Myakka River: A Florida Treasure ~ Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Bradenton, Florida
February 7 - September 6, 2020

The exhibit consists of 28 large-scale black and white photographs
of the Myakka River region, ranging in size from 22 x 26” to 4x7 feet. 

Sarasota has been defined as an area with ultra-white sand beaches and magnificent sunsets, however just nine miles east of 1-75 you will find an environment just as alluring, exotic and primal at the Myakka River State Park. 

 For over twenty years, Clyde has explored the deeper regions of Myakka River basin and spent seasons experiencing its changes and diverse ecosystems. Designated as a Florida wild and Scenic River, the tannic waters flow through bottomland swamp and freshwater marsh spilling into lakes and sinkholes. Alligators, turtles, and cottonmouths swim in the river. Herons, cranes and limpkins strut through its shallows, feeding in the muck. In the rain season, the river rises and floods. In the dry months, the river shrinks and wildlife once again line the banks of the Myakka River. 

Opening of the exhibit: Myakka River: A Florida Treasure

Clyde signing books

Clyde having a great conversation with Lemoyne Johnson, owner of Johnson Photo Imaging in Bradenton. It’s Clyde’s FAVORITE store. They are a traditional photography store and have everything you could ever need. Besides that, they are great and helpful people.

Clyde with Elizabeth Moore with a photograph of the Elizabeths Triangle Ranch in the exhibit

Clyde had the honor of photographing the Triangle Ranch, which was recently protected by a conservation easement.

Elizabeth Moore: I am passionate about being the new steward of this incredibly special place. Over three miles of the Myakka River flows through the ranch, and it is home to much wildlife. It is a collaborative victory for nature, our waterways, and our community.

 For several years the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast worked to save Triangle Ranch from future development by bringing together private philanthropic foundations, a government agency, and a private philanthropist.  This 1,143-acre ranch protects the Myakka wetlands, the Myakka River's water quality, and provides flood protection. More than 120 species of birds and numerous animals from the endangered Florida panther to the threatened crested caracara call Triangle Ranch their home. In protecting the land and waters of Triangle Ranch, it assures that our natural areas, from prairie hammocks and woodlands downstream to Charlotte Harbor, stay inviting to people and wildlife.

Clyde with Jason McKendree and son, and Elizabeth Moore of Triangle Ranch

In 2016 the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast added the Triangle Ranch to their many accomplishments by creating a permanent protection for the beautiful 1,143-acre property, with three miles of Myakka River flowing through.

Jason is the Triangle Ranch Manager and was the person who drove us around and shared the beauty of the ranch with Clyde and I. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks Jason!

~ Clyde’s adventure of photographing the Triangle Ranch is located in the Florida section of the blog.

Myakka River: A Florida Treasure Keynote

A couple of weeks after the opening of the exhibit Clyde gave a Keynote on the Myakka River. The theater was sold out. The museum was going to offer the talk again for those who didn’t get into the first talk, and then the Covid-19 shut-down happened.

However, we had a great time meeting a whole bunch of new people and enjoyed speaking with them afterwards very much.

Clyde signing books

It was great to see the Rangers from Myakka State Park sharing information about Myakka River at the Keynote. They are great folks!

We had a great time at the Bishop Museum. It’s one of our favorite museums in Florida. The exhibit was handled and displayed beautifully, the folks who run the museum care as much about the environment of Florida as we do, so it’s always a good feeling to be around them. And the museum has grown since we were last there, and that is exciting!

to learn more about the Bishop Museum CLICK HERE

to learn more about Clyde’s traveling exhibits CLICK HERE