Rachelle Vance Photography

07/27/2026

Rachelle Vance was determined to see the flamingos again. Two months after Hurricane Idalia swept a pink wave of the gangly birds through Florida and beyond in August 2023, the photographer from Crystal River dropped her dogs at the sitter and packed her travel trailer. She crossed the state with her kayak, camera, and hope. She succeeded in finding American Flamingos that week and on two other trips to the Space Coast, but photos from her July 2026 trip revealed something special: one of the birds had a metal band on its leg.

Read more about the sighting and the bird's history: https://www.audubon.org/florida/news/florida-photographer-spots-american-flamingo-leg-band

07/27/2026

Using an active hunting tactic, a gorgeous Snowy Egret in Golden Light seen here vibrating its bill on the waters surface to lure or trick small fish or aquatic insects into coming close.

Amazing to watch!

07/27/2026

https://www.audubon.org/florida/news/florida-photographer-spots-american-flamingo-leg-band

Sightings and photos of banded birds provide critical clues to the conservation of our feathered friends.

07/25/2026

Great Blue Heron joins the crowd to watch the sun touch the water.

I am the exclusive Fine Art Photographer at The Keyhole Artist Co-op in Cedar Key on 2nd Street, and travel locally in and around Florida for Nature and Wildlife Photography. Stop by and say hello when you are in Cedar Key.

7/22/2026 Fort DeSoto
Nikon Z8, 180-600 at 400mm, f 6.3, 1/2500 sec, ISO 640

07/24/2026

YCNH

Slow and patiently, a Yellow Crowned Night Heron walked across the beach, and stopped on top of a sand dune giving me a fantastic pose, the sparkling gulf in the distance finally calm after several days of strong winds from TS Bertha.

07/24/2026

Seahorse Key Lighthouse, an iconic landmark visible for miles across the Gulf waters in and around Cedar Key, FL

After years of limited public access since Hurricane Hermine swept through the Cedar Key area in 2016, the historic Seahorse Key Lighthouse reopened to the public for a special one-day event on July 3, 2026.

Seahorse Key is normally closed to public, and has been closed since Hurricane Helene 9/2024.

I wasted zero time booking my trip with Tidewater Tours to the lighthouse for the first boat out that morning. These are two of my favorite images from that morning, and are now available as Fine Art Prints, size 8 x 10 at Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-op Gallery Official

I am the exclusive Fine Art Photographer at The Keyhole Artist Co-op in Cedar Key on 2nd Street, and travel locally in and around Florida for Nature and Wildlife Photography. Stop by and say hello when you are in Cedar Key.

Florida Lighthouse Association

07/22/2026

The tallest flamingo, third from left, has a metal band above the knee, that I recently reported. This is the information I just received back. Ten years old, banded in Yucatán, Mexico in 2016. Most likely this flamingo was one of the ones originally “blown off course” in 8/2023 from Hurricane Idalia. I am very happy to know he is safe and sound here in Florida! He is very welcome to stay here as long as he wishes!

My photo is from 7/2026, shot from my kayak, with a long lens, at safe distance, cropped in post.

07/19/2026

(Banded Flamingo has been reported)

Triple-scoop ice cream cone with sweet, peach-hued, perfect pastel aesthetic, fresh peach, cotton candy and raspberry chip.

Flamingo pink is a bright, vibrant pink hue with a slight dash of orange, defined by the hex code . In the RGB system, it is composed of 98.8% red, 55.7% green, and 67.5% blue.

Shot from my kayak, with a long lens at a safe distance, cropped in post.

Flamingo's in the wild in Florida, 2026

07/09/2026

A collective term for a group of Roseate Spoonbills is appropriately called "bowl of spoonbills". They are highly social wading birds known for their bright pink plumage and uniquely flat, spoon-shaped bills. THAT SAID, and because my Spoonie prints fly out the door (like these spectacular birds) I just re-stocked a 'Bowl" of TEN different Fine Art Prints Cedar Keyhole Artists Co-op Gallery Official

Call if you have any questions: 352-543-5801 Hours: 10-5 seven days a week.

These are all 11 x 14 Fine Art Prints. There are only five of the chicks in a nest (Teaspoons) prints available, these typically sell the quickest!

07/05/2026

Photo Essay: Cedar Key celebrates the 4th of July with classic, Old Florida island charm. A photo essay is a form of visual storytelling, and this is the story of Cedar Key, it's people, America, and our 250th Celebration for July 4th, 2026. I am leaving off captions and titles to make people feel rather than think.