"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." 1 Peter 4: 10-11
JUPITER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL – My name is Aidan Vale. I am a student and football player at Jupiter Christian and was given the opportunity to join Mr. Fields in his Fun with Photography REACH week.
During this experience, I, along with a small number of other students, were able to hike the trails of Riverbend Park, get up close with animals at Busch Wildlife Center, kayak along the Loxahatchee River, drive among beasts at Lion Country Safari, explore Jonathan Dickinson state park and Abacoa Greenway, visit Loggerhead Marine Life Center, and go to various beaches around Jupiter. We encountered many exciting animals such as rhinos, lions, giraffes, zebras, eagles, alligators, and sea turtles.
This is a Merlin, a species of falcon that is found throughout North America and Eurasia. Their primary habitat is both forests and grasslands. They are known to prey on smaller birds or younger birds by attacking them mid-air, either to eat them immediately or to cache them for later. They have a relatively short lifetime of around 8 years. Historically, they were used by noblewomen to hunt skylarks.This is an American Alligator; they are commonly found in the Southeastern United States and some parts of Mexico. Their primary habitat is bodies of freshwater, such as swamps, lakes, and rivers. They eat a variety of animals, essentially whatever they can catch, but mostly fish, frogs, and birds. They have a full lifetime of around 50 years in the wild. They have an impressive 80 teeth in their mouth at one time.This is an American Barn Owl; they are found in both North and South America, as opposed to their European cousins. Their primary habitat is woods and structures such as barns, hence the name “barn” owl. Their diet consists of small rodents such as voles and shrews. They have a short lifetime of around 4 years in the wild but can live much longer in captivity. They have asymmetrical ears, with one being higher than the other, which, in tandem with their heart-shaped face that filters air toward their ears, allows them to have excellent hearing. Along with this, their wing composition allows them to fly almost silently.This is a Virginia opossum; they are found all across North and Central America, stretching from Canada to Costa Rica. Their primary habitat is forests, but they can be seen in many urban settings. Their diet consists mostly of plants and small animals and insects such as grasshoppers and mice. They have a short lifetime of around 2 years in the wild. They have a defense mechanism where they will play dead in order to avoid predators.This is a rat snake, otherwise known as a corn snake. Specifically, this is a western rat snake, which is found in North America. Their primary habitat is very diverse, as they can live in forests, grasslands, rocky areas, swamps, and suburban areas. They are carnivorous animals that feed on rats, frogs, rabbits, and even other snakes. They have a lifespan of about 8 years in the wild. Rat snakes are constrictors, which means that they suffocate their prey by squeezing them.This is a Blue-throated Macaw, an incredibly rare bird found only in Bolivia. Their primary habitat is forests and grasslands, where they will perch on the branches of trees and can even walk on the ground. Their diet consists of fruits from large palms, as opposed to the nuts and berries that their cousins eat. They have a full lifetime of around 50 years. There are only around 450 Blue-throated Macaws left in the world right now.This is a loggerhead sea turtle, the third largest species of sea turtle. They can be found across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Their primary habitat is the open ocean and coral reefs. Their diet consists of vegetation and small animals, such as gastropods and decapods. They can live a lengthy 80 years in the wild if they survive their infant years. The only sea turtles larger than them are the green sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle.This is a two-toed sloth, commonly found throughout South America in countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Their primary habitat is in the branches of trees. Their diet consists of leaves, berries, and small insects. In the wild, they usually live to be around 20 years old. Their slow movement is due to an extremely slow metabolism, which also means they cannot shiver in the cold, so finding a warm place is important.This is an American Bald Eagle, found in North America, with its cousins living in Europe and Asia. Their primary habitat ranges from forests to grasslands to mountains. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they will also eat other birds, rabbits, and amphibians. They can survive to around 30 years old at times in the wild. They are most commonly recognized as a symbol of the United States but are also the Jupiter Christian School mascot.This is the easily recognizable giraffe, which is native to North Africa. Their primary habitat is mainly grassland and savanna, where they have lots of room. Their diet consists of the leaves and vegetation that they can reach on the tops of trees. They have a lifespan of around 25 years in the wild. They are officially recognized as the tallest land animal, standing at 18 feet tall.
In conclusion, I learned a lot about photography over REACH week. I learned some of the many photo composition techniques. I learned that you must be patient when taking photos, waiting for the right moment, the clearest lens focus, the best angle, and the most compelling lighting. It’s hard to find animals, and even when they do appear, it’s often when you aren’t ready. I also learned the importance of excellence in photography; always try to get the best photo. Overall, it was an enlightening experience that taught me that photography can be both difficult and interesting.
Your donation will support the student journalists of Jupiter Christian School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
