Apalachee Bay is found along Florida's Gulf Coast where the peninsula joins the United States mainland. The land south of Tallahassee, Florida's state capitol, is carved up by four major rivers. The Aucilla, Econfina, St. Marks and Ochlocknee Rivers, all meander south to the Apalachee Bay.
This radiant scene, captured at the end of the day, is gilded with the Florida sun as it sets over Apalachee Bay waters and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The 68,000 acre refuge protects upland forest land, both fresh and saltwater marshes, and a diverse community of plant and animal life. The bay area was named after the Native Apalachee Tribe who lived between the Aucilla and Ochlocknee Rivers, from the bay to the north side of present day Tallahassee. The Native Americans lived peacefully as farmers, fishermen, hunters and traders until the first Spanish arrived in 1528. Spanish Franciscans established a successful mission among the Apalachee peoples in the early 1600s. The tribe's lives were forever changed in 1705 during Queen Anne's War. Creek and Yamassee Indians attacked the tribe (the Apalachee Massacre) and Spanish missionaries. A great number were killed, others were taken into slavery and a few escaped to French held Mobile.
A small tribe of 300 live in Libuse, Louisiana today. The Apalachee are also remembered at the Mission San Luis historical museum in Tallahassee, a Preserve America Presidential Award recipient.