Behind The Scenes By Bob Giguere

  APRIL 17

Cinematographer Andy Pacheco films Brian Emanuel, biologist with the Wekiva Basin GEOPark on the foot bridge over the run of Wekiwa Springs.

Bill & I and the crew spent an overnight in Wekiwa Springs State Park.  Tried to shoot some night time footage, which we were marginally successful with.  Bill was wading around in the water with a couple of lights doing his best Steve Irwin imitation. ["He's a monster, this one is, mate---one bite could be fatal!"] We'll make some adjustments and try some more night shooting in the future.  In addition we shot (as in pictures)  lots of flowers, an interview with a park volunteer [Dave Sukkert], deer and turkey.  Bob's underwater gear experienced problems so we were not able to capture any underwater footage this week.

At the end of the day, Andy, our lead cinematographer, was preparing to drive our van from the springs back to our cabin, four or five miles away. It was close to midnight. The sand near the springs was soft. As a cameraman, Andy is very creative. But we were reminded that he shouldn't quit his day job for anything to do with driving a van in soft sand....We were stuck up to the rear axel, and with no prospect of getting anyone  ---let alone a tow truck---down here to help us. Given the options between trudging five miles back to the cabin carrying all our gear, and getting down on his hands and knees and digging frenetically under the tires with his hands, Bill chose the later. It worked and we were free!

Wild Iris, or purple flag, found growing near water in the Wekiwa Springs State Park. They bloom in late Spring.

Andy Pacheco films biologist Brian Emanuel at the Wekiwa Springs State Park.

As a result, we now have another unofficial duty to add to the role of producer: Ability to dig in the sand like a mad dog in the middle of the night.

A possum on a tree oversees the filming.

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Prickley Pear Cactus with its gorgeous yellow blossom.

Continue to April 30th