whiteout. Meanwhile, we're struggling in the 1 1/2 inch deep water.

As a safeguard during the pandemic, we decided to be there at dawn on a weekday in hopes of having the caves to ourselves for a couple hours. We didn't anticipate the entire area (and Pond) being socked in by dense fog... and, as a result, never saw another soul on the entire Pond all morning.  We launched before sunrise, wading through some mud, and then struggling to get our kayaks into deep enough water to float, but soon enough we were afloat and shrouded in beauty. Our scout, Scruff, was on high alert in the front of my boat.

Foggy Sunrise

Hmmm... which way do we go?

Scruff Scout

Search

Friend, John Moran, had given us some landmarks for finding the cave entrance. Oops, the landmarks were lost in the fog.  But we had a good general idea of where it was, and my GPS, which didn't mind the fog one bit, soon had the cave pinpointed.

Entering the Secret Passage

Entering the Secret Passage

Kayak Caving

Fog swirled around us as we floated into the tunnel. Fifty feet in, we secured our boats and proceeded into the alluring dark stony holes by flashlight. We set Scruff atop a large flat stalagmite as sentinel. (Honestly, he would have had to swim in many spots and soon we'd have a miserable shivering doggie on our hands. He sensed that his post was the safest place to keep his eye/ear on us and remained relatively content for a couple hours.)
 

Sentinel Scruff
 

We were out to have fun more than to make photos, so without much gear to lug around, we spent most of our time just exploring. I had brought several waterproof inflatable solar LED lamps which we placed strategically in holes in the rock walls to guide us as we ventured into the various passageways. 

Inside the Spring Workings

In Earth's Heart

But there was so much mystery in the dark recesses, the dimly lit swiss-cheese-limestone walls, and clear blue water swirling at our knees, that I made a few stabs at trying to capture the drama of it.

Spring Caving

Spring Caving

In Earth's Heart

Inner Springs

One small side tunnel led us to the deep hole from which the Aquifer gushed, and into which divers go way beyond our reach.

Gator Hole

Gator Hole

Deep Dive

Gator Hole Denizens (No gators to be seen!)

Upon return to our boats, the sun was beaming into the entry tunnel.  

Spelunkers

The Spelunkers

We had to back out as the channel was too narrow to turn around.

Backing Out

Backing Out

One last look at the entrance to Gator Hole, before turning out into low-water Merritts Mill Pond and its eerie skeletal tree stumps stabbing at the sky.

Gator Hole Mouth

At the Mouth of Gator Hole

cypress Bones 2

Cypress Bones

Cypress Bones

We paddled back to our launch site, gleeful in our success and giddy from the adventure.  And headed home. 

I hope you enjoyed the trip into a spring cave. Please feel free to share this link. And leave a comment below - I love to read your impressions.  And may we all journey safely to the end of this pandemic... the light (vaccine) at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.

Last Wednesday, Mike and I launched our kayaks in a gentle breeze from Wakulla Beach, intent on our missions:

1. To find his lost gear and 2. To find Gander Spring.

Mike

My neighbor, Mike, had been pretty animated when he came over earlier in the morning asking to borrow a kayak... he'd "lost" his kayak the previous day! He had been making solo kayak trips into the coastal creeks and sloughs during the pandemic.  Mike became particularly intent on finding Gander Spring, rumored to be a beautiful clear spring deep in the coastal swamp/forest.  There are no trails to it, only a very obstructed shallow spring run that spills into the saltmarsh and bay not far from where we live. So, Mike had made a few exploratory trips part way up Gander Creek, turning back each time due to inaccessibility, time constraints, or conditions. He made it furthest up the run the day before, and thinking he must be close, tied off his kayak and struck out on foot. With a bit of searching, sure enough he came upon the spring. After making his way partially around it, he headed back, thinking he was retracing his steps, but actually heading in the wrong direction. The edges of the spring are ill-defined, and there are several "channels" going in different directions.  Mike's only compass (his phone) was in his boat, along with his lunch and water. Unfortunately, it was a hot humid overcast day.  So no sun to gauge direction. Once he realized he'd lost his way, all efforts to reorient to his original path, or even the spring, failed. Soon he was doing his best to keep heading in the same direction (which was hard, given the swampy conditions, dense vegetation, and deeper sloughs that had to be circumnavigated).  SEVEN HOURS LATER, parched and worried as darkness approached, he spotted a power line through the forest and came out on a dirt road.  Whew. I can only imagine his relief.  I know Mike to be level-headed, stoic, and in great physical shape, but spending the night in that swamp would rattle anyone. To his credit, he never panicked (which is KEY) and stuck with the best plan given his circumstances.  Other than the dehydration, the spiderwebs (complete with the spiders) encasing him and the many ticks needing to be picked off, he made it home that night in one piece. A blessing. We both learned some important lessons (me - the easy way) from Mike's misadventure, and he agreed to let me share it for other adventurers to consider and possibly learn from. 

Dense Swamp

The two of us had been talking for a month or two about taking on Gander Creek together one day soon. So, the moment was ripe with motivation, and the conditions seemed ideal.  We paddled a short distance along the Gulf Coast, then turned north into Goose Bay. It was a good hour or more of paddling over oyster beds and winding through the marsh, past alligator roosts, and wading birds.  Eventually, the channel narrowed to a creek as we approached a stand of mostly dead cypress trees - victims of sea level rise. 

Shell Point

Great Blue Portrait

Basking Gator

Victims of Sea Level Rise

Cypress Skeletons, Victims of Sea Level Rise

Swamp Gate

Swamp Gate

From there we quickly entered an enchanted forest and the challenging obstacle course/maze. Between the drag-over shallows, the soft creek bottom, the multiple large logs requiring portage, the false-creek side channels, and the mosquitoes, it was slow going. But oh-so-beautiful.  I expected this so I had packed light, my only camera being my iphone.  In the lower creek, each cypress knee had its own little population of crabs. 

PullOvers Mouth of the Run Knee Crabs

Crabby Knees

Spiders galore, but also spider lilies.  And even a nice crop of my favorite-eating wild oyster mushrooms.  After another hour, we spotted Mike's yellow kayak off on a side channel. Mission One, accomplished.  We plowed ahead.

Spider Lillies Afloat

Spider Lilies

Oysters at Gander

Oyster Mushrooms

Recovery

Lost Boat Found

It can be tough knowing which way to go.  There are often multiple obstructed channels in view, and the "easiest path through" isn't necessarily the right way. Once you realize that it may be the wrong way, you've committed considerable energy to get there and still aren't sure another better way exists.  Once, when we realized we'd gone wrong, we explored a bit on foot and ended up dragging our boats across a short stretch of swamp to get back on track.

Sabals & Cypress Gander Run B&W Obstacle Course

And then, there it was: Gander Spring. An oasis in the swamp. I had remembered to bring my mask and snorkel, so I took a quick swim around the main spring bowl, keeping an eye out for alligators.  No gators in sight, but I saw plenty of beautiful garfish.

Entering Gander Gander Spring
Garfish

Garfish. (This older photo is from a different spring. I had no underwater camera here.)
Gander Palms

We stopped for Mike's yellow boat on our way out.  I thought it might be quite a challenge to extract it from the swamp, but being empty, it didn't drag Mike down too much.  He towed it all the way back to our launch site without help. 

Atow Knee Field

And that's the story. Your comments below are much appreciated.  And please share this link with anyone who might enjoy it.

I've been publishing my monthly photoblog pretty consistently for 12 years now, but I'm ready to slow that pace as well.
Starting in 2020, I'll post at the blog randomly, maybe every 2 to 3 months.  Those of you on my photoblog email list will still get notes (unless you instruct me otherwise). For anyone not on my list who'd like to get an email when I post a new entry (4-6 times per year via BCC. This e-address list is used for no other purpose), you can send me a note asking to be added: [email protected].

For my last formal monthly blog, I've decided to pick back through previous posts (only as far as 2013) and re-share some of my favorite photos along with the links to accompanying shots and the backstories....

In spring of 2013, we had a "bumper crop" of fireflies in our backyard.  And I was "on fire" about lightpainting at night... put that together and here's the photo, and the story of its becoming: 

Firefly Magic Round the Sinkhole (click this link).

Firefly Magic Round the SinkholeWow! The fireflies are abundant this year... maybe because of less general mosquito spraying. Set up my camera by our classic karst window sinkhole last night and had fun painting the water and trees with a flashlight, while the fireflies danced. For more about this photo: http://davidmoynahanphotography.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/5/firefly-magic

Chassahowitzka - that's a mouthful of a name and an eyeful of a beautiful place.  Have a look here for underwater caves, mermaids, manatees and springs hidden in swamps, and a dive with a sizable alligator: 

Chassahowitzka (click).
 

Garfish ChassahowitzkaChassahowitzka River, FL

Chassahowitzka River

One winter we had an unusual double freeze, during the infamous Polar Vortex.  The ice formations in a nearby swamp were psychedelic and FULL of ART:

Polar Vortex Embraces Florida (link)

Magical_Window Zebra_Ice

Snorkeling the springs of the Econfina Creek, Crystal and I came upon (and became enthralled by) the rise and fall of giant tadpoles. Here's the full story... 

The Giant Tadpoles of Econfina Creek

Rise & Fall of Tads

John Moran and I began a series of nightscape-lightpainting collaborations in early 2009. Oasis in the Dark and Magical Moonlit Paddle, below, are two of more than a dozen (and counting).  Here's a blogpost that includes more of our early projects along with some of my solo efforts. 

Nightscape (click this link)

Oasis in the Dark

Oasis in the Dark

  Magical Moonlight Paddle

Magical Moonlit Paddle

For many years, each January, a group of 8 guys make our traditional camping trip, usually on the wild parts of Florida rivers via kayaks and canoes.  These good times often makes for good stories (and photos).  Here's the link to our 2014 trip on the Suwannee River (you'll then see why it's called Fire):  

Suwannee Fire

Suwannee_Sunrise_Pano

Swapping a gallery of my best photos about a single subject in place of a tale of adventure has been another way I've blogged... such as this one on the weird and sculptural cypress knees I've seen over the years. Not to be missed and ...  

On My Knees

Knee_Waves Grazing Dragon

Grazing Dragon

The first time I visited Merritts Mill Pond in Jackson County FL, I was blown away by its beauty. Here's that exploration through my lens - springs and caves and wildlife and people having fun.

Springs of the Mill Pond 

Merritts Mill Pond Dawn Egg Layer

Apple Snail Laying Eggs at Sunrise

The Realm of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is a collection of my photos that give a good overview of the majesty of this magical place we call our backyard.  I have posted several photoblog entries about this Refuge.

The Realm of St. Marks

Realm of St Marks

Rarely have I posted photos from outside Florida, but here's one of those exceptions. As a boy, I was an avid saltwater aquarist and spent a LOT of time snorkeling and diving throughout the Caribbean, so when I had a chance to dive in Belize a few years ago with my brother Jay, I was happy to have my underwater camera rig with me.  Many are the same creatures I grew up with in my South Florida homewaters.

Under the Sea

Gray Angels Browsing Hawksbill

Ginnie Springs in Central Florida is another jewel... actually, a whole necklace of jewels strung along the banks of the Santa Fe River! Devils Ear Spring (Into the Mystery, below) is one example. When the river level is just right, her tannic waters blend eerily with the crystalline waters boiling up from the deep spring.  Here are more... 

Ginnie and Her Santa Fe River Springs

Into The Mystery

Into the Mystery

Gin Clear

Gin Clear

One summer, we set out into the Gulf from Steinhatchee in search of the scallop beds on a mission to make the Best Scallop Photos Ever. You decide... how'd we do?  ... here they all are, at this link...

Bay Scallops

Bay ScallopI take an intimate look into the delicate blue-eyed bay scallop and wonder how I can kill and eat such a creature.

You might be noticing a recurring theme in these posts - - Florida Springs.  Florida is blessed with so many of them, and they - our water supply - are under siege from run-off pollutants, development, and overpumping. So, yes, here are some more springs we need to protect and revere.  Here's a sumptuous sample of springs around Florida.  From wilderness to county parks, bountiful wildlife to joyful recreators, there is much beauty still.  (I have not included photos of the many springs now choked with algae, dead muddy green, or flat out stopped flowing... there are too many of those as well.)

Florida Spring Hopping

Spring Run Light Spring AbstractLooking straight down into a large hole in the rocky creek floor, from which boils the pure elixer of life.

In addition to springs - the eyes to the underground aquifer - we have rivers that run along the surface, but periodically dive underground for a stretch. I know of none other that takes as many such dives as the Aucilla River here in North Florida.  In some parts, the Aucilla just pops up as an oblong sinkhole before snaking down into the earth again. The Florida Trail travels these parts - the Aucilla Sinks Trail.

Aucilla

Aucilla River Panorama

Aucilla River

Aucilla River Sink Autumn

Aucilla Sinks

...And then there are rare sinkholes that are also Eyes of the Aquifer, like THIS incredible place.

Eye of the Aquifer

One Christmas, Crystal, Scruff, and I set out to explore the Econlockhatchee River, a little known river winding through pristine central Florida forest before opening into palm hammocks and the St. Johns River.   We camped out of our jonboat, exploring the lower reaches.

Palmy Dreams of the Econ

Econ_Sunrise_2 Palm_Panorama_2

Back to spring country, Moran and I had a great time making one of our nightscapes at Naked Springs in Gilchrist County.  Naked was finely clothed by the floodplain forest and massive old cypress snag (since fallen) which made a statuesque subject to lightpaint, the stars (trails) swirling around Polaris in the northern night sky behind it. The now-state-park around Gilchrist Blue Spring (including Naked) is equally spectacular.  The post includes a camping trip with Crystal, and several other explorations of the area.

Naked Under the Stars 

Naked under the Stars

Naked Under the Stars

One year, I made several trips to Nokuse Plantation in the Florida Panhandle to explore Seven Runs Creek, a wild and scenic creek being considered for protection by the Florida Forever Program.  I was to make a calendar shot.  Here's the back story.  (The property has since been conserved.)

Seven Runs Creek - Florida Forever

Florida Mountain Laurel

I always thought one needed the dry clear mountain air to photograph the Milky Way, but in 2017, I tried making a photo at the nearby Wakulla River and was kind of amazed. That led to a series of Milky Way shots some of which found themselves in a blogpost...

Milky Way Over North Florida

River of Glory

River of Glory

In the spring of 2018, Crystal was watching the weather and her intuition said that we were going to find a bounty of migratory neo-tropical birds down at St George Island, so we dropped everything and went. Wow, so many birds we'd never seen!

Spring Migration at the Florida Gulf Coast

Blackburnian Warbler 2

Blackburnian Warbler

Rock Springs Run rocks!  As does the spring itself. Not far north of Orlando, clear springwater flows from a limestone cave into one of the prettiest natural swimming pools imaginable.  The water continues a meandering course through swamp and forest, a summer dream for tubers and paddlers. Despite its popularity, this spring and run are magnificent.

Water from Stone - Rock Springs

Emerald Cut 2

Where the Ochlockonee River/Bay reaches the Gulf of Mexico, a small Wakulla County Park called Mashes Sands sits on the north side.  I don't know the history of the name, but the Sands there are certainly a special feature. This is another place that feels like our backyard, a place I go for big sky, beach, and solitude.

Mashes Sands

Gulf Dawn Panorama

Mashes Sands

Sand Ribs

Sand Ribs

The Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse of 2019 had such a fancy name and hype that I got myself out of bed to make a photo... and I'm glad I did.  Here is the link to all of my best moonshots...

Eclipse of the Moon

Lunar Eclipse

Last January 2019, our men's group explored the tail end of the Suwannee River- the estuary where the mighty river spills into the Gulf of Mexico. It was beautiful, yes, but you'll also find tales of the harrowing adventure. Check it out if you missed it:

Suwannee Estuary

Palm Bay 2 Reflecting Creek

And I'll finish with Florida Swamps, a worthy gallery ranging from our Wakulla Swamps here in North Florida to the Everglades. Swamps are among the most amazing and beautiful places most people never get to see.  Here's your chance...

Florida Swamps
 

Bladderwort

Bladderwort Fall Cypress Panorama
There you have it -- a wide ranging sample of my work and stories, enough to satiate even the hardest-core fan.  Seriously, I invite you to return to this post and visit each of these places and photo collections.  But beware, you might just find yourself infected by Florida wanderlust.

Thanks to all for your visits to my blog over the years.  I wonder how many of you might remember back to the early posts in 2006 or 2007. Lots of great adventures.  There will be more to come, just not as often.

Anyone who'd like quick access to the past 6 years, here is the index (including name, description and link): https://www.davidmoynahan.com/david-moynahan-photography-blog-index. Posts made before that (2006-2013) via Blogspot, not connected to my current website, are here: http://davidmoynahan.blogspot.com/

As always, your sharing this blog link with family and friends is what sends it on its wideflung journey through cyberspace - so, please do.

And leave a comment below, however brief. 















 

Prehistoric Pottery Shard

On a recent visit to St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge, Crystal, Sue, Jeff, and I discovered a spot where an ancient Indian midden (=prehistoric trash pile) was eroding into the Gulf. That is, the beach was loaded with old worm-riddled oyster shells and pottery shards. In short order, we found a few dozen “choice” pieces and I photographed them on site.  It wasn’t the first time for such an adventure, nor is it likely our last, but it seems timely to present some of my artsy photos from years of exploring this island paradise with our friends.  
 

Cabbage Top Pano

Cabbage Top - a prominant palm grove on the island's bayside.

Tahiti Beach Palm Grove

Tahiti Beach - the rarely visited jewel-of-a-beach at St. V's east end  St Vincent Sunrise

St Vincent Sunrise - the dunes on the Gulf front.

There!  Three images to establish that this is one beautiful island. In this post, I'm mostly going to zoom in to treasures and artsy jewels found in the course of our many explorations.  Let's start with the sand beneath our feet.

Last Rays on Beach

Last Rays of Light

Corrugated Sand

Sand Corrugation

Microbial Art

Microbial Art I - The amazing palette of  algae and micro-organisms

Wheelies

Snail-spun “Doughnuts” ...in Slow Motion 

Sand in Sunrise

Sand Storm at Sunrise

Sand Scallops

Sand Decor

Microbial Art 2

Microbial Art II

Sand Bands

Sand Bands

Snakeskin WaterSandPatterns emerge as tannic pond water overflows across the beach sand into the Gulf.

Snakeskin Water.  A small rivulet draining across the beach.

Sand Castles

Sand Castles
Living Beach Sand

Living Beach Sand. Coquinas in the surf wash on the Gulf beach.

Shells Abound

Shells Abound

Then there are the living creatures of St. Vincent -- the birds, crabs, fish, even jellyfish -- who sometimes find themselves the subject of artsy photos. 

Black Skimmer Sunrise

Black Skimmer Sunrise

Blue Crab ArtWatery impression of an underwater blue crab burying itself in the sand. St. Vincent Island, FL

Blue Crab Art

Feeding on Light

Feeding on Light

Pygmy Rattler

Pygmy Rattlesnake. 

Why do these deadly little masters of camouflage seem to always like trails?  I've very nearly stepped on three of them in my Crocs or flip flops.

Heron Silhouette

Heron Silhouette

Praising the Sea

Praising the Sea

Stingray ArtA large Southern Stingray swam near as I waded the shallows along the Gulf shore. Both curious, we checked each other out. St Vincent Island, FL

Sting Ray Art

Skimmers in Light

Skimmers in Light

Gar Scales

Gar Scales

Home in a CannonballA juvenile sheepshead seeks safety in the folds of a cannonball jellyfish. Notice the bubble by the sheepshead holds a perfect fisheye replication of the fish and jellyfish. St. Vincent Island, FL

Cannonball Jellyfish -- with Pilotfish pal

Watery Sunbeam

Watery Sunbeam

Over many years, Crystal and I have shared adventures (and misadventures too - stories in themselves) with Susan Cerulean and Jeff Chanton at St. Vincent Island. We've seen the roaming wolves and soaring eagles, crossed paths with big alligators, watched the dolphins leap and the pelicans dive, and hiked the forests and beaches.  Sue, a writer and biologist wrote a beautiful book, Coming to Pass -- about St Vincent and our stories, as well as other nearby barrier islands and their fragile ecology.  She is currently the President of the Friends of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, and the island's fiercest defender. Jeff is a renowned FSU oceanographer, and one of his research projects is measuring the impact of sea level rise on this barrier island.

Bookcover

So my photos made the cover and are scattered among the pages of this wonderful book.  I encourage you to check it out.  For a little taste, here is my blogpost about Coming to Pass (with several passages quoted from the book).  And here are a few snapshots from our forays on the Island.

Exploring St V

Sue and Jeff -- Exploring St. Vincent

Crystal Asea

Crystal Cools Off

Exploring St V -3

Exploring St. Vincent

Exploring St V 2 Hiking St V

Sunrise Speedboat

Sunrise Speedboat

Native Americans inhabited St. Vincent Island starting more than 2000 years ago.  Fresh water, few predators, and all the oysters you can eat. They left some big trash heaps, er, middens, as record of their presence and food source.  Now, the middens are receding heaps of treasure, slowly eroding as the island sinks into the rising sea. The oyster shells from these old middens are quite beautiful.

Oyster Shell 1
 

Eroding Midden

Eroding Midden

Oyster Shell 4
 

Oyster Shell Comp 1

Oyster Shell 3 Oyster Shell 6 Oyster Pavers Oyster Shell 2 Fried Egg

Oh, and a few other shells thrown in...

Shell Tool

Shell Tool - I imagine a stick was driven through the holes.
Moon Shell

Modern Moon Shell (not from a midden)

Seashell in Sunset

Seashell in Sunset Wash

Scattered amid the numerous midden shells are many fragments from old pots made by the ancient Native Americans.  Most are just black and quite worn, but a few have patterns, colors, and rims. They're fun to find even though it's forbidden to take them away (except as photos).

Pottery Chards 1 Pottery Chards 4 Pottery Chards 3 Pottery Chards 5 Pottery Chards 6 Pottery Chards 7 Pottery Chards 8 Pottery Chards 9 Pottery Chards 11 Pottery Chards 10 Pottery Chards 2

Here are a few classics of the earth and sky that reflect the many moods of St. Vincent.

St Vincent Storm Panorama

Stormy St. Vincent
 

Front Beach Sunrise

Front Beach Sunrise

Flying the Amazing Sky

Flying in Glory

Morning Storm over St V

Morning Storm over the Island

Textured Sky

Lying on the Beach Looking Up

Pelican Sunset

Pelican Sunset

And finally, a few artsy images of St. V's flora.

Palmetto Fan

Palmetto Fan (post-burn)

Palm Totem

Nature-totemized Palm Trunk

Sand Spurs

Sand Spur - aplenty

Waves of Wood

Waves of Wood

Rattle Box

Rattlebox

Pine Mosaic

Pine Mosaic (post-burn)

Palm Bark

Fallen Palm Patina

As usual, I could go on... and on. But I've given you a look at St. Vincent through my eye and lens.  I encourage you to find a way into the wild places near you -- galleries of Nature's Art to delight your eye and soothe your soul.  Your comments below are much appreciated, and please share this link generously.
 

Andros SunriseAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Andros Sunrise

By now, we have all seen the newsreels and photos of the devastation wreaked upon the Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian last month... lives, livelihoods, homes, and loved ones lost.  Communities wiped out.  I wept.  In my youth, I spent so many joyful months in the Bahamas, and came to know the out island Bahamians as a kind, gentle, and generous folk, living simple lives amidst tropical beauty. Not easy eking subsistence from rugged limerock isles, but generations of native wisdom passed down allowed a rhythm of life in nature.  Hurricanes have always been part of that rhythm, but nothing like ferocious slow-moving Dorian.

Bahamian Flag

Bahamian Flag

My time in the Bahamas was, of course, as a relatively well-off white man being an adventure tourist, so I make little claim to intimately know Bahamians or their culture, but the people and parts I've known, I love. This month I'd like to share a bit of my Bahama Time. 

Leonard Moxey. Crawdad fisherman1974

Leonard Moxey, with his Conch Hook

In this post, I'm sharing snapshots from a scant selection of faded images lifted from my old photo albums from the 1970s to add life and form to stories from one of the most wonderful times and places of my life. I've also interspersed some more recent (digital) shots from various equally great sailing, diving and fishing trips. (Full disclosure: some of the underwater photos are of common Bahamian critters, but I made them in other parts of the Caribbean, mostly on diving trips with my brother, Jay. I didn't have an underwater camera for most of my trips in the Bahamas.)

Gray Angelfish Pair

Gray Angelfish

In high school, I fell in love, not only with Antonia Marmesh, but also her whole family - Doc, Sarah, and brothers, Mike and Rob. They had recently bought a remote Bahamian property at the end of a narrow trail a quarter mile beyond the end of the road on a small island in Andros called Mangrove Cay.  There was an old house with no electricity or plumbing. Only a hand-pump well. It fronted on Middle Bight, a channel through the islands that gave us boat access to the amazing beauty of reefs, lobstering grounds, blue holes, conching pastures, and adventures beyond our imaginations.  There were a couple small villages and scattered residences along the few miles of road (including a widened stretch of road called the airport).  The Marmeshs spent every August there - and me too, for many years. 

Doc & Sarah Relax1973.

Doc and Sarah

Waterbed Talk1973. Antonia, DM, Sarah

Waterbed Talk - Antonia, me, Sarah

Bahamians, Robert and Mamie Moxey, lived in a small neighboring house. Through our shared experiences with them, and many of the local islanders, I came to learn some bits of native wisdom and lore.  (As well as some local cooking. Mamie's conch fritter recipe is still prized in "my cookbook".)

Robert & MamieOver for dinner. 1974

Robert and Mamie Moxey

Robert Teaches Conch Cleaning1974

Robert teaches us how Bahamians clean conchs.

Net Fishing Haul1974

Checking out a net fishing haul.

Termite MoundAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Bahamian Termite Nest

One day Robert was cooking some goo in an old soup can over a fire. He explained (as I recall) that it was a mixture of termite nest dust and termites (larvae and adults) that made a waterproof epoxy-like resin. He used it to patch cracks, holes and leaks in his skiff. 

Reef Shark

Reef Shark

Robert night-fished for sharks from right there at our Middle Bight shoreline. He taught us to fillet a shark, but also cautioned that once you eat flesh from a shark, you must never swim in the ocean because your scent will forever after attract other sharks to attack.  I don't remember whether we ate some of Robert's shark.  I suppose we did, because we had a couple of attacks in subsequent years. Luckily no one was injured, but spearfishing on the outer reef along the edge of the Tongue of the Ocean, in retrospect, seems pretty risky. Lots of big sharks cruise that reef. One shark stole Mike's grouper as we rode a breaker through a hole in the reef on our way back to the boat.  I remember turning to see that we were clear and instead saw Mike going round and round with a big shark. It was all over quickly, but I felt shaken and can only imagine how Mike felt in that moment.  Another time, a shark grabbed Doc's fin as he and Sarah were swimming along the outside of the reef.  Thereafter, we spearfished on inner reefs.

Robert Butchers Shark1974

Robert fillets a shark.

Rug Making1974. Robert Moxey

Robert thatches palm fronds for making floor mats

In the course of years at Mangrove Cay, the Marmeshes made some major improvements to the place.  A new house with a "water tower" (that we hand-pumped full every morning) so the kitchen had running water. All the walls were only 4 ft high to allow full cross ventilation. We slept on cool bare waterbed mattresses on concrete floors - as good as air conditioning - with the luxury of mosquito net tents over each bed (since the eaves were not sealed)... That net backfired on me one night... I awoke with a start from what felt like a really bad dream - that a giant crab had crawled across my face. I laid there a minute and then heard a scratching beside my ear. In search of a flashlight across the room, I awoke the whole house.  I was already known and teased for being somewhat crab-phobic.  There, inside the net by my pillow was a huge land crab that apparently had tried to climb up the inside of the net and fell into my face. Never knew how it got there. A lot of teasing ensued, but I always checked for crabs in the bed after that.

Handpumped Shower1972. Bear pumping shower for DM

Mike pumps while I shower. Pretty wonderfully basic.

Sally Lightfoot

Sally Lightfoot Crab. (Land Crabs are bigger and creepier.)

Tented Waterbed1973. New house.

My brother, Steve, and I enjoy the comfort of a tented waterbed.

Marmesh Homestead - Middle Bight1970. First trip to Mangrove Cay

Middle Bight.  Mangrove Cay, 1970. Doc, the Kid, and Robert Moxey

Mike & Nancy

Mike Marmesh with his high school sweetheart, Nancy Spahn... (still together, 50 years later).

In 1974, the Marmeshes bought a new boat, a 21' open Boston Whaler with twin engines called The Outrage.  Perhaps our plan seemed outrageous to some, but young Rob ("the Kid") was, by then, a master mechanic. Mike, Rob, and I set off one calm evening from Miami for a four day journey to Mangrove Cay. That first year, we stayed in little hotels in Bimini, Chub Cay, and Nicholl's Town (N. Andros), but by the next year, we were snorkeling and camping along our way.  We camped on the old concrete ship wreck off Bimini at least once. I remember crossing the very deep Tongue of the Ocean between Chub and N. Andros one year -- as being pretty hairy -- when the waves towered over our little craft.  And another time, an engine failed, but we made it on one, and Rob had the dead engine torn down, figured out, and new parts on the way (with family arriving by plane) in no time.

The Crew1974. DM, Capt. Kid, Bear. 21' Whaler- The Outrage. 4 days from Miami to Mangrove Cay.

Me, Rob, and Mike, ready for first voyage of the Outrage

Boston Whaler - The Outrage1974. Day 3 - Nicholstown.

The Outrage

Back in those days, I was an avid saltwater aquarist... built my own aquariums, innovated filtration systems, and collected my own specimens. When fish didn't get along or outgrew the tank, I even returned some to the reef.  Years later, I only captured my specimens with my camera.

Curious Young Rock Hind

Young Rock Hind

Queen Angel

Queen Angelfish

Anemone Fingers

Anemone Fingers

Fairy Basslets

Fairy Basslets. Among the most challenging to catch.

Christmas Tree Worms 2

Christmas Tree Worms

  Reef-scape 1

Reef Candy (to an aquarist’s eye)

Mermaids Bouquet

Mermaids Bouquet

Among the many adventures we had on Mangrove Cay, a daily "task" was catching dinner.  That usually meant spearfishing (snorkels only) on a reef for grouper or hogfish, or sometimes lobstering and conching in the Bight. We had delicious fresh seafood every day.

HogfishBelize

Hogfish

DM with dinner1972 Third trip.
That’s me, back in the day, with a prize grouper.   Spearfishing

My brother, Steve, spearfishing.

March of the Lobsters

Lobster Crawl

Mamie & Robert Moxey. Cleaning triggerfish.1972.

Robert cleaning a Queen Triggerfish he caught.

Queen Triggerfish

Sarah with Moxey grandkids1974

Doc and Sarah during a Moxey granddaughter visit... so very SHY.

Farmer Samuel Rolle1974

Visiting Samuel Rolle's farm... always fun, and bountiful.

Years (and many Bahama trips) later...

In 2008, with our friends Sue and Jeff, Crystal and I visited Forfar Field Station in North Andros, where friend Pete Davidson, artist and teacher, lived.  Our daughter, Lumin, had been there many times, and encouraged us to see this beautiful remote spot in the Bahamas.  Here are a few of my photos.

Placid LucidityPlacid sunrise, Andros, Bahamas AndrosAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Andros Sunrise 2Andros, Bahamas 08-03

Barnacles on Red Mangrove StiltAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Red Mangrove Stilt with Barnacles

North Andros Opening CoconutPete Davidson. Andros, Bahamas 08-03

(Crystal, Sue, and...) Pete opening a coconut while Mullet keeps watch.

Sailing into SunsetAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Sailing into Sunset

Over the years, we've made several sailing voyages to the Bahamas as well.  Here are photos from a trip to the picturesque Abacos (hardest hit by Hurricane Dorian) with our family adventure travel pals, the Chancanteruleans.

Island Flora

Hopetown Lighthouse

Hopetown Lighthouse

Striped Grunts on Brain CoralBelize Dinghying

David Canter and our daughter Marley dinghying to shore from our sailboat.

Conch Fritter Feast

Dining on Conch Fritter Sandwiches... Cleaning Conch

Lumin cleaning and tenderizing conch astern

Queen Conch Shell

Queen Conch Shell...

Crystal & David

... and me, with my "Queen", Crystal.

Remote Beach Cove

Sandy coves waiting to be explored...

Hiking Jagged Rocks

... as well as sharp rock shorelines.

Limerock Castle Offshore Rocky Shore Nature's Bonsai

Nature's Bonsai

Sea Grape Color PaletteAndros, Bahamas 08-03

Sea Grape with a rainbow of leaves

Octopus Lair - Beware

Octopus peeks from its lair.  Lumin is a master at finding octopi.

My younger brother, Steve, has been a lifelong adventure companion too. He often joined us in Mangrove Cay, and in fact, has been with me for most of my travels in the Bahamas - Andros, Abacos, Exumas, Berrys, and Bimini. We had some especially amazing times in Great Exuma... all pre-digital days and very few snapshots. Steve is a fisherman (and sailor) extraordinaire. A few years ago, he invited me to join him (and his buddy Rob) on his boat for a fishing trip from Miami to the Berry Islands in the Bahamas.  Here are a few shots from that recent trip.

Got One

Brother Steve in his element

Yelloweye SnapperJust caught.

Yelloweye Snapper

Nightfall in Great Harbour

Great Harbour Cay nightfall

So many more tales of yore I could tell. I look forward to more Bahama Time in years to come. But today, the Bahamas and Bahamians are suffering. Those of you so inclined, I encourage you to reach out and help in any way you can.  A donation of money, goods, and/or time.  Even a Bahamas Time visit to the islands -- many parts of the islands were not so hard-hit and are open for business.  Tourism is still the economic lifeblood of these Caribbean jewels.

Rolle granddaughter1974. At Samual Rolle's farm.

Child at Rolle Farm

Thank you for joining me all the way to the end of this marathon blog post.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Please share this link, and I love reading your comments below (no matter how brief). 

Fisheating Creek Sunrise

Upper FEC near Venus, FL

Fleeting memories are all I have left of paddling on Fisheating Creek (FEC) with our dad when I was a boy, but, because of that experience, the Creek has always held a place for adventure and wildness in my imagination.  I've since been back many times - camping, paddling, slogging, even working -  and would like to share a few of my photos and stories.

Memorial Tree FEC

Thlothlopopka-Hatchee is the Seminole name for the Creek, which translates to "the river where fish are eaten". The area has been inhabited by humans from as early as 1000 BC!  Where is this place, you ask? Smack in the middle of the lower Florida peninsula, FEC flows directly into Lake Okeechobee.  Wait!? Isn't Lake O is surrounded by a dike with carefully controlled-flow canals for inlets and outlets? Yes, but there is one break in that system - Fisheating Creek - which flows freely into the Lake from the swamps and marshes to the west.

Sue on Upper FEC

Susan Cerulean on the upper FEC

When I was shooting photos for Florida Fish and Wildlife, Susan Cerulean and I spent nearly a week exploring the full length of FEC - the Creek and surrounding land having been acquired by the state and protected as a Wildlife Management Area. At the time, the water level was low. We spent a good many hours dragging our kayaks down a shallow trickle in parts of the swamp.

Fisheating Trickle

Fisheating Trickle

Cypress Swamp Light

Phoebe

Phoebe

Kayak Walking

Kayak Walking

Fortunately, there were deep spots along the way where we could paddle, but also where the alligators accumulated.  We came to one short stretch of deepwater - a gator hole - where we had to paddle a gauntlet of alligators.  Many slid into the water ahead of us and disappeared into the dark tannic water, but this youngster swam right over to investigate me.

Young DenizenThe creek was so low we spent hours dragging our kayaks over a trickle. Every so often we came to a deep spot in the creek, always full of gators. This nest of hatchlings had one youngster who was bold and curious enough to swim over to see what I-in-my-boat might be. As I tracked the moving tyke with my camera, the water became silken in the image. Fisheating Creek, FL

Young Denizen

Some adults held their ground.

Gator Portrait

More shots from along our journey...

Adrift on FEC

Adrift on FEC

Touchdown

Touchdown. Swallow-tailed Kite

Air Plant Abloom

Air Plant Abloom

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

FEC Shallows

FEC Shallows

Vulture Pose

Vulture Pose

This Black Vulture was not far over my head as I paddled beneath. I felt like I was being sized up as potential soon-to-be carrion. What might the wild miles ahead have in store?  You get the clear picture below -- the typical water level is at the line across these "trees in the swamp".
 

Tree Line

Waterline

After an arduous passage, we finally paddled the last leg through Cowbone Marsh, sighting a few limpkins along the way.  The real treat, was the "welcoming committee" as we reached the Lake...  a small flock of American White Pelicans flushed very near us as we came into view of Big O.

Limpkin 1

Limpkin

White Flight

White Flight

Okeechobee Kayak

Okeechobee at last!

There's a great campground near Palmdale right on Fisheating Creek. Once on a trip to the Everglades and Keys with John Moran, we stopped for a couple nights to explore parts of the Creek.  Here I am with my all-purpose adventure boat that has a large shooting/camping deck, a kayak rack, bike rack, ample dry storage for cameras and camp gear, and even hardware to attach the johnny-pod (a 15 foot ladder tripod designed by Moran).

DM with boat at FEC Fisheating Creek

FEC from the campground

Memorial TreeFisheating Creek, FL

Memorial Tree

On another trip, Crystal and I camped along the Creek.

C&D at FEC

Picnicking after a swim

Creek Light

Creek Light

Crested Caracara

Crested Caracara

Glide of the Great Blue

Glide of the Great Blue

Favorite Campsite

Favorite Campsite along FEC (not Campground)

Pond Fracture

Pond Fracture (closeup of pollen and oils on pond in above photo)

Crystal at FEC

Once, when I had lagged behind (to make a photo no doubt), by the time I caught up, Crystal asked, "did you see that fish on shore?". No, I hadn't.  What fish?  It looked alive?  We turned around and paddled back to the spot. There, 20 feet from the water, in full sun, "stood" a fish! Literally standing. It looked and felt prehistoric... like we were witnessing evolution on fast forward. What the...?! 

Dawn of the Dinosaur  

Dawn of the Dinosaur

Other than flinching a bit when I approached, the fish seemed perfectly content soaking up the rays.  Its gills and mouth appeared to be "breathing" in the air". I later learned it is a sailfin catfish, one of the renowned "walking catfish", but I had no idea they could be this comfortable on land.

Walking Catfish

Walking Catfish

On another working trip, my daughter Marley came up from Immokalee and camped with me at Fisheating Creek.  And so, we circle around. As my dad inspired me, paddling at Fisheating Creek when I was young, so was I able to inspire Marley. (She, of course, grew up camping, paddling, and exploring the Florida Wilds with me, so she already had the spirit of adventure in her by the time we made it to FEC.  And lucky her, she lives nearby the Creek and lots of other protected Florida wilderness.)

Marley & Dad

FEC Cypress

Roots

Base Paint

Base Paint

Sunrise Meadow Knees

Sunrise Meadow Knees

FEC Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Iris Dew

Iris Dew

Dawn FEC

Fisheating Creek Dawn

Lk_Paradise_Bromeliads

Lake Paradise Bromeliads. (a wide spot in FEC)

Moving In

Moving In.

Floating Eyes

Floating Eyes

I've told the tale of these two alligator photos before... how I learned that imitating a small animal at water's edge could draw a gator to me like flies on... well, you know. Then standing tall stopped him dead in the water. Crouch-stand-crouch-stand, I felt like I had a remote control for that gator's motor.

There you have it - another place and reason to cherish and protect our wilds. May we all be good stewards of the remaining wild places and their flora and fauna, so that our children's children may look in awe and find solace in Nature as we do now.

Please share this link with your friends and families, and leave a brief note here at my blog - I appreciate it.

Maine Rocks - ANP 12

Maine really rocks... mainly because of its rocks. Well, not only the rocks, but I couldn't resist the pun. As a rare exception, this post leaves my beloved Florida for a jaunt to the Mid Coast of Maine.  Crystal was itching to go (I was resistant)...and so she planned the whole trip, with or without me.  When presented with the enticing details, my resistance melted away. She had us set up in a sweet little studio apartment along the upper Passagassawakeag River just outside Belfast. We explored the lovely coastal town (and others nearby), the beaches and trails, and the nearby state and national parks. While North Florida was steeping in tropical-storm-rains, heat, and humidity,  Maine's cooler weather was a welcome reprieve.

Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 1

So, this could be a travelogue... with a lot more snapshots of our daily adventures.  But it isn't. Suffice it to say, we enjoyed ourselves and each other immensely, and will be going back.  This blog is about Rocks. I've always been a rockhound, though my youthful days of hauling home embarrassingly heavy suitcases are long over.  Instead, I've been "collecting" them with my camera for many years now. 

Maine Rocks - ANP 10

And Maine is a goldmine. Have a look for yourselves.  I've grouped these selected photos by location, named in the first photo of each collection. Take a moment to look at each composition individually, as you might a large abstract painting at the Museum of Modern Art.

I'll start at my favorite rock place, just outside Belfast - Moose Point State Park. The rocks ROCKED!

Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 13

Moose Point State Park

Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 12
Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 7
Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 17 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 10 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 18 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 8 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 15 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 19 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 14 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 3
Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 5 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 2 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 4 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 20 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 16 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 11 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 9 Maine Rocks- Moose Pt- 6

An hour or so northeast was Acadia National Park.  After our planned "one packed day for Acadia", we went back for an encore 2 days later. 

Mid-summer and almost NO people on our hikes... how did we manage that? Hint: the sun rises at 5 AM.

Maine Rocks-1

Acadia National Park - Mount Desert Island - Ocean Path

Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 1 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 4 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 3 Maine Rocks - ANP 13 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 5 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 2
Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 6 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 8 Maine Rocks - ANP Detail 7 Maine Rocks - ANP 15 Maine Rocks - ANP 16 Maine Rocks - ANP 17 Maine Rocks - ANP 11 Maine Rocks - ANP 9 Maine Rocks - ANP 14

Rounding the Loop in Acadia, we had a leisurely visit and hike at Jordan Pond. Seemed wherever you looked was a postcard.

Jordan Pond Vista Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park

Jordan Pond - David

That's me.  Photo by Crystal Wakoa

Jordan Pond Rocks 2 Jordan Pond Rocks 1 Jordan Pond Rocks 3

We were told that the summit of Cadillac Mountain was a must-see...

Cadillac Mountain Vista

Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain Rocks 1 Cadillac Mountain Rocks 2

A ferry in Bar Harbor took us to the more remote part of Acadia, the Schoodic Peninsula, where we spent time at the Point.

Schoodic Point Schoodic Point

Schoodic Pt Rocks 7 Schoodic Pt Rocks 1 Schoodic Pt Rocks 5 Schoodic Pt Rocks 2 Schoodic Pt Rocks 4 Schoodic Pt Rocks 6 Schoodic Pt Rocks 3

Despite these all being coastal Maine, each place we visited had uniquely different character clearly exhibited in its rocks. I was thrilled and enthralled.  And next time Crystal says, let's go, I'll be all aboard.

Thanks for putting up with my rock passion, and getting all the way to the end (50 photos, yeow!)  But if you made it this far, you must like rocks too, so please let me know... leave a comment below.  Next month, back to Florida.  Until then, stay cool.

Suwannee Springs

From the railing of the overlook, the view is grand:  Suwannee Springs - once a healing-water-destination for the infirm, with its now-crumbling stone walls - directly below us; and beyond, the meandering Suwannee River; and peeking out of the distant forest, an arc of the old retired trestle, reminding us that this spot had its heyday.  Might there still be magic here?  Maybe under a star-filled sky?  John Moran and I were sure of it. For more than a year, we have been planning a nightscape photo-collaboration at Suwannee Springs. 

Old Trestle

Old Retired Trestle - now for foot traffic and graffiti artists.

Festive Trestle

For those not familiar:  for the past decade, John and I have joined our talents to make a series of elaborately-lit dramatic night scenes - from swamps in the Everglades to springs in the FL Panhandle. You may have seen some in previous blogs, museum exhibits, books, and other publications. (Here are 3 illustrative photoblog posts from my archives: Nightscape, Earthly Eyes Aglow, Eye of the Aquifer.)

DM on Jpod

That's me on the J-pod during setup.  Photo by John Moran

Starting well before sunset, we precisely set up our two homemade tripod ladders (johnnypods) - one for the camera, the other for a photographer to operate the camera without touching the camera's support.  With the composition agreed upon, we locked the lens rings with tape, tightened the ballhead, and strap-braced the pods. Shortly after sunset, we made a series of base shots from light to dark, and then began to "paint" with light.  Typically we take turns at the camera and at the lighting gear.  We create a series of several hundred photos of our scene, each with different lighting - using flashlights, strobes, and underwater lights. 

John lights the Spring Vent

John invented the JohnnyPod, a nature photography tripod on steroids ... mine's a close copy.  He also has an eye-popping assortment of lighting gear.  We both love the challenge of "MacGyvering" solutions to the problems that always arise, and our MacGyver wavelengths are definitely synergistic.  These projects and evenings are always exhilarating (if also exhausting).  Once we can't think of any other ways to light the scene, and think we've covered all the elements, we consider it a wrap. That was about 3:15 AM for this one.  (Strong) young Oscar Psychas, John's neighbor, helped on this project - carrying a ton of gear from our remote vehicles. (Thanks Oscar.) In return, he got to enjoy the moonlit river and watch our process, even taking a turn with some of the lighting gear.  Memories in the making.  Thanks also to Anthony Ackrill for logistical help during an earlier scouting trip.

Suwannee Springs Arch
Cool golden mineral water flows up from underground limerock caves... not a blue spring.

Weir from the River, looking in

Suwannee Springs Clouds & Rocks

Rocks & Clouds

Waves of Gold

We don't use all of the frames in the final image. For example, a series of about 60 long exposures to capture the sequence of stars moving through the window of sky in our photo (for making star trails) got jettisoned (see below).  Serendipity (always welcome) offered a lingering red glow in the lower sky as the stars were coming out.  Working that into the picture out-ranked the star trails. 

SS Star Trails

Star Trail Composite - Rejected

One of my jobs is to layer the frames in the digital darkroom (Photoshop), masking out the unwanted parts and blending the useful parts of each frame into a cohesive whole picture.  It is like painting with collections of sort-of-similar pixels.  While tedious (23 hours over a week for this one), it's a labor of love and learning. As layered versions evolve, we share them over the internet (John lives 150 miles from me), pore over the details, and strategize for the next version. Gradually the composite image comes alive and, voila! a final version!  John then optimizes it for printing, using his extensive printing experience and equipment. People sometimes ask us, "what do you mean, collaboration? It's a photo."  No, it is truly a complex joint effort.
 

Here is a one minute scroll through 250 frames  (approximately the whole series - those used as well as those rejected):

Timelapse of Suwannee Springs Lighting

Putting that all together, we present the finished art:

Timeless Waters

Timeless Waters - Suwannee Springs               by David Moynahan and John Moran

Thanks for visiting my photoblog. Please SHARE this link with all whom you think would enjoy it.  And leave a comment below - I really appreciate every note.  Until next month, stay cool... (Swimming holes abound)!

Tall Mus Pond Dinosaur

Loch Tallee Monster?

Our kids grew up with the Tallahassee Museum nearly in their backyard... and they spent many joyful hours there.  Any of you who knows this amazing place, also knows how lucky we were.  So when Mike Jones and Suzie Buzzo called me a year ago to see if I'd be willing to donate some of my photos to use in creating a new (renovated) Snake Center, I was honored and said, "Of course!" But - of course - it wasn't that simple. The new habitats required images 108 inches wide by 20 inches high, meaning EXTREMELY WIDE panoramas.  Nothing in my portfolio could be adapted.  Plus, the photos needed to be of specific natural habitats for six species of snakes. So, I took it on as a challenging and fun year-long project: learning the right ecosystems, finding them nearby (with the help of my knowledgeable photo pal, Bob Thompson, a retired park ranger), composing attractive landscapes representing them and then making very w-i-d-e panoramas, typically 180 degrees or more, each composited from about 12 photos that I stitched together.

Spoiler alert: There ARE photos of snakes below toward the end... (I have had enough feedback over the years to know that snake pictures creep out some people.) But I've included other photos of the Tallahassee Museum to give you a broader sense of this cool place.  And, for the snake lovers, I've included some extra snake photos from the Florida wilds.
 

Prayer Bear

Prayer Bear

Zip Line Crystal

Crystal having fun on the Zipline.

The Museum backs up to a gorgeous cypress wetland, Bradford Brook, and includes a nature trail that winds among fenced habitats housing local native wildlife. Plus there is an authentic (semi-functioning) old Florida cracker farm (which my kids LOVED).  And more recently, a tree-to-tree zipline and adventures course.  There is an art gallery and open air sculpture venue, a hands-on Science Center, a beloved playground and cafe, and other historic buildings, and more.  If you haven't been here and get a chance to visit, it is a Must-See-Do.

Bradford Creek

Bradford Brook wetland

Gray Fox
Grey Fox

The "zoo" part is not remotely your typical zoo. The fenced areas are large enough that, from the boardwalks and trails, you sometimes can't see any animals in the woodsy habitats.  When you do, it might be after a careful search... like finding a camouflaged sleepy fox way up in a live oak tree...  Or finding a Florida Panther lying regally beside a tupelo tree down by the creek.

Panther PortraitFlorida Panther. Tallahassee Museum

Here are some more sights you might see along the nature trail and Museum grounds.

Red Wolf Portrait

Red Wolf (Pups born here are used in a re-population effort in North Carolina. N. FL was historically part of their territory too.)

Stegosaur

Stegosaur

Hawk (Many of the animals were found injured, rehabilitated, but are unable to be returned to the wild.)

Bobcat in Oak

Bobcat

The Farm House

Turkey Face

Kid's Eye View of Turkey Face at the Farm (There are sheep, a cow, a pig, a mule, and other fowl.)

Sugar Cane Press... still used!

Snapper

Snapper

(Tiny) Screech Owl

Marley Gator

Marley participating in Science Center activities

And now, on to the newly renovated Chapin Snake Center.  Note that this is much more than just "caged animals".  These snakes are used both actively and passively to educate thousands of children and adults about the value and importance of snakes in our ecosystems, as well as a chance to see their beauty up-close, even to touch and hold these mostly gentle creatures... perhaps reducing that reflex fear and repulsion among the snake-phobics referred to in my "spoiler alert" above.  Too many people will reflexly get the garden hoe if they see a snake in their yard. This Snake Center may diminish some of that reflex.

Mike & Suzie at Snake Cages Mike Jones and Suzie Buzzo, Animal Curators

While these snakes may also live along the Nature Trail, they tend to stay out of view of the visitors - a good thing I suppose. But at the Center, visitors can safely get a closeup view of six (or more) local snakes.

Six of the photos below -- those showing the wood-framed face of each cage -- were photographed after-hours-after-dusk (when reflected glare on the front glass was absent) by one of the Animal Keepers and generously offered for my use here -- thank you, Laura Augustine!

Let's start at the Diamondback Rattlesnake in a (simulated) upland meadow...

Diamondback

In this fisheye-like distortion, I attempt to show you how my "backdrop" photo wraps the back and both sides of the cage. (No, the snake is not there... it has access to a small side cage where it can go, especially when keepers need to tidy up the main cage.)

Upland Meadow Pano - Rattlesnake Here's what it takes to wrap the whole cage - the full upland meadow panorama is 108" x 20" - a composite of 12 stitched together photos.

Diamondback Disguise

Eastern Diamondback in the wild (Despite its amazing camouflage, s/he was spotted by Bob Thompson on a hike together.)

Diamondback Camouflage

Suspend your fear and see the beauty.  The snake never moved or reacted despite our close proximity.

Next we'll visit the Cottonmouth aka Water Moccasin at the edge of a spring... 

Cottonmouth
WetlandPano -Cottonmouth Here's my spring/wetland habitat panorama for the Cottonmouth  (that wraps the above cage).

CottonmouthPaddling beneath a low branch on a small wild creek in N Florida, we were both surprised and unhappy when this venemous snake fell into my lap.

Florida Cottonmouth in the wild (This one literally fell into my lap while kayaking. I made the photo a few minutes later.)

And the Banded Watersnake habitat... very similar to that of the Cottonmouth.

Banded Water snake
Wetland Pano - Water Snake My spring/wetland scene for the Banded Watersnake exhibit

Banded Watersnake

Banded Watersnake in the wild

Slithering House

Slithering House - Watersnake convention at Wakulla Springs State Park

Two species of rat snakes share the next cage...
Shed in habitat -Red and Gray Rat

Wood Shed Pano-Rat Snake For this one, Mike and Suzie wanted a man-made structure, like a shed, included (our woodshed?) - popular Rat Snake digs!

Yes... we have lots of (especially Gray) Rat Snakes around our yard...

Acrobat Oak Snake PortraitGray Rat Snake in tree Limbless Climber

Expert climbers, even without hands or feet.

Red Rat Snake

Red Rat Snake aka Corn Snake, in the wild

DM looking in Backdoor view of the Rat Snake habitat. Me, looking in from the front window.

Next, the Eastern Indigo...

Indigo Snake Scrub Flatwood Pano -Indigo

My panorama of Scrubby Flatwoods for the Eastern Indigo Snake habitat

IndigoSnake-CU-2

Eastern Indigo Snake at the Museum

Eastern Indigo Closeup

Scary? Nah. Harmless (and beneficial) Indigo Snake

Indigo Scales

Indigo Scales

Finally, we needed a scene of sandy flatwoods for the Pine Snake...

Florida Pine Cage_v3
Sandy Flatwoods Pano - Pine Snake My panorama of sandy flatwoods - Pine Snake habitat

Sides are 30" wide and back is 48" - so for each,  the wrapped image measured 108 inches wide by 20 inches high!

I've never seen pine snakes in the wild, much less photographed them. But I'm taking this photo op to throw in one of my favorite snakes from our yard - the Scarlet Kingsnake. (No, it is not a "red-on-yellow" Coral Snake.) This is a sweet secretive and beautiful creature.

Scarlet King Scarlet Kingsnake Head On

Nose-to-nose. This one oughta make you smile!

There you have it... the Tallahassee Museum and it's new Chapin Snake Center. It is a wonderful (and super-kid-friendly) way to visit nature.  Enjoy!

Cypress Pond

Thanks for visiting my photoblog. May you be inspired to find a way to get out into nature to play, view, hike, paddle, or simply sit and be. I promise it will be soul-restorative.   Please share the link to this blog with friends and family who might enjoy it. And I always love your comments below.

The lobby lightboxes are in pairs, an important consideration, so I am presenting the chosen photos here as they will be paired.  The large Duratrans (transparencies) are being printed at this time and should be on display by mid to late June.  Again, I am grateful for your help and kind words.

Angel Wings Bird Paradise - Wakulla Springs

Angel Wings  and  Bird Paradise    

Manatee Moment c005483Commerce Collection

                               Manatee Moment and Glass Bottom Boat (historic photo)                     

Morning has Broken Egret Intimacy

Morning Has Broken  and  Egret Intimacy                     

Mirrored Beauty pr10672Print Collection

                 Mirrored Beauty  and  Wakulla Bathers (historic photo)

This has been a fun and challenging project.  And like many of you, I'm looking forward to seeing it in person once completed.  The spring water is running aqua blue and perfect for a swim these hot days, and it's rumored that there will even be an ice cream social/ unveiling of the new art sometime soon.  Maybe see you there.

Have you ever been to Wakulla Springs State Park?  There is a historic lodge there that has been renovated in recent years. At each end of the vast lobby are four large backlit frames that house photographs of the Springs. (Lightboxes built into the walls.)  Late last year, I was asked to make photos for 6 of those frames, and to hand-color two historic photos from early days at the Springs for the remaining two. Each frame is 25" wide by 36" high.  The photos will be printed on large transparent sheets (duratrans) and then sandwiched between two pieces of glass which fit into the internally-lit frames.  Naturally, I was deeply honored by this request (and challenge) and have been working hard on this for the past 6 months.

Existing (damaged) hand-colored historic photo in one lightbox.

Wakulla Springs is only about 3 miles from my home, so I've been visiting the Springs often to capture "vertical" landscapes and wildlife images. (Typically, landscapes are in... well, "landscape" orientation, so "portrait mode" needed for these fixed lightboxes challenged my "eye for composition". 

I have come up with 24 images to consider and now it's time to figure out which ones make the cut.  That's where you come in.  I'd love to know your favorites... which you think might look best at the Wakulla Springs Lodge. Please leave a comment below with your picks.  I've included LETTERS with the titles - so it's ok to say, "my favorites are X, Y, and Z."  And if you'd like to go a step further, rank your top three of the birds, and your top four of the landscapes.  I'll be choosing in the next month or so.  Thanks so much for your help.

Wakulla Springs State Park is famous for its wildlife - alligators, manatees, birds, and more.  Many kinds of waterfowl and wading birds find refuge in the Park. Here are nine bird images.  Probably we will use two of these images.

A Great Egret in flight... 

Angel Wings

A. Angel Wings

A Common Gallinule, with its iconic "jungle cry" at Wakulla, considers its own enormous feet...

Mirrored Beauty

B. Mirrored Beauty

A backlit Cattle Egret, strikes a pose...

Egret Intimacy

C. Egret Intimacy

A Pied-billed Grebe scores a prize breakfast...

Pied-billed Grebe & Crayfish v

D. Grebe & Crayfish

A mated pair of Great Egrets welcomes the new day...

Sunrise Sentinels

E. Sunrise Sentinels

Four gangly juvenile White Ibises, too young to be fully white...

Teen Ibis Team

F. Teen Ibis Team

You can count on seeing a Great Blue Heron on every river boat cruise...

Great Blue

G. Great Blue

A Double-crested Cormorant in breeding plumage...

Cormorant Pose

H. Cormorant Pose

And finally, the Little Blue Heron, smaller, but no less lovely that its Great cousin...

Little Blue

I. Little Blue

Picking your favs was easy, wasn't it? Well, this next batch may be a bit more challenging. As you'll see, cypress trees dominate the Springs scenery. However, hopefully the expression, "If you've seen one, you've seen 'em all" does NOT apply here.  When possible, I tried to include wildlife or special light to enhance the compositions.  There are 15 images.  Which are your favorite 4 or 5?

Early on a cold morning, the White Ibises were still roosting, but many of the Black Vultures had taken to the sky...

Bird Paradise - Wakulla Springs

J. Bird Paradise

Another day, as the sun was about to rise, the Black Vultures dotting the treetops began moving toward the springbowl...

Dawn Vulture Flight

K. Dawn Vulture Flight

Further downriver, the sun blasted golden light across the misty scene...

Morning has Broken

L. Morning Has Broken

An anhinga took flight, mirrored in the placid River...

Flight into Morning Light

M. Flight Into Morning

Two Pied-billed Grebes were dwarfed by majestic moss-laden cypress backlit in sunrise light...

First Light

N. First Light

Early light caught the new coloring of early spring, including the winged seeds of the red maples...

First Light 3

O. First Light 3

Iconic old cypresses, with their knees and moss abounded...

First Light 5

P. First Light 5

Mid-river cypress stood in silhouette against a sun-drenched shoreline...

Cypress Stand

Q. Cypress Stand

Juicy light rose downriver of the big cypress...

Crack of Dawn

R. Crack of Dawn

Polar smoke rising from the River, glowed in the sunrise...

Wakulla Winter Sunrise

S. Wakulla Winter Sunrise

On a cold blue-water morn, polar smoke billowed into the sky...

Wintery Wakulla

T. Wintery Wakulla

Mama and calf swam upriver on a gorgeous spring morning (next two photos)...

Manatee Moment

U. Manatee Moment

Manatee Moment 2

V. Manatee Moment 2

Another Mama comes up for a breath...

Manatee Moment 3

W. Manatee Moment 3

There are all my best shots. May the few chosen images shine well in the lobby of the Lodge. 

Lodge from the Waterfront

Here are the two historic black & white images we obtained from the State Archives of Florida in downtown Tallahassee. And my hand-colored renditions...

pr10672Print Collection Wakulla BathersPrint Collection

Wakulla Bathers

c005483Commerce Collection Glass Bottom BoatCommerce Collection

Glass Bottom Boat

Please let me know which photos you think would be best for this project. Wakulla Springs State Park, the Wakulla Springs Lodge, and I will all be grateful. Then come on down to the Park this summer for a swim, a boat ride, dinner, and to see the framed photos in person!

Bladderwort Panorama

I'd seen Little Floating Bladderwort - Utricularia radiata - in bloom before, but never blanketing such large swaths of the swamp.  The sun was setting behind the cypress as thousands of yellow blossoms hovered 8 inches above the blackwater, each standing atop a mast anchored by a radiating raft.  The scene was magical.

Swamp Bloom Panorama Bladderwort

Bladderwort

Florida is home to some amazing wetlands, so I thought I'd share some of my swampy shots (as well as a few denizens who call the swamp home). 

Swamp Gem

There are often surprising hidden gems one might stumble upon while trudging through the swamp, such as an azure spring welling up in the middle of a vast muddy tract, like an oasis in the desert.

Swamp Spring

Here's one deep in the vast swamp of Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area... a trail-less slog through mud and mosquitoes.

Trying not to get lost

Bluestripe Ribbon SnakeChassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, FL.

Bluestripe Ribbon Snake

Garfish

Garfish

Leon County is home to some beautiful wetlands - both around Lake Bradford and Lake Lafayette - where I've loved paddling and exploring for more than 30 years. 

Lily Among CypressLake Bradford paddle

Lily Among Cypress

Fall Cypress Panorama Fall Cypress Panorama

Textures of the SwampDried Dog Fennel and Spanish Moss laden Cypress Trees at Lake Bradford.

Dead Dog Fennel

Macro Work in the SwampNature photographer at work.

Standing in a canoe while concentrating on not tipping over AND getting the spider in focus was challenging. But here's what I got...

Swamp WebLake Bradford paddle with John Moran

Swamp Web

Once after a drought - when the "swamp" had been a dry sandy hike - the flood plain filled quickly after a tropical storm.  Crystal and I came upon an unusual sight... the colony of a flooded fire ant nest had clambered to "high ground" - a cypress knee - to survive.

Fire Ant Island 3Lake Cascade after TS Fay with Crystal

Don't touch

Fire Ant Island 2

Swarming Swamp Knee

We found another less fortunate, but more innovative fire ant colony that relied on collective buoyancy and created its own floating island.

Fire Ant IslandFloodwaters call for desperate measures. By clinging to each other, the fire ant colony creates a floating island. Apalachicola National Forest, FL

Fire Ant Island

Cascade Cypress Swamp

Pollen AbstractLake Cascade after TS Fay with Crystal Pollen Abstract

Cracked Cypress Oil

Cracked Cypress Oil (Actually, the natural source of the oil is controversial.)

Swamp Trail

Swamp Trail

Wakulla County, not to be outdone, has more than its share of swamps.  St Marks National Wildlife Refuge manages multiple wetlands, each uniquely beautiful.

St Marks Fall Fog

St Marks Fall Fog

Marsh Mallow

Marsh Mallow. Native relative to the hibiscus

And if you look closely...

Mallow Frog 2

Mallow Frog

In the LimelightPine Woods Treefrog. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

In the Limelight

Tupelo Light

Tupelo Light

Double Sun

Double Sun

Pearled Web 2

Pearled Web

Swamp Fog

St Marks Swamp

Not far to the east, we have the Lower Wacissa River that flows into the dreaded Braided Swamp, which is actually really beautiful, even if it's easy to get lost in it.

Braided Swamp

Braided Swamp

Young Denizen 3

Young Denizen 3

White Ibis Perch

White Ibis Perch

Spider Lilies

Spider Lilies

Lower Wacissa Paddling B&W

Lower Wacissa - in Infrared

Angelic Little Devil

Angelic Little Devil

Lunch Stop on Wacissa 2

Lunch Stop. No dry picnic spots on the Lower Wacissa.

And further west in the Panhandle, you come to the floodplains and tributariess of the Apalachicola River...

Owl Creek Tunnel

Owl Creek Tunnel

Devon Creek

Devon Creek

Devon Creek Tunnel

Devon Creek Tunnel

Twisted Cypresshttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Twisted Cypress

Chipola Floodplain II

Chipola Floodplain 2

Cypress & Tupelohttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Cypress & Tupelo

Deadfall Swamp

Deadfall Swamp. Chipola floodplain.

Swamp Unfurling

Swamp Unfurling

Chipola Floodplain 1

Chipola Floodplain 1

One cannot speak of Florida swamps without including The Swamp, itself - the Everglades.  Here's a very small sampling of its vast beauty.

Guzmania SloughFakahatchee Strand, FL

Guzmania Slough - Fakahatchee Strand

Cypress Panorama

Cypress Dome Panorama - Everglades National Park

Butterfly Orchid Scene

Butterfly Orchid - ENP

Roseate Flight

Roseate Flyover

Underwater Cypress Swamp

Underwater in the Cypress Dome - ENP

Alligator Flag

Alligator Flag - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Swamp KingA curious Cottonmouth came over to check me out while I was slogging through his territory. Fakahatchee Strand, FL.

Swamp King - Fakahatchee Strand

Magical Moonlight Paddle

Magical Moonlight Paddle - Turner River Mangrove Tunnel

That last one is a story unto itself, but I'll just say, making it was a late night harrowing adventure for two foolish photographers (collaboration with John Moran) deep in the Everglades.  I expect you are waterlogged, or at least bleary-eyed by now, so I'll stop (having skipped way too many places and photos).  Thanks for  visiting. Please leave a quick comment below, and share the link widely.

SwamplandFakahatchee Strand, FL

Swampland

Camp Vista

Flood stage! All the rivers in North Florida were too high, including the Upper Suwannee where we'd planned for this year's Mens Group Camping Trip (our 17^th year). What to do? Going on tips from John and George, we ventured out on a Gulf exploration of the islands at the mouth of the Suwannee in search of a rumored secret beach. A few years ago, Crystal and I had camped and explored some islands between Cedar Key (southeast) and the Suwannee. This time, our group of 8 launched at Shired Island, a little northwest of the mouth of the Suwannee River... new territory for all of us.

Launch

We launched on a tranquil January morning at high tide, paddling over oyster beds, weaving through saltmarsh, and crossing creeks, all part of the Suwannee estuary. Soon enough we came to tropical-feeling islands with long sandy coves and spits, palms curving up from the beaches, just inviting exploration.

Calm Sea Three Palms

Finding gorgeous campsites was not hard. Harder was deciding where to stop - why not try the next spot? And so we spent the next couple nights, camping, hiking, sailing, paddling, and fishing in this idyllic setting... accounting for most of my photos. But that was not the whole story... the third night was a doozy. You'll find the rest of the tale below (near the end).

Camp 1 Big Pine Base Johnson Creek Sunrise R & R   Camp Sunset 2 Low Tide Sunrise 2
Beach Walk Big Sky Christmasberry Christmasberry... debateably edible.

Low Tide Sunrise

Low tide Sunrise

Big Pine Stars

A big old pine snag stood at the shoreline...
Erosion Study

Polished and hued in fine detail by nature's paintbrushes and sculpting tools...

Sentry

a resting spot for birds, crabs, and others...
 

Old Man Tree

Wild Sunset Isle

awash in sunlight each day...

Moonlit Snag

and moonlight by night.

Camp Sunset

View from my tent.

Johnson Creek Fishing

David Johnson ready to hook one in his namesake creek.  Any luck, Dave?

\ Fisherman Johnson-web

Oh yeah!

Redfish

Redfish

Island Exploration Island Exploration 2 One Foot Landing Oysterman

Oystermen find bounty in these creeks.

Palm Bay 2 Palmy Night 3 Glens Antique Sunglasses

Beachcomber find. Palm Beach Sunset Fireside Reflecting Creek Sailing Kayak Three Palm Dawn
Palmy Night Pelican Take Off Moonlit Snag

Jacques's Camp
Island Lake Island Lake. Rain and over-wash from the Gulf storms make for variable salinity. These islands are "ever-changing"...

Hurricane Erosion

eroding away on one side (this destruction from Hurricane Hermine 2016)...

Wash Over

and building up on the other side. Here, sand washed completely across the low island.

Mens Group

Here we are, 17th year camping trip: Mark, David, Dave, Glen, Bram, Jacques, Steve, and Geoff.

Storm Ready And now for the rest of the story... battening down the hatches.

The third day, the wind picked up. A storm front was predicted to blow in that night (our last) followed by a freeze the following night. But we (thought we) were prepared. We hoisted a 16'x32' tarp (above photo) into the trees to create a windbreak and rain shelter in our main camp area, pulled the boats high up to the edge of the trees well beyond the high tide line, and Jacques moved his tent from the unsheltered beach into the more protected woods. Dave and Bram, camping in rugged hammocks (more like suspended tents) in the palms along the upper edge of the beach, decided to stay put. This all worked well enough into the evening, and the rain even held off until bedtime.

Flying Tent

Flying Tent

And then the Misadventure Began. You'll have to imagine the scene... because my cameras stayed locked in their Pelican case all night: The onshore wind continued to increase (way beyond what was forecast) – to gale force, 35 knots, gusting to 50 -- we later learned from the oystermen. The wind, combined with the pull of the full moon and midnight high tide, resulted in a massive storm surge. Bram awoke to waves crashing into the trees beneath his hammock. Looking out through the wind-driven rain, he could make out kayaks rolling in the surf. Imagine jumping out of bed into icy wind, rain, and roiling waters, knowing it was up to you to avert a pretty serious crisis. I cannot account for how it all unfolded in the chaos of it all.
 Bram first enlisted Steve and Glen to help save boats. By the time I got there, all boats were accounted for.  Just one more to pull to higher ground. Some gear had washed away from beneath the hammocks, a paddle was gone, and Dave's tent-hammock had lost an important fly stake, so his bedding got soaked. We got the fire stoked to warm up and dry stuff. Luckily the big tarp shelter held, affording us (and our fire) a respite from the fury. By the wee hours, the hammockers found shared tent space and some of us got a few hours sleep.

Tent Rescue

Tent Rescue. As we were breaking camp, one tent flew into the saltmarsh, like a tumbleweed across the desert.

By daybreak, the ordeal was -NOT- over, but at least the rain was. The wind was blowing like crazy and had clocked around to blow from the northwest – exactly the direction we needed to go to get back to Shired. The tide was still dropping, the water receding 50 yards out from the edge of the sandy beach, and only inches deep far beyond that. Not paddleable. I had pulled my little kayak up into camp the previous afternoon, hoping to load and launch it in the small tidal creek that ran through this island and past our site. Steve and I proceeded with that strategy, though by the time we were loaded, all we could do was drag our boats down the winding mostly-dry creek bed until it spilled out into the larger deep creek. The others had dragged their boats and hauled their gear along the beach to the same large deep creek. From there, all we had to do was paddle into the wind and waves about 100 yards to reach the saltmarsh on the other side. After that, if need be, we could wade and drag our boats about a mile further to reach the campground at Shired. Speaking for myself, it took all my might and will to get across that wide creek. And then, I immediately ran aground on clumps of oysters. It was too shallow and too windy to paddle, so it meant a long cold slog – my boat banging my legs with each wave – back to Shired camp. The only shoes I had were Crocs (dumb! - note to self), so I had to pick my path carefully (and mostly blindly), avoiding oysters and deep mud. A friendly fellow at the campground stood aghast in the wind as I dragged onto the shore. He invited me to defrost in his makeshift shelter wrapped with tarps where he had installed a small, divinely-warm woodstove.

Dragging Home

Dragging home... one, two, three, four, and five - way in the distance. Two more not yet in sight.

Each of us had his own individual struggle. One by one I counted kayaks strung out across a mile. Finally a seventh one just appeared from the now distant cut in the marsh. No eighth boat followed! Turned out that the wind was just too much for the one canoe in our fleet, and Steve had to turn back. The bow of a canoe is like a small sail-rudder combo that will almost instantly catch a stiff headwind and turn dramatically off course in a flash. Steve figured on settling back by the fire with his book until conditions became more favorable, even if it meant another (this one, freezing) night... and sent us word via Geoff who'd been the last to leave him behind. This did not settle well with any of us, Geoff included, even though we all knew Steve to be tough and resourceful.  Leaving a brother behind just wasn't right. Not that we had the capability of a rescue. But, luck was with us. Turns out, the oystermen, shore-bound by the weather, were congregated in the shelter around the hot little woodstove. After awhile hanging out with them, and telling them of the plight of our brother, one of them, Tick, volunteered that his son, Coon, might be willing to launch his skiff and go after Steve. We found Coon sitting in his red truck outside. He was willing, and within half an hour he was pounding across the waves toward the island.  

Coon to the Rescue 1

By the time all eight of us were loaded, pretty beat, into our vehicles, we decided to debrief and refuel at Salt Creek Restaurant in the coastal town of Suwannee.  I got home near dark that evening, still planning to photograph the lunar eclipse (photo here) that night about midnight.  Rich tales of this camping adventure are sure to be revisited and embellished around future campfires.

Palm Bay

Hope you enjoyed the tale and pictures. Your comments below are always appreciated.  And please share this link with friends.
 

Lunar Eclipse

Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse of 2019
 

Media hype for the "Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse of 2019" conjured up enough momentum in me that, despite having had little sleep the nights before (kayak camping) and a commitment to take Crystal to to airport at 5 AM Monday morning, I was determined to drag myself out of bed at midnight that Sunday night to make a "quick photo".  I admit I was a little skeptical about all the blood and wolf super-stuff. Boy was I wrong. Wow, what a heavenly show!  After I made my photo (which proved more challenging than I anticipated), I joyfully continued to lay out in the cold on my gravel driveway and watch the unfolding drama. 

This paragraph is the backstory, with a few technical details, for those interested (some have even asked): I used my Canon 6D with 500 mm prime lens plus 2x teleconverter, iso 2500, 1 second at f/8 (wide open with the teleconverter) on Gitzo tripod with gimbal head.  I practiced on the (much brighter) full moon earlier in the evening (below shot) and thought I was ready.  NOT. A little before midnight, the eclipsing moon was almost straight overhead. My tripod with the big heavy rig atop it was not stable when configured to point straight up. (Not to mention, hard to look through the viewfinder.) With that much zoom and long exposure, even the slightest vibration ruined the shot, so ultimately I resorted to shortening the tripod legs a lot and bracing the upward-pointing lens against the side of our deck as I wriggled on my back to get my head under it. I did have to get in and out of this restrictive position a couple times so I could get some chair cushions - the gravel was cold and bumpy. I manually focused and shot in LiveView so the mirror was locked up. And then, finally, I could get a sharp shot.  I made about 10 bracketed shots over about 20 minutes before I was satisfied. 

Full Moon Portrait

Practice Shot.

When you chance upon a view of the moon, especially low in the sky, are you awed by it?  By its beauty? by its seeming impossibility? By the vast soft nightlight it reflects from the not-visible sun?  This celestial orb has long captured my imagination and focus. Here are my favorites among the moonshots I've made over the years.

Moonrise Before Sunset

Super Moonrise 2018

New Moon Gradient

Here's the bigger picture, early morning over St. Vincent Island...

Sunrise Moonrise

Sunrise Moonrise

Crescent_Moon

Crescent Moon

Dead Lakes Moonrise

Dead Lakes Moonrise

John and I scouted out this scene in the Dead Lakes, secured the boat (to be able to make longish exposures), poured a glass of wine, and waited for the moonrise, as this gorgeous sunset unfolded before us.

Big Moon Lighthouse

Big Moon Lighthouse

Big Moon Lighthouse is a photo of the 2011 super moon. This took a lot of scouting and planning (with a handheld compass guesstimation of exactly where the moon would come up). And actually, full disclosure, I missed by a few degrees, so this is a composite of two photos, where I slid the moon a little to the left so it would be behind the tiny distant lighthouse - but I did NOT change the zoom or size or position relative to either frame.

Below are a few shots made at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, my favorite Big Sky location.

Heron Moonrise

Heron Moonrise

Super Moon Up

Super Moon Rising

The Grackle & the Moon

The Grackle & the Moon

Super_Moon_Pano Super Moon Panorama

Fiddler in MoonlightWakulla Beach morning and evening

Fiddler in the Moonlight

This fiddler crab is at St. Marks, but is NOT in moonlight - that's just the title (based on much lighting effort and crab cooperation)... which is the only justification for being in this post.

Moonset Over MarshSt. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, FL.

Moonset Over Marsh

Moon Halo

Moon Halo

Moon Light HouseSt. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Sunset - Full Moon rise - St. Marks Photo Club

Moon-Light-House

When the moon rises over the sea...

Moon Over Craggy PeaksOn my way home from Apalachicola, I saw the moon just beginning to break through the clouds on the horizon. Pulled off the road and scrambled down the rocks to the water's edge. Composed and focused with a flashlight and hoped for the best.

Moon Over Craggy Peaks

Full Moon Rising over Gulf

Super_Moon

Super Moon Rising

Sun_&_Moon_Rise

Sun & Moon Rise

Moon Rockers -below - is a portrait of a group of friends (including Crystal and I at the right end) enjoying a rising full moon after a fine dinner at a cabin in Apalachicola, Florida.  The shadows cast are entirely from moonlight. Sublime evening.

Moon Shadow Rockers Moon Rockers

Here's a 2017 super moon from "Gator Country", Newnans Lake in Gainesville. Nice of that gator to show up for my photo...

Super Moonrise Super Moonrise & Gator

I'll end with a moon over our upper Suwannee River camping trip 2016.  This year, my men's group camped a few nights at the Gulf-end of the Suwannee -- the trip mentioned in my opening sentence -- the day of the lunar eclipse - opening photo.

Moon_Over_Suwannee_Camp

Well, enough mooning for all of us today. I hope you've enjoyed the show, and have a chance to watch the moon float up from the horizon one evening soon.  Please leave a comment below, and share the link for this post with friends and family and social media.

Morning Glory Slosh

Mashes Sands... I first heard this mysterious-sounding name many years ago - said to be a local beach at the mouth of Ochlockonee Bay. It took a few more years before I visited. Bob Thompson (above) invited me to meet him there for a sunrise low tide (..."and bring your wading boots.")  We hadn't walked far before I was taken in by the magic in the sand and how it was shaped by the tides and currents and wind. We walked - and waded across Sand Creek - going a mile or so, around the point into Dickerson Bay.  And then back again.

Sands of Mashes Sands

Less than a half hour from my home, Mashes Sands has become one of my favorite places on Florida's Gulf Coast. Let me show you why.

Sand Ribs

Sand Ribs

Sky Pond

Sky Pond

Gulf Cloud ArcMashes Sands

Gulf Cloud Arc

I love the ever-changing patterns in the sand, the big sky, and the little surprises found on each and every visit.

Ghost Crab ReflectingMashes Sands, FL

Ghost Crab Reflection

Barnacle Adornment

Barnacle Adornment

Crab Trap Abstract

Crab Trap Abstract

Sand Perspective

Sand Perspective

Dawn Sky Mashes Sands

Dawn Sky Mashes Sands

Sunrise Snag

Sunrise Snag

Beached Jelly

Beached Jelly

Gulf Oaks

Gulf Oaks

Vulnerable acreage adjoining this county-owned beach was high on the list for acquisition by the Florida Forever Program. In 2011, I submitted the next three photos for consideration in the Florida Forever Calendar, an effort to raise awareness and to get the FL Legislature to re-fund the neglected Program. 

Mashes Sands Hammock

Mashes Sands Hammock

Horseshoe Surfer

Horseshoe Surfer

Florida Forever Cover

Florida Forever Cover

The third one was selected and ultimately made the cover.  It was one of those serendipitous moments. I'd just set up to make a photo of this rather plain scene when suddenly a flock of Black Skimmers approached from beyond those trees, circled and landed right in front of me. Surprise!

There are freshwater and saltwater marshes between the beach and mainland - full of life and diversity...

Prints in Sand

Prints in the Sand

Blanket Flowers and Wood StorksMashes Sands, FL

Blanket Flowers and Wood Storks

Gulf Dawn Panorama

Gulf Dawn Panorama

Close LookTiny periwinkel snails cling to nearly every blade of marsh grass in this scene. Mashes Sands, FL

Close Look

Horseshoe Crab Molt

Molt

Nature the Artist creates (and destroys) amazing new sculptures at Mashes Sands each day...

Sandy ScallopsMashes Sands

Sandy Scallops

Ridges

Ridges

Tidal Creekbed

Sand Creek Delta

And the Seep Trees always draw me in...

Seep Trees Seep Trees II

This is a popular place for folks to walk and dogs to romp... [but don't let 'em chase the shorebirds]

Full Tilt Boogie

Scruffy... Full Tilt Boogie

Skimmer Flock in Flight

Black Skimmers [NOT roused by Scruffy]

Mashes Sands commands a wondrous view of the Universe...

Still Standing

Still Standing 1

Still Standing IV

Still Standing 4

And magnificent vistas of fierce Gulf storms rolling in...

Ebbing Tide & Storm

Ebbing Tide & Storm

Mashes Sands Grass Spit

Grass Spit

Imminence

Imminence

Mashes Sand Sunrise Storm

Mashes Sands Sunrise Storm

Whats Left

What's Left

Mashes Sands and the surrounding area was hit hard by Hurricane Michael a few months ago. (What's Left was made shortly after the hurricane.) "Still Standing" is no longer. In fact, the topography is largely altered, but this natural shoreline is remarkably resilient. We're still wandering there, in awe of the surprises and life along the Gulf.

Now you know. If you are near Wakulla County, this unique wild Florida coastline is a place not-to-be-missed.   Thanks for your visit.  Please share this link widely.  And please leave a comment here at the blog.  I'd love to hear from you.

American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatcher on the Gulf Coast

In the wake of Hurricane Michael and all its devastation, my heart goes out to all the people who lost so much.  And to the creatures, trees, forests, and wildlife habitats.  Godspeed to all in your recovery. 

Chipola Floodplain II

Chipola River Floodplain

Through the years, I spent many joyful hours exploring nature in this swath of the Florida Panhandle, and have captured many images of its beauty.  Here, I've chosen some pre-storm photos from Michael's path and want to share them in honor of what was lost, what remains, and of the resilience of the folks whose lives have been disrupted, but are rebuilding anew.  

Line of Dusk

Line of Dusk - Dune lake west of Mexico Beach

Hurricane Michael made landfall at Mexico Beach - not far from where so many of my Gulf Coast adventures date back to 1978.

Dune Sunset

Eroding Dune

Pink Sea Wash - Cape San Blas

Grayton Beach State Park, FL

Grayton Dunes

Gulf Abstract

Gulf Abstract

New Day DawnsThat's St. Vincent Island, FL in the distance across the Pass. Sunrise.

New Day Dawns - Indian Pass

Dune Lake

Dune Lake

Seashell in Sunset

Sea Shell in Sunset

Caspian Gifting

The Gift -- Least Terns

Cutting Edge

Cutting Edge - St Vincent Island

Grayton Beach State Park, FL

Grayton Dune Lake

Last Rays on Beach

Last Rays

Shell Seeker

The storm roared north between Econfina Creek and the Apalachicola River basin -- two of my favorite wild places...

Springside FoxgloveFalso Foxglove. Econfina Creek, FL

Springside Foxglove - Econfina Creek

Econfina Limerock

Early Light on Econfina Limerock

Mountain Laurel

Econfina Mountain Laurel

Cypress & Tupelohttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Cypress & Tupelo - Apalachicola River Basin

Dead Lakes Cypress

Dead Lakes Cypress

Prothonotary Mouthful

Prothonotary Mouthful

Owl Creek Lighthttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Owl Creek Light

Twisted Cypresshttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Twisted Cypress - Apalachicola River Basin

Dead Lakes Moonrise

Dead Lakes Moonrise

Dr Seuss in the Florida Wilds

Dr. Seuss in the Florida Wilds

Oxbow_Alum_Bluff_Camp

Apalachicola Oxbow Camp

 ...Maintaining Category 4 force winds all the way to Jackson County on the FL-GA line. 

Misty Cypress Dawn

Misty Cypress Dawn - Merritts Mill Pond, Jackson County

Swimming at Jackson Blue

Plunging in at Jackson Blue Spring

Spring of the Baltzells

Spring on the Upper Chipola

Primordial Forest

Primordial Forest - Florida Caverns State Park

Luminous Underworld

Luminous Underworld - Chipola River

Maund Spring

Maund Spring - Chipola River

Silver Pond Cypress

Silver Pond Cypress - Merritts Mill Pond

Chipola FogCool misty dawn on the Chipola River.

Chipola Dawn Fog

Troubadours of TupeloOld black gum or tupelo tree on the Chipola River.

Troubadours of Tupelo - Chipola River

Chipola Ovens

Chipola Ovens

Chipola Canopy

Chipola Canopy

Blue Spring Bass

Blue Spring Bass

Florida Caverns

Florida Caverns

Indian PinksJackson Co. FL

Indian Pinks - Florida Caverns State Park

Green Heron Breakfast

Green Heron Breakfast - Jackson County

Florida Oasis

Florida Oasis - Chipola River

Deadfall Swamp

Standing in Honor at Grandmother's Grave - Florida Caverns State Park

The Storm whirled onward, wreaking havoc in Georgia and beyond.  Climate change is here and now, fueling these epic storms and other extreme phemomena in our state, country, and across the planet. A sad new reality that might have been averted, and with some political will, might still be mitigated.  There is much remaining natural beauty worth protecting.  It/we are all interconnected -- a delicate balance -- and surprisingly fragile.  May we humans have the wisdom to do what we can for the health of our Earth.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Your comments below are greatly appreciated.

Canopy Road V

Canopy Road V. 12x18

I just finished the very un-glamorous task of making an inventory of my "hard-copy"prints. As some of you know, I do sell prints of my work (as described here).  Generally I have prints custom made per order by professional print labs and try to keep a very low volume of inventory in my studio.  Over time, a random collection of prints has grown. And lately, whenever I've looked at the stack of plastic envelopes containing prints in my map chest, I've groaned. (Not infrequently, I have custom ordered a print, not knowing that I already have the exact print in my map chest!)
So, now I have an inventory -  titles, sizes, (and even thumbnail images) that I hope to keep current.

Dr Seuss in the Florida Wilds

Dr Seuss in the Florida Wilds. 20x30

A selection of some of these photos makes up my photoblog this month.  This is about half of them.  If you wish to see the whole list, it's here. You can see larger versions by entering the Title into the search box on my homepage.

Eye of the Aquifer. 12x18. Fine Art Paper (Backstory here.)

Given that the season of gift-giving is upon us, I'm discounting my whole print inventory -- "for sale, while supplies last" -- half off through December.

Emerald Cut

Emerald Cut. 12x18 (Backstory here.)

Typically, I have just one print of each. The prints are all on paper and signed, (not matted or framed). A few are on fine art paper, but most are on semigloss archival photo paper.  The fine art paper prints are a little more, as noted on the inventory list, but generally the SALE PRICE will be 8x12=$16; 12x18=$25; 16x24=$32; 20x30=$45; 12x12=$20; 18x18=$$30; 10x20=$25. Other sizes listed are in line with these prices. Just ask me. (Plus sales tax for Floridians (7%) and $7 shipping.)  The way to request a print is to email me directly: [email protected].

Baroque Bivalves

Baroque Bivalves. 18x24

Your gift to me would be Less Full Drawers in 2019, but please feel guilt-free to simply take a deep breath and smile while having a look at the photos here, (and perhaps share the link with others).  Thanks for being here.

Lake Vista. 10x20 

Beacon in the Cosmos

Beacon in the Cosmos. 12x18 (Backstory here.)

Bracket Fungi Panorama

Bracket Fungi. 8x24

Florida Forever Cover

Florida Forever.  8x12, 16x20 (Backstory here.)

Barnacle Adornment. 12x12

Earthly Eyes Aglow Earthly Eyes Aglow. 8x11, 12x18 (Backstory here.)

East River Myst

East River Myst. 24x36

Fleur-de-lysAbstract composition from reflection in water.

Fleur de Lys Abstract. 12x18

Garfish

Garfish.  8x8

Green Heron Breakfast

Green Heron Breakfast. 10x20

Leaning Into Marsh

Leaning Into Marsh.  12x18

Lily Among CypressLake Bradford paddle with John Moran

Lily Among Cypress. 18x24

Live Oak Whorls. 12x12 (cropped)

Lookin Atcha

Lookin Atcha. 16x20

Magical Moonlight Paddle

Magical Moonlight Paddle. 8x12, 12x18 (Backstory here.)

Marsh & Sky

Marsh & Sky. 8x10

Mating Dance

Mating Dance. 12x18

Mother Nature's Paintbrush

Mother Nature's Paintbrush. 12x18

Naked under the Stars

Naked Under the Stars - Naked Springs. 12x18, 16x24 (Backstory here.)

Osprey in Rain

Osprey in Rain. 8x12

Night Bloomer

Night Bloomer. 16x20

Owl Creek Lighthttp://www.davidmoynahan.com/blog/2013/12/portrait-of-a-river-project---success

Owl Creek Light. 8x12 (Backstory here.)

Oasis in the Dark

Oasis in the Dark. 12x18

Night Patrol

Night Patrol. 12x18, 16x24

Pile Up

Pile Up. 8x12 (Backstory here.)

Pitcherful of Sky

Pitcherful of Sky. 12x18

Reflections on the SuwanneeIconic limerock wall and late fall color are doubled in the placid Suwannee River, FL

Reflections on the Suwannee. 16x24

Rising in the Mist I

Rising in the Mist. 8x10 (Backstory here.)

Ruffled Takeoff

Ruffled Takeoff. 8x12

Runes of Nature II

Runes of Nature II. 5x15

Scrub Jay Takeoff

Scrub Jay Takeoff. 8x12

spicebush Swallowtail 2

Spicebush Swallowtail. 15x22

Star_Struck Star Struck. 12x18 Fine Art Paper

Still Standing 3

Still Standing. 12x18

Sunfolower QuadrantWashington, DC

Sunflower. 18x18

SwamplandFakahatchee Strand, FL

Swampland. 12x18 (Backstory here.)

Totems to Picasso - Triptych Totems to Picasso - Triptych.  10x15

Wacissa LightLower Wacissa River. FL

Wacissa Light. 20x30

Water Colors 2Aucilla Sinks Trail with Crystal. 09-01-16. 11 am to 3 pm. clear day.

Water Color Abstract II. 12x18

Water From Stone - Rock Springs Water from Stone - Rock Springs. 10x20 Fine Art Paper (Backstory here.)

Wintery WakullaWakulla River, FL.

Wintery Wakulla. 8x12

There's a pretty eclectic collection for you!  Hope you enjoyed the "Tour of Prints". Each image has a backstory (location, adventure, process) - some links to the backstory I included in the caption. Don't hesitate to ask if you'd like to know any particulars.  Whether or not you're interested in prints, your comments HERE AT THE BLOG are much appreciated and help me reach a wider audience in cyberspace.

May your days be merry and bright.

In mid-September, I got an email from the Director of Editorial Services (and author of article referenced here), Steve Bornhoft, saying, "The Moynahan Edition of the Tallahassee Magazine has arrived..."  Earlier in the summer he'd interviewed me for this article to feature my nature photography.  Ultimately, it turned into a beautifully written cover story and 12 pages spotlighting my work. 

Thanks Steve.  And thanks to the many who've already seen the magazine and sent words of support, encouragement, and congratulations. (A copy is readily available from Roland Publishing on Miccosukee Road or at Books A Million in Tallahassee for $3.95.)

Floating Eyes

Floating Eyes Lake Vista

Lake Vista Panorama

This collection is assembled from five of my "top drawer" portfolios: Flora, Florida Landscape, Reptiles & Amphibians, Hand of Man, and Invertebrates.  All the photos are from Florida.  You will likely recognize some of these images from previous posts.  Mr. Bornhoft started off the article with a spread from my FLORA portfolio.

Lily Among CypressLake Bradford paddle with John Moran

Lily Among Cypress

New Day DawnsThat's St. Vincent Island, FL in the distance across the Pass. Sunrise.

New Day Dawns

Florida Mountain Laurel

Florida Mountain Laurel

Thistle Sunrise

Thistle Sunrise

Marsh MallowShepard Spring walk with John Moran

Marsh Mallow

Turn the page and you find FLORIDA LANDSCAPE. These are from my website's largest portfolio.  Tough choices!

Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike Spring Run Light

Spring Run Light

East River Myst

East River Myst

Naked under the Stars

Naked Under the Stars - Naked Springs

The next spread is from REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS (well, except for one Crustacean from the Invertebrates Portfolio).

Night Patrol

Night Patrol

Rise & Fall of Tads 2

Rise & Fall of Tads

Fiddler in MoonlightWakulla Beach morning and evening

Fiddler in the Moonlight

Gopher TortoiseSeven Runs Creek, Forida Forever

Gopher Tortoise

When human impact is evident in the photo, I file my portfolio images in the HAND OF MAN gallery.

Canopy Road V

Canopy Road V

Fire Water

Fire Water

Fern Hammock SpringJuniper Springs Recreation Area, FL

Fern Hammock Spring

Beacon in the Cosmos

Beacon in the Cosmos

White Dinghy

White Dinghy

The last spread is of images chosen from my INVERTEBRATES portfolio (Wildlife Gallery).

Bay ScallopI take an intimate look into the delicate blue-eyed bay scallop and wonder how I can kill and eat such a creature.

Bay Scallop

GabrielHark! Gabriel, with wings aglow, alit his trumpet and blew with all his heart.

Gabriel

Fire Ant IslandFloodwaters call for desperate measures. By clinging to each other, the fire ant colony creates a floating island. Apalachicola National Forest, FL

Fire Ant Island (Survivalists from a flood.)

Dawn Egg Layer

Dawn Layer

In case you're in the mood for more, there are plenty of cool shots in other portfolios at my website -- davidmoynahan.com -- such as Birds, Mammals, and Underwater (found in the Wildlife Galleries); or Animal, Vegetable, & Mineral (compositions from nature found in my Details Galleries); and mostly abstract compositions from nature in Photo Art.  Please take a look sometime when you need a re-balancing visit to the great outdoors.  

Thanks for your return visits to my blog posts, your encouragement and support of my work, and your caring and actions toward the stewardship of natural Mother Earth.  Please leave a comment, however brief, below.  And share this link wildly and widely.

Having long-admired Paul Marcellini's infrared photos as well as others, I've been tempted for years to try my hand at it.  Then my friend, Mike Riffle, had a camera converted to IR and started making some very cool photos right here in Wakulla County.  So earlier this year, I had one of my older DSLRs converted as well (which means having the sensor modified to read infrared light and reduced sensitivity to visible light).

Excitedly,  I started testing the new rig. And... got lots of disappointing images.  I quickly learned that I needed to start "seeing scenes in infrared".  Just having a dramatic sky wasn't enough, nor was simply a pleasing landscape composition.  Seeing in this new way is going to take experience... a lot more experience than I have by now.  But I've had a few successful shots, and one panorama that I was particularly proud of.  So, I thought I'd share those with my blog audience (while honestly admitting to trashing dozens of duds for each of these).  Please let me know what you think, and maybe which you find most pleasing in the comments below.  That will surely help my learning curve.
 

Palms of St Marks IR Pano

Lake Vista. 

Lake Vista is my favorite IR shot so far. It was the "calm before the storm".  We had to do some hard paddling to make it back to the safety of the car (moments) before the deluge and cracks of lightning, but I was pretty sure I had the makings of a portfolio shot.  This is a "stitched panorama" made of a series of 7 shots, so it is a huge file (that makes amazing large prints).

Paddleboard Tour

I was surprised to find that humans appear pretty normal in the IR images.  This is our granddaughter, Liv and her daddy, Hendrik in the Gulf.

Grand Wacissa

Lower Wacissa Paddling

Bradford Brook in the Rain

Color tints can be used, but generally I prefer to stick with straight black and white interpretations of the infrared image files.

St Marks Sky5 IR

St Marks Sky 5 (another of my favorites)

Marsh Skyscape

Half Mile Rise Panorama

St Marks Sky IRc - Pano38 St Marks Sky Pano38

Fallen Palm

Into Light 2

Salt Marsh Panorama IR31 Salt Marsh Panorama IR31

St Marks Sky3 IR

St Marks Sky 3

There are my keepers so far. Let me know what you think below. Thanks, and happy wanderings.

Gator Portrait

I remember being thrilled when I photographed my first wild alligator about 20 years ago.  I was hiking by Fisheating Creek and came upon a sizable fellow sunning on the bank.  I managed to squeeze off one quick shot before he exploded into the water and disappeared.  That's what they usually do when surprised on land -- they're really dramatic, making a leaping plunge.  It's always a momentary scare, then thrill.  Maybe the same for the gator? 

Anyway, I realized that, over the past couple decades, I've made a couple hundred photos of Florida alligators in all sorts of conditions -- on land, in the water, underwater, at night, babies and big'uns. 

Young Denizen 2

Young Denizen.  This youngster swam out to my kayak from shore to investigate, while its seemingly-bored teenage babysitter (a 4 footer) sat nonchalantly on the bank.

Alligators Two

I never feared gators as a boy tromping, swimming, or paddling in the Everglades.  Naive boy.  As an adult, I've come to respect these prehistoric top predators.  They act on instinct...

so don't ever look like a smallish animal coming for a drink (by squatting and splashing at water's edge),

or harass babies or nest - Mama's nearby, or annoy a big male by getting too close,

or think it's cool to jump in to see one underwater,

or wade around in gator-waters at night. 

I'm embarrassed to confess that I've done all of these things.  I've been lucky, but I'm more cautious now.  So, here is a selection of my favorites for "armchair viewing".  Enjoy!

Alligator Coming   

Menace. Just as we were passing, this big boy slipped quietly into the creek, just like in the Tarzan movies - before the attack.  

Floating Eyes

Floating Eyes

Years ago, Crystal squatted in the shallows at the edge of Shepard Spring to wash her face after a hot hike.  We were on a summer camp dayhike and our gaggle of middle-school-age campers had just seen the big resident gator explode into the water from that very perch and dive deep into the clear water.  (I'd seen this gator on previous visits, so we had approached stealthily in hopes of spotting him before he split.)  So now the coast was clear, right? Not. A minute later, our daughter Marley screamed a warning to Crystal ...and C scrambled up the bank to where we were.  From the gator's perspective, a "small animal" was splashing at water's edge. We watched in horror as it came charging up fast through the water for its prey...right to the spot where Crystal had just been.  Marley was a hero that day.  Later, as I thought about it, this gator had, only moments earlier, been suddenly scared by the 20 humans arriving at its quiet forest spring.  Then, instantly, when "food" appeared, the reptilian brain took charge and all wariness disappeared. Years later I tested this observation.  At a remote "pond" along Fisheating Creek, I saw a large alligator about 25 yards out in the water.  I squatted at the edge and splashed lightly.  The gator immediately made a beeline toward me, coming fast. (The photo below.) But as soon as I became a tall human again (standing up), s/he instantly stopped (the photo above).  I tested this repeatedly and it was like I was holding a remote control... small animal = attack. Scary human = stop and be wary. No seeming connection between the two versions of me.  A little disconcerting.

Moving In Moving In.

Alligator Hide

Alligator Hide.  Beautiful, especially when worn by its source.

Smiling GatorAmerican Alligator portrait in Fakahatchee Strand.

Happiness is a warm sunny log. Same big gator as the Hide photo above, deep in the Fakahatchee Strand.

What do you get when two (foolish?) photographers, determined to make one striking photograph, are willing to spend 6 hours after dark standing in chest-deep alligator-infested Everglades swamp?  If they are lucky, you get the photo below.  We were doing a lot of experimental lighting and trying to make our enormous alligator skull hover at the water's surface.  We weren't so lucky... initially. So we spent the next day devising new strategies and tools and returned for a 2nd long evening in the same spot, still hoping alligators dislike wetsuits and lights.  We passed quite a few gators on our paddle in and out, but fortunately didn't encounter any (live ones) in this mangrove tunnel. This was our first of many nightscape collaborations over the past decade -- with my good friend, John Moran.

Magical Moonlight Paddle

Magical Moonlight Paddle.

Once when paddling the Braided Swamp (Lower Wacissa) with Sue, Jeff, and Crystal, we came upon a nest of youngsters. Mama was nowhere in sight, so I took the opportunity to make some portraits.  Love the "halo" of light this first one was wearing.

Angelic Little Devil

Angelic Little Devil. 

Young Denizen 3

Another Youngster.

Visiting another beautiful remote spring -- this one deep in a coastal swamp of central Florida -- my family quickly slipped into the cool waters to escape the heat and mosquitoes, and wash off the mud.  I was assembling my underwater camera rig onshore when someone yelled "Gator!"  It was about a 6 footer in the shallows along the far bank. As they retreated, I scrambled to get in.  I felt confident this gator would not aggress and was thrilled by the chance to photograph one in clear water.  Sure enough, the gator wanted none of our mess.  I had to follow it down, shooting away, until it found a shadowy crevice in which to wedge itself about 25 feet down - safe from the human invasion.  By then, I'd run out of breath.

Denizen of the Deep

Denizen of the Deep.

Spring GatorGlad he fled rather than attack.

Then there was this memorable day at Paynes Prairie where the BIG gators convened on a sunny bank... and babies convened on a sunny head.

Big Gator Panorama

Big Gator Panorama.

Isle of Safety

Isle of Safety. Mama's head!

And another time  -- of drought.  Alligators tend to gather at the water holes (where the fish have concentrated) in dry times.  John and I lucked into such a moment.  We set up our tripods in the shallows late in the day... Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones

... As the daylight faded, the flashes on our cameras reflected a lakeful of gator Eyeshine!

Night Patrol

Night Patrol. Alligator Eyes

Alligator Eyes.

Like turtles, alligators love to warm up on a nice sunny log...

Gator Log Wakulla River.  You can tell this log gets napped on a lot.

Lazy Days

Lazy Days.  St Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

The_Man_Behind_the_Curtain

The Man Behind the Curtain.  In the spotlight and framed in shrubbery along the Econlockhatchee River.

I've seen some real giants too... like this one. Peering over a small bridge along a trail at St Marks -- there just a few feet away, asleep in his enormity, was the bridge's sentry, submerged but for his eyes and nostrils.

Head On

Head On.

And this one... who looked like it just ate a horse.

Sated

Sated.

And one more. This "pet" goliath was a bit too friendly at Gatorama.  As I was setting up low to the ground near the edge of his pond, he kept trying to climb out toward me and Allen had to keep urging him back into the water (and reassuring me). I had (and still have) faith in my Gator Whisperer... though I was prepared to run if told.  It was impressive that this huge prehistoric reptile responded to Allen's sounds and commands.

Eyeshine Portrait Night of the Gator

Super Moonrise Super Moonrise. 

There you have it.  At the end of the day, the gator swims off into the sunset (and moonrise) at Newnan's Lake in Gainesville.  Hope you've enjoyed my alligator tales and shots.  Your comments here at the blog are much appreciated!