Two towers

Two long leaf pine trees show the scars of fire from the last prescribed burn by Jackson Guard forestry technicians at Whitepoint, an 85-acre recreation area on Choctawahatchee Bay. Many native plants and animal species depend on Eglin's fire-dependent long-leaf pine ecosystem, 11 of which are federally protected. Endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, depend on fire that is typically caused by either lightning strikes or Eglin's resident fire managers to survive. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Whitepoint

A barren pine tree reaches out toward the water at Whitepoint, an 85-acre recreation area on Choctawahatchee Bay. Many native plants and animal species depend on Eglin's fire-dependent long-leaf pine ecosystem, 11 of which are federally protected. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

April showers

Storm clouds roll in blanketing the sky over Post’l Point April 5 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The storm brought a quick, but heavy downpour of rain to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

W244

A newly tagged black bear awaits his release back into the wilds of Eglin Air Force Base’s range March 27. Reports of the 2-year-old, 200-pound bear getting into people’s trash in Valparaiso, Fla., prompted the relocation by Florida Fish and Wildlife employees. This was the first relocation this year. FWC officials say they perform three to four bear relocations per year in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Pelican parking

A pelican perches on a wooden pole by Weekly Bayou at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 29. The pelican is one of many wild birds within the Eglin range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Solar pool

Newly installed black polypropylene solar panels with UV inhibitors actively heat the water of the Eglin Air Force Base pool. The new panels will heat the pool constantly from March to December. Every two minutes, 1,323 gallons of water cycle through the solar collectors absorbing the heat. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Winged Sentry

A red tailed hawk stands guard outside the front door of the Air Armament Center headquarters the morning of Oct. 11 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The hawk perched on the stair railing and watched military and civilians enter the building for more than five minutes before flying away. Red tailed hawks are just one of many bird-of-prey species that populate the Eglin reservation. Female red tails can weigh more than four pounds and have up to a 52 inch wingspan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

On lookout

A red tailed hawk peers out from behind some low-hanging foliage at the Air Armament Center headquarters building the morning of Oct. 11 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Later, the hawk perched on the stair railing outside the front door of the building. Red tailed hawks are just one of many bird-of-prey species that populate the Eglin reservation. Female red tails can weigh more than four pounds and have up to a 52 inch wingspan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Talulla turtle

A Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found stranded along Eglin's restricted portion of Santa Rosa Island by Eglin Sea Turtle Monitoring Program managers June 28. The 20-pound, 14-inch turtle was flipped on her side as a result of rough surf and appeared lethargic and emaciated. Turtle monitors took newly-named "Talulla" to the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island for treatment. She will be eventually be released back into the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo/Erica Laine)

Help from above

Firefighters from Jackson Guard's fire management section fly aboard a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter to fight the wildfires from the air June 22. The helicopter can carry up to 100 gallons of water in the "Bambi" bucket and place water strategically and safely. The helicopter is contracted to support Eglin's Fire Management Program in both prescribed burning and fire suppression efforts. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Kennedy)

Cloud cover

Firefighters from Jackson Guard's fire management section fly over the wildfires in a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter June 22. The helicopter can carry up to 100 gallons of water in the "Bambi" bucket and place water strategically and safely. The helicopter is contracted to support Eglin's Fire Management Program in both prescribed burning and fire suppression efforts. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Kennedy)

Hot response

Firefighters from Eglin Fire Department and Jackson Guard work with the Ocean City/Wright and Fort Walton Beach Fire Departments to contain two urban-interface wildfires within the same vicinity on Eglin reservation, June 22. Northwest Florida is in the midst of a severe drought and is 15 inches below normal rainfall for the year. The wildfires burned more than 15 acres of forest and threatened homes and businesses, but due to firefighting efforts no structures were damaged. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits)