13 serene nature images from the Florida State Parks photo contest
The state of Florida makes a lot of headlines, but few have to do with the natural beauty of the state of Sunshine. Florida houses 175 state parks, trails and historic sites and to celebrate its landscapes and fauna, the Florida State Department invited photographers to share their images of the highlights of the State.
The “capture …True FloridaThe photo competition has selected the winners in three divisions: professional / amateur, student and mobile phone. In each division, the judges broke out the best images in eight categories: landscape, fauna, birds, landscapes, plants and flowers, small wonders, adventures of park and parks during the night.
Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Fauna, second place
“I was hiking during the top of the dry season and I was looking for refuge in the heat in one of the hammocks in the meadow. When I turned a corner, there was a male red lynx also hiding intense sun rays to cool.
Credit: Jonathan Crossman
“As a student in ecology and fauna conservation at the University of Florida, I have always been fascinated by our native fauna and I visit our local state parks quite frequently,” said Kelly Bearhs, winner of the student division in the bird category. “One of my objectives in this area is to teach others indigenous fauna and to make known how we can protect them. I do this through my photograph over the years. ”
Other winning photographs include a spectacular pink sky on the beaches of the Big Talbot Island State Park, a lonely and stoic Flamanto in the state park of Honeymoon Island, and a butterfly absorbing gold time at Bald Point State Park.
Location: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Birds, first place (student)
“As a student in ecology and conservation of fauna at the University of Florida, I have always been fascinated by our native fauna and visit our local parks of local state quite frequently. One objective of my field is to teach others on native fauna and to spread awareness of how we can protect them. I did this through my photograph over the years, sharing my photos and videos on various social platforms with facts on species and stories at the time.
The story behind this photo is actually one of my favorites. It was a rainy afternoon and despite the photography difficulties in the rain, I still decided to try. I came across two adult purple gallinules crossing these plants over the water. This minor followed closely, doing his best to get to adults. You could say that he always learned to maneuver through the plants because she would trip and not be too sure of her foot. He was not initially obvious how imperative he was so that there is no mistake in the foot, but he did not know that he was walking just above a Gator. Fortunately for that, adults were able to warn the juvenile with a call and they were all able to escape safely. I managed to take this photo during her business through the plants while she was balancing between these two stems in a pose of “divisions”.
This experience and a unique installation made it one of my favorite photos that I took from our state parks and I am very happy to be able to share it with everyone! »»
Credit: Kelly Bearhs
MYAKKA river park
Landscape, first place
“I love taking photos, especially landscapes and nature. Myakka River State Park is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in Florida. I usually get Michigan between January and April, so I try to make the most of my time while I am here. Alligator Sunrise. I explored the deep hole with friends when the moment met. I took the photo without expecting a lot.
Credit: Deb Skinner
Location: Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Fauna, finalist (student)
Credit: Tomas Bernal
Location: Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Park Adventure, third place
“Jonathan Dickinson State Park is organizing an annual festival promoting and educating it on the advantages of prescribed burns, called Firefest. Arriving just after sunset, I did just in time to look at the ignition of their night burn prescribed by the public. I was heard by a former member of the state and I was filmed in the fires and I was turned by a fire and I was turned by the Sciette and I was turned by the State. Technician using his torch to spread the fire through the forest.
Credit: Justin Barnes
Location: Big Talbot Island State Park
Aquatic landscapes, finalist
Credit: Donald Pelliccia
Location: Colt Creek State Park
Birds, finalist
Credit: Shae Jungkans
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Small wonders, finalist
Credit: Jordan Costano
Anastasia State Park
Fauna, finalist (student)
Credit: Isaac Ewing
Location: Little Talbot Island State Park
Park Adventure, finalist
Credit: Brian Bowen
Location: Honeymoon Island State Park
Birds, finalist
Credit: Tiffany Gloeckner
Location: Bald Point State Park
Small wonders, finalist
Credit: Randy Traynor
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