The 2015 FCCC Conference will be held March 6 – 8, 2015 at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
” Wildlife, Nature, and The Great Outdoors” is the overall theme for the Conference.
George Lepp is the Keynote Speaker and will give one of the Friday PM Workshops. George is sponsored by Canon and is a Canon Explorer of Light.
For more Information click here
Everglades National Park announces the seasonal closure of Paurotis Pond and the area beyond the parking area adjacent to the pond, in a continuing effort to protect the threatened Wood Stork and all nesting birds in this area from human disturbance.
This closure will be in effect through the nesting season which can vary in length depending on bird behavior. Bird watching from the Paurotis Pond parking area off the main park road will remain open, with the pond and the area beyond the lot closed to protect the nesting birds. If you're a birdwatcher, this is a particularly good time of year to watch these wonderful creatures in the nesting process.
Every winter "dry season," wading birds throughout the Everglades gather at traditional (and new) nesting sites in preparation for nest building. They form nesting colonies that often contain hundreds and even thousands of nesting birds. Paurotis Pond is one of the traditional nesting sites located in the heart of Everglades National Park. Roseate Spoonbills have been observed flying in and out of their typical nesting area at the west side of the pond. Spoonbills are usually the first to start nesting at this site followed by storks, egrets, herons, and ibis. Species nesting here include the Great Egret, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Blue Heron, and Anhinga.
One nesting species in particular really stands out among the others: the Wood Stork. In June 2014, the Department of Interior announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had down-listed the Wood Stork from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), reflecting a highly successful conservation and recovery effort spanning three decades. In recent years, Paurotis Pond has been the nesting site for approximately 400 pairs of nesting Wood Storks, and this seasonal closure is one example of management actions that have contributed to the recovery of the species.
For additional information, contact park information at 305-242-7700 (during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
WHAT: Seasonal closure of Paurotis Pond and the area beyond the parking area adjacent to the pond, in a continuing effort to protect nesting birds in this area from human disturbance.
WHEN: Immediately, until the end of nesting season and the closure sign is removed. Dependent on bird behavior, most birds finish nesting in May but will sometimes extend nesting into June.
WHERE: Paurotis Pond is located approximately 24 miles from the main park entrance near Homestead, adjacent to the park road to Flamingo.
This and other park releases are available at http://www.nps.gov/ever/parknews/newsreleases.htm
More information on Everglades National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/ever
Dry Tortugas National Park and the National Park Arts Foundation are pleased to announce their new partnership to establish a joint Artist in Residence (AIR) Program. This program, implemented with great success by NPAF at other National Parks, allows visitors to see the park through the eyes of world-class artists and visionaries, who reside at the park for one month while pursuing their art.
The artists will be selected by NPAF world renowned curators and advisors, through applications received by June 30 for calendar year 2015. Selected artists will be notified in July, and the first residency will begin in September 2015. The artist will be provided lodging at Loggerhead Key, surrounded by profound history and a lighthouse. The program supports the National Park Service’s “A Call to Action,” which sets out 30 high-priority focus areas at the start of the National Park Service’s second century. The Dry Tortugas National Park Artist-in Residence program will be another interactive public feature to highlight and honor the upcoming Centennial of the National Parks in 2016.
Pedro Ramos, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Park Superintendent, explains, "The Artist in Residence Program will aid us in ushering in the National Park Service’s Centennial, and will also offer artists and visitors alike views of Dry Tortugas National Park in new and innovative ways. Whether the media is on canvas, video, audio, prose, marble, clay, or some other form of artistic expression, I
am excited to see how Dry Tortugas National Park will be depicted through the eyes, minds, and hearts of the artists.” According to NPAF Founder Tanya Ortega, artists always need a fertile place to get away from the everyday.
“These days we love our gadgets and technical environments and take them much too seriously. To me, places like Dry Tortugas become the really important places. They are the exception to the rule. Always have been, and they always will be.” What works for the professional creator also works for visitors. Adds Ortega, “What this program is really about is a cycle of inspiration. We connect the artist to this place, the park setting works its magic, the work gets done, visitors get to see and feel, and be inspired by the results.”
To apply please visit: www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org. Artists selected for 2015 will be notified of their selections by July 1, 2015, and the first month-long AIR term will begin September 1, 2015.
Dry Tortugas National Park is located almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area. Visitors enjoy camping, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing or just enjoying a view from the top of massive Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson is the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
WHAT: New Artist in Residents (AIR) Program for Dry Tortugas National Park; applications requested.
WHEN: Applications are due by June 30 for calendar year 2015. Selected artists will be notified by July 1, 2015, and the first month-long AIR term will begin September 1, 2015.
WHERE: To apply, please visit: http://nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Dry Tortugas National Park is located approximately 70 miles west of Key West, accessible by private or charter boats, ferry or seaplane, which offer daily departures from Key West.
This and other park releases are available at http://www.nps.gov/drto/parknews/newsreleases.htm.
More information about the Dry Tortugas National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm.
For more information on the Dry Tortugas Artist-in Residence Program:
www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org, email info@nationalparksartsfoundation.org or contact Tanya Ortega at 505-715-6492.
National Parks Arts Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 charitable foundation. The AIR Program is made possible through the philanthropic support of donors of all sorts ranging from corporate sponsors, small business, and art patrons and friends groups of the Parks.
HOMESTEAD, Florida: Everglades National Park invites the public to enjoy an art exhibit by Cindy Rose. The exhibit entitled, “River of Grass: A Diverse Ecosystem,” features stunning photographs of the Everglades. The collection will be on exhibit at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Gallery at Everglades National Park during the month of January.
Rose, a native of Montana, is now a Florida-based artist exhibiting her works throughout Florida. Her art reflects her passion for the Everglades ecosystem. She shoots to capture and help preserve this fragile ecosystem of nature as lifelike as possible, bringing the most intricate of details up-close and personal.
“This collection of photography will help visitors gain an understanding and appreciation of the unique natural and cultural resources located within Everglades National Park.,” said artist Cindy Rose.
The exhibit will be on display through the end of January.
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is located at 40001 State Road 9336, approximately 10 miles southwest of Homestead. It features award-winning natural history displays, an 18-minute film about Everglades National Park, and related book sales. Visitor center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission to the visitor center is free. For information and directions to the park call (305) 242-7700.
WHAT: Artist’s Exhibit entitled, “River of Grass: A Diverse Ecosystem,” featuring stunning photographs of the Everglades by Cindy Rose.
WHEN: Exhibit on display during the month of January 2015.
WHERE: The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Gallery.
The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center is located at 40001 State Road 9336, approximately 10 miles southwest of Homestead. It features award-winning natural history displays, an 18-minute film about Everglades National Park, and related book sales. Center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission to the visitor center is free. For information and directions to the park call (305) 242-7700.
This and other park news releases are available at http://www.nps.gov/ever/parknews/newsreleases.htm
More information on Everglades National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/ever
Images by Michael Downs
Images by Jason Eldridge
Images by Hugh Hudson
Images by Robert Chaplin
Images by Jason Eldridge
The SFNPCC is pleased to announce the launch of its fully featured website www.sfpncc.org. The site has extensive content including our new website homepage which allows visitors to quickly find information about the club; from information regarding membership to our calendar of events that list our upcoming field trips and meetings.
On our ‘Join SFNPCC’ page you can now pay via credit card for your membership and have everything done completely online. We also have a blog that will be used to post photos taken by members at field trips, press releases, information about upcoming lectures and field trips to list a few. We would like to also use the blog as a forum to help the club members with any photographic questions they might have since the blog allows for comments to be posted. This would give club members an opportunity to join the conversation and give there opinion. The club will also be using social media sharing applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more to interact with our members and to help us grow our community. If you know someone interested in joining the club, feel free to direct them to www.sfpncc.org.
Remember, invite a friend to the next meeting and help us grow this amazing new and unique camera club. If you are ready to sign up, you can do so at www.sfnpcc.org/join-sfnpcc.
We would like to thank our charter members who have already taken that first step by joining the SFPNCC. You are the foundation which will help all of us build an amazing club.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@sfnpcc.org
Images by Troy Wheatley
Images by Jason Eldridge
Images by Robert Chaplin
The South Florida National Parks Camera Club, Inc. (SFNPCC) is a newly formed camera club located in Homestead, Florida. Anyone interested in learning more about the camera club and joining are invited to attend our first membership meeting on October 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, advance your photographic skills and give back to the community. At the membership meeting we will be introducing the officers and discussing what SFNPCC will look like over the next six months. Feel free to come to the meeting with ideas of what direction you would like to see the camera club go in, with regards to field trips and monthly meetings.
Our goal is to learn and grow as photographers. This will be accomplished as members exchange ideas, share experiences and offer technical advice to one another. Outside experts will also be brought in to offer workshops and presentations.
The mission of SFNPCC is to help its members improve their photographic skills through education and the opportunity to educate others; and through the use of photography, support the National Parks and other local not for profit organizations.
“Educating Members, Sharing Knowledge, and Supporting Not for Profit Organizations Through Photography"
Benefits of Membership
From time to time the SFNPCC will bring in guest speakers to share a variety of experiences from travel photography, post processing techniques using light room, to lighting techniques. Some of the benefits of being a member include special access and fieldtrips to South Florida National Parks including but not limited to Biscayne Bay National Park, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress, and the Dry Tortugas. Also, as part of your membership benefits you will receive discounted/ free workshops, 15% discount at park gift shops with regular membership, opportunities to get published or to be a presentation speaker.
Photo Competitions
One of the main activities of our club will be photo competitions. These competitions will allow you to show your most prized work and get feedback from experienced judges. Even if you don’t feel ‘competitive’, it will be a great way to learn photography in a supportive environment.
Additional opportunities are available through higher-level competitions of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the Florida Camera Club Council (FCCC).
Where and When
The first SFNPCC membership meeting will take place on October 8th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Villages Clubhouse – 1851 South Canal Drive Homestead, FL 33035. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the meeting will get underway by 7:00pm. Please, come join us! If you are already planning on being a member, try to bring someone with you that might be interested in being a part of the SFNPCC. We welcome photographers of all experience levels or anyone with a passion or interest in photography.
