Homestead Florida: Close-up photography of South Florida’s unique and beautiful trees will be on view at Everglades National Park’s Ernest Coe Visitor Center through April 30, 2009.
While searching for national champion trees (the largest of their species in the United States), South Florida naturalist Bob Showler began to notice the special qualities of each tree’s bark. Showler teamed up with photographer Tim Taylor to produce this unusual photo exhibit of.
“Most of South Florida’s trees are from the tropics; they’re completely unfamiliar, even to long-time residents of the area," says Showler. “But once you begin to study trees up-close-the fantastic patterns, textures, and colors unique to each-you’ll want to learn more."
Showler asked long-time friend and photographer Tim Taylor to use his expertise in capturing selected trees with a camera. “I love taking pictures of sweeping vistas," says Taylor, “so this project represented a real change in focus…literally!" The two spent several days hiking on and off-trail in Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys to find and photograph twenty five of South Florida’s most distinctive trees. “A few of these trees are quite rare, so it took some work to find them," says Showler.
The Ernest Coe Visitor Center is located 11 miles southwest of Homestead on State Road 9336 and also features award-winning natural history displays, an 18-minute film, and related book sales. Center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily; admission is free. For information and directions call (305) 242-7700.
-NPS-
Note - Photos available on request
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
