Baldwin Bay

Old growth cypress forest
4/11/2004
Photo by Mark M.

Cradle Creek Preserve

Osprey fledgling
6/28/2009
Photo by Mark M.
Please click on photograph for best viewing

Editor's note

Today, La Florida begins examining through photographs the historical and cultural aspects of Florida. While the landscapes and natural resources here are spectacular, it is the history and cultural of our home state that makes this an incredibly unique place to live.

Matanzas River

Ft. Matanzas
6/26/2008
Photo by Mike M.
Click on photograph for best viewing

Location: Fort Matanzas National Monument is located about 15 miles south of the historic district of St. Augustine, Florida on Highway A1A South. St. Augustine is located on Florida's Northeastern Atlantic coast midway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
- From the National Park Service

History:

Since its founding in 1565, the military outpost town of St. Augustine had been the heart of Spain's coastal defenses in Florida. After the completion of the Castillo de San Marcos in 1695, the town had only one weakness: fourteen miles to the south Matanzas Inlet allowed access to the Matanzas River, by which enemy vessels could attack the town from the rear - out of range of the Castillo's cannons. The presence of Ft. Matanzas physically demonstrates the determination of the Spanish colonial authorities to improve their defensive posture in northeast Florida.

Completed in 1742, the fortification was erected on the West Bank of the Matanzas River, immediately north of an inlet from the ocean, in order to prohibit enemy ships from proceeding northward along the river in an attack against the settlement at St. Augustine. Cannons mounted on the gun deck of the fort could easily menace any ship proceeding along the waterway.
- From the National Scenic Byways Program

Relevant links:

National Park Service, Ft. Matanzas
National Scenic Byways Program

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Great white egret
6/23/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Mosquito Lagoon

Reddish egret
6/23/2008
Photo by Mark M.
Please click on image for best viewing

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

White ibis, roseate spoonbill and snowy egret
6/23/2008
Photo by Mark M.
Please click on image for best viewing

Mosquito Lagoon

Immature reddish egret
6/23/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Cedar Point Preserve

Pumpkin Hill Creek
8/9/2006
Photo by Mike M.

Dutton Island Preserve

Pablo Creek
8/9/2006
Photo by Mike M.

Castaway Island Preserve

Tricolored heron
8/26/2005
Photo by Mike M.

Betz Tiger Point Preserve

Osprey
12/28/2005
Photo by Mike M.

Dutton Island Preserve, Atlantic Beach

Wood stork
12/28/2005
Photo by Mike M.

Anastasia Island State Park

Matanzas River
4/13/2007
Photo by Mark M.

St. Augustine

American alligator
1/16/2006
Photo by Mark M.

St. Augustine

Wood stork
7/31/2004

Great white heron
7/31/2004

Tricolored herons
7/31/2004

Great white egret
7/31/2004
Photos by Mark M.

Atlantic Beach

Zebra longwing
6/1/2008
Photo by Maria M.

Pumpkin Hill Creek State Park

Longleaf pine, grass stage
5/14/2005
Photo by Mark M.
Please click on image for best viewing.

St. Johns River

Great blue heron
4/24/2008
Photo by Maria M.

Huguenot Memorial Park

Royal terns
5/4/2007
Photo by Mike M.

Huguenot Memorial Park

Black skimmers
5/30/2007
Photo by Mike M.

Huguenot Memorial Park

Black skimmer colony
5/30/2007
Photo by Mike M.
Click on the photograph for best viewing

Amelia Island

Monarchs
10/30/2005
Photos by Mark M.

St. Augustine

Juvenile great white egrets
4/24/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Click on photo for best viewing

St. Augustine

Tricolored heron
4/24/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Salt Springs

Swallowtail kite
4/29/2007
Photo by Jim M.
Guest contributor

Salt Springs

Great white egret
4/29/2007
Photo by Jim M.
Guest contributor

Salt Springs

River otters
4/29/2007
Photo by Jim M.
Guest contributor and great grandfather as of yesterday

St. Marks Wildlife Refuge

2/29/2008
Photo by Jim M.
Guest contributor

Atlantic Beach

Giant swallowtail
6/1/2008
Photo by Maria M.

St. Augustine

Great white egret juveniles
5/31/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Click on photo for best viewing

Guana River

Great white egret
10/8/2005
Photo by Mark M.