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Post by htmb on Nov 23, 2013 22:38:26 GMT
This is a continuation of my Cedar Key, FL thread. I have new pictures to post, including those I took on a side trip to Seahorse Key Island where there is a lighthouse and laboratory for University of Florida marine studies.
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Post by htmb on Nov 23, 2013 23:34:59 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 24, 2013 0:13:17 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 24, 2013 4:09:29 GMT
Having my new camera with a longer lens, I was anxious to see if I could get some better distance photos. Ohhhhhhhh, yeah!!! Htmb, you know my admiration of your photography, especially since I know so well the camera you were using. If anyone deserved to reward her expertise with nice new hardware, it is you! The pictures are out of this world -- you have such artistry in framing and capturing. I have to say -- & I do know the plants & birds you show, plus the Gulf skies -- that the new camera has absolutely true color. Well, of course you more than know what you're doing, too. Just love what you've shown so far, and the sky & water pics really are just like being there.
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Post by bjd on Nov 24, 2013 6:58:31 GMT
Indeed, your new camera is a success. I really like that picture of the bird taking off from the water, with the shape of its wings dipping down.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 7:40:07 GMT
Hooray for the new camera.
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Post by mez on Nov 24, 2013 8:56:45 GMT
Such beautiful photos!
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Post by mossie on Nov 24, 2013 10:31:31 GMT
Yes! I too am in awe of your bird photos, particularly the one taking off.
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Post by htmb on Nov 24, 2013 14:03:16 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 0:21:16 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Nov 25, 2013 0:32:42 GMT
Just beautiful. The nature/landscape shots are amazing, the new camera appears to have been worth it, but it''s still mostly the photographer.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 5:10:53 GMT
If coastal birds were charged a fee for perching on pilings, I'm sure that it would reduce the budget deficit.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 5:12:57 GMT
Thank you, Fumobici. Your kind words are much appreciated.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 5:13:53 GMT
Kerouac! How'd you get here!
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Post by patricklondon on Nov 25, 2013 8:16:53 GMT
They usually leave a small deposit......
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 12:37:27 GMT
Wonderful shots, htmb. I did a double take with the rain storm photos, really something! Is your camera water-proof? It's not easy taking photos of birds or any animals really, you did really well.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 12:48:37 GMT
Thank you, Deyana. Unfortunately, my camera is not waterproof. I actually thought I'd ruined it the other day, but it seems to be fine now. I was standing under a shelter when I took those photos, but didn't stay there too long because the rain was starting to blow towards me. I've considered getting a waterproof casing, but they are expensive. However, I think if I take this camera out on the water again while kayaking it might be wise to splurge on the purchase first.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 14:32:29 GMT
The weather was perfect and temperatures would rise almost to 82F/28C.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 15:08:51 GMT
htmb, I agree a waterproof casing would be a good idea, especially if a person is used to taking photos by the river or other wet areas.
My son has a water-proof camera and it works pretty well under water, although I do think the quality (at least of the one he has) is not up to a non-water proof one. But it certainly does work.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 21:51:14 GMT
Okay. History and geography lesson alert for those of you who have an aversion to social studies. Below is an old map of the state of Florida, but it serves our purpose for locating the Cedar Keys. You see, there is not just one key, but rather a whole slew of them. Looking on the Florida map you can see a line drawn from Fernandina Beach in the northeast of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean side, all the way to Cedar Keys on the Gulf of Mexico side. This is the route the train tracks took back when the Cedar Keys were a large port of interest. The road I drive follows the same path. The word "Alachua," just to the west of where the line crosses the middle of the state, denotes the county where I live in the city of Gainesville. Cedar Keys includes Way Key, now known as the city of Cedar Key, and Atsena Otie Key, which had been the main town, and was where the Faber Pencil Mill was headquartered back in the days before H.B Plant built his railroad to Tampa, thus bypassing Cedar Keys. So, the train tracks followed what is now state road 24 on the map posted below. I stay near where the words Cedar Key are written on the map. Across the bay is Atsena Otie, now the only other island that visitors are allowed to cross inland. Visitors to the other islands must remain on the beaches, and no access is granted at all during nesting season. Here's another map showing how the road ends at Cedar Key. The area is now protected as part of the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge. And, where I visit, is even more specifically known as the Cedar Keys Wildlife Refuge. All the Keys (islands) are protected and uninhabited except for Way/Cedar Key, with the exception of Seahorse Key where the University of Florida has leased some of the island for a laboratory station since 1952. Visitors are not allowed on the island except for two or three annual open house dates. So, if you will look back at the middle map above and locate Seahorse Key, you will see where I traveled on the second day of my November visit.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 22:31:27 GMT
I confess that I had not stalked looked up exactly where Cedar Key was until now. All of my trips through the area (usually with my parents) remained on US 19 and US 98. But now I'll know if ever I pass through the area again.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 23:31:47 GMT
Make sure you bring your snake proof boots and insect repellent. This ain't Paris, ya know. ;D
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Post by htmb on Nov 26, 2013 1:02:31 GMT
The term “Keys” comes from the Indian word “cayo”, meaning “small island”. This is a very appropriate term for this unique area! Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is a group of fragile coastal islands just off the village of Cedar Key, Florida. Established in 1929, Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge contains significant natural and cultural resources from pre-historic and historic times. Today, the Refuge consists of 13 islands ranging in size from 1 to 120 acres, totaling 762 acres. Ancient Indian cultures once used these off-shore islands as camps, later creating living areas – where food from the Gulf was plentiful and readily available. In more recent history, the famous Faber Pencil Mill was located on Atsena Otie Key where its remains can be seen today.
Wading birds, shorebirds, fishes, manatees, bald eagles, crabs, and even reptiles are some of the species of wildlife that find suitable habitat on the islands and marshes that make-up Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. An historic lighthouse, now leased by the University of Florida as a Marine Science Lab, sits atop the Pleistecene dune relic, Seahorse Key. Their goal is to conduct important research while at the same time educatinge future conservation leaders about the importance of this unique ecosystem.Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
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Post by htmb on Nov 26, 2013 1:44:47 GMT
The island open house began at 12:30, so I caught a shuttle boat to the island for 20 USD round trip. A couple of different companies were operating boats and there didn't seem to be a lot of people going over, so no crowds. The ride was supposed to take 30 minutes, but our lady boat captain gave us a little bit of an extra tour since we were running ahead of time. Before starting off at low tide, our captain told us where we could find life jackets, but also said if we ended up in the water we'd probably be able to stand up since the water was so shallow. I believe this is Snake Island, and yes, there are snakes on other islands, as well. The boats on the horizon are in a spot where the bottom of the bay finally begins to drop off and becomes the Gulf of Mexico. Seahorse Key Here at the western side of the island we can just make out the top of the lighthouse, a unique structure for this part of Florida. The highest hill around at 57 feet above sea level.
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Post by lola on Nov 26, 2013 15:30:39 GMT
Wonderful photos and narrative, htmb. Another world, and thank you for taking us there.
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Post by mossie on Nov 26, 2013 16:04:19 GMT
Yes, thanks for that. That is a very complex system of islands, quite a unique place. Being facetious, I don't want my bottom to drop off
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Post by tod2 on Nov 26, 2013 18:06:30 GMT
htmb....truly magnificent photos! It looks like paradise.....beautiful and reserved, clear and precise, and just magic all rolled into one. What a temptation for a holiday!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:39:34 GMT
Often when you meet people in remote corners of the globe, if you say that you are from the United States, they will ask things like "New York or California?" Many of them would not even believe that there is so much natural beauty in the U.S. "just like at home."
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Post by htmb on Nov 26, 2013 19:24:23 GMT
Being facetious, I don't want my bottom to drop off Mossie, I have no idea what you mean. ;D
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Post by htmb on Nov 26, 2013 22:35:23 GMT
I must say that while I love being at Cedar Key, for others it may be their idea of hell. It's slow, quiet pace, opportunity to bird watch, kayak, and take leisurely bike rides appeal to me very much, but for visitors who are looking for white sandy beaches and the excitement of a resort-like atmosphere it would be a big disappointment. Cedar Key is perched literally on the edge of nowhere, and takes a good hour to get to more modern "civilization," but that's what I like about it. And, I'm not someone who cares to fish, but Cedar Key is fantastic for those who do.
I must also say there are a lot of run down parts of town, where yards and porches are filled with piled up junk and it looks like residents are living quite down on their luck. Some of you may remember one of my first posts about Cedar Key where I mentioned meeting a resident while on a plane. He was going home, but worked out of state because he couldn't find a job to support his family who lived in Cedar Key. Times are often tough in Cedar Key.
I actually work with a couple of former Cedar Key residents whose families go way back for generations, and they are some of the nicest, hardest working people you'd ever want to know. As a third generation Floridian, I suppose Cedar Key reminds me a lot of my childhood. Just about the only difference would be the white, sandy beaches we had growing up just a bit farther to the south.
Kerouac, you remember the congestion you experienced on US 19 just a few years ago, but there's not even a traffic light where SR 24 crosses US 19 on the way to Cedar Key because there's not enough traffic to need one. As I said, it's in the middle of nowhere; a drop-off at the edge of the Florida coast.
I have lots more pictures to post, and am particularly proud of climbing up into the light house to take a photo just for AnyPort readers.
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