Half of what you see is the Galt Preserve is a 265 acre parcel purchased by Lee County Florida between 2002 and 2007 for $4.4 million. The invasive plant melaleuca was removed and it is now mesic flatwoods and a mangrove swamp bordering Pine Island Sound.  It is home to many birds including a nesting pair of bald eagles as well as racoons, opossum, bobcats, alligators and turkey vultures. What a gift we have in the preserves of Lee County Parks & Recreation Conservation 20/20 program land management plan. The northern portion is agricultural land owned by King Ranch of Fort Myers owning 100 acres just north of Galt Preserve.

DJI Mini FC7203, 4mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 100

Nikon D610, Tamron 150-600mm, 600mm, f/6.3, 1/125 sec, ISO 100

Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/80 sec, f/11 ISO 100

A live oak is awesome and majestic.  It's reach is as wide as it is tall. It allows just enough light through its canopy for some ground brush, but not too much for fear that something might interfere. Its bark is weathered and aged, but its leaves are young and full of life.  Why do they call it a live oak? Because as soon as it drops its leaves in winter, new leaves are ready to take center stage leaving the live oak in full dress all year long. 

Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35 mm, 17mm, 1/60 sec, f/13 ISO 100

Sunset is an extraordinary time. People come from far and wide to witness the grandeur. They bring camera's, chairs, cocktails, friends and loved ones. I think birds often do the same. Normally flying in groups, but sometimes alone, the pelican floats in air, barely moving a feather. They appreciate the end of a long day in the magic light of sunset. 

Nikon Z6, FTZ with 17-35mm, 1/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400

A photograph can easily change your perspective. This picture was taken at birds eye level, but it is not what you would think of as birds eye view. At just a few inches high, you can hardly focus on what is beneath you. But you can clearly see the silhouettes of humans walking on the beach, some holding hands, some all alone. Some far away, some very close. Look closely and in the far off distance you can make out the Sanibel Causeway. Size is a relative concept. A one inch wave just might make you stumble and fall, so run, run quickly.

Nikon D610; 28-300mm, 1/30 sec, f3.5, 28mm, ISO 900

Nikon D610; 28-300mm, 1/1500sec, F5.6, ISO 200, 300mm

​The angle of this shot hides the Pantheon in the Piazza della Rotunda in Rome.  The Pantheon Fountain was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. The fountain assumed its current appearance in 1711. Filippo Barigioni was given the tedious task of reconstruction of the fountain. It was fully restored by the end of the past century and some of the original parts, masks that once decorated the top of the fountain, can be viewed in the Rome Museum.

An obelisk is standing on top of the cliff on a pedestal in honor of the Egyptian goddesses Isis and Serapis.

Nikon D610, 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/180sec, ISO 3200, F22

Stellar beauty and medicinal calm, that is the Peace River originating in Polk County (East of Tampa) and ending in Charlotte Harbor near Punta Gorda, the river runs more than 100 miles. The shore line is mostly undeveloped due to the extreme rise and fall of the water level depending on the season. Thankfully, this river is hard to tame.  As such, any development is restricted to grazing land. This photo is taken about 20 miles up river from Charlotte Harbor. 

Nikon D610, 17-35mm, 17mm, 1/350 sec, ISO 200, f/11

Nikon D610, 28-300mm, 300mm, 1/1500 sec, ISO 1500, F`16

iPhone 8

Incredible is the world in front of our eyes that we rarely see. I don't know what this flower is, I just know that it is awesome. At center is a cavern of unimaginable grace, with sparkling pillars of light enticing you to visit and a spiral centerpiece sinking into the darkness. It would be a literal field day for a Fairy Speleologist to venture deep within.

Nikon D610, 28-300mm, 1/180 sec, ISO 200, F/38, 230mm with Flash

Peace can be found in many places, at sea, on a mountain top, in the forest, or here. Justly named, the Peace River just east of Punta Gorda is such a place. The gentle flow of the river bounded by grasses and trees covered in green, the skies here are forever and the clouds seem to be ever-present but never shading the sun. This is a place for some quiet time. Time to empty the mind. Nothing to think about but what is around you.   

Nikon D610, 28-300mm, f8, 1/1000sec, 28mm, ISO200

Nikon 610, Tamron 600mm, 1/500sec, ISO 250, F6.3, 600mm

In Bokeelia, FL on the northern tip of Pine Island, there is little to see and do. All coast land is private, except for the parking lot to Captain Con's Seafood Restaurant. The cars have a wonderful view of Gasperilla Sound. The long piers are private unless you want to fish, for $8 you can fight for a place at the end of the pier. If you want to take pictures, rent a boat.

With a Camera and maybe with the eyes, you can see around or through solid objects. The sun is covered by palm fronds, yet we can see it clearly. Pretty special. This is Ponce de Leon Park named for Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513-as legend has it-in search of the "fountain of youth." Next to the park is the Peace River Wildlife Center - a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility tucked neatly into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park. 

Sometimes you can see something so pure in the face of a child that it transcends the moment and becomes an engram which lasts forever for no other reason than you had the opportunity to witness it.  This is such a face. It isn't important, but this is Logan. Her eyes tell a story of happiness which spreads to her cheeks and onward to her contagious smile.  Capturing such a moment is pure happenstance but the rewards are immeasurable. 

Nikon D600,1/180 second, ISO 400,  F9.5, 122mm

While visiting Crane's Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts over the weekend, a baby harbor seal was lounging on the outer tip of the beach. We were told that her Mom was out fishing. A 150' perimeter was maintained by the rangers.
Crane's Beach is part of the Crane Estate, once known as Agawam laid claim by John Winthrop in 1637. It became the site of Castle Hill, one of the wealthiest estates in America purchased by Richard T. Crane as a summer retreat. In 1910 he built the 59 room mansion atop Castle Hill. The Crane Estate was donated by his wife Florence in 1949. The mansion was featured in the Witches of Eastwick.

Nikon D610, 1/180 Second ISO 400, F/22, 300mm (28-300mm)

I suppose if I were a water faerie, I might like to call this home. With rooms with a view and reading lights in every nook, it is interesting, pleasing to the eye and remarkably odd, all at the same time. If it isn't enough to just gaze at for a while, you might be interested to know that it opens. It is like some labyrinthine sea creature recently discovered near the Galapagos. This is the stunning creation of my Daughter Jacqueline Richard.  It has been said, if you build it they will come. I wonder....

Nikon D610, 1/20 second at f/13, ISO 400, 44mm (28-300mm)

Thinking back, it started at Caffe Vittoria in the North End of Boston for us. We have had no better cappuccino, although many close encounters. Add a shot of Bailey's Irish Creme and it becomes a fitting dessert for any meal, At home, it has become a tradition each Sunday morning.  It has taken some time to perfect the formula, the steaming of the milk, proper espresso, brewing time, organic cinnamon, and the sequence of events,  It is a work in progress, but the result is closely approaching a near perfect result.

Fuji X100T, 1/80 second at f/2.0, ISO 200, 23mm

Fuji X100T, 1/2000 second at f/3.2, ISO 200, 23mm

​Just over the crest of the hill near Heywood Reservoir, the northern most water body of Wekepeke, is Sholan Farms with a glorious view of the eastern horizon. Good Morning!

Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f 5.0, ISO 4000, 150mm, Tamron 150-600

This little guy scared me pretty good.  All was quiet just after dawn this morning, walking along a pond (Lynde Basin) and this beaver slaps his his tail - it sounded like a boulder fell from the sky. I was obviously intruding.

Nikon D610, 1/60 second at f5.6, 300mm, ISO 400, 28-300

The temperature is a blustery 22 degrees and the wind is howling making the wind chill pretty severe. I got cold standing on the edge of the pond for the few minutes it took to take this guy's picture. I have to say, if you are going to dress up in an orange suit and sit in the middle of a beautiful blue pond in the middle of winter scooping freezing slush out of a hole you dug with a motorized cork screw, you need to be prepared for a guy like me to come along and take your picture. Get over it! Don't look like your privacy has been invaded. 

Nikon D610, 1/60 second at f/16, ISO 71, 280mm (150-66 Tamron) - 7818