Guana Lake

Guana Lake
10/8/2005
Photo by Mark M.
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Ponte Vedra Beach

Spiny-backed orb spider
7/17/08
Photo by Mark M.
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Gold Head State Park

Prickly pear cactus
4/30/2005
Photo by Mark M.
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Gold Head State Park

Zebra longwing on sparkleberry
4/30/2005
Photo by Mark M.
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Gold Head State Park

Virginia willow
Photo by Mark M.
4/30/2005

St. Augustine

Great white egret
Photo by Mark M.
5/24/2007
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Huguenot Memorial Park

Royal tern colony
5/30/2007
Photo by Mike M.
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Huguenot Memorial Park

Loggerhead sea turtle
Photo by Dan J.
7/17/2008
Guest contributor

Huguenot Memorial Park

Osprey
Photo by Mike M.
2/22/07
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St. Augustine

Tricolored heron
7/18/08
Photo by Mark M.

Betz Tiger Point Preserve
2/22/2004
Photo by Mark M.
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St. Augustine

Tricolored heron
7/18/08
Photo by Mark M.

Gold Head State Park

Rose rush
4/5/2005
Photo by Mark M.

Betz Tiger Point Preserve

Pumpkin Hill Creek
6/12/2006
Photo by Mike M.

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Nassau County

Water lily
5/9/2005
Photo by Mark M.

Big Talbot Island

Nassau River
1/22/05
Photo by Mark M.

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Ponte Vedra Beach

Pileated woodpeckers
6/10/2006
Photo by Mark M.

Only in Florida

We thank our neighbor's yard contractor, Mr. Mow It All, for coming up with eco-friendly way of dealing with bugs in the yard.

White ibises
7/12/08
Photo by Mark M.

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Ft. George Inlet

Between Ft. George and Little Talbot islands
10/19/2004
Photo by Mark M.
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Alimicani Island

Wood storks
10/11/2005
Photo by Mark M.

Matanzas River

Moses Creek Conservation Area
7/6/08
Photo by Mark M.
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River City

Jacksonville
7/3/08
Photos by Mike M.

Quick facts: Jacksonville, metro population of 1.2 million, is defined by the river that runs through it - the St. Johns River. It's "Where Florida begins," having preserved some of the best remnants of Old Florida. While known for its NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars, it boasts the largest urban park system in the nation with park lands totaling more than 130 sq. miles. Some the oldest Native American pottery can be found here at archaeological sites more than 4,000 years old.

Ponte Vedra Beach

The butterfly garden is in full swing this summer.

Gulf fritillary
7/8/08

Monarch caterpillar
7/7/08
Photos by Mark M.

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St. Augustine

Castillo de San Marco
7/6/2008
Photo by Gayle M.
Guest contributor
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History: Since the beginning of its construction in 1672, the Castillo de San Marcos has played an important role as a strategic military post in the New World. Many flags have flown here during the Castillo's illustrious history as an active military fortification, including the Spanish (1695 - 1763) the British (1763 - 1784), the Spanish again (1784 - 1821), the United States of America (1821 - 1861), the Confederate States of America (1861 - March of 1862), and finally the United States of America again (1862 - 1900). Changes in occupation of the fort came about only through military agreements or political treaty. Amazingly, the Castillo, although attacked, was never taken by force.

Links:

National Park Service

Ft. George Inlet

Low tide
10/23/2004
Photo by Mark M.

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Deerfield Beach

Sunrise
5/6/2005
Photo by Mark M.

St. Augustine

Great white egret
4/8/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Jacksonville

St. Johns River
12/19/2005
Photos by Stacy S.
Guest contributor

Facts about the St. Johns: It's Florida's longest river and nationally designated as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers. It flows north from it's headwaters, a marsh, in South Florida. There is only a 30 ft. decline in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth at the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the nation's laziest rivers. It starts as a river of grass, becomes a series of lakes and then a river. In Jacksonville, the river, in places is more than two miles wide. It's an incredible natural resource and one of the reasons we love living here.

For more info see:

The St. Johns River Alliance

The St. Johns Riverkeeper

Ponte Vedra Beach

Scarlet hibiscus
6/23/2008
Photo by Mark M.

Rose mallow hibiscus aka Swamp mallow hibiscus
7/2/2008
Photo by Mark M.

The blooms on this plant are nine inches in diameter and grow well in sun or part shade.

St. Johns River, Debary

Great blue heron
4/26/2008
Photo by Mark M.
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