2013 Photos S01 – S37 are student and alumni submi

Shippensburg University
Geography-Earth Science Department
Photo Contest - 2013
Photos S01 – S37
are student and alumni submissions.
You may vote for up to three (3)
photos in this category.
Voting is via the Geography-Earth Science web page
through Oct. 31 (5:00 PM)
Photo S01: Niagara Falls
This photo was taken at Niagara Falls on July 3rd, 2013. This photo captures a beautiful rainbow shooting
across the falls.
Photo S02: Cunningham Falls State Park
This photo was taken at Cunningham Falls State Park. Its a Maryland State Park located west of Thurmont,
Maryland, USA, on Catoctin Mountain. This is a 78ft cascading waterfall.
Photo S03: Endless Caverns, Virginia
This photo was taken at Endless Caverns located in New Market Virginia. These beautiful stalactites were
hanging delicately from the ceiling and are still growing, which is why they have the water droplets dripping
from them. This picture goes to show just how beautiful the Earth is not just above ground, but under it.
Photo S04: Isle of Wight Bay, Maryland
Photo 1 was taken in Ocean City, MD over the Isle of Wight Bay, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay. Isle of
Wight Bay connects to Assawoman Bay to the North and Sinepuxent Bay to the South. Also, it separates
Worcester County from Ocean City. A sunset's color is due to the scattering of light color passing through the
atmosphere's many particles. When a sun is setting, the light has a lot more atmosphere and particles to go
through, which means that more color is scattered. This sunset shows a lot of pink, which means that there
is reflection of the light off clouds high up in the atmosphere so we can see some of the shorter wavelengths
like pinks and purples.
Photo S05: Cave, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Photo 2 was taken in Riviera Maya, Mexico at Aktun Chen in a cave. This is looking up at the cave above
showing stalactites that have formed. Stalactites are formations that hang from the tops of caves. They form
from the dripping of a soluble mineral like limestone. Also, they will form stalagmites on the ground beneath
them in caves. Eventually, after thousands of years usually the two could connect.
Photo S06: Cenote, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Photo 3 was taken in Riviera Maya, Mexico at Aktun Chen in a cenote. A cenote is groundwater that has been
exposed because of the ground collapsing above. The light shown is natural sunlight entering the cave through
a hole where the ground collapsed. This cenote is made from a limestone cave and contains fresh water that is
rather cool in temperature.
Photo S07: Moosehead Lake, Maine
This is a photograph of a portion of Moosehead Lake and was taken from the top of Big Squaw
Mountain. Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine and the second largest lake in the United States that is
contained in only one state. This giant lake is located in the Highlands Region of Maine and contains over 80
islands. The most distant visible mountain in the center of this photograph is Mount Katahdin, which is over
50 miles away!
Photo S08: Baxter State Park, Maine
The Moose is the largest member of the deer family and is found throughout the North Woods. These
surprisingly elusive giants actually become primarily aquatic creatures in late spring and early summer to
avoid the peak of Black Fly season. This photograph was taken in Baxter State Park in central Maine.
Photo S09: Mount Katahdin, Maine
During an ascent up Mount Katahdin, hikers experience about 3.5 miles of Spruce forest, about a mile of
boulder scrambling, and then you reach the “tableland” about two miles before the summit. The tableland is a
large plateau where this photograph was taken. This area is covered with glacially deposited granite boulders
and beautiful (but fragile) alpine vegetation. Mount Katahdin is the largest mountain in Maine as well as the
northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Photo S10: Yosemite National Park - 1
Yosemite’s famous Tunnel View provides visitors with one of the most spectacular sites within the park,
revealing the rugged granite faces for the first time. El Capitan (left), Half Dome (middle-back), and Cathedral
Rocks (Right) abruptly rise from the valley floor creating steep, hanging canyons that are typical of the Sierra
Nevada Mountains. Bridalveil Falls, pictured just below Cathedral Rocks, is one of many snow fed waterfalls
located within the park that, within the next few weeks, will no longer be flowing. This picture was taken on
during a late June evening just before sunset, capturing unique coloration and shadows falling on the valley.
Photo S11: Yosemite National Park - 2
Another of Yosemite’s grand views is pictured here, atop the popular Glacier Point overlook in midday June.
Tourists crowd the easy walking paths to gaze upon one of the most inspiring views of Half Dome, Yosemite
Valley, and Nevada and Vernal Falls that the park has to offer. During the last Ice Age, glaciers cut away at the
granite and metamorphic rocks, carving the deep valleys, scarring the landscape, and leaving idyllic
landmarks. Today, only the erosive forces of the waterfalls, Merced River, and landslides shape and change
the landscape of the park. Half Dome, pictured in the center, may be the most famous of these landmarks,
towering above the landscape with its unique and recognizable geology for hikers and bystanders to enjoy.
Photo S12: Sequoia National Park
Often dwarfed by the nearby Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park remains an impressive site for
those fortunate enough to venture here. From the largest living plants on Earth to rustic views of jagged
mountains and valleys, Sequoia offers interesting geology and biogeography in one complete package. Sequoia
trees, the largest living plants on Earth by volume, only grow in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains
between the range of 4,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation. This picture, taken atop Moro Rock, displays some of
the habitat characteristic of these trees. The late June sun only helps to accentuate the abundance of granite
rock and glacier carved mountains found in this park.
Photo S13: Rainbow Bridge National Monument
This is a picture I took in June of this year inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The picture itself is of
Rainbow Bridge National Monument which makes the claim to be the tallest naturally occurring land bridge in
the world (although the ranger told me this is held in contention at other locations who claim the same). In the
back of the shot is one of the newest additions to the NPS: (Verde) Escalante National Staircase. This area has
been used on film in many science fiction movies, most notably the Charleston Hesston's Planet of the Apes, as it
really does look like another world. This is one of only 3 locations in the U.S. where a National Monument is
embedded within a National Park, and was truly a fantastic experience to visit. The Bridge itself was formed
by the constant flowing of wet season waters, and overflow from Lake Powell through the soft
Navajo sandstone at the base, which has resulted in a 290 ft. tall stone bridge. Even Teddy Roosevelt, after
hearing Najavo and Ute stories of a "spiritual bridge" was so moved by the grandeur of that he rode in on
Mule back in 1913, and recounted the Bridge's wonder in his personal memoirs. Today Rainbow bridge sees
thousands of both Domestic and International tourists and has become a NPS favorite for Photography and
geological studies alike.
Photo S14: Good Morning World
I had the Privilege of Capturing this Shot during an early morning trip to the South side of the Canyon earlier
this year. Mather Point is the location of this shot which is the closest of all the NPS observation points to the
Grand Canyon Visitor Center. As the sun was rising it began to reveal the multitude of rock layers that the
canyon Boasts. the varying layers of Limestone, shale, and sandstone produce a geological clock of
breathtaking proportions. The NPS brochure of the Grand Canyon states that the Vishnu basement rocks
(lowest layer of stone and named appropriately after the Hindu God of creation) are between 1.8-1.6 million
years old. With the breathtaking sunrise and the levels of ascending plateaus this made for one of the most
rewarding shoots of my life. In fact, I had to realize while photographing that there was no way to capture the
depth, scope, and beauty of the canyon, but hopefully my photos are enough to fill the viewer with enough
wonder to head west and make their own memories at the Canyon.
Photo S15: Hopewell Kayakers
I had the opportunity to take a road trip from D.C. through the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec this summer
where I was exposed to many things I'd always dreamed of seeing and some that were perfect serendipities;
this photo was taken at one of such surprises. The photo catalogues the Hopewell Rocks, a geological anomaly
on the east coast of New Brunswick in between the Bay Fundy and Nova Scotia. This location experiences
higher tidal swells than any other place on Earth, as Fundy Bay has no outlet; when the tide comes in it
becomes trapped creating 40-50 foot swings in sea level. This area is also subject to a phenomenon known as
Tidal Bore which is, for all intensive purposes, a regular occurring mini tsunami that ushers in the changing of
the tide. At the base of the rocks themselves these repeated impacts and the post-occurring tidal shifts have
carved out thinner bases and worn away less dense rock deposits. If this shot had been taken at low tide the
Bay would have regressed out about 60 ft behind the rocks, as an illustration of the drastic forces at work here.
Although I don't know anyone who has been here or has a genuine desire to go, as far as life changing
experiences go: this is a surefire top 5 for me.
Photo S16: Long Key State Park, Florida
This image was captured at Long Key State Park, Florida along the Florida Keys. I stayed at this park in
February of 2013 on a solo exploration trip of southern Florida. During my trip I visited many different state
parks and the Everglades National Park. I enjoyed this image because it depicts multiple disciplines of Earth
Science by encompassing water, atmosphere, plant and animal life in one frame. The shallow water here
stretches outwards for hundreds of feet and is composed of ancient coral reefs which are essentially teaming
with life. The mangroves also play a vital role to this ecosystem that allow for this abundance of life to thrive.
Photo S17: Everglades National Park, Florida
In February 2013, I took a solo trip to southern Florida to explore the Keys and Everglades National Park.
While in the Everglades I rented a canoe and navigated a mangrove forest water trail for 4 miles to an open
platform camping deck in the middle of the swamp. I captured this long exposure shot from the deck of the
platform at 10:14pm on February 1st. I locked the shutter for almost 45 minutes while the sensor captured the
slowly streaking stars as the Earth spun below. This image depicts multiple aspects of Earth science looking at
the relation of celestial bodies to the Earth and allows for one to examine the concept of the effect of
magnetism and gravity on the Earth and its ecosystems.
Photo S18: Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
In April of 2013, I travelled to San Juan Puerto Rico to explore the island and take some much needed vacation!
This image was captured in Old San Juan looking from the tower of Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The castle
was named after King Philip II of Spain and guarded the entrance to San Juan Bay. As a World Heritage Site,
this image captures aspect of geography and Earth science in one frame. The location of the site was beneficial
to man while the ocean, tides, geology and natural features made this location capable of supporting those
needs by creating a unique area on which to overlook and guard the bay. In the distance lie the cliffs that
create naturally steep and defensive walls and the shallow reef surrounding the area prevent deep keeled
ships from getting close to shore. Interestingly the red domed building on the right side is in the middle of a
seaside cemetery.
Photo S19: Grand Canyon, Arizona
This is a photo from the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was taken in late July of 2013. There was a
storm that had just passed over and had a rainbow over the Canyon. In the foreground, you can see bedding
that had occurred in the rocks.
Photo S20: New York Sky
This was taken in New York at the Finger Lakes where it is nothing but fields and vineyards. The sun was
setting after a long day out at the wine country. The soil near the lakes has better minerals to grow the grapes
with to make wine. All the vineyards was so beautiful. This sky was just a cherry on top of it all!
Photo S21: River2
This was taken in good ole' Shippensburg about 10 minutes away from campus. A beautiful stream in the
middle of the woods and fields of wheat. To get back to this stream I drove by many cow pastures and a huge
rock wall in the middle of the woods.
Photo S22: Sky
This was taken in my hometown (on my street, actually) in Lancaster County. It is corn fields upon corn fields
where I live. We have 2 different farms on my road. This picture is showing the farmers work trucks in front of
his fields with the sun beaming down over the rows of corn.
Photo S23: Pocahontas State Park, Virginia
This photograph was taken along a trail in the Pocahontas State Park (Virginia) over the summer. In it, you can
see clear pond, a densely wooded area, and the foliage in between. The clean and healthy condition of the
pond and the soil below, are what would have allowed this greenery to thrive. A variety of minerals would be
responsible for this, connecting it to geology and earth science.
Photo S24: New Freedom, Pennsylvania
This photograph was taken in a wooded area within the town of New Freedom, PA during September. In its
foreground, there is a grouping of deciduous trees, followed by a thick wall of coniferous trees in the
background. Again, this array of greenery was a result of the varying minerals and nutrients found in the soil
of this area. These are the reasons I found it to be geology and earth science themed.
Photo S25: Rainbow.
This photograph displays a rainbow that appeared over the the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Rainbows occur as a result of the interaction of white sunlight and raindrops. The light is refracted, refelceted,
and refracted as it passes through a raindrop. From an individual perspective, rainbows almost always appear
opposite of the sun. This explains why the majority of rainbows are usually seen when the sun is lower on the
horizon.
Photo S26: Sunset.
This picture illustrates a sunset that occurred in Mt. Pleasant, Pa, over a Relay for Life Event. The same
scattering effect that produces a blue color is responsible for the color of sunrises/sunsets. When the sun is low
on the horizon, the light has to travel through more molecules than at other times of the day. These additional
molecules help to scatter the blue, indigo, and violet shades away from your eyes, leaving the reds, oranges,
and yellows. The presence of a low cloud deck helps to emphasize the natural beauty.
Photo S27: Niagara Falls - Three Falls.
This photograph illustrates one of the world's best known spectacles: Niagara Falls. The "Falls" are actually a
series of three falls, all of which are visible in the view. The foreground displays the American Falls, and the
Bridal Veil Falls, both of which are on the American side of the Canadian border. In the background, on the
Canadian side of the border, the largest of the three, Horseshoe Falls, are shown. The Falls were formed by
melting glacial ice eventually cutting a gorge through the Niagara Escarpment. This process quickly
(geologically speaking) eroded the softer rock formation, comprised primarily of shale, leaving more erosion
resistant rock in its wake. However, due to the force of the water, the Niagara Falls will slowly erode itself out
of existence in roughly 50,000 years.
Photo S28: Denali National Park
I took this picture in Denali National Park, from a ridge overlooking the Toklat River bus stop and park
residence. I was in Alaska this summer visiting my brother and I took a few days off work to go hiking in
Denali. The photo plays on many topics on the earth science side of our department including: hydrology,
geology, and the atmosphere.
Photo S29: Assateague Island Shells
Shells. They are one of the first things that come to mind when the word beach is said, right after water and
sand. But shells have an important interaction with water and sand. They may look pretty, but the sand you
pick them out of is actually miniscule pieces of rock and shell that have been eroded and weathered down over
time due to the crashing water. Shells are important for the composition of the beaches of Assateague Island,
where this picture was taken, and the living organisms that once inhabited the empty shells played a large part
in the ecosystem. You’ll never see the same shell twice thanks to the pounding power of ocean waves.
Photo S30: Assateague Island Surf
Assateague Island is a beautiful barrier island. It draws many visitors each year, and is home to many diverse
species of plants and animals. But, as a barrier island it has a very important role. Barrier islands are protective
of the cities and communities that grow along the coast, and absorb damaging storm energy. They act as a
buffer usually running parallel to the mainland. In the United States, barrier islands are found along the Gulf
of Mexico and the East Coast. They are constantly changing and shifting, but beautiful all the same.
Photo S31: Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Icicles are commonplace during the winters of southwestern Pennsylvania, especially in the section of
the Appalachians known as the Laurel Highlands. It is mainly deciduous forest and farmland with creeks,
rivers, and lakes. The water in these icicles melted away and joined the trickling tributaries that make up the
Youghiogheny River. Eventually it traveled through Pittsburgh to merge with the Monongahela River to make
the Ohio River. This meets the mighty Mississippi and makes it way down to the Gulf of Mexico. All big rivers
start somewhere and are feed by a mix of resources, from large underground springs to the tiniest melting
icicle.
Photo S32: Western Oregon Farm
Traveling southeast along I-84 past Pendleton, heading to Idaho, this western Oregon farm exemplifies a
typical agricultural use sustainable in a semi-arid climate. Hayfields and beef cattle dot the area, with the
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest forming the backdrop border as a warm July 2012 day begins to
wane. According to the Oregon Farm Bureau, 97% of farms are family-owned and operated, using 28% of the
land. Heavy reliance on irrigation gives viability to this lifestyle.
Photo S33: Michaux Forest
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail south of PA Rte. 30, the rocky ridgetop holds a surprise for those with sharp
eyes -- *an Indian brave turned to stone because he failed to protect his village. Michaux Forest's South
Mountain area mixes both Ordovician (shale, limestone, dolomite, sandstone) and Cambrian (limestone,
dolomite, sandstone, shale, quartzite, phyllite) structures; also present are outcrops of metarhyolite of the
Catoctin Formation. On the next ridge to the east, across Raccoon Run, prehistoric quarry sites for the
metarhyolite have been located and documented as spear/arrow point sources as well as trading value from
the stones. The AT was relocated to this ridgeline in the 1980's, away from the cabins below and easier road
access, to help keep the trail experience less affected by traffic. And the Sentinel is not as lonely, as these
visitors from Montana found him in October 2012. (Legend printed in the Waynesboro Village Record in the
1800's; in The Gettysburg Compiler Aug. 21, 1900 & reprinted in The Gettysburg Times, Dec. 27, 1975)
Photo S34: Appalachian Trail
Only late fall hikers will be greeted with the unique blooms of witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) while
heading north on the Appalachian Trail (note the white blaze), just a few miles past the Mason-Dixon
line. Quite a few of the stones in this section of "Rock-sylvania" actually are Pre-Cambrian rocks at the surface,
with a preponderance of metabasalt and metarhyolite (late Proterozoic Catoctin Formation) with quartzite
streaks. Only a few miles from here is a "greenstone" operation (base for roof shingles) and the remnants of an
early 20th C. copper mine. But while on the trail, this 2,100+ miles of "a footpath for those who seek fellowship
with the wilderness" provides the public opportunities for a day, or a weekend, or a month, or half a year,
exploring Maine to Georgia. Protected more than 99% by state or federal ownership (or rights-of-way), its
day-to-day operations fall under the auspices of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, in partnership with the
National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, states, and local communities. Volunteers in thirty-one trail clubs
continue to maintain/oversee the trail, its shelters and cabins, year-round. This section of the AT boasts four
access points within three miles, located less than two hours from Baltimore and Washington D.C., making it a
popular waypoint for recreation.
Photo S35: Arches National Park, Utah
These are the Double Arches at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. These arches are found at the end of The
Parade of Elephants and are only two of thousands of arches in the area. The area has a salt bed deep below
the sandstone, which at one point liquefied and thrust up the Navajo and Entrada sandstone into
domes. Wind and water have gradually carved away much of the sandstone, in some places leaving these
arches.
Photo S36: Hoodoos, Bryce Canyon, Utah
These are a couple of lone Hoodoos in the backcountry of Bryce Canyon. These are located above the
expansive Dixie Forest, full of pine, spruce, fir, and aspen, and are not far from the great amphitheaters where
you can see hundreds of these. Hoodoos are made of fairly soft rock with a harder rock cap which protects the
entire spire from erosion. The French call these thin towers "ladies with hairdos".
Photo S37: Observation Point, Zion National Park
This is the view from Observation Point, Zion National Park. The Virgin River lies almost a half mile below in
Zion Canyon, and while this river is comparatively small, it has taken most of the rock and debris out with it
during the areas flash floods. These canyon walls are made mostly of Navajo sandstone. The Great White
Throne can be seen on the far left, and Angels Landing on the far right.
Shippensburg University
Geography-Earth Science Department
Photo Contest - 2013
Photos F41 – F52
are faculty submissions.
You may vote for up to three (3)
photos in this category.
Voting is via the Geography-Earth Science web page
through Oct. 31 (5:00 PM)
Photo F41: Deadvlei, Namibia
The Deadvlei is a salt pan at the base of Namibia’s highest free-standing sand dune (the imaginatively named
‘Big Daddy’) on western edge of the Namib Desert. The name Deadvlei is a combination of the obvious
English word dead and the Afrikaans word vlei or marsh. The salt plan was formed when the Tsauchab River
flooded the area, leaving behind shallow pools that supported a small grove of Acacia trees. The death of the
marsh occurred when the encroaching sand cut off access to the river’s periodic floods. A track leading from
the peak of Big Daddy to its base can be seen, and was the photographer’s route down to the Deadvlei.
Photo F42: Snakes…
This small sign was posted on the door to one of the dozens of buildings in abandoned diamond mining town
of Kolsmanskop (Kolmannskuppe), Namibia. Founded in c1910, the town became the gateway to one of the
world’s largest concentration of gem-quality diamonds and an outpost of German colonial culture. With the
discovery of larger diamond deposits along the Orange River (Oranjemund) to the south, Kolsmanskop’s
population withered, and the town was eventually abandoned in 1954. Tour guides posted the sign to remind
visitors to close the doors to the buildings, as snakes are common in the area. The sign is in Namibia’s three
most prevalent languages: English, Afrikaans (Dutch dialect), and German.
Photo F43: Sunrise in the Namib
This is a scene of the Namib Desert near Sossusvlei, Namibia at sunrise. The name Sossusvlei is derived from
the !Kung word sossus or place where the water gathers and the Afrikaans word vlei or marsh, which results
in a somewhat redundant place name. The Namib is a coastal desert extends from Uniab River in the north to
the town of Luderitz, Namibia in the south, and is southern Africa’s only true desert. Precipitation variation is
extremely high, ranging from 5mm in the west to 85mm in the east. The Namib was once thought to be the
world’s oldest desert, with an estimated age of 55-80my; however, the age of the Atacama in Chile has
recently been estimated at 200my.
Photo F44: Alpabfahrt in Appenzell, Switzerland.
The annual alpine descent (“Alpabfahrt”) is a fall ceremony of bringing the dairy cows down from high alpine
pastures to valley farms for the winter season. The procession is led by three bell cows and alpine herdsmen
wearing traditional costume. The three bells are harmonized and the four herdsmen walking behind sing and
yodel to accompany the music of the bells. They are followed by milk cows and calves, then a horse pulling a
wooden wagon with the equipment used for making cheese and butter. The Appenzeller mountain dog is used to
herd the livestock during the procession as well as in the pastures.
Photo F45: Seealpsee, Switzerland
Seealpsee is a small glacial lake cut into the valley of the limestone massif locally known as Alpstein. This area is
surrounded by lush alpine pastures used for summer grazing of dairy herds of both cows and goats. The
Alpkäse (alpine cheese) produced in these high pastures is renowned for its complex herbal flavors.
Photo F46: Seealpkäserei
A käserei is a cheese making house and this small producer is famous in Switzerland for producing highquality cow and goat alpine cheeses. The small building is built into an outcrop of the local limestone, which
keeps indoor temperatures consistently cool throughout the summer alpine dairying season, producing ideal
conditions for ageing the cheeses. The steeply dipping limestone cliffs in the background are part of the
Alpstein massif and include numerous caves and sinkholes.
Photo F47: U.S. Census Headquarters Building
This is a photo of the façade of the U.S. Census Headquarters Building in Suitland, MD. The distinctive
wooden “fins” cover almost the entire exterior of the building. Architecturally, this unique design marries
naturalistic materials with modern steel, glass and concrete. Functionally, the fins partially shade the
windows, saving significantly on cooling costs during the hot summer months.
Photo F48: Fire scar at Zion National Park
Taken from a fire scar, this view across Zion National Park in Utah shows the distinctive Temple Cap
Formations that top Navajo Sandstone slopes. This photo was taken at the end of the rainy season and this fire
scar, several years old, is a lush, green meadow. Despite the arid climate, this landscape is recovering rapidly
from this natural disturbance.
Photo F49: Navajo Sandstone at Zion National Park
These light colored, rounded formations of Navajo Sandstone, a rock formation common throughout the
Colorado Plateau, dominate much of the landscape of Zion National Park in southern Utah. Over two million
years ago, this part of Utah was covered by a warm, shallow ocean. With uplift, tectonic plate movement and
climate change, it became part of a huge desert approximately 150 million years ago. For 10 million years
during the Jurassic period, sand dunes formed in this desert, which are today reflected in the formations of the
Navajo Sandstone.
Photo F50: Florida Bay
View north across Florida Bay of a building thunderstorm in the southern Everglades. In late summer
moisture laden air masses move in from the Gulf of Mexico and when they move over land the daily heating
causes the air mass to rise and produce drenching downpours in the Everglades as the air mass cools. The
summer of 2013 had some of the highest rainfall totals on record. Nevertheless the Florida Keys, just a few
miles south of the peninsula rarely sees the same phenomena. What a difference geography makes.
Photo F51: Tamiami Trail near Everglades National Park
Everglades view north along the Tamiami Trail leading into Everglades National Park. Drainage canal system
was constructed in the 1960's and 1970's to provide water resources to Florida's East Coast and to help drain
the useless Everglades for various agricultural purposes. The impact on water resources was huge and
ultimately resulted in major impacts to Florida Bay. Today the Everglades river systems are much better
understood and efforts, shown here, are underway to restore flow back into the Taylor River and Shark River
slough systems by raising the Tamiami Trail up on a stilts so water can once again flow south. Sediment
containment booms are deployed to help limit the introduction of runoff into the water supply.
Photo F52: Oyster Castle Reef, Virginia
Keeping up with sea level rise, minimizing wave action and erosion, and providing for habitat restoration are
the goals of this Nature Conservancy pilot project on the coast of Virginia. Deployed in 2011, this oyster castle
reef was just bare cement blocks, but with some luck and help from harvest protection the castle is now a
healthy productive reef that meets at least two of the goals. Time will tell if this reef will be able to remain
healthy and grow upward as sea level rises. In the wake of Megastorm Sandy, most cities on the eastern
seaboard are exploring the feasibility of installing similar projects to help minimize the impact of future
storms. Taken near low tide, the tidal range in this photo is demarcated by the height of the PVC pipes which
have encrusting organisms growing all the way to their top. Thus average tidal range is about four feet.