By Mary Lundeberg – The Florida panther (Florida’s state animal) is the last subspecies of puma alive in the eastern U.S. occupying less than five percent of its historic range. Native Americans revered panthers, but early Europeans feared the powerful cats leading to their near extermination with hunts sponsored by the state. The legal slaughter…
Marina Scarr is an award-winning nature photographer and certified Florida Master Naturalist based in Sarasota. Growing up in Milton, Massachusetts as an equestrian on a farm fostered her curiosity and respect for nature and animals. Her affinity for birds began at an early age when she witnessed an incubator full of duck eggs hatch. Marina’s…
Brenda Mitchell’s passion for photography began in Ann Arbor, Michigan when she received a Pentax K1000 camera as a Christmas gift. She ended up using the family’s tornado shelter as a dark room where she would spend many hours mixing chemicals, developing film and making proof sheets. She even bought film in bulk to save…
By Mary Lundeberg – Black Skimmers are one of Florida’s more unique birds. Although related to terns, the skimmer doesn’t dive for fish. Instead, this amazing bird forages for fish in flight. It uses its brilliant orange-red bill to plow through the surf as it glides expertly over the water. Their long, broad wings beat…
A deep reverence for animals has inspired Marjie Goldberg’s passion for photography. It’s something she learned from her father growing up in New England. “He owned and operated three zoos,” said Marjie. “I spent a lot of time observing animal behavior and providing care for some of the babies at our home.” Born in Miami,…