It was good to get away from what's so familiar in Florida to what's a bit different in Georgia.  The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is home to birds, fish, raccoons, and ALLIGATORS!!!  But, taking the four mile, one way drive through the park yesterday was disappointing as we didn't see a single critter.  However, it must be said that in the middle of a hot, sunny day the refuge residents were wise enough to remain as comfortable as possible wherever they could find a shady or wet spot.  (MF Film)

I often return to Pumpkin Point Preserve where I've made many photographs over a number of years.  I always try to see something new or see what I know is there in a different way.  Here are several photographs I made there today (May 15th) with my medium format film camera. 

I belong to a YMCA gym which I use several times a week.  I use the machines in the gym, but prefer to walk outside rather than on a treadmill.  The Y is in a large, verdant, corporate park with many mature trees and several lakes.  These two photographs are from opposite ends of one of the paths beside a nearby lake.  (MF Film)

Returning to Huguenot Park again yesterday, I schlepped my photo gear for several miles around the entire perimeter of the dunes.  It was once again a perfect day for photographs with a cloud laced blue sky that succumbed to the orange filter I was using.  I was happy to get four 'keepers' out of the ten frames available.  Several others were 'almosts', but I've learned when to say when!  ;)

I've been photographing in the same area a lot recently, so I decided to drive south to Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine where I've been able to find new subjects (though they're pretty similar to what I photographed in the opposite direction.)  I waited for a day with a mixed weather forecast, and was quite lucky with clouds.  Eventually, a rainstorm rolled in, but I was back in the car just in time to stay dry.  (MF Film)

Like eating the same thing for breakfast most mornings, I gravitate to places I've already found photographically interesting rather often.  Both of these photographs are scenes from Ft. George River inlet.  The first is what's seen at low tide; the second includes a fisherman and a warship.  (MF Film)

Big and Little Talbot Islands State Parks are my hands down favorite places to go by the ocean.  Not only are there interesting subjects near the water, but inland a bit as well.  These several photographs were made at Big Talbot and include the park entrance, a boardwalk through the lagoon area, an ancient tree and little stump, and a tangle of oak branches. (MF Film)

It may seem odd for there to be really interesting views in a little parking area, but I've long been attracted to this one and found several images I like there.  These two were taken within the area and appealed to me for the Spanish moss that drapes so many trees in this region, and for the dragon-like neck of the tree in the close-up photograph.  (MF Film)

Though the Kingsley Plantation is the main attraction in the area, the Ribault Club is also an interesting place historically, and as a site for weddings and the like.  These two photographs were made on either side of the road that's just about a quarter mile away from the club.   (MF Film)

After a long walk through the woods near Kingsley Plantation, I came out in a place new to me farther up the Fort George River.  There were these two views.  (MF Film)

I've made similar photographs here several times in the past, but I still like it immensely, and it's always a little bit different!  (MF Film)

I rarely go to Huguenot Park as it's often crowded with beachgoers with their cars, radios, and a notable lack of tranquility.  But the dunes are spectacular in many ways, and beg to be photographed.  I went yesterday, and found these despite much of the area being roped off for restoration.  (MF Film)

I made these photographs at O'Leno State Park which is historically and geologically very interesting.  In the late 19th century, the area was named Keno after the lotto gambling game, but evangelical pressure forced a change to Leno which eventually became O'Leno, the 'O' standing for 'old'.  It's geologically interesting because the part of the Santa Fe River that runs through here runs underground for five miles before returning to the surface. The light area on the trunks of the three trees marks the recent high water mark.  (MF Film)

(MF Film)

These centuried, vaulted oaks are a natural cathedral.  Always draped in Spanish Moss, they appear clad in a tattered alb.  (MF Film)

And there IS abundant Spanish Moss!!

Live oaks are among the most visually interesting trees in this area.  I'm not sure if this was one, but it was nice to come upon spreading shade in a clearing by the path.  (MF Film)

Before the road leading to Kingsley Plantation, one rides beside this vast marsh with open channels that fishermen sometimes use.  It's tidewater too, so it's almost always different.  I liked this view, and stopped with my camera.  (MF Film)

I hadn't been to Kingsley Plantation in quite a while, but did visit last weekend.  I came back today with my camera gear and made these two images of the wonderful mossy trees and their cast shadows on the dirt road that leads there.   (MF Film)

As a Yankee, I'm just becoming familiar with some of the trees (other than palms) here in Florida.  So many are interestingly sinuous both in life and after.  This guy could star in a Disney cartoon!  (MF Film)

I used to get up at 4:30 every morning to get to work, but I've gotten out of that habit.  Still, it's a good thing to do now and then, and this morning was one of those occasions.  I really wanted to get to where I made these photographs at around dawn, but I was a little late. However, the sun was shy and particularly photogenic as it hid behind clouds. As the day brightened, I visited Little Talbot Island State Park and enjoyed some time on the beach with my gear.  (MF Film)

There are an abundance of state and local parks in the northeast part of Florida where I now live. They visually differ from one another, and I've made quite a few photographs in each. The four images below are from Anastasia SP located in St. Augustine which was founded in September of 1565!  It's America's oldest city despite what Boston claims to the contrary! ;)  (MF Film)