The Wandering Disciple

At Oscar Scherer State Park, Lake Osprey offers a calm, scenic escape where glassy waters reflect the surrounding pine flatwoods and open skies. This freshwater lake is a favorite for kayaking, canoeing, and catch-and-release fishing, while its quiet shoreline provides the perfect vantage point for spotting birds—including the park’s namesake osprey soaring overhead. Whether you’re paddling across the gentle surface or relaxing along the bank, Lake Osprey captures the peaceful, natural beauty that defines this hidden gem along Florida’s Gulf Coast.   Taken: February 1, 2009 at Oscar Scherer State Park (Osprey, FL)

At Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande, the shoreline becomes a natural treasure trove where the gentle Gulf waves deliver an ever-changing mosaic of seashells. Known for its rich shelling, the beach is often scattered with sand dollars, scallops, and coquinas, especially after a calm tide or passing storm. The soft, white sands and clear waters create the perfect backdrop for beachcombers to wander slowly, eyes down, discovering delicate patterns and colors shaped by the sea. It’s a peaceful, rewarding experience—part relaxation, part treasure hunt—set against the timeless beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast.   Taken: January 25, 2009 at Gasparilla Island State Park (Boca Grande, FL)

Tucked away in the lush wilderness of Hillsborough River State Park, this serene stretch of the Hillsborough River offers a rare glimpse into one of Florida’s oldest natural landscapes. Here, cypress and oak trees draped in Spanish moss frame a gently flowing river dotted with limestone outcroppings—one of the few places in the state where small Class II rapids can be found. It’s the kind of spot that invites you to slow down, whether you’re hiking the shaded trails, paddling through the current, or simply pausing to take in the quiet beauty. For travelers seeking an authentic escape into Old Florida, this peaceful riverside scene captures the timeless charm and natural diversity that make Hillsborough River State Park a must-visit.  You can see more photos from Hillsborough River here .   Taken: January 24, 2009 at Hillsborough River State Park (Thonotosassa, FL)

Fernandina Beach, Florida: Located in the heart of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park commemorates the city's rich history and its significance as a major port and commercial center. The park encompasses a central plaza and surrounding areas that have played a crucial role in the development of Fernandina Beach from its earliest days.  The plaza served as a gathering place for residents and visitors, hosting markets, festivals, and public meetings. It witnessed the arrival of Spanish explorers, British colonists, and American settlers, each leaving their mark on the city's cultural landscape. The park's historical significance is further enhanced by its proximity to the Amelia River and the historic Fernandina Beach downtown district.  The park features interpretive exhibits and displays that highlight the history of Fernandina Beach and the importance of the plaza in the city's development. Visitors can stroll through the park, relax on be...

Fernandina Beach, Florida: Located along the Cumberland Sound at the convergence of the St Mary's River and Amelia River, Fort Clinch State Park is a 1,400-acre park that provides visitors with a glimpse into the area's rich history and natural beauty. The centerpiece of the park is Fort Clinch, a well-preserved 19th-century brick fort that played a role in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. Visitors can explore the fort's many rooms and fortifications, including its cannons, barracks, and kitchen.  In addition to the fort, the park offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and birdwatching. There are several trails that wind through the park's diverse ecosystems, including maritime hammock, sand dunes, and salt marsh. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including gopher tortoises, deer, and ospreys.  One of the most popular activities at Fort Clinch State Park is camping. The park has two campgrounds that o...

A Great Egret flies high above the Myakka River at Myakka River State Park. A large member of the egret family, the Great Egret flies with its long neck tucked in and its long legs outstretched.  The Great Egret is just one of the many species of wildlife you will encounter on a visit to Myakka River State Park. The 37,000 acre state park is home to a wide variety of animals including over 100 species of birds.  Taken: November 11, 2014 at Myakka River State Park (Sarasota, FL)

 A White Tail Deer lays low in the underbrush at Myakka River State Park. Deer are a prey species in the wild and use their fur coloring to try to blend in with the underbrush and avoid the eyes of their predators.  Deer are just on of the many species of wildlife you will find while visiting Myakka River State Park. The popular state park in eastern Sarasota County features a long drive through the park and plenty of hiking trails that allow you to observe the animals in one of the best preserved habitats in the region.  Taken: November 29, 2013 at Myakka River State Park (Sarasota, FL)

Rustic cabins like the one here were once the way of life as pioneer settler inhabited the state of Florida. These simple cabins with their tin roofs and wood construction provided a home and refuge of the wilds of an unspoiled Sunshine State.  This is the tenant cabin at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park in Cross Creek. Here the famous author lived among the mighty live oaks and wrote some of her most famous works. Today the farm house, the tenant house pictured here and other buildings on the property have been preserved to showcase early life in Florida.  Taken: November 11, 2013 at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park (Cross Creek, FL)

As you descend the staircase at Devil's Millhopper, it feels like you're taking a journey to the center of the Earth. But you're not, your embarking on an trip to the bottom of an ancient sinkhole filled with dense foliage, native wildlife and trickling waterfalls.  132 stairs lead you to the bottom of this 500 foot wide, 120 feet deep sinkhole near Gainesville, Florida. As you head to the bottom of the limestone sinkhole, you are surrounded by a tropical rainforest right in the middle of a bustling city. The walls of the sinkhole give glimpse into millions of years of rock layers giving a look into the geological make-up of the area throughout the years.  Taken: November 9, 2013 at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park (Gainesville, FL)

A pair of owlets look out over the nest as mom and dad watch from a nearby tree. This pair of Great Horned Owl were born in 2013 and found in a nest along the nature trail at Stump Pass Beach State Park in Englewood. They will remain in the nest with mom and dad until mid-winter when they will seek independence.  Stump Pass Beach State Park is located at the southern tip of Manasota Key in Englewood. The mile long pristine beach park preserves the native coastline that was present before coastal development. As a result of the preservation, wildlife like these owls can be seem along the beach and the associated woods.  Taken: March 5, 2013 at Stump Pass Beach State Park (Englewood, FL)

A baby gator tries to blend in with the surroundings to protect itself from predators. Alligators are apex predators in the swamp as adults, however baby gators are frequently preyed upon. In fact about 1/3 of hatchlings are killed by predators.  This alligator was found along the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk at the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The elevated boardwalk takes visitors into the heart of the largest bald cypress swamp.  Taken: December 9, 2012 at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (Copeland, FL)

During the Civil War, the Underground Railroad was a network of paths and hiding places to help slaves escape slavery and head to freedom. But did you know that there was a similar set-up during the Colonial period? This field was once the site of Fort Mose and provided a safe haven for slaves escaping the Virginia Colony. In 1738 the governor of Spanish Florida declared Fort Mose the first sanctioned free black settlement and protected those seeking asylum in La Florida.  While the fort no longer exists, the site has been protected as part of the Fort Mose Historic State Park. It is viewed as the premier site of the Florida Black History Trail and viewed as the precursor to the Underground Railroad by the National Park System. A trail takes you through the marsh that once housed the fort and the park features a museum that tells the story about Fort Mose and its mission of freedom.  Taken: November 12, 2011 at Fort Mose Historic State Park (St Augustine, FL)

The night gives way to to the day as the sun begins to rise over the Atlantic Ocean at Anastasia State Park in St Augustine, Florida. As the sun begins to break the horizon, the dark sky comes to light with the bright colors of the sun.  Anastasia State Park is a coastal park located across Matanzas Bay from historic St Augustine. The park is located on the historic Spanish coquina quarry. From this quarry, the Spanish got the stone needed to build Castillo San Marcos in the old city. Today it is a popular state park with miles of beaches, a campground and hiking trails.  Taken: November 12, 2011 at Anastasia State Park (St Augustine, FL)

The words of Jason Aldean's Dirt Road Anthem come to live as you hit the many dirt roads of Central Florida. While this road may not take you to memory lane, it will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the developed coastal cities and into rural old Florida.  This dirt road leads to one of Florida's most endangered ecosystems, the sand scrub. Rapidly lost to development, the sand scrub is home to threatened species like the Florida Scrub Jay and Gopher Tortoise. This portion of scrub is preserved as part of the Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park, an 845 scrub preserve located on the eastern banks of Lake June-in-Winter.  Taken: February 27, 2011 at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub State Park (Lake Placid, FL)

A family of baby gators hitch a ride on their mama's back as swims across a stream at Highlands Hammocks State Park. It is a tough life for a baby gator. On average, gators lay 38 eggs in one clutch. Of the 38, only about 24 will hatch. About 10 of them will survive the first year and by the time they reach adult, the clutch is down to about 8.  This family of gators was found in a stream along the main park road at Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring. Established in 1937, the park predates the Florida State Park system and is a product of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park features a three mile scenic drive as well as nine hiking trails that traverses unique Florida ecosystems.  Taken: February 27, 2011 at Highlands Hammock State Park (Sebring, FL)

The further you travel down the beach at Stump Pass State Park, the further away from civilization you get. This unspoiled stretch of beach along the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of what coastal Florida looked long before the condos and hotels that dot the coast now. In fact, if you are willing to walk a little further you might even get a stretch of the beach all to yourself.  Stump Pass State Park is located on the southern tip of Manasota Key in Englewood. It features a 1.3 mile hiking trail that crosses through the coastal habitat where you can see the owls, gopher tortoises and shore birds that call the unspoiled beach home. If you decide to visit the park, be sure to get there early as the small parking lot tends to fill up fast.  Taken: August 10, 2010 at Stump Pass Beach State Park (Englewood, FL)

A short walk past the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse leads you over the sand dunes and to the beach at Gasparilla Island State Park. Still relatively unspoiled, the beaches here are some of the best on the Gulf coast of Florida.  Located on the tip of Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island State Park features a series of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The park preserves miles of coastline, two historic lighthouses and a historical chapel. Part of the Florida State Park system, it is a popular place for residents and tourists alike.  Taken: May 7, 2023 at Gasparilla Island State Park (Boca Grande, FL)

With miles and miles of coastline, a short walk leads you to a stretch of beach that is secluded where you can sit in the silence and enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. If you don't want the hustle and bustle of the big beaches, take a walk and find a spot that makes you feel all alone.  This is one of the beaches that makes up Gasparilla Island State Park. Located on the barrier island of Boca Grande, the park features several beach accesses. While the two lighthouse beaches are the busiest, a stroll down the beach will lead you to a less people and pretty soon its just you and the beach left.  Taken: April 6, 2008 at Gasparilla Islands State Park (Boca Grande, FL)

Nestled away on Fort George Island is a Colonial palace that has hosted its fair share of prominent guests for almost a century. Built in 1928m the Ribault Club was to be a winter playground for the rich and famous, rivaling the neighboring Millionaire's Club on Jekyll Island. While it may no longer serve as a winter destination, it still serves as a venue for private events. It is also home to the Fort George Islands Visitors Center, joining neighboring properties to form the Fort George Island Cultural State Park. (Photo: December 30, 2020)

A red shouldered hawk sits atop a snag at Myakka River State Park in eastern Sarasota. The park is home to many birds of prey like this hawk and much more. The red shouldered hawk sits high above on a perch in a tree or utlity pole scanning the ground below for small mammals. They soar in and catch they prey undetected. Red shouldered hawks are plentiful in the Southeastern US and range up the east coast and along the west coast. (Photo: December 25, 2020)