craigoneal's blog

HDR Photo by: Craig ONeal

If you’re looking for a real historical artifact plus experiencing a wonderful nature walk at the same time you should visit the Spanish well located near Shell Bluff in the Guana Reserve. It’s the only remaining intact artifact of a 1600-1700's Spanish plantation.

The well lies just a precarious foot or so from the bank of the Tolomato River and is in danger of being washed away due to erosion.  Some rescue plans discussed include excavation and moving it back from the banks or completely relocating the well to the GTMNERR education center.  

Early attempts to reinforce the river bank have not fared too well. Boulders and black erosion sheets have had little effect on waves caused by boat traffic and tidal currents eating away at the shore.

Photo by: Craig ONeal

Some of the best bird photography locations are along our local golf courses with their many lakes, creating spectacular rookeries for herons, egrets, and anhingas who normally gather together.

These lakes, along with the alligator population make a safer place for cohabitation, reducing the chances that other predators will prey on them. 

Photos by: Craig ONeal

These two photos were captured at sunset on lake Ponte Vedra from the north side of Guana dam using multiple exposures photography.

This was accomplished by leaving my camera stationary on its tripod and using a shutter release cable, clicking off several shots while the heron flew by.

Photos By Craig ONeal - Photo 1 Launch 6 miles away. 94 second exposure.

                                          Photo 2 Shuttle entering orbit. 50 second exposure.

We're all aware that for over 200 years and certainly over the last two months, freedom rings loud and clear across this country — but right here and right now, it's time to let freedom roar!

— Dom Gorie, commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour, just before engine ignition for mission STS-108, 5 Dec 2001.

Photo by Craig ONeal

There's something special about driving down A1A on a crisp early morning.

While making my Sunday morning drive to Guana, I noticed this broken fence on the ocean side of A1A just as the sun was rising. I stopped and quickly set up my tripod knowing that I wanted to capture this image using “high definition range” (HDR) post processing. 

This type of processing requires that your camera be pre-set at 3 or more exposures, then rapidly firing though each exposure using a shutter release cable.  The exposures are then blended together that gives an effect your eyes normally wouldn’t experience.

Photo by: Craig ONeal

To many, black birds including the communal family of Grackles and Crows can be an annoying species of birds.  They tend to be noisy bunch of gathering Aves that spend most of their time squawking and fighting while trying to steal each others food. If you patiently observe their behavior you’ll find they are quite a comical family indeed.

Photos by: Craig ONeal

During a trail bike tour I led Sunday; our group encountered one of Guana’s most common poisonous snakes, the Pygmy rattlesnake.  The reason I say its common is that they’re plentiful if you know where to look, unlike their cousin the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake.

Don’t let the small size (on average 18inches) fool you. This snake packs a huge bite if you’re unlucky enough to get too close. Known for its aggressive behavior, this Dusky rattlesnake was just trying to warm up on this cold morning.

Photos by: Craig ONeal

The female Boat-Tailed Grackle shown above was quite a determined bird trying to stand on one leg and use her wings to keep balance but the strong easterly winds Sunday were not cooperating. She was getting more frustrated with each wind gust until finally she just flew to the ground for more shelter.

However, the characteristically noisy males in the silhouette photo below seemed to be enjoying the breezes while finding something interesting in the sky. The male Grackle is black and purple and sometimes confused as a different spieces from the brown female.

Photo by: Craig ONeal

Florida's Green Heron (Butorides verescens) is one of the smallest birds (19") in the Heron family.  This is a very shy bird and frequents the cattails for cover while catching small fish and tadpoles. Photographing the Green Heron required a lot of patience.

Photo By Craig ONeal

"Tomorrow the sun will shine"

Even in a storm, there's beauty.

Tropical Storm Fay slamming into the Jacksonville Beach Pier. 8/22/08