Inside Wild Florida: Photographer Kirsten Hines Reveals Florida’s Hidden Wildlife

Join host Anne Bocock as she sits down with conservationist, wildlife biologist, writer, and award‑winning photographer Kirsten Hines to explore her stunning new book Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey. Discover how she transitioned from pursuing wildlife science to capturing nature’s beauty through storytelling and photography. Learn about her three-year odyssey across Florida, where she photographed faces both familiar and elusive—from the legendary Florida panther to the stunning red widow spider, all set against the backdrop of unique habitats like pine rocklands, Dry Tortugas, and Ocala National Forest. Kirsten's vibrant essays and intimate wildlife portraits not only spotlight more than 100 species, but also advocate for conservation through personal connection. Don’t miss her incredible bear encounter or how a chance moment with a gray fox tree‑perched in Miami inspired the iconic book cover. What You'll Learn in This Episode: • How Kirsten blends scientific insight with artful storytelling • The emotional journey behind Wild Florida • Practical ways we can all protect wildlife—from planting native gardens to preserving habitat corridors • Incredible wildlife anecdotes you won't forget Watch more author interviews - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr4S3PqZjXgkvnPMnU5ot0_ZtbmgxnBUl ----------------------- We couldn’t do this without you! Support South Florida PBS by donating here: https://bit.ly/SupportSFPBS Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthFloridaPBS Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wpbt2/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@southfloridapbs Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/southfloridapbs.bsky.social ----------------------- 00:00 – Welcome & Meet Kirsten Hines 01:05 – From Biologist to Nature Storyteller 03:02 – Inside Wild Florida: Species, Stories & Photography 05:38 – Why Florida's Habitats Matter 08:40 – Close Calls & Conservation Lessons ------------------------ #books #authorinterview #floridawildlife #conservation #photography #naturestories #southfloridapbs #wildflorida