Florida Nature Photography Home

The American Lotus

Lotus plants have always intrigued me. Often confused with waterlilies, the lotus is significantly larger – both the flower and the pads.

Of Panthers and Cowbirds

Many years ago I learned a good lesson about wildlife and nature photography. Always have your camera ready and keep a predetermined setting...

Cattle Egret in Breeding Plumage

I was driving along the coast of Apalachee Bay on the Florida Panhandle on the edge of Tate's Hell State Forest when I saw the unexpected.

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

In recent years, the infamous ghost orchid has captured the world's imagination.

Found only in a few isolated pockets of southern Florida's most remote swamps, locating the elusive ghost has frustrated most orchid hunters for generations. Visit our featured gallery "Vandeae" to see the ghost orchid and other leafless orchids and see why these fascinating plants draw so much attention from around the globe!

View the Gallery

Birds

Shorebird migration starts in mid-July, peaking in August.
Swallow-tailed kites begin gathering as do purple martins and tree swallows in preparation for migrating south for the winter.
Look out for nesting shorebirds, and keep your vehicles and dogs from disturbing them.
Look for magnificent frigate birds flying overhead in South Florida.

Mammals

Baby raccoons, foxes, armadillos, possums, and bobcats leave dens and begin following parents.
Deer mating season in the Everglades.
Buck deer in new velvet may occasionally be spotted.
Second litters of gray squirrels are being born.
Black Bear breeding season starts.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Later this month, young alligators will begin to hatch.
In South Florida, young American crocodiles are hatching.
Listen for Eastern narrowmouth toads ("waaa", like a baying sheep) after heavy rains.
Lights out! Sea turtles emerge from their nests and head for the ocean. Females may become confused by lights on the beach.
Leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles continue to crawl ashore to lay eggs.

Plants and Trees

Sea oats flower along the Atlantic.
Scrub morning glory and butterfly weed begin to bloom.

Orchids

Wild coco orchids begin to bloom in Southern Florida in swamps and pine scrubs.
Tall twayblade orchids start their summer blooming period in the Fakahatchee Strand and Big Cypress National Preserve.
The world-famous ghost orchid can now be found in bloom in the darkest parts of the Fakahatchee Strand.
Most species of fringed and crested orchids are in bloom in North Florida.

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.

Recently we were the feature story in "Getaways by Design - The Online Magazine for Florida Travel" and it was a great opportunity to tell a little about our nature photography. Read it here - "Interview with Rich Leighton of Florida Nature Photography" by Marcus Adkins.

Very cool news! In the past couple of years, the list of followers for Florida Nature Photography has gotten huge, and we've gotten to know a lot of great people from all over the globe. Recently, I was contacted by Barry Chignell of Free Photo Resources - a British online publication about a wide range of subjects dealing with photography - and asked if I'd agree to an interview. How could I refuse? Read it here - "FPR Interviews Superb Landscape and Nature Photographer Rich Leighton".

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.