Chris Akins
@akinscreative.com
An evening primrose along the trail around Lighthouse Pool at the St. Marks Lighthouse. My curiosity of all which surrounds us drove me to delve into macro photography to explore what we do not see but impacts our lives daily.
November 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
An evening primrose along the trail around Lighthouse Pool at the St. Marks Lighthouse. My curiosity of all which surrounds us drove me to delve into macro photography to explore what we do not see but impacts our lives daily.
Mornings at St. Marks Refuge frequently reward those who arrive early.
Before you reach the lighthouse is a group of trees on the right, where eagles had previously built a nest in a tree, but a hurricane some years back destroyed it. They've recently begun rebuilding a nest.
Before you reach the lighthouse is a group of trees on the right, where eagles had previously built a nest in a tree, but a hurricane some years back destroyed it. They've recently begun rebuilding a nest.
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Mornings at St. Marks Refuge frequently reward those who arrive early.
Before you reach the lighthouse is a group of trees on the right, where eagles had previously built a nest in a tree, but a hurricane some years back destroyed it. They've recently begun rebuilding a nest.
Before you reach the lighthouse is a group of trees on the right, where eagles had previously built a nest in a tree, but a hurricane some years back destroyed it. They've recently begun rebuilding a nest.
Monarch season at the St. Marks Refuge.
Monarchs, this time of year, migrate from Canada, stop by the Refuge for a few weeks, and then continue their journey over the Gulf and finish in Mexico.
Monarchs, this time of year, migrate from Canada, stop by the Refuge for a few weeks, and then continue their journey over the Gulf and finish in Mexico.
October 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Monarch season at the St. Marks Refuge.
Monarchs, this time of year, migrate from Canada, stop by the Refuge for a few weeks, and then continue their journey over the Gulf and finish in Mexico.
Monarchs, this time of year, migrate from Canada, stop by the Refuge for a few weeks, and then continue their journey over the Gulf and finish in Mexico.
A recent foggy sunrise at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
October 26, 2025 at 11:43 AM
A recent foggy sunrise at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
This great egret was resting on the shore along Stony Bayou 1 at the #StMarksRefuge
March 2, 2025 at 8:23 PM
This great egret was resting on the shore along Stony Bayou 1 at the #StMarksRefuge
This red shouldered hawk can be viewed at various points of the day sitting on top of the same scrag. #StMarksRefuge
March 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM
This red shouldered hawk can be viewed at various points of the day sitting on top of the same scrag. #StMarksRefuge
A male bufflehead and male boat-tailed grackles show off their iridescent feathers. #StMarksRefuge
March 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A male bufflehead and male boat-tailed grackles show off their iridescent feathers. #StMarksRefuge
Nature can surprise you sometimes. Animals can co-mingle in ways that you think they would not. We watched a male anhinga drying his wings while between two alligators. Y#StMarksRefuge
March 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Nature can surprise you sometimes. Animals can co-mingle in ways that you think they would not. We watched a male anhinga drying his wings while between two alligators. Y#StMarksRefuge
My brother and I visited #StMarksRefuge this past weekend; the day was clear, the temperature cool, the wind low. Reptiles, raptors, and shorebirds were out but silent, except for the distant call of an eagle, which we weren't backtracking to find. It was as near a perfect day than any recently had.
March 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
My brother and I visited #StMarksRefuge this past weekend; the day was clear, the temperature cool, the wind low. Reptiles, raptors, and shorebirds were out but silent, except for the distant call of an eagle, which we weren't backtracking to find. It was as near a perfect day than any recently had.
Controlled burns at the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge help maintain and restore ecological balance. Prescribed fires have been used since the Neolithic Period to clear land.
March 2, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Controlled burns at the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge help maintain and restore ecological balance. Prescribed fires have been used since the Neolithic Period to clear land.
This American Alligator was resting on the shore along Plum Orchard Pond, behind the Education Building and Visitor Center at the #StMarksRefuge. She's missing her front right claw, possibly lost in a fight defending her clutch.
February 9, 2025 at 11:24 PM
This American Alligator was resting on the shore along Plum Orchard Pond, behind the Education Building and Visitor Center at the #StMarksRefuge. She's missing her front right claw, possibly lost in a fight defending her clutch.
Stringfellow was perched at the top of a scrag close to Headquarters Pond at the #StMarksRefuge. While owls often eat nestling hawks, a hawk was once observed baiting an owl away from a nest while the hawk's mate ate the owlets.
January 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Stringfellow was perched at the top of a scrag close to Headquarters Pond at the #StMarksRefuge. While owls often eat nestling hawks, a hawk was once observed baiting an owl away from a nest while the hawk's mate ate the owlets.
Driving north on Lighthouse Road and just passed Headhquarters Pond in the #StMarksRefuge, sat this red-shouldered hawk in a tree. This was the second time I've seen him in this particular area, which struck me as odd as it's close to an occupied osprey nest.
December 29, 2024 at 1:08 PM
Driving north on Lighthouse Road and just passed Headhquarters Pond in the #StMarksRefuge, sat this red-shouldered hawk in a tree. This was the second time I've seen him in this particular area, which struck me as odd as it's close to an occupied osprey nest.
#Alligators, the official #Florida reptile, were hunted and poached to the point they were considered an endangered species. USFW southern states wildlife agencies increased populations and gators are now considered fully recovered. This gator was on the bank in Mounds Pool 1 in the #StMarksRefuge.
December 29, 2024 at 12:26 PM
#Alligators, the official #Florida reptile, were hunted and poached to the point they were considered an endangered species. USFW southern states wildlife agencies increased populations and gators are now considered fully recovered. This gator was on the bank in Mounds Pool 1 in the #StMarksRefuge.
Took about four months, but performed a complete rebuild of Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge's website at stmarksrefuge.org.
Over 400 posts (including CPTs) and pages and 754 images.
Tools used: WordPress, Bricks Builder, Advanced Custom Fields, and Slim SEO Schema and Link Manager.
Over 400 posts (including CPTs) and pages and 754 images.
Tools used: WordPress, Bricks Builder, Advanced Custom Fields, and Slim SEO Schema and Link Manager.
December 26, 2024 at 9:33 PM
Took about four months, but performed a complete rebuild of Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge's website at stmarksrefuge.org.
Over 400 posts (including CPTs) and pages and 754 images.
Tools used: WordPress, Bricks Builder, Advanced Custom Fields, and Slim SEO Schema and Link Manager.
Over 400 posts (including CPTs) and pages and 754 images.
Tools used: WordPress, Bricks Builder, Advanced Custom Fields, and Slim SEO Schema and Link Manager.
A lesser scaup, one of about 20 duck species in winter, at Lighthouse Pool at the #StMarksRefuge.
December 26, 2024 at 9:09 PM
A lesser scaup, one of about 20 duck species in winter, at Lighthouse Pool at the #StMarksRefuge.
I often say to see wildlife at the #StMarksRefuge you have to get out of your car and walk.
That is, of course, not always the case.
This female anhinga was perched on a downed pine tree next to Lighthouse Road across from Picnic Pond and just a few feet away from one of the larger alligators.
That is, of course, not always the case.
This female anhinga was perched on a downed pine tree next to Lighthouse Road across from Picnic Pond and just a few feet away from one of the larger alligators.
December 26, 2024 at 9:07 PM
I often say to see wildlife at the #StMarksRefuge you have to get out of your car and walk.
That is, of course, not always the case.
This female anhinga was perched on a downed pine tree next to Lighthouse Road across from Picnic Pond and just a few feet away from one of the larger alligators.
That is, of course, not always the case.
This female anhinga was perched on a downed pine tree next to Lighthouse Road across from Picnic Pond and just a few feet away from one of the larger alligators.
The sun was getting lower in the sky. Standing on the observation deck lets you zoom in on the Fresnel lens of the St. Marks Lighthouse at the #StMarksRefuge
December 26, 2024 at 8:52 PM
The sun was getting lower in the sky. Standing on the observation deck lets you zoom in on the Fresnel lens of the St. Marks Lighthouse at the #StMarksRefuge
Turning right onto Lighthouse Road from parking area for Headquarters Pond, I saw a bobcat and kit crossing the road. I've been looking for these on other hikes and envied those able to find them. #StMarksRefuge
December 26, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Turning right onto Lighthouse Road from parking area for Headquarters Pond, I saw a bobcat and kit crossing the road. I've been looking for these on other hikes and envied those able to find them. #StMarksRefuge
After the bobcat and kit, I drove north on Lighthouse Road a few hundred feet and saw a red-shoulder hawk sitting in a tree just off the road. #StMarksRefuge
December 26, 2024 at 8:49 PM
After the bobcat and kit, I drove north on Lighthouse Road a few hundred feet and saw a red-shoulder hawk sitting in a tree just off the road. #StMarksRefuge
I attempted counting alligators observed along the shore of Mounds Pool at #StMarksRefuge, but lost count.
Fun fact about alligators. They have weak muscles to open their mouths. The muscles they use to close their mouths are strong & violent, exerting over 2,000 lbs PSI.
A human? About 160 lbs.
Fun fact about alligators. They have weak muscles to open their mouths. The muscles they use to close their mouths are strong & violent, exerting over 2,000 lbs PSI.
A human? About 160 lbs.
December 26, 2024 at 8:43 PM
I attempted counting alligators observed along the shore of Mounds Pool at #StMarksRefuge, but lost count.
Fun fact about alligators. They have weak muscles to open their mouths. The muscles they use to close their mouths are strong & violent, exerting over 2,000 lbs PSI.
A human? About 160 lbs.
Fun fact about alligators. They have weak muscles to open their mouths. The muscles they use to close their mouths are strong & violent, exerting over 2,000 lbs PSI.
A human? About 160 lbs.
Christmas arrived for the American Bald Eagle.
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve making the bald eagle the national bird.
At their low point in the 1960s, there were about 420 breeding pairs in the lower 48. There are now about 17,000. #stmarksrefuge
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve making the bald eagle the national bird.
At their low point in the 1960s, there were about 420 breeding pairs in the lower 48. There are now about 17,000. #stmarksrefuge
December 26, 2024 at 8:32 PM
Christmas arrived for the American Bald Eagle.
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve making the bald eagle the national bird.
At their low point in the 1960s, there were about 420 breeding pairs in the lower 48. There are now about 17,000. #stmarksrefuge
President Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve making the bald eagle the national bird.
At their low point in the 1960s, there were about 420 breeding pairs in the lower 48. There are now about 17,000. #stmarksrefuge