Photography, nature, science, and more.
Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge
The St. Marks NWR Lighthouse lens is currently on display in the Refuge Visitor Center. The Fresnel lens was in the lighthouse from 1867 to 2014.
The lens was removed from the lighthouse in November 2014 and was preserved by the experts at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum free of charge.
Continue reading “St. Marks Lighthouse Fresnel lens on display at Visitor Center”
The routine prescribed burns at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge often open up new photographic opportunities.
Some areas of the refuge, such as the section just south of the visitors center, tend to grow thick vegetation that obstructs the view of the east river pool. Such thick growth is not good habitat for wildlife and regular prescribed fires help restore a more natural habitat. The fires are good for photographers as it provides new views of the refuge
Below are a couple of images of high water in the East River which created an interesting reflecting pool.
Continue reading “Interesting patterns in East River reflecting pool.”
Water levels at St. Marks NWR are actively managed by the staff to provide the proper environment for migrating water fowl and to control invasive plants.
Although some visitors find low water levels unattractive there is still beauty to be found, even in mud.
Continue reading “Mud, algal mats, and low water make interesting patterns”
I love the sunsets of summer here in Florida, but I have to admit that winter sunsets have a very special beauty.
The sunsets from December to February can be quite remarkable with their vivid red colors and unusual cloud formations. I have noticed that some of my best sunset photos are taken around Christmas to New Years.
Just after Christmas (December 27, 2014) my wife and I were finishing up our day at the St. Marks Lighthouse when I noticed the clouds and sky were forming up to give a particularly beautiful sunset.
Continue reading “Beautiful winter sunsets”
Previously I posted a gallery of images from the Fresnel lens removal at the historic St. Marks Refuge lighthouse. (see previous post)
On November 20, 2014 the Fresnel lens was removed from the historic St Marks Refuge lighthouse for the first time in 147 years for cleaning and preservation.
The lens was extracted from the lighthouse by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association and staff and volunteers from the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Thanks to “Ring Power” for providing the “man lift”, personnel, and all their support on this project!
Continue reading “Video of St. Marks NWR Fresnel lens removal”
Shortly after the fresnel lens was extracted from atop the Lighthouse at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, as I recorded the scene of excited staff, volunteers, and media, I heard the exclamation “A Rufous just flew by!”
This quickly led to a discussion of whether it was a hummingbird or a large insect, since most hummingbirds have already migrated south for winter. The flash of mustardy coloration appeared more like the less common (in North Florida) Rufous Hummingbird than that of our common Ruby-throat.
Continue reading “Rufous Hummingbird photobombs video at St. Marks NWR”
On November 20, 2014 the Fresnel lens was removed from the historic St Marks Refuge lighthouse for the first time in 147 years for cleaning and preservation.
The lens was extracted from the lighthouse by the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association and staff and volunteers from the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Thanks to “Ring Power” for providing the “man lift”, personnel, and all their support on this project!
I recorded this event with a Canon DSLR and a GoPro Hero4 camera and created two YouTube videos: Part 1 and Part 2
Most of the images in this post are frames taken from the GoPro video.
Continue reading “Fresnel lens removed from the lighthouse at St. Marks NWR”
The annual Monarch Festival at St. Marks NWR was a success this year!
There were some concerns that that the monarchs might not show in significant numbers.
The monarchs did not disappoint us and appeared on schedule for the festival although fewer appeared than in previous years.
On a recent visit to St. Marks National Wildlife refuge we got a chance to witness this impressive prescribed burn.
These controlled fires are essential to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem, especially here in Florida.
Fires help maintain the open woodlands that are needed by many of the local plants and animals, and by reducing the dead wood and undergrowth they lessen the likelihood of deadly wildfires.
Continue reading “Prescribed fire at St. Marks NWR”
When people think of things to see at the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge they usually think of the lighthouse, alligators, and birds. In the fall of the year butterfly viewing is quite popular.
Although very common on the refuge, most people don’t think about the dragonfly as a subject of observation or photography. This is partly due to the fact that the dragonfly seems to always be “darting” around quickly in the sky overhead and is difficult view through binoculars or with a camera.
Continue reading “The overlooked Dragonfly”