‘Alligator Lake' is a photo journal of a rare coastal dune lake

‘Alligator Lake' is a photo journal of a rare coastal dune lake

By Deborah Wheeler

debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com 

Imagine coming to this area for the first time and seeing the gorgeous white sand beaches in all their glory.

Those who choose to stay longer than the honeymoon stage, however, have the opportunity to delve deeper into the area's uniqueness and discover yet another beauty of the region - one that is not so well known.

Along the 26 miles of coastline in Walton County lie 15 coastal dune lakes. These lakes are so rare and unique they are found in only a handful of places around the world and only one other location in the United States.

The coastal dune lakes of South Walton were formed by wind thousands of years ago along the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. They are a mix of fresh and salt water as they flush naturally into the gulf creating a unique environment.

Eric Marcus was first introduced to these unique lakes after moving here in January 2002 from New York. The New York City native had traveled the world but had never seen anything like South Walton's coastal dune lakes.

He began to volunteer with Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, collecting water samples to test pH balance and clarity on Alligator Lake.

During his many trips out on the lake, Marcus has snapped a lot of pictures of Alligator Lake, its vegetation and surroundings, which he has compiled into a coffee-table book. The book, full of color and black-and-white photos, is titled simply "Alligator Lake."

The author said it is not only about Alligator Lake, but also about the importance of the area's coastal dune lakes and what makes them unique.

Marcus divided the book into three chapters of images of the water's edge, on the water, and it emptying out into the gulf.

"My attempt is to take someone else on the same journey I experience when I go out on the lake," he said.

"This area is unlike any other, but no one seems to know about it. I want to promote awareness. We need to preserve it and not trample it," he continued.

This is Marcus's first book, which he is self-publishing. He plans, however, to eventually publish photo journals on each of South Walton's coastal dune lakes.

The first 15 pages of "Alligator Lake" may be viewed at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/243570.

On July 11, the author is signing his books at Fonville Press in Alys Beach.

On Labor Day weekend is showing some of the digitally enhanced nature images at Digital Graffiti festival at Alys Beach.

To purchase a copy of the book, visit www.emmarcusphotography.com, e-mail emarcus67@yahoo.com or visit Fonville Press.