RON DICKEY PHOTOGRAPHY

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Ronald Dickey > A pair of ospreys were spotted at a nest in St. George Plantation on St. George Island. The female was in the nest and the male arrived carrying a Hardhead Catfish which it caught in Apalachicola Bay a short distance from the nest. While I watched, a Black Vulture and a Bald Eagle swooped down simultaneously and tried to take the fish away. The osprey eluded both birds but ended up dropping the fish right in front of us on Leisure Lane which passes through The Plantation.
Ronald Dickey > This pair of ospreys return to the same nest on Saint George Island, a barrier island situated across Apalachicola Bay from the city of Apalachicola. The North American Osprey is a very large bird reaching 2 feet in length with a remarkable wingspan over 5 feet and weights of between 3-4 lbs. Coloration of the Osprey is very distinctive. They have a deep dark brown back with a stark white underside and white head. As with most raptors, Osprey have a short hooked beak and exceptional vision. Facial marking are prominent with a dark stripe running from its golden eye to the back of its head that widens behind the eye line. Sexually dimorphic, females are slightly larger than the male of the species and often have an unusual chest marking that looks somewhat like a speckled necklace. Osprey in the order Falconiformes, and subfamily Pandioninae are one of the largest of raptors in the world. Taxonomic breakdown of the Osprey's scientific name Pandion refers to the mythic King of Athens whose daughters were turned into birds in Greek mythology. The word "Haliaetus" comes from the Greek word "Halos" (Sea or Salt) combined with "Aetos" or Eagle. However, it is the Latin word "Ossifragus" which translates to "bone breaker" that gave this bird its common name "Osprey".
Ronald Dickey > As a resident of Saint George Island I have the opportunity to photograph beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Stargazers are in their glory on the island because there is no light pollution and there are a majority of clear skies.
Ronald Dickey > Nine miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, provide the perfect setting for St. George Island State Park. The natural features of the park include extensive beaches and dunes, forests of slash pines and live oak hammocks. The ocean and bay support an abundance of marine life, while small freshwater ponds and sloughs provide a limited aquatic habitat in an otherwise arid climate. The waters of this area are some of the most productive commercial and sport fisheries in Florida, with a thriving oyster industry at the mouth of the Apalachicola River.
Ronald Dickey > This was another beautiful day to fish at Saint George Island State Park. Nine miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, provide the perfect setting for St. George Island State Park. Occupying 1,962 acres at the end of a long, narrow barrier island, St. George is a combination of sandy coves, salt marshes, shady pines and oak forests. During most of its 5,000 years of existence, St. George Island was uninhabited by man. During the early and middle 1900s, the island's pine forests were turpentined. Many scars are still visible on the island's larger slash pines. During World War II, the island was used by troops for numerous training exercises that were carried out over the area's vast dunes. Acquisition of land for the park in 1963 and completion of the causeway in 1965 led to increased use of the beaches for recreational activity. In 1980, construction of the park facilities was complete, and the park was opened for public use. The natural features of the park include extensive beaches and dunes, forests of slash pines and live oak hammocks. The ocean and bay support an abundance of marine life, while small freshwater ponds and sloughs provide a limited aquatic habitat in an otherwise arid climate. The waters of this area are some of the most productive commercial and sport fisheries in Florida, with a thriving oyster industry at the mouth of the Apalachicola River. The arid conditions, coupled with the park's island location, limit both the number and type of resident animal life. Osprey may frequently be seen fishing in the waters, and their nests are found in the tops of living or dead pine trees in the park. Raccoons and ghost crabs may be observed, along with the salt-marsh snakes and diamondback terrapin that reside in the marsh and bay waters. Birds such as the snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer, willet and many other species of shorebirds frequently nest along the park's sandy shores and grass flats. The barrier islands of the Gulf Coast are important "rest stops" for a wide variety of migrating birds during the fall and spring. The best time to observe migrating birds is after the passage of cold fronts.
Ronald Dickey > El Ombú de Areco, an historical estancia (ranch) just over an hour's drive from downtown Buenos Aires, is located in San Antonio de Areco, birthplace of the gaucho tradition.
Ronald Dickey > Among the many islands along the falls, the most notable is Isla Grande San Martín, which is situated downstream from the Garganta do Diabo (on the Argentine side). From this island, a fine view of many of the cataracts may be had. Individual falls to be seen from the forest paths and trails on the Argentine side include those known as Dos Hermanas; Two Sisters, Bozzetti, San Martín, Escondido, and Rivadavia. From the Brazilian shore, an impressive panorama of falls can also be seen; among individual Brazilian falls are those known as Benjamin Constant, Deodoro, and Floriano.
Ronald Dickey > Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian Side The Iguazú river flows for approximately 1320km until its outlet in the Paraná. Its width generally varies between 500 and 1000m however within the park it broadens to 1.500 meters and it twists to the south, then back to the north, forming a huge U which contains the outlet. A sudden drop in altitude here is the reason for the impressive water falls which form the main attraction of the park. In this large curved path, the rocky landscape fragments the river into a multitude of channels, each of these in turn become its own waterfall. This long fragmenting effect results in the fan of falls which gives the park its name.
Ronald Dickey > Sunsets on Apalachicola Bay are beautiful and every one is different.
Among the many islands along the falls, the most notable is Isla Grande San Martín, which is situated downstream from the Garganta do Diabo (on the Argentine side). From this island, a fine view of many of the cataracts may be had. Individual falls to be seen from the forest paths and trails on the Argentine side include those known as Dos Hermanas; Two Sisters, Bozzetti, San Martín, Escondido, and Rivadavia. From the Brazilian shore, an impressive panorama of falls can also be seen; among individual Brazilian falls are those known as Benjamin Constant, Deodoro, and Floriano.
Ronald Dickey > Among the many islands along the falls, the most notable is Isla Grande San Martín, which is situated downstream from the Garganta do Diabo (on the Argentine side). From this island, a fine view of many of the cataracts may be had. Individual falls to be seen from the forest paths and trails on the Argentine side include those known as Dos Hermanas; Two Sisters, Bozzetti, San Martín, Escondido, and Rivadavia. From the Brazilian shore, an impressive panorama of falls can also be seen; among individual Brazilian falls are those known as Benjamin Constant, Deodoro, and Floriano.
Among the many islands along the falls, the most notable is Isla Grande San Martín, which is situated downstream from the Garganta do Diabo (on the Argentine side). From this island, a fine view of many of the cataracts may be had. Individual falls to be seen from the forest paths and trails on the Argentine side include those known as Dos Hermanas; Two Sisters, Bozzetti, San Martín, Escondido, and Rivadavia. From the Brazilian shore, an impressive panorama of falls can also be seen; among individual Brazilian falls are those known as Benjamin Constant, Deodoro, and Floriano.
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