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Derek Ray's Page

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Derek Ray added a photo
June 24
Derek Ray added 3 photos
May 31
I was just at Corbett this past weekend myself. I was surprised to see as much water on the trail as there was. I do live a little further north so I guess there could have been more recent rainfall here compared to where I live. Tons of beautiful w…
May 27
I agree Marc. I frequently hike through Riverbend and JDSP. It never ceases to amaze me how careless some people are with their trash. On the past few trash walks I have done, I made sure to bring a couple of extra pair of gloves and extra trash bag…
May 4
A few of us were hiking the FT from Riverbend Park up into JDSP. The amount of trash present along the section that goes along I-95 was staggering. People just toss stuff out of their cars into a beautiful cypress swamp area. I'm going to head back…
May 4
Derek Ray added 7 photos
May 1
hahaha! Very nice...... Yes, I can relate to most of those except the -40 weather! Thanks for the laugh
April 24
Wow cool shot Birds freak me out!! But Cool still!
April 18

Profile Information

What's your favorite Florida hike?
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Your Trail Name?
Derek
Photography has always been a passion for me. I started hiking about 5 years ago, and decided to combine both hobbies. Walking around its different habitats and ecosystems, Florida has given me some of the best photo ops I have ever had. I am a true believer in taking only pictures,and leaving only footprints on the trail.

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Derek Ray

Death on the Trail

According to West Palm Beach News ( WPTV) , a hiker in Okeechobee county has died from what officials are guessing at this point to be exposure from the elements. The only information given was that it was a young man, by himself, hiking in cargo shorts and a wind breaker. The news said that he had been hiking since Saturday, and that he was carrying a Florida Trail Association Membership card. His name was not given. He was walking in what was said as an area known to be swampy.The reason I am… Continue

Posted on January 11, 2010 at 6:50pm — 18 Comments

Derek Ray

PICK A HIKE, GRAB A BAG, HIT THE TRAIL!

As I hike all around Florida, I notice a common problem with most parks. People seem to enjoy the scenery enough to walk the trail, and then feel free to leave their trash behind them. This should make all avid hikers and nature lovers very upset. First, most trash will take years to,if it ever will, decompose. Most plastics take thousands of years to decompose. Second, if this litter is never picked up, it could eventually kill or harm wildlife.Case in point, on my last hike, I saw an egret wit… Continue

Posted on February 27, 2009 at 6:00pm — 9 Comments

Derek Ray

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

I just visited KPPSP on Jan 31. This is one of the 19 state parks that are due to close this year due to lack of revenue and visitation. KPPSP is almost 54,000 acres,and one of my favorite hikes for multiple reasons. For the day hiker, there are several trails that branch off the main trail. The main trail is approx. 7 miles one way. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water as there is very little shade.
At the end of the main trail is Kissimmee River. Here you will find many animals that come for wa… Continue

Posted on February 1, 2009 at 12:04pm — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (16 comments)

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At 10:55am on January 15, 2010, Marc said…
Derek, I'd like to check out Dupuis sometime this season. Can you backpack the area? Do you need to let someone know in advance if you want to camp overnight?
At 9:40pm on December 23, 2009, rock said…
Derek I have enjoyed your pitchures alot they are awesome keep it up. Merry Christmas, and Happy New year!
At 11:51am on December 5, 2009, Marc said…
Derek, your pictures are amazing!
At 4:32pm on June 18, 2009, Krinda Holly said…
Thanx, you will have to come back in for a trim in 4-6 weeks. I really enjoyed checking out your pix. Keep up the good work. I wanted to leave some comments on some of your pix but I had to become a member to do so. So, here I am. I need to add pix on my profile now. I guess I will have to take a hiking trip. hehe. Florida is so beautiful and it is so nice to see people on this website taking advantage of it.
At 12:43pm on April 3, 2009, John Guinta said…
Thanks Derek.. I checked out your photos' and you certainly have some great fauna shots. I am somewhat of a gram weenie so my camera is limited to a small Olymous Stylus; which I just tether to my pack and slug thorugh the swamp and it still works.. So you see Derek it's the camera taking the good photo's not me.. LOL!
At 10:21am on March 31, 2009, Lisa Myers said…
HI Derek, I have not taken or uploaded any pictures of Kissimmee so I am not sure if you have me confused with someone else. I was only there once and didn't have my camera with me that day. Darn! I've uploaded some other pics of hikes I've done in Central Florida. Nice to meet you.
At 6:37am on March 31, 2009, rock said…
I will have to tap on the gound and see what happens thanks.
At 10:05pm on March 30, 2009, rock said…
Derek, those are some nice scub jay pitchures.
At 6:42am on March 15, 2009, rock said…
Some good snake pics, they look kind of friendly.
At 1:40pm on March 3, 2009, Janette said…
Good spot Derek. Yes, my passport says I'm British, but haven't lived there for many years. Go back at least once a year, but haven't done any serious hiking there since my early teens. Once I discovered Europe and the Alps I tended to travel for longer hikes, ao mainly day and short trips for the remainder of my time there.
 
 
 

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