Keys Weekly is honored to collaborate with a stacked lineup of talented photographers who bring our stories to life. A single perfect shot can often accomplish what may take a writer 1,000 words of text (or more). With that in mind, here is a tiny fraction of the Marathon Weekly’s most beautiful photos of 2021.
Acclaimed artist and conservationist Wyland works with Gypsi, a female dolphin at Dolphin Research Center, to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Wyland collaborates with dolphin artists by allowing them to add the very first brush strokes to a canvas before he adds his own. SAMANTHA MERRELL/Dolphin Research Center. 
An aerial of a man dressed as Beetlejuice crosses the finish line during the 11th annual Key Largo Bridge Run in Key Largo on Nov. 14. The photo was taken by David Gross. 
A drone shot showing crews assembling the College of the Florida Keys sign outside the new facility in Key Largo. The photo was taken by David Gross. 
Coral Shores third baseman Tyler Rodriguez leaps for the ball but is unable to get the out on South Dade during their game at Founders Park on April 9, 2021. The photo was taken by Doug Finger. 
A young Cuban holds a sign in support of Cuban freedom along U.S. 1 in Key Largo on the evening of July 14. Some 30-plus vehicles drove from Waldorf Plaza in Key Largo south to Southernmost Point. The photo was taken by Jim McCarthy 
Tavernier resident Nola Acker places a flower arrangement into the bayside waters during a memorial service for Mike Forster on Oct. 23. The photo was taken by Jim McCarthy. 
This incredible photo taken by Eric Billips, of Islamorada Dive Company, shows a goliath grouper during a training dive. 
Capt. Craig’s lunch favorite is the Key Largo fish tacos. Inside the corn tortillas are slaw, shredded cheese, baja sauce and pico de gallo. The photo was taken by Doug Finger. 
Swimmers make the turn around Alligator Lighthouse during the annual race on Sept. 11. The photo was contributed. 
From left, Brody Vandervoort, MHS varsity football coach Mac Childress and Malachi Hawkins enjoy the moment as Marathon protects home turf with a 7-0 Homecoming win over Palm Glades. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. 
Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron names each of her outplants as she joins a coalition of volunteers who combined forces to plant more than 1,000 red mangrove seedlings on Pigeon Key in July. This one was “Seymour,” and she wished for him to “Grow, grow, grow.” TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly. 
Nine-year-old Cub Scout Alex Joya launches his lure into the Atlantic Ocean off Scout Key. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed 
The MHS Class of 2021’s high school graduation ceremony ended in a shower of confetti and fireworks on May 27. The event was held on the football field, just as the sun was setting, on a perfect, breezy night. Seventy-seven students crossed the stage to receive their high school diploma. MAGGIE SAYER PHOTOGRAPHY/Contributed 
Capt. Rob Helzer has been planning, plotting, saving and scheming for two years for this day. He’s pictured here with the 488-pound swordfish he landed with friends on May 2. CONTRIBUTED. 
Sea cucumber Amanda Quasunella plays a colorful guitar at the Underwater Music Festival at Looe Key Reef in September. ASHLEY SCHMIDT/Keys Weekly
