John Spohrer is author of Forgotten Coast, which collects years of photos taken in habitats along the stretch of Florida’s Gulf coast from which the book derives its name. We wanted to talk with him to get a different perspective on the ecosystems with which we’re most concerned: those in the grass and on the reef. John, who is also a Master Naturalist, talked to us about how he photographs the smaller critters on our coasts (like fiddler crabs) and why it’s important to have wild places in Florida.
larval shrimp, such as this one photographed by John Spohrer, often reside in salt marshes
This is the first of what we hope will be many conversations with artists inspired by the richness of our coast. There are many talented people taking photographs, writing essays, painting landscapes, and writing songs about these ecosystems and reminding us why we love these places.
The music in this piece was provided by the Mayhaws. The song is “When I’m Dead,” an environmental ballad. We will as much as possible feature music from local musicians, look for a musicians page on this site soon.
Keep up the good work. This is a very timely series and one that we take in with the wonder nature can provide and the sadness of what human error can, and will, cost us. Thank you for providing us with treasures of information.
This series is great.
The ecosystem will not function if it gets overrun with people, oil, polluted runoff, or a combination of all the aforementioned. Why don’t you interview someone who has been an uncompromising activist for the environment, with no self-interest at heart? Ask those who speak the truth, and understand these things: if the current status quo trajectory continues, there will be no ecosystem to photograph in 40 years, and one cannot smell, touch, wade, or swim through a photograph.
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