THREE SISTERS SPRING © 1995Crystal River, FL
At the time I photographed Three Sisters Springs it was privately owned and only used occasionally for family picnics. The manatees had it all to themselves. I feel fortunate to have photographed it in the lonely, wild and natural way it was meant to be. Since that time the springs have been acquired by the state and opened to the public; however, there are restrictions on when people can access the springs. During the winter, manatees congregate in large numbers in the springs due to the warm water. During that time the springs are closed to humans. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a critical protection for the West Indian Manatee. There are about 30 known springs in the area and with their constant 72-degree water, they provide an essential warm water refuge for manatees that congregate there in the winter months.
This photograph is hand-printed in Clyde’s darkroom on fiber-based paper, selenium toned, then mounted and matted to current archival standards. The photograph is a limited edition and signed by Clyde.
Disclaimer – Cropping, contrast, and image density may vary. To learn more about the darkroom printing process, click here.