Some of Florida's finest nature photographers have donated their images for use in 1000 Friends of Florida publications. Find out more about these artists and their work:

Photographer, scientist, and explorer, Thomas Martin Eads explores with a camera. Natural beauty is rarely simple. Ecosystems are hierarchical from molecular to planetary. In this light, Eads' detailed images are minimalist interpretations. To create scalable images (bigger print, finer detail), Eads shoots low speed, fine-grain, large format film. He backpacks the big camera, and protects it from the elements. Eads has lectured on wilderness exploration to audiences from local Sierra Club chapters to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His Arctic Collection emerges from expeditions to high latitudes, including terra incognita in Alaska and Greenland. Eads also gives photo and digital workshops and personal photo instruction, and leads eco tours of habitats of the Big Bend of North Florida. More information on his work is available at www.tomeadsphoto.com.

Russell Grace began his career in the field of planning, ultimately working for the City of Tallahassee where he secured funding to buy parklands. In his spare time, he entered his photography in contests and art shows in the region. As appreciation for his work grew, he soon began selling his work, matting and framing the pictures in his garage. "I always had an artistic orientation," notes Russell, who left the city in 1997 to focus on photography on a full-time basis. He opened his own gallery in Tallahassee and, in addition to matting and framing, he takes advantage of digital technology and does all of his own printing. He specializes in images of the Florida Panhandle, with a particular emphasis on coastal and nature scenes. To find out more about Russell's photography, visit www.russellgraceimages.com or call 850.894.5596.

Traveling the Sunshine State with his camera, John Moran seeks his vision of natural Florida as it must have appeared to Ponce de Leon and other early strangers in paradise. His work celebrates the magic of a unique landscape borne of water and blessed with beauty beyond measure. Following a 23-year career with The Gainesville Sun, Moran left in 2003 to concentrate on photographing the best of vanishing natural Florida. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Time, Life, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine and on the cover of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. Moran's new book, Journal of Light, was published in 2004. "If Florida had a photographer laureate, John Moran should hold that title," said Gary Mormino of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida. Find out more at www.johnmoranphoto.com.

Wes Skiles is best known for his work in educational adventure science films. Over the past 15 years he has created and produced over a dozen major fims for major networks including PBS and is a pioneer in HiDefinition, employing innovative lighting techniques as both an underwater and topside shooter. In addition to the HD film, "Water's Journey," he directed the IMAX film, "Journey into Amazing Caves" and led a major National Geographic expedition to Antarctica to film the largest iceberg in recorded history. He divides his time working on assignment for National Geographic Magazine and with television's top producers of science, adventure, and natural history programming. Deeply involved with the protection of Florida's springs, he serves as the Florida Springs Task Force's education chairman. His work is widely published in scientific publications. Visit karstproductions.com to find out more.