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Sentinels of the Scrub: Florida Scrub Jay Conservation

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 A Glimpse into the Scrub I remember exploring one of the hiking trails in Jonathan Dickinson State Park— “JD” as it’s affectionately known—shortly after moving there. I didn’t know much about the park’s flora and fauna then, but a certain curious bird caught my attention. It flitted from tree to tree as I walked along the trail, always staying close. I stopped and watched for a while, and eventually more appeared. A brave one even hopped up the path toward me. Back home, a little research revealed I had met the Florida Scrub Jay. The Florida Scrub Jay is Florida’s only endemic bird species, meaning it’s found nowhere else. It depends on a specialized habitat called scrub, which is becoming increasingly rare in the state. The Scrub Jay and its scrub environment are tightly linked—without one, the other declines. In this post, I’ll share the Scrub Jay’s relationship with its habitat and how we can help, along with some of my favorite photos from our time living in Jonathan Dickinson...
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Field Notes: Sharks, Sunsets, and State Parks

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 Day 1: Arrival in Tampa Location: Tampa International Airport Weather: Warm, humid, scattered clouds Flew out of Key West this afternoon. The descent into Tampa offered a patchwork of estuaries and urban sprawl. After a quick detour to find Phoebe the Flamingo (by Matthew Mazzotta), I found Cassidy waiting outside. We checked into the hotel, found food, and relaxed the rest of the evening.  Day 2: Shark Con, Sunsets, and Shark Teeth Location: Florida State Fairgrounds→Venice Beach Weather: Hot, breezy, scattered thunderstorms Shark Con opened with a buzz, rows of booths, a mix of merch and mission. We gravitated towards the conservation groups. FWC's shark ID workshop was a highlight. It was hands-on, tactile, and very informative. The lecture by Yannis Papastamatiou and Mike Heithaus was packed. Lots of insight into predator behavior and tracking tech.  By late afternoon, we headed south to Venice Beach. The shoreline was scattered with shell fragments and fossil hunter...
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Rooted in Resilience: The Aesthetics and Ecology of Red Mangroves

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Rhizophora Mangle The stillness beneath a canopy of red mangroves is unlike anything else. Roots twist like sculptures, sheltering the life below. The scientific name for the red mangrove is Rhizophora mangle but they are also known as mangle rojo, palétuvier rouge, tangle-root, and walking tree. These names reflect not only the geography of the trees, but also their cultural connections to the communities that live among them.  When I first moved to South Florida I fell in love with these mysterious trees. They are often so thick that you can't see beyond their outer walls of trunks, roots, and leaves. But there is a whole other world on the other side. In this post I'll take a deep dive into the wonders of the walking trees.  What Are Red Mangroves? Red mangroves are a keystone species, meaning their ecosystems rely on them to thrive. They can be found along tropical and subtropical coasts around the world. They are woven into the very cultures of the people that live among ...
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Location: Florida, USA
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About Me

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About Me   Terry Shelton, photographer   My name is Terry and I’m a photographer. My focus is nature and conservation, but I occasionally branch out into street and travel photography. My work is ideal for nature enthusiasts, as well as wildlife and conservation groups. I offer fine art prints, accessories, and stock photos. I’m available for freelance assignments and commissions.   I’m not sure what came first, my love of nature or my love of photography. Some of my earliest memories are of my local state park and fishing with my grandparents. If I wasn’t outside, I remember flipping through family photo albums and back issues of National Geographic I found on the free table at the library. As I grew, so did my love of nature and photography. But life happens and those two loves tended to get ignored for other loves. Now I’m finally able to combine my two passions.   After spending a couple years traveling around the southeast, working in parks and public land...
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