Tag: Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Cowhorn Orchid

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For some time now, I have been trying to find a large Cowhorn Orchid I had been told existed somewhere in Everglades National Park.  I have found many Cowhorn Orchids before during my hikes throughout Everglades and Big Cypress National Parks, however, I wanted to find this particular Cowhorn Orchid due to its extraordinary size.

I finally had some time this past week to make a trip to the location I thought the orchid could be found.  I went with a photographer friend of mine, Robert Chaplin, on this trip.  After a good bit of hiking and a lot of exploring we successfully found the orchid.  Not only did we find it, but we also were rewarded as it was already in full bloom.  I took some documentary pictures of it and hope to go back soon to try and do something more creative with it before the blooms begin to die.

Everglades Mangrove Sunrise

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I ran out this morning for a quick early morning photography trip.  My main purpose was to go to Eco Pond in Flamingo to see if the birds had arrived yet.  However, I got talked in to getting up early enough to shoot a sunrise on the way down by Robert Chaplin who was also headed out to Everglades National Park.

We stopped at a place I have shot before but never liked any of my results.  It is a location with numerous mangrove trees growing in small clumps surrounded by shallow water.  In theory this spot should produce some great sunrise photos but to date has not been productive for me.  This morning at least produced a photo I like compositionally but I am still not sold on it.  I wish I would have had more clouds or more overall color reflected in the water.  However, I still like this photo and I will continue to clean it up a little bit to see if I can get a final result I am satisfied with.

Everglades Mangrove Sunrise

Everglades Long Pine Key Sunset Reflections

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The last month has been very hectic for me leaving very little time for photography.  I got a free evening after work last week to run out the Everglades to see if Tropical Storm Issac’s rains had reached the Southern Glades.  Although the water levels were elevated from normal they were not as high as I have seen after other tropical storms or torrential rains.  After driving around the park for an hour or so I decided to return to a favorite spot of mine in Long Pine Key to shoot a sapling pine tree I had shot a few months back.

The high water levels made for good reflections and I used the lone pine tree as my foreground anchor.  I was not thrilled with the results but did like the mood of the dark storm clouds that were rolling through during the sunset.

Pine Glades Lake Reflections

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Yesterday afternoon I drove out to Everglades National Park to see if I could capture some of the dramatic storm clouds we had moving through the area.  Soon after I got into the park, I spotted some great dramatic storm clouds and good foreground subjects to shoot.  Unfortunately, I also realized I had left my tripod at home.  By the time I went home to get my tripod and made it back to the park, the shot was long gone.  I proceeded to drive around and explore some trails I had not been on in some while but the rain kept chasing me back to my truck for shelter.

I tried shooting a lone cypress tree with a storm in the background but was not thrilled with the final product.  It was starting to get late so I headed to old faithful Pine Glades Lake for the sunset.  I was hoping to get some vibrant skies to contrast with the dark storm clouds.  The only problem was a storm moved through just in time to completely block the sunset.  I still was able to get some interesting reflections of the storm clouds across the smooth lake but never got the color I was looking for.

Long Pine Key Campground Sunset

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I ran out to Everglades National Park yesterday after work to try and capture a sunset.  Yesterday was very hazy due to the Saharan Dust in the air and I was hoping this would translate into a vibrant sunset.  I decided to try a spot I know near Long Pine Key and capture the sun setting behind the pine trees.

Due to all the rain we have been getting this year, the water levels are up and most of the normal low areas have at least a few inches of water flowing over the land.  This was the case at my sunset spot as the walking trail was covered in up to six (6) inches of water.  I used the flooded trail as a leading line in my photo taking the viewer to the setting sun.  I tried to balance the scene with a yearling pine tree that was growing next to the trail.  I was pretty happy with the results, capturing one shot with a sunburst and another after the sun set with the glowing thunderhead in the distance.

After the sun had set I turned around and shot the rising moon over the pine trees using the same flooded trail as a leading line to the moon.

Everglades National Park Afternoon Photography Trip

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After work yesterday I ran out to Everglades National Park with my camera to check on the water levels after all of the recent rains we have been experiencing here in South Florida over the last 3 weeks.  I found that the water levels have risen a good bit since I was out there last but still not at there normal rainy season levels.  Either way,  I found alligators everywhere.  They were crossing the park road, sitting in puddles, and occupying the walking trails that are now underwater.  I found a five footer in a deep spot in the middle of one of the trails I was hiking.  Luckily the water was clear and I saw it before I stepped on it.

I did get a few good shots of the blooming string lilies despite the windy conditions causing the saw grass and flowers to move back and forth.  Although, I did have to hike a couple hundred yards out into the saw-grass to get the shot I envisioned.  The water was about thigh deep but clean and clear.  I also captured some good rainbow pictures from some storms that were offshore in the Atlantic.

Everglades Association Board of Directors Appointment

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I was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Everglades Association, a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation and subsidiary of the Florida National Parks Association, Inc.  The Everglades Association is the official not for profit arm of the Everglades, Biscayne, Big Cypress and Dry Tortuga’s National Parks Service and was founded in 1951.  The purpose of the Everglades Association is to help raise money for educational and conservation programs related to the associated National Parks and Preserves.

Through my photography I have developed a passion for the Everglades, Big Cypress and Biscayne National Parks and want to ensure that the natural beauty is preserved for future generations to photography and enjoy.  By becoming a part of the Everglades Association I can directly help work toward this goal to preserve and educate the community about the wonders and beauty found in South Florida’s National Parks and Preserves.

Everglades Supermoon and Sunset

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I wanted to try and catch the Supermoon rising over the sawgrass and cypress trees of Everglades National Park.  I decided to go to a remote area of the park where I was less likely to have any compeition from fellow photographers also trying to photograph the Supermoon.  While waiting for the Supermoon to rise I also managed to capture a bonus sunset over the marsh and cattails.  The only problem with both efforts was the strong winds which caused all the sawgrass and trees to blow around making it hard to capture a crisp shot that did not have some blur associated with it somewhere.

Pine Glades Lake Everglades National Park

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It has been awhile since I have been to Pine Glades Lake for a sunset.  I went out last night for a quick photography trip to Pine Glades Lake to see if the water had returned to normal levels.  With all the rain we have gotten over the last two weeks the lake had not only returned to normal levels but was overflowing its banks in some areas.  I prefer the water level high at Pine Glades Lake as it enhances the reflections of the clouds and sunsets better than when it is low as you can set up your camera closer to the waters edge.

The sunset was not exceptional but the afterglow lasted for a good 30 minutes or more.  I tried a different perspective then usual for a few of the shots and liked the way the came out.

Everglades Building Thunderstorm

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After shooting a sunset one morning I noticed some building clouds on the drive home.  I decided to pull over and watch them for a little while to see if they continued to build.  After about 15 minutes or so they continued to climb skyward and then started producing some rain.  They never did produce lightning or thunder but still made for some dramatic skies over the sawgrass prairies.  I also decided to try an HDR shot of the storm in order try and capture the dynamic range of the clouds.