Gainesville, FL, is a very lush and green city with many urban parks and natural areas. The University of Florida alone has more than 2,000 acres of land on the main campus, which is shared with large palm trees, southern magnolias and majestic oaks dripping with Spanish moss. One of the largest natural areas on campus is located behind the Florida Museum of Natural History and Phillips Center for Performing Arts, respectively, and is used for research and education by many. Parts of the area are also open to the general public to hike and explore (map). The Natural Area Teaching Laboratory, or NATL, consists of 60 acres in the southwest corner of campus. Here is more about the area.

One recent spring day, I took a walk through the area with my Nikon D700 and 60mm macro lens. Here is what I came back with…

Florida Museum photos by Kristen Grace