Before the Eye of the Storm

December 01, 2018  •  24 Comments

American OystercatcherAmerican 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 IIChipola 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 DuskLine 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 SunsetDune Sunset

Eroding Dune

Pink Sea Wash - Cape San Blas

Grayton Beach State Park, FL

Grayton Dunes

Gulf AbstractGulf Abstract

Gulf Abstract

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

New Day Dawns - Indian Pass

Dune LakeDune Lake

Dune Lake

Seashell in SunsetSeashell in Sunset

Sea Shell in Sunset

Caspian GiftingCaspian Gifting

The Gift -- Least Terns

Cutting EdgeCutting Edge

Cutting Edge - St Vincent Island

Grayton Beach State Park, FL

Grayton Dune Lake

Last Rays on BeachLast 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 FoxgloveSpringside FoxgloveFalso Foxglove. Econfina Creek, FL

Springside Foxglove - Econfina Creek

Econfina LimerockEconfina Limerock

Early Light on Econfina Limerock

Mountain LaurelMountain Laurel

Econfina Mountain Laurel

 

 

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

Cypress & Tupelo - Apalachicola River Basin

Dead Lakes CypressDead Lakes Cypress

Dead Lakes Cypress

Prothonotary MouthfulProthonotary Mouthful

Prothonotary Mouthful

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

Owl Creek Light

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

Twisted Cypress - Apalachicola River Basin

Dead Lakes MoonriseDead Lakes Moonrise

Dead Lakes Moonrise

Dr Seuss in the Florida WildsDr Seuss in the Florida Wilds

Dr. Seuss in the Florida Wilds

Oxbow_Alum_Bluff_CampOxbow_Alum_Bluff_Camp

Apalachicola Oxbow Camp

 

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

Misty Cypress DawnMisty Cypress Dawn

Misty Cypress Dawn - Merritts Mill Pond, Jackson County

Swimming at Jackson BlueSwimming at Jackson Blue

Plunging in at Jackson Blue Spring

Spring of the BaltzellsSpring of the Baltzells

Spring on the Upper Chipola

Primordial ForestPrimordial Forest

Primordial Forest - Florida Caverns State Park

Luminous UnderworldLuminous Underworld

Luminous Underworld - Chipola River

Maund SpringMaund Spring

Maund Spring - Chipola River

Silver Pond CypressSilver Pond Cypress

Silver Pond Cypress - Merritts Mill Pond

Chipola FogChipola FogCool misty dawn on the Chipola River.

Chipola Dawn Fog

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

Troubadours of Tupelo - Chipola River


Chipola OvensChipola Ovens

Chipola Ovens

 

Chipola CanopyChipola Canopy

Chipola Canopy

Blue Spring BassBlue Spring Bass

Blue Spring Bass

Florida CavernsFlorida Caverns

Florida Caverns

Indian PinksIndian PinksJackson Co. FL

Indian Pinks - Florida Caverns State Park

Green Heron BreakfastGreen Heron Breakfast

Green Heron Breakfast - Jackson County

Florida OasisFlorida Oasis

Florida Oasis - Chipola River

Deadfall SwampDeadfall 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.

 

 

 


Comments

John Hardt(non-registered)
Beautiful way to end the year.....
Mike Riffle(non-registered)
Wonderful! What a nice walk through nature. Some of these places were very high on my list to see but are now innaccessible. Glad you captured lasting memories.
Kellie(non-registered)
Troubadours of Tupelo - awesome David!!
W. George Fong(non-registered)
Thank you for your photos showing the beautiful nature before the storm. Some of the areas may comes back and some may not. Your photos preserve the beautiful nature, and we can truly understand and appreciate.
Doug Alderson(non-registered)
A wonderful visual testimony to natural areas that have been impacted by Hurricane Michael.
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