The Cape Florida Lighthouse watches over Key Biscayne from Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The beach at this state park is on the “Dr. Beach” list of Top Florida Beaches.

Like many Florida Lighthouses the Cape Florida light is fully automated, thanks to the Coast Guard. Its white light flashes every six seconds marking the Biscayne Channel which is the deepest natural channel into Biscayne Bay.

This is a newly resorted replica of the lighthouse keeper’s 1825 cottage, at the Cape Florida Lighthouse on the grounds of Cape Florida State Park. The original was burned down in 1836 by Seminole warriors during the Second Seminole War.

I photographed this nesting Green Heron at Blue Hole last week on Big Pine Key.

I was on my way to Key West and was lucky to get these pictures of the Green Heron on the nest.

There are many places in the Florida Keys to see wildlife in their natural environment.

Pennekamp State Park is all about the water, they have all these great waterways that are wonderful places to take a kayak or canoe. The park is over 50 years old.

The waters around Key Largo are crystal clear making Pennekamp State Park a great place to go boating or snorkel or do anything water related.

Dotted in the water all over the Florida Keys are these uninhabited island that are great to explore, this one at Pennekamp State Park is an example of the larger ones.

This rocky beach is part of the beautiful scenery waiting to be explored at the popular Florida State Park, or you can just spread out a towel and enjoy the sun. Pennekamp State Park is all about the water - talk about what you can do famous for snorkeling and scuba diving, canoeing and boating.

Ocean Drive is one of the most popular places to see and be seen in Miami South Beach. Among the sites you’ll see along Ocean Drive is a large amount of coconut palms. BTW, there is no proof that falling coconuts kill 150 people a year, which has been widely and most likely incorrectly reported.

The Cardozo Hotel is owned by Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio. The hotel is considered one of the finest along Ocean Drive and a hotspot for spotting celebrities.

Of course sidewalk dining along Ocean Drive is a South Beach is one of the more popular things to do in Florida for vacationing tourist, pictured above is in front of CJ’s Crab Shack just north of 6th Street.

The Tides Hotel is another high end hotel at on Ocean Drive, the hotel is right across from Lummus Beach.

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show appeared to be larger and have a better turnout than last year.

The main venue was Bahia Mar and featured more yachts in the water than anywhere else. Water taxis shuttled attendees between the Fort Lauderdale locations.

Pier 66 also had yachts for sale.

Above, the SYCARA IV was moored at Fort Lauderdale Marina.

When you think Miami, you think Miami Vice, Little Havana, the Dolphins, the Heat and Miami Beach. Miami Beach is one of those special places where boating is more than a luxury, it’s a way of life.

Miami Beach Marina is popular with local and transient yachtsmen alike. If you don’t own a boat, they have rentals, casual and fine dining hotels nearby.

If you visit the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center you’ll see a 36′ sculpture titled “Sailfish in Three Stages of Ascending” by artist Kent Ullberg. The Fort Lauderdale work of art also features a marlin, turtles, wahoo and dolphin. To see more photos of this work visit the Broward County Cultural page.

If you’ve been in the Florida Keys and haven’t visited Robbie’s of Islamorada you’re missing out on a view of tarpon that all Florida Keys fishermen dream of. It’s the scene of a 100 lb. tarpon jumping straight up with gills flaring and head a shakin.

And you get to see it very close up, while you feed the tarpon by hand. That’s me while I’m starting to look at the camera, the tarpon is about to inhale the small frozen Spanish sardine that Robbie’s sells to unsuspecting Islamorada tourists.

Robbie’s also has a nice little bar and a restaurant that serves local seafood. There’s an open air market with art, jewelry, clothing and other tropical necessities. Fishing charters can take you to catch your own tarpon and snorkel charters will take you to the reef for a complete day on the water.

Key West Bight along with Garrison Bight are two popular marinas in Key West. The Marina offers charter boats for fishing, diving, snorkeling and cruising.

From Duval Street, take Greene Street northeast three blocks to the marina area. There are lots of shops, bars and restaurants like Commodore Waterfront Restaurant to enjoy while you’re there.

The Jolly Rover is one of the sailing ships offering sunset cruises from the marina.