Floridiana Gloriana

"A Rusty Pelican Sunset" by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

I love photographs of Florida cities that reveal to those who don't know just how closely the beautiful natural Florida obtrudes on, and glorifies, its sometimes stark urban realities.  This shot has got everything:  radiant sunlight; delicate sunset tones shading from violet and apricot to a translucent blue; a city skyline; a bridge; palm trees, cloud, and boats.  Love it. 

A Rusty Pelican Sunset by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission---all rights reserved to the owner.  Please do not save or use without his express written permission..

'Sunset in Key Biscayne' by Ralph Orona | Used by Permission

Ralph Orona has kindly permitted to use this beautiful sunset shot from Key Biscayne,  I love the gorgeous, serene radiance of it.  If you look at it for a moment, you feel as if you're standing right there.....

Sunset in Key Biscayne by Ralph Orona | To see other photographs in his Flickr photostream, click here | Website:  Ralph Orona Photography | To see the largest version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

Used by permission.  This image should not be reproduced, published, transmitted in any forum (even via e-mails) or in print or in any other physical or electronic forum either in part or in whole without the explicit written consent from the copyright owner.

'Pineda' by Don Jones | Brevard | Creative Commons

Photographer Don Jones, who does such amazing night shots and such evocative photos of old Florida houses, took this vintage-feeling and very painterly shot of State Road 404, the Pineda Causeway.  It's the primary access road to Patrick Air Force Base.  It made me feel very sentimental when I saw it----it's so like the postcards of Florida from the 1969's, with those pastels and all that intense green. 

'Pineda' by Don Jones |  To see his other photographs, click here |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph at Flickr, click here

I do not own the rights to this photograph.  It is subject to a restricted Creative Commons license, permitting certain limited noncommercial uses.  Before using or downloading it, consult the terms of the applicable license.  You may view it here.

Tree & Sky by Allen Whitson | De Bary, Florida | Used by Permission

This is just so beautiful....

Photograph   by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other 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 with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

Gazebo by Allen Whitson | St. Johns River, De Bary, Florida | Used by Permission

Here is a beautiful gazebo on the St. Johns River in the town of DeBary or Debary or De Barry (it seems to be spelled all different ways).  It is a small town in Volusia County, Florida, along the Atlantic Coast (see the website; read some fascinating history).

 

Gazebo  by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other 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 with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

Spanish Moss by Allen Whitson | St. John's River, Central Florida | Used by Permission

I used to try so hard to get a photograph of one of these trees hung of Spanish moss, but I could never get the requisite depth and detail to convey what it's really like.  This IS a Florida tree.  This is Central Florida---not palm trees growing in sand, but trees enormous old trees hung with banners.

The photographer took this gorgeous photograph along the St. John's River, the river which runs south to north along Florida's coast.

 

Photograph  by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other 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 with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

The St. Johns River by Allen Whitson | De Bary, Florida | Used by Permission

I have posted photographs from along the St. Johns River (Wikipedia says that this is the correct spelling, which I did not know).  The river runs south to north and goes right through the center of Jacksonville.  I've posted some I made near the little town of Palatka and some wonderful "beauty shots" of the Jacksonville waterfront by other photographers. 

These shots were taken in the town of DeBary or Debary or De Barry (it seems to be spelled all different ways).  It is a small town in Volusia County, Florida, along the Atlantic Coast (see the website; read some fascinating history).

This panoramic photograph perfectly captures the crystalline blue-green color of the sky in these parts on some days.  You really ought to see the full-sized view.  Just click on the link below. 

 

St. Johns River Panorama by Allen Whitson  | click here to see his other 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 with the express permission of its owner.  Please do not save or use it without first getting permission from the owner.  Flickr users may contact the owner through his Flickr mail.

'Sun Setting over Clearwater Beach' by Kathy

Photograph ("Sun Setting Over Clearwater Beach") by Kathy | To see all her photographs, click here |  To see a full-sized version of this photograph, click here |

I do not own the rights to this photograph, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Before saving or using the photograph, please consult the terms of the 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).

Jacksonville Skyline, Jacksonville Lights (Creative Commons)

This is a gorgeous feast for the eyes and brain.   Jacksonville is usually not considered by friends of mine who live there as the world's most exciting city, but this photograph suggests possibilities they might not have considered...

 

Jacksonville Lights Up by Craig O'Neal | Craig O'Neal does photography for Jacksonville.com.  To see more fabulous photographs, click here or take a look at his albums at Jacksonville.com! |  To see the full-sized version of this photograph, click here |

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