Launch Point: Weeki Wachee State Park Kayak Launch
Takeout Point: Rogers Park
Distance: 5.5 miles (one way)
Level of difficulty: Easy
Open: Sunrise to sunset
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Weeki Wachee is considered one of the finest spring runs in Florida, with its crystal clear turquoise water and abundant wildlife, including manatees, shore birds, and the occasional otter. In the summer, the run is especially popular with tourists and paddlers alike, and reservations must be made just to secure a spot on the river. Tom and I decide to paddle the run on our iROCKERSUPS in October, with fewer people and better chances for spotting the wild inhabitants of this unique place. Launching at Weeki Wachee State Park, we paddle upstream toward the recreational area before heading back down the spring run. Several things have conspired today so that we have this river almost totally to ourselves: Covid has closed the park to swimming; the shuttle is not running today (glad we have 2 cars); it’s October; the day is overcast (perfect says the photographer – not too contrasty) and it’s early – 8am. If all the rental kayaks they have here were on the water, it would be a zoo. Near the spring, the run is wide and deep, aquamarine against the white sand, with ribbons of grass waving sensuously in the current. Here the fish are large: a snook as long as my arm; a meal-size sheepshead.
The sign says 6 miles to Roger’s Park, but I double back many times for the photographer. I can hear the road…..civilization is so close, yet so far away from this amazing, beautiful waterway, laced in cypress and red maple, unseen and unknown by the travelers nearby. The sprays of red along the bank, Cardinal lobelia and Dahoon holly, with the red maple, give the feeling of fall. As we approach the entrance of a tannin (yellowish tea) colored canal, an amazing thing happens. The yellow and blue-green waters mix, becoming an emerald green. Almost immediately we spot a young manatee gliding under our SUP, munching on the grasses underneath the surface. Manatees are common here and can be seen year round. We take out at Rogers Park five hours later, after a leisurely paddle. This is an easy run with a mild current and spectacular scenery. We highly recommend a trip here, preferably in the spring, fall or winter when crowds will be at their lowest.
Weeki Wachee insider tips: Launch early or on weekdays to avoid crowds. The earliest launch time is 8am. Expert paddlers can launch at Rogers Park and paddling upstream against the current to enter the park. During the summer months reservations must be made in advance to secure a spot on the river. It is very very important you arrive on time because of the enforced limit of 70 boat launches per hour. Arrive 15-30 minutes before your reservation time to sign paperwork and waivers. Absolutely no disposable items will be allowed on the river. This includes but not limited to: Plastic, Aluminum, Glass, Styrofoam, Paper - All drinks and food must be in permanent containers.
iROCKER tip: Water levels can vary in the run. To avoid hitting downed trees and logs, take out your center fin and use your side fins to steer during periods of low water.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the United States. Established in 1931 as a wintering ground for migratory birds, it encompasses 68,000 acres and is one of the wildest places in the state of Florida. Using an infrared filter on my lens, I was able to take long exposures of the stunning landscapes here, opening up an unseen world of light that lies just beyond the visible spectrum that we see.
Betsy and I really enjoyed creating an article on Sweetwater Preserve and Sweetwater Wetlands Park near Gainesville for the latest issue of Arbus Magazine. Thanks to Cinda Sherman for featuring environmental success stories like this that will help protect Florida’s natural resources for future generations.
Recently, I had the unique opportunity to shoot Tal Hazelhurst, one of North Florida’s best surfboard shapers and the owner of Fish Bird Surf Surfboards. During the planning stages, I had one main goal in mind, creating images that convey the pure craft of shaping a surfboard by hand. Before any shoot, I always begin with sketches which help guide me through the assignment and often lead to other ideas as the shoot progresses. Next, Tal and I met at his shaping room and figured out the best angles for each photograph. Tal was very patient throughout the entire shoot and we ended up with some great images. Enjoy!
We have been growing orchids on our porch since January and they are coming to the end of their days as the heat of summer intensifies. I have been photographing them for several months in various conditions and ended my project today by shooting the wilting flowers that had recently fallen off the plants. I think in some ways, these are my favorite images. I used a macro lens, long exposures and light painting to capture their faded beauty one last time.
Super excited that this image of Braedon Smith at the Poles has been juried into LIGHT, an upcoming fine art photo exhibition at the Southeast Center for Photography in Greenville SC. Thanks to Braedon and the Poles surf family for all your encouragement and support over the last two years as my photography journey continues. Other work selected for LIGHT can be found here.
This was a fun and exciting project that I really enjoyed working on. The concept was simple. Photograph 30 doorways and entrances in the downtown St. Augustine area and feature them over 30 days on the St. John’s County Cultural Council Instagram page. I think these images show the welcoming character of the oldest city in America.
Proud to have “Evening Light at McCormick Bridge” selected for the 2020 Camera USA® Exhibition which will be held later this year in Naples, Florida. Now in its tenth year, this national competition features recent work in color and black & white photography by photographers from across the United States. Jurors included Leigh Gleason, Director of collections at the University of California Museum of Photography, Susan Spiritus, gallery director of the Susan Spiritus Fine Art Photography Gallery in Irvine California and David Albers, a commercial and editorial photographer based in Naples Florida. I have been entering this competition for several years and this is my first selection. Hard work does pay off.
A self portrait entitled “Through the Narrow Gate” has been juried into Dreamscapes and Visions, a fine art photography exhibition that will take place later this year at Photo Place Gallery in Vermont. This is one image from a self portrait series called Body & Soul, which explores some of the deep personal beliefs and experiences that continue to shape my life. I begin by taking a photograph of my body that becomes the canvas on which I overlay the other photograph, the soul of the image.
Here is the Juror’s Statement from fine art photographer Susan Burnstine.
“As a working artist who interprets dreams into photographic visions, it was a great pleasure to review images from likeminded visionaries around the world. I want to thank each individual who took a personal leap of faith and submitted to this call. It is never easy to ask another to consider your work and it was an honor to spend time visiting your unique world of dreams. And once again, thank you to PhotoPlace Gallery for entrusting me to curate a show that is so close to my heart.
The greatest difficulty in selecting from such a comprehensive collection was to hone submissions to form the very best reflection of the theme. This is a responsibility I take seriously as I too began my career submitting to group shows and know the hopes and disappointments connected to the process all too well. With that in mind, I spent an immense amount of time reviewing every image until I selected the final thirty-five exhibition and online images.
It is my hope that you will close your eyes, take a deep breath, then open your eyes and leap into this collection of personal dreamscapes and visions distinct to each creator’s inner worlds.”
I was recently interviewed by Jacksonville Magazine and they featured this image for the inside back cover. “When returning by plane to the Jacksonville International Airport, I always look out the window to get a peek at our estuaries. They are truly awe inspiring and I wanted to capture that unique point of view using a drone. These environments are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet and serve as natural filters for pollution, buffers against hurricanes, nurseries for wildlife and home to many species of birds, fish and invertebrates.”
