“Wherever there is light, one can photograph.” – Alfred Stieglitz
Category Archives: Florida Beautiful
University of Florida (UF); Iconic Campus Points of Interest
The University of Florida is Florida’s flagship university. It’s a very large presence in a very small, rural north Florida town. As a University of Florida student and alumna I’ve taken my share of campus life images over the years. I’ll be sharing them with you from time to time so check back periodically to see my newest additions. I’ll begin with a favorite among graduating students; the University of Florida’s Mascots, Albert and Alberta who greet visitors to Gainesville and the UF campus.
Albert and Alberta UF Mascots; Lifesize bronze sculpture of the UF Gators mascots, Albert and Alberta found near the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida. The statues were created by artist Peter Forster based on genuine mascot costumes and the statues were executed by The American Bronze Foundry, based in Sanford, Florida. Charles Perry Construction and Robinshore Inc. funded the statue with masonry pedestal.
One of the most iconic symbols of the university of Florida is the Century Bell Tower on Newell Road.
UF Century Tower and Newell Drive; University of Florida Century Tower on UF campus in Gainesville, Florida.
UF Century Tower Framed View framed between the brick walls of the Marston Science Library.
UF Century Tower Framed View; between two brick columns of the Marsten Science Library, UF’s Century Bell Tower rises above the trees on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida.
Here’s one last view of the Century Tower, along with the University Auditorium and the sculpture “Whispering Close” a 20-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Seward Johnson, Jr. The sculpture, a temporary exhibit displayed on the Plaza of the Americas directly across the street from the Auditorium, is of a couple dancing, inspired by “Dance in the City,” the painting by French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The exhibit was removed from the Plaza in 2013, a few months after this image was taken.
Whispering Close on the Plaza of the Americas
Whispering Close on the Plaza of the Americas; View of University Auditorium, Century Tower and the sculpture “Whispering Close” a 20-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Seward Johnson, Jr. of a couple dancing, inspired by “Dance in the City,” the painting by French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
This is all for tonight…
Fernandina Beach: Classic Small Town Florida
The town of Fernandina Beach is an idyllic small Florida town along the St. Johns River north of Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to being a quaint tourist destination, the harbor is home to private yachts and a thriving commercial fishing fleet. The power plant can be seen in the distance.
Commercial fishing trawlers in the Fernandina Beach harbor rock gently at dock on a pleasant Spring morning.
Fernandina Beach Power Plant and Harbor.Fernandina Beach Fishing Fleet.
Silvery smoke billowing from the stack of a power plant can be seen across the harbor at Fernandina Beach along the shore of the Saint Johns River north of Jacksonville, Florida USA.
Commercial fishing trawlers in the Fernandina Beach harbor rock gently at dock on a pleasant Spring morning.
Its quintessentially American small town façade makes this one of my favorite building in the historic downtown district, and the Traditional Hand-painted Coca Cola Sign is a rare find.
Traditional hand-painted Coca Cola wall sign is the perfect touch to make you feel like you’ve returned to an earlier time.
Another vintage touch that transports this town back in time is an ornate cast iron water fountain designed to serve people on one side and horses on the other. It can be found in front of the Old Train Station.
A vintage cast iron water fountain and horse trough in front of the old Fernandina Beach railway station.
Old Cast Iron Public Water Fountain.
An ornate, slightly worn cast iron public fountain surrounded by flowers leans slightly.
Lofton Creek
Lofton Creek Dock, an image I took of a small river just north of Jacksonville on the way to Fernandina Beach. A small boat ramp, dock and car park beside the road provides easy access for fishermen, kayakers and the occasional photographer. It was Spring so the trees appear almost autumn-like thanks to a multitude of colorful buds. It was one of those times I wished I had a kayak with me.
A Day at the Beach
Image
Earlier this year I awoke early, feeling the need to get away for a day. I grabbed my camera and drove two hours to arrive at Fernandina Beach just in time for sunrise. It was a perfect morning and I was able to catch a number of memorable shots. The following was one of my first and is titled Greeting the Dawn and features a lone seagull flying into the sun as dawn breaks over Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Three Seagulls Greet the Dawn was taken moments later and shows three gulls playing at the edge of the surf while gentle waves break nearby.
Sunrise Walk
A couple enjoys each other’s company while walking along the shore at sunrise. Seagulls flock around them, playing in the surf.
As the sun rose further, a stand of Fernandina Beach Sea Oats can be seen gently swaying in the ocean breeze while a couple can be seen strolling along the shoreline beyond.
Besides recreational activities like walking, biking and looking for shells, I encountered quite a few people Surf fishing and actually catching fish. If I lived closer I’d be out on the beach every morning!
Enlarged versions of these images and other Fernandina Beach images can be viewed and purchased in a variety of formats on my website by following the blue links imbedded in the text above above or clicking directly on the images.