Hello All! This is Angelique. Jeff and I just got back from a photo scouting trip to South Florida. I am often asked if I go with Jeff when he takes photos. Well, only once before this trip -but that’s another story! Let’s just say that I found the world of nature photography is…well, less than glamorous. The path to Jeff’s images is paved with no less than all his blood, sweat, and tears.

We walked the beaches of Archie Carr Nature Refuge in the pre-dawn hour where we crossed 5 crawls of sea turtles that had nested overnight. A beautiful majestic sight! However, I was also eaten alive by hundreds of “no-see-ems” that itch like they were in the millions and now I’m convinced Jeff has become totally immune to them and that I have made my blood donation quota for the year. I probably should get a special pin! Yes, bug spray is on my shopping list.

At the Orlando Wetlands Park, the heat index was equivalent to the surface of the sun. I carried a rain umbrella for shade as my subconscious begged me to find a nice body of water to cool down in before I melted- but, alas, beware of alligators! Literally! The warning signs were everywhere! And it didn’t help my predicament any that Jeff kept making baby alligator sounds calling for its mother! I found relief in the shade of the picnic area and waited while Jeff continued on scouting. Even though he returns beat red and bug bitten with his clothes drenched in sweat, he has a grin on his face because he is truly in his element when in nature.

Next, we wake at 4am to be on location before the blue hour of twilight. The road to Blue Cypress Lake has a natural Florida feel. There were pastures of cattle grazing in early morning fog under the native palm trees (if you can imagine). Ya, I’m still wrapping my brain around that one! As the light came up, Jeff shoots from the side of the road in the middle of sticker bushes. No pain, no gain- right?! Pulling out the last sticker from his ankle, we start heading back to the car when we witness a couple of fishermen drive by with boat in tow. As they pass, I do a double take- (you know the kind, like giving yourself whip lash)- there is a 600lb 12ft gator in a boat that isn’t any longer! Apparently, its alligator hunting season now (for population control) and as Jeff Foxworthy may of said, “You KNOW you’re in South Florida when…...”! I can only imagine the looks they surely got driving I-95!

We drove nearly 2,000 miles and spent 8 days searching out prospective future landscapes photos at other places like Port St. Joe, Dead Lake, Cape San Blas, Flagler Beach, St. Augustine, Marineland, and Melbourne Beach. Will I ever go again? Absolutely! I’ll just be a bit better prepared next time!

This experience for me was eye opening to Jeff’s ongoing determination. The number of phone apps he uses are invaluable tools to the images he captures. His planning and research that goes into every location and every image is astounding, not to mention the immense time commitment required to be “in the right place at the right time”. Mother Nature really doesn’t care if you have pre-planned a specific shot but no doubt, if you keep your eyes wide open she will deliver something magical – just be still.  -Angelique

Here are some of the photos that Jeff captured during our trip. Our goal for this trip was to scout future locations with great photographic potential.  But of course, Jeff (being the opportunist that he is) did manage to capture a few "pretty nice" shots!