Category: Saint Marks

Saint Marks Wildlife Refuge

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Photo Journal St. Marks NWR 10/21/2015. Monarchs and Flowers

It is only a few days until the 27th annual St. Marks NWR Monarch Butterfly Festival and the Monarchs are showing up according to schedule.

This journal entry features mating Monarchs on the Lighthouse Levee Trail and a photo of White Peacock butterflies mating.

Also included is is a photo of the head and wing from a Coot I found next to the lighthouse.   Coot body parts are rather common this time of year since the bald eagles love coots and often eat them while sitting on top of the lighthouse.

Some children actually use the head as a finger puppet….. OK, you really didn’t want to hear that part.

In any case, I hope you enjoy these photographs and that you can come down to the St. Marks for the Monarch Butterfly Festival this Saturday October 24th, 2015.

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Photo Journal St. Marks NWR 10/11/2014

October 11 was a busy day at the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It was the first day of National Wildlife Refuge week and no admission fee was required.

The “Big Sit” bird count was taking place at the Lighthouse observation deck so there were quite a few birders and photographers around.

I started my day’s photo journal with a photo of two kayaks taken from Ranger John’s bench. Since the wildflowers were in bloom with pollinators everywhere I decided to spend much of my time on the levee trails. Continue reading “Photo Journal St. Marks NWR 10/11/2014”

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A typical day at the St. Marks NWR

Today I am sharing a few images I recorded on a rather typical September day at the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

September begins the transition to Autumn with flowers, pollinators, and slightly cooler temperatures.  The spoonbills and eagles have returned and the alligators abound in large numbers.

Come see it for yourself!

Jim

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Ranger John McKenzie’s bench

One of the most popular benches at St. Marks NWR is dedicated to Ranger John McKenzie and is located near the lighthouse where it overlooks Apalachee Bay.

Ranger McKenzie was beloved by the St. Marks NWR community, and his untimely passing in 2011 was mourned by all who knew him. The site of the bench is a location McKenzie visited often, especially at the end of his workday. Continue reading “Ranger John McKenzie’s bench”

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Infrared photography at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

My first attempt at infrared photography took place at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge for a very simple reason: the sweeping landscape, clouds, and ocean could help make any photo look good.

Most modern digital cameras can record infrared. To find out if yours does simply point your IR remote control toward the lens of your camera then either take a photo or watch “live view” while while pressing some of the remote buttons. If you see light from the remote then you camera will work, at least to some degree.

Getting setup for IR photography can be as simple as buying an infrared filter for your lens. There are a number of filters available but I got the Hoya R-72 which is probably the best for beginners. Continue reading “Infrared photography at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge”

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The witness may approach the bench

In addition to the great wildlife St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge offers amazing landscapes and vistas. During the summer the lucky visitor may get to witness one of nature’s spectacles, a summer thunderstorm.

A few days ago my wife and I were preparing to leave after a day on the refuge when we noticed a developing thunderstorm. We were at the lighthouse which happens to be one of the best locations for watching and photographing approaching storms. Continue reading “The witness may approach the bench”

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Give the St Marks NWR Refuge animals a brake

During the spring turtles often cross the roads to find sandy areas to lay their eggs.

This turtle had crossed from Lighthouse Pond across the road to lay her eggs on the shoulder of the road and was in the process of going back to the pond when I took these telephoto images.

When you are on the refuge please stay below the speed limit so you don’t kill these vulnerable creatures. (click on image to enlarge)

Continue reading “Give the St Marks NWR Refuge animals a brake”

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