TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS

The Marathon Weekly is lucky enough to work with some ridiculously talented professional photographers such as Barry Gaukel and Ian Wilson. And then, we have talented amateurs as well, who are generous enough to share their good works with us. Finally, it doesn’t hurt that we live in one of the most photogenic places on earth. It’s eye candy, and we are proud to publish it.

— Weekly Staff

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A man flying through the air on top of a mountain - Free-diving

THEY’RE IN DEEP

Andrew Eales of Formula Freediving in Marathon snapped this shot of newlyweds Sadie Peachey and Donnie Bodkin on Sombrero Reef. The couple, who live in Sarasota and Alaska, visit the Keys occasionally to freedive and spearfish. The photo appeared in the Jan. 3, 2019 issue. ANDREW EALES/Contributed

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A group of people on a boat - Boat

STAR OF THE SMALL SCREEN

In the Jan. 10, 2019 issue, the Marathon Weekly highlighted the debut of Two Conchs Sports Fishing TV show, broadcast on the Sportsman Channel. That’s Capt. Jack Carlson in the center, showing off a fish for the camera. CONTRIBUTED

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A person standing in front of a building - Drum Kit

FEEL THE BEAT

Jamesie Johnston, the lead drummer of the Albannach group, mesmerizes the crowd with the beat, the accent and the energy at the sixth annual Florida Keys Celtic Festival in January of 2019. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly  

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A group of people playing a game of basketball - Basketball moves

POWERHOUSE

Marathon High School Dolphin Jamal Qualls, left, creates a little room during a recent game against Key West. The ‘Fins won, securing a spot for the district championship. The photo appeared on the cover of the 2019 Valentine’s Day paper. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly  

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A boat that is floating in the water - 0cc6

PLAY TIME

All work and no play makes Matt Sexton, upside down, a dull boy. So, on a windy day in late February he and friend Mark Barber have some fun in front of the Grassy Flats Resort Sexton was renovating with partners Josh and “G” Gratton. The resort would open fully at the beginning of summer of 2019. IAN WILSON/Keys Weekly

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A crane next to a body of water - Water

WATERWORKS

Lead operator David Borowicz, standing on the bridge, supervises the work of Alejandro Ceja, left, Yoniel Esquirol, Logan Sipe and Yancy Benitez. The crew was taping the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s main transmission line under Tom Harbor Bridge on June 27. The procedure helps the infrastructure last longer. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly 

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A group of people playing football on a field - Rugby union

YOUNG & FIERCE

On Sept. 26, the Keys Weekly reported on the fierce match between the Marathon Eagles and Pink Thunder that took place at Marathon Community Park. The Eagles’ Rocco charges up field. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A group of people playing football on a field - Football helmet

MHS ON THE FIELD

Brett Moore (33) moves the ball for some of his 20 yards rushing for the Marathon High School Dolphins, playing against Westminster Christian on Sept. 27. Moore was named to the All-County team at the end of the season. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A tree with smoke coming out of it - Forest

LET IT BURN

In mid-October, there was a prescribed burn on Big Pine Key in the Pine Rockland habitat. Attended by fire professionals, the planned burn gets rid of dead trees that would otherwise serve as fuel for an unplanned wildfire. IAN WILSON/Keys Weekly

 

TOP 10 PHOTOS OF THE MIDDLE KEYS - A man standing next to a tree - Backpacking

FRED THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Fred got a lot of press this year. It’s the tree growing in the middle of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Leigh Guest wrote a book and song about it, Stanley Switlik Elementary music teacher Jack Louten wrote another song about it and, of course, the anonymous elves came to decorate it again this year. Don’t ask us, because we don’t know who they are. CONTRIBUTED