Floridiana Gloriana

'St Augustine Lighthouse' by Allen Whitson | Used by Permission

Allen Whitson made this magnificent photograph of the famous St. Augustine Lighthouse.  The lighthouse has a reputation for being haunted and I've seen a most intriguing documentary revealing the results of a tape that was left running there overnight. 

'St Augustine Lighthouse' by Allen Whitson | Click here to see his other photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

 I am using this photograph with the express written permission of the owner. All rights to this photograph are reserved to him.  Please do not save or download it without his express written permission.

'Americana' by Greg Turner | Micanopy | Creative Commons

Here's a wonderful shot by Greg Turner of the American Cafe in the beautiful little North Florida town of Micanopy (accent on the third syllable).  Micanopy is Florida's oldest inland settlement and---as the link will tell you---an excellent place to see alligators as well as to shop for antiques.   I particularly love the touches of color added by the umbrellas, the stained glass, and the flag....

'Americana' by Greg Turner |To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized photograph at Flickr, click here |

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license can be viewed here.

'Fort Myers' by Alexander Wrege | Fort Myers | Creative Commons

Here's a radiantly tinted shot from the Gulf Coast city of Fort Myers.  I love the red awning and the flashes of yellow and royal blue.  Magnificent holiday shot---wish I was there now.  I really do.

Best-Winter 2007 -Fort Myers by Alexander Wrege | To see his photostream at Flickr, click here  | website:  Quantum Indecisions | To see the largest version of this Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license can be viewed here. 

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs' by Natasja | Islamorada | Creative Commons

An entirely different angle on the Keys...

 

'Red, White, and Blue Chairs'  by Natasja   | click here to see her other photos | website:  Pixels and Photos | Click here to go to Flickr to see the full-sized version

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it pursuant to a restricted Creative Commons license.  Do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the license.  The license is shown here.

'The Orange Shop' by Kevin Trotman (The Rocketeer)| Citra | Creative Commons

This is an important Central Florida landmark.  Even locals love this shop and both locals and tourists love to photograph this sign. I have my own photographs, but they are nowhere near as gorgeous as this. 

The Orange Shop in Citra, Florida by Kevin Trotman |  To see more of his photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this image at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is shown here.

Some "Manatee Springs" of Western Florida (Creative Commons)

Because of the enthralling Nature Coast wildlife and the beautiful springs, Homosassa Springs and Manatee Springs are popular places for snorkeling and kayaking.  Here are some lovely photographs.  I have a few of my own, but they really don't do justice to the place.

While canoeing at Manatee Springs, I did see a manatee.  It swam right up alongside the boat (but the photograph just shows a sort of shiny wet lump).  They are very gentle, curious creatures, it seems, which is why there are so many restrictions on boating along that coast.    

Systems Librarian has the best photographs of  various Florida springs I've seen anywhere on the net----and Florida has hundreds of beautiful springs.  As well as the many beautiful photos at Flickr, see:  Florida Springs.

Manatee Springs State Park (Levy County, Florida) by SystemsLibrarian | Florida Springs | To see more photographs by Systems Librarian, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here 

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

 

Manatee Springs State Park (Levy County, Florida) by SystemsLibrarian | To see more photographs by Systems Librarian, click here | To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

"Homosassa Springs, Florida, December 27, 2007" by Rebecca  | website:  MeanLouise.com |  "About a dozen manatees swam in for the afternoon," she writes | To see more of her photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here |

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

This beautiful manatee was photographed in Crystal River by biologist Steven Erat, on a snorkeling trip at Crystal River.  Manatees have some of the nicest faces of any animal.   

 

"Manatee at Crystal River" by Steven Erat | website:  Talking Tree | To see more of his photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

 

"Manatee at Crystal River" by Steven Erat | website:  Talking Tree | To see more of his photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

 

"West Indian Manatee and Nursing Calf, Crystal River" by  Allen BS |  To see more of his photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this image at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this Creative Commons photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or use this photograph without consulting the terms of the applicable license (shown here).

Fernandina Docks | Amelia Island

A lovely scene from the beautiful Amelia Island town of Fernandina in Nassau County.  This is right in downtown Fernandina.

Flower Wagon | Melrose

When people picture Florida, they usually don't have the verdant tree-covered lands in the north in mind. This is an excellent example of a typical scene from rural North Florida. Based on my notes, I am pretty sure that the place where this was taken was the tiny exquisite town of Melrose, where we once walked around for hours, taking photographs. That town is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and has many beautiful old houses.