Natural seduction

This Landscape photo, Morning Glow, the winner in the Professional/Hobbyist category, was taken at Manatee Springs State Park. “Getting up early in the morning is essential to capture the wildlife here. It is always a big inspiration for my photography, and this morning proved to pay off big,” wrote the photographer. “As the sun ascended, the combination of the fog and sun created a near-picture-perfect combination that stopped me in my tracks. [ John Hootman ]

This Bird photo, Fine Dining on St. George Island!, a semifinalist in the Professional/Hobbyist category, was taken at Dr. Julian G Bruce St. George Island State Park [ Robin Francis ]

This Camping photo, Beautiful Camping on St. George Island, a finalist in the Professional/Hobbyist category, was taken at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. “It was such a joy for us to stay at (the park) for a week, just a few yards away from its miles of beautiful and unspoiled beaches!” wrote the photographer. “The campground and the surrounding area were incredibly peaceful, and we plan to return again every year. I felt that this photo captured the essence and beauty of this gem of a state park!” [ Jack McMullen ]

This Waterscape photo, Blue Grace, second place in the Professional / Hobbyist category, was taken at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. “Each time I swim in the Ichetucknee Blue Hole, I feel as though I’ve pulled back the curtain for a fleeting glimpse of an alien world,” wrote the photographer. “I get an elated sense that I’ve just witnessed a precious secret of the universe that most will never see, but all should. Words do it no justice. There’s no more inspiring place to bring a camera than our Florida Aquifer.” [ Curt Mason ]

This Waterscape photo, It Never Ceases, first place in the Student Category, was taken at Hillsborough River State Park by a student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The park, she wrote, “is one of my most loved parks in Florida, and I’ve spent just as many days there in the rain as I have in the sunshine. This particular day was relatively overcast and not the best time of day for wildlife, but the river was almost the clearest I’ve ever seen it. I wanted to try and capture the flow of the water, and being that it was darker out it was the perfect occasion to just sit with a slow shutter and let my lens drink it all in.” [ Hope Bartlin ]

This Wildlife photo, American Alligator Chill, third place in the Professional / Hobbyist category, was of a gator that the photographer frequently captures at Myakka River State Park. “He has such a personality and was lovingly named “Snapper Jack,” she wrote. “During lower waters, he likes to rest up on a little exposed island at Fisherman’s Loop. Don’t often get to see him in full form, but on this overcast day, he was gracious enough to sit for a pose.” [ Beverly Eaton ]

This Landscape photo, Jetty to the Horizon, a semifinalist in the Professional / Hobbyist category, was taken at St. Andrews State Park. [ Nick Shirtzinger ]

State parks’ photos capture their allure

It has long been said by environmentally conscious Floridians, who wish to treat the fragile outdoors gently and ethically, that it is best to “take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

In homage to that commandment, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection each year offers a photo contest to find the best images found among the 175 state parks, trails and historic sites that offer beautiful backdrops for recreational and nature-based photos.

The department wrote that “the judges of this year’s photo contest, “Capture the Real Florida,” received numerous submissions from talented photographers, and their awe-inspiring images left everyone speechless, making judging them a difficult task. 

Semifinalists were selected within three photography divisions: Professional/Hobbyist, Student and Mobile Phone, from the 12 photo contest categories: Landscape, Wildlife, Birds, Waterscapes, Night Skies, Details and Small Things, Park Experiences, Park Adventures, Plants and Flowers, Camping, Trails and Sightseeing.

The Star and Times are pleased to present some of the contest’s winners, as well as a sampling of the top finishers among photos taken along the Forgotten Coast.