Florida Nature Photography

My New Sanibel Island Art Installation!

Earlier this year, I was contacted by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society on Florida’s Sanibel Island about the possibility...

The Cuban Treefrog

The Cuban treefrog is my #1 hated invasive species for a number of reasons ranging from ecological damage to personally anger-inducing events and even...

Anhinga!

- One of America’s Most Overlooked Birds. When North America was split in half roughly 100 to 40 million years ago by a great inland sea...

We are extremely happy and proud to announce a new way of providing you with the very best professional prints for your office, home or gallery.

Now we are offering not only prints, but a whole new range of customized frames, mats, and other accessories! All prints are shipped within three business days and come with a no questions asked 30 day return policy.

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…Notes from the Field is our brand new and updated blog (complete with a new look) that will relate experiences and stories about photographing all that is wild in Florida. It has replaced our “New Photos” page, and all of our new images will be presented here - including stories of what was involved to get these shots - camera tips and tricks for other photographers who really enjoy nature and the outdoors and want to learn more. You might even get a chuckle or two out of it!

Read the Latest Post

Arethuseae (Orchids)!

Arethuseae are a small tribe of tropical and subtropical terrestrial orchids that are commonly found in scattered populations in the American Southeast, and in particular in Southern Florida.

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Birds

White pelicans begin migrating south to Florida.
Cedar waxwings come south for the winter. Their flocks can be seen on cedars, hollies, cherry laurels, privet, and other fruit plants.
Look for downy, hairy, red-bellied, and redheaded woodpeckers on suet feeders.
Watch for northern harriers gliding low over the marshes.
Bald eagles begin their nesting season. Look for spectacular aerial courtship displays.
Sandhill cranes return in full force from their breeding grounds up north. (Only a small number live here all year round).
Many yellow-rumped warblers and palm warblers will be in neighborhoods, natural areas, and yards, and gray catbirds have already arrived, and will be skulking (and cat-calling!) in thickets.
Kinglets, phoebes, robins, and other northern songbirds have arrived for the winter.

Mammals

Peak of deer rutting in central and north Florida.
Bears are on the move and crossing roads, especially in Central Florida.
As water temperatures lower, manatees begin to move to relatively warm waters at springs. Boaters beware of idle speed zones.
Look for migrating hoary and red bats in North Florida. The hoary is a large bat with frosted fur.

Amphibians

Ornate chorus frogs begin calling.

Fish

Spotted sea trout should enter tidal creeks around Thanksgiving.
Bass congregate around jetties in south end of Lake George.

Trees

Cypress begin turning a rust color.

Orchids

Yellow helmet orchids are blooming in profusion in Southwest Florida swamps - prepare to get into the water to see these!
Fragrant ladies'-tresses can be found in flower throughout most of the state in shady wetlands.

Data provided in part by UF Florida Wildlife Extension

FloridaNaturePhotography is a part of Leighton Photography & Imaging - our local photography business based in Tallahassee, Fl. Nature photography is a large part of what we do, but we are by no means limited to just that. Click HERE to find out more about our company.

Our photographs not related to nature photography can be seen HERE in our online gallery, or through Fine Art America.

If you are or represent a gallery, publisher/publication, exhibition, event, vendor/reseller, or any other group interested in our work, please contact Rich or Galina Leighton HERE for more information.

ALL SUBJECTS ARE PHOTOGRAPHED IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS. NO ANIMALS ARE IN CAPTIVITY OR POSED,
AND ALL PLANTS, INCLUDING ORCHIDS, ARE NATIVE AND NON-CULTIVATED.