Creating memories one image at a time…
Spent a couple of hours on NYE night shooting photos of the Fireworks at Cascades Park in downtown Tallahassee, Florida. The weather cooperated tonight which made for a great opportunity to photograph the show! Enjoy!
As we turn the page on another New Year loaded with new opportunities we at Blackwater Images wish you and yours a safe and prosperous 2025!
2024 was a great year for making photographs! Every day provided numerous opportunities to capture a few shots! What is included in this last blog of 2024 are what we believe are the best of 2024. Thank you for your interest in and support of Blackwater Images. Hope 2024 was as good for you as it was for us! As always, best wishes for a safe and prosperous 2025! God Bless!
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the memories we made during this great year. We are no doubt looking forward to a new year and new opportunities. May God Bless you and your family. We wish you the best always! Blackwater Images.
Just prior to Christmas 2024, five longtime friends ventured out to the Blackwater River in Northwest Florida to paddle and camp on one of the most beautiful rivers in the area. It was an incredible journey!
The Blackwater River is a 56.6 mile long river rising in Southern Alabama and flowing through the Florida panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico. The River enters Florida in Okaloosa County and flows through Santa Rosa County to Blackwater Bay, an arm of Pensacola Bay. It passes through the Blackwater River State Forest and Blackwater River State Park.
31 miles of the river are navigable by canoe, kayak or small boat. The section of the river from Kennedy Bridge near Munson, Florida to Deaton Bridge in the Blackwater River State Park is designated a “Florida Canoe Trail”, part of the statewide system of greenways and trails.
The River flows an average of 2 to 3 miles per hour and has an average depth of 2.5′.
Our trip began as we convoyed from Tallahassee to the Blackwater River State Park in Holt, Florida. We visited the FWC Fish Hatchery near the State Park where several varieties of fresh water fish are reared to be released in nearby lakes and rivers. It was an interesting place. After the Fish Hatchery, we drove to the Blackwater River State Park. The park is very well kept and has bathrooms complete with hot showers. Tents were set and a fire started. Paddlers were serenaded throughout the night by a radio playing Christmas songs from a neighboring campsite!
The weather was cool and clear, however, slight rain was forecast and a light rain did fall during the afternoon of day one. The river water was clear and beautiful, cold but not unbearable.
Debating on whether to camp on a sandbar or a beautiful river bluff the decision was made to camp on the bluff. Paddlers picked out their campsites, tents were pitched and hammocks hung. Paddlers made supper out of Mountain House meals and gathered firewood and built a fire. Soon it was time for sleep but not before paddlers were serenaded by 2 packs of ‘yotes in the river swamp. The waning moon was not long from full and the clear cold night was beautiful with the moon and stars above illuminating the river basin.
After a great night of camping paddlers awoke and broke camp. Breakfast was made. Today was much colder than yesterday with the skies overcast and winds increasing as a cold front was moving thru. Soon the boats were launched and day 2 began.
Just wow! What an adventure! The beautiful Blackwater River does not disappoint! Day 2 ended just after noon at the Deaton Bridge at the State Park. Although the river meanders on to the Gulf of Mexico, the “Paddling Trail” ends at the Bridge as the river below the bridge is not maintained for paddlers. There is a perfect takeout just past the bridge where we loaded the ‘yaks on the truck and headed home. A great group, a beautiful river and a love of paddling and camping! It doesn’t get any better than this! Until next time………
After a long year since the last Sasquatch Event at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Park in Cordele, Georgia Sasquatch had 2024 finally arrived! We’ve looked forward to this weekend for a long time!
The weather was perfect, the roads were in excellent condition and the food was incredible! Sasquatch 2024 did not disappoint!!
Day one was an incredible day! The weather and road conditions could not have been better! Riders enjoyed an nourishing breakfast before the ride. It was a good day! The night would prove to be even better with an incredible supper after the ride!
Sasquatch 2024 was an incredible event! The food, camaraderie, weather and road conditions were outstanding! Thank You to Ray and team for making this event possible! Looking forward to next year which will be the 10th Cycling Sasquatch Ride! See you there!
Each October the Florida Swat Association hosts the annual International Swat Roundup at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shooting range. This year fifty five tactical teams from around the world competed in the five event competition which will crown one team as the champion….. the best in the World!
What follows is a compilation of photos taken during the first day of the event focusing on the Tallahassee Police Department’s TAC Team. As of this writing, TPD sits in third place with one event to go on Friday………. the Obstacle Course…….
After day one the Tallahassee Police Department’s team was in first place. They had an incredible day. Their skills are second to none as they displayed their abilities and competed against some of the best teams in the world. Kudos to these dedicated warriors who give their all during this competition and daily on the streets of their hometown. To them we say…..Good Job Gentlemen!
True opportunities in life rarely present themselves and when they do those who are so inclined to pursue them should do so with their entire being if they are to succeed. Today, nearly a dozen candidates showed up and gave their all as they competed for a coveted position on the Tallahassee Police Department’s Tactical Apprehension and Control Team. The testing venue was the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy in Gadsden County, Florida. The weather was clear and mild, however the Florida Sun began to push the temperature into the nineties as the day went on. The evaluation consisted of a physical assessment and shooting drills. What follows is a compilation of photos of the first part of the competition…the physical part….
After a briefing, the applicants participated in a 1.5 mile run down and back the main drive (Academy Drive) at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy. It looks level but…it ain’t exactly “level!”
The second physical assessment the applicants participated in was the push-up evaluation. Candidates were given strict instructions as to what would be considered a “legal” push-up and were told that anything less would not be counted. And so it began…
Once again detailed instructions were explained to the candidates prior to their attempt to complete as many strict pull ups as possible…
And the day was only half over! After these grueling physical tests, the candidates ventured down to the firearms range to be tested on their agility and proficiency, with an obstacle course being thrown in for good measure!
It was a great day! Hats off to these brave Officers who stepped out of their comfort zones this morning and tested for a coveted position on this tactical unit. Some will make it, some will not. However, all who participated gained skill and knowledge and demonstrated their abilities. It was not an easy day, nor should it have been. Regardless, all of the candidates gained the upmost respect of the team members and Department Command Staff who witnessed their efforts. Only a few are brave enough to throw their hat into this ring and to that end they are all winners……
Once again the Fourth of July on beautiful Lake Mystic did not disappoint! The weather cooperated and the lake was the epicenter of hundreds of people celebrating the independence of our Great Country!
What follows are some photos of the celebration! Enjoy!
Once again it was an absolute fantastic Fourth of July at Lake Mystic! Lest we forget those who have gone before us to ensure these liberties that we so much enjoy! To them we owe it all. Happy Fourth of July!
At an undisclosed location many miles from town a group of caring, knowledgeable, and well informed “sheepdogs” gathered for two days of intense and challenging handgun training. This training was conducted for the purpose of building and maintaining skills and proficiency, preparing for the day when innocent lives are put in extreme danger by those who wish to do them harm. Unfortunately the possibility of this scenario has become a reality in today’s modern society.
What follows are a few photos taken during this training. This training was conducted with the solemn purpose to prepare to protect the innocent. Please enjoy.
These two days of training were very well spent! The Instructors provided outstanding lesson plans and drills which challenged the students and honed their skills. The training venue was perfect. Students left this training having been exposed to new challenges and knowing that the skills learned will have to be practiced repetitively in order to maintain a high level of proficiency. Kudos to the instructors and to the students who arrived hungry for knowledge and dedicated themselves to the training. This is very serious business and everyone on site knew it. Students left the venue better for the experience and knowing that unfortunately in today’s world the possibility of having to use this training in a real scenario is becoming more likely. May they always be ready. God Bless the Sheepdogs…..
Honored to have had the opportunity to photograph a rappelling training day on a six story tower during a beautiful May afternoon! Enjoy the photos!
Any day on the tower is a great day!
The 2024 Fraternal Order of Police Law Enforcement Memorial was held on April 29 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida. The event was not held at the Florida State Capitol due to ongoing construction at the Capitol. The event was very well planned and put together. It was a beautiful tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Three Law Enforcement Officers were killed in the Line of Duty in the State of Florida during 2023. They were:
The first was Officer Charles Herring of the Pembroke Pines Police Department. He was 54 years of age and a 24 year Law Enforcement Veteran. He was killed on his Police motorcycle when a tree limb fell and struck him as he traveled down the road.
Sergeant Michael Kenovich of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office was killed on May 19, 2023 after suffering a fatal heart attack following a 6 minute fight with a suspect. Sgt. Kenovich was 52 years old and a 25 year Law Enforcement veteran.
Chief Anthony Rickerson of the Jasper Police Department was killed on June 11, 2023 while responding to a call for service. He struck a deer in the road and his vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire. Chief Rickerson was 43 years old and a 13 year Law Enforcement Veteran.
Once again families, friends, and survivors gathered in Tallahassee to honor those Law Enforcement Professionals from around the State of Florida to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was a very solemn and moving ceremony which made a lasting impact on those who witnessed and participated in it. Hopefully, one day we will experience a year when we don’t lose heroes like we did in 2023 and all the years before but until then we will continue to this honor lest we never forget those who have gone before us. Godspeed Brothers.
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