Florida Everglades Photography

Florida Everglades photography is probably the most interesting and challenging you will experience. The rewards, however, are easily worth the effort. As a Florida wildlife photographer the Everglades are unquestionably my favorite area of the state anytime of the year.

Located in the southern most tip of Florida before entering the key islands leading to Key West, the Everglades once covered the entire area from Lake Okeechobee south to Florida Bay. Currently, the protected area, known as Everglades National Park, actually covers about 1.5 million acres and ranks as the third largest U.S. National Park. Other areas of the grand Everglades include Big Cypress National Preserve with its .6 mile wooden path nature walk (Fakahatchee Strand) and the agricultural Everglades region. But it’s the diversity of its ecosystem that makes it so special and a Florida Everglades photography paradise.

Caution: Beware of Snakes and Alligators – With seemingly endless natural beauty the Everglades are an awesome sight to behold and it is easy to become distracted by mangrove lined shorelines and cypress trees with spanish moss hanging from their limbs. Here a word of caution to those seeking great Florida Everglades Photography. Alligators and snakes are a very real danger for those more inclined to look up without looking down.

When walking through the sawgrass and other vegetation wear protective clothing such as boots and long pants. Snakes tend to avoid humans as much as we avoid them but chance encounters do happen. Alligators are common throughout the area with adult males typically measuring six to eight feet in length with some even growing to an astounding fourteen feet or more. They tend to be territorial and unpredictable and although they may appear lazy and sluggish alligators can become a formidable foe in a heart beat.

Sawgrass Marsh – Many first time visitors are surprised to discover that the Everglades are not all swampland. The sawgrass marshes, often called the “River of Grass,” are a wet and unique ecosystem. Though the vast sawgrass marshes make up the heart of the Everglades most of the land mass of the Everglades National Park is relatively dry.

Mahogany Hammock – Everglades National Park may be best known for its sawgrass marshes but there are also hardwood hammocks and pine stands located on slightly higher ground. The Mahogany Hammock features a .3 mile boardwalk nature trail allowing visitors to get up close to the dark and thick vegetation which make up its interior. America’s largest mahogany tree is found here.

Vegetation – Over 100 species of plants and 120 species of trees may be viewed in the park. Some of the Everglades plants are found nowhere else on earth. Mangroves are one of the most significant plants in the glades ecology and the Florida Everglades Photographer will be pleased to find the largest mangrove forest in North America here.

Birds – For Florida Everglades Photography you can’t beat the incredible variety of birds. Some experts say that over 600 species of year round and migratory birds can be seen throughout the Everglades. Visitors to the area will frequently spot egrets, ibises and the spectacular great blue heron. The anhinga or “snake bird” will be seen perched on a limb drying its wings and the more fortunate viewer will have an opportunity to spot and photograph the rare wood stork or have a glimpse of the southern bald eagle.

Where to Begin

With so much to see and photograph it can be hard to begin your Florida Everglades photography quest. I personally recommend that you begin at the National Park Visitor Centers located west of Homestead, south of Everglades City, and at several places in the park. These centers will give you the most recent wildlife reports and point you in the right direction for sightings.

The Gulf Coast Center is springboard for exploring the area known as the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways that extends south to Flamingo and Florida Bay. To explore on your own small boat (motorized is okay) will be needed. Narrated tour boats also depart from the Center. In this saltwater portion of the ‘glades, you'll find manatees, dolphins, osprey and other saltwater species begging to be included in your Florida Everglades photography collection.

Shark Valley - Due to the prevalence of many dangerous species navigation inside the park can be tougher. Many of the trails are open for walking and biking, but the narrated tram ride will get the visitor into otherwise inaccessible areas. An observation tower is located at the Shark Center from which you can see and photograph spectacular views of the sawgrass marshes.

Airboat rides are also available from the many private marketers that take you into the Everglades where you can see nature untouched. The goal of these rides is often to find alligators, but you get to see everything else, as well. Just be sure that the boat operator knows that you are on a Florida Everglades photography mission.

Ready, Set, Go!

I suggest that you do some homework before visiting the Everglades. Visit the National Park web site (http://www.everglades.national-park.com/ever1.htm) to see a map of the park. Then check out other Everglades sites to get a better grasp of what the park offers.

When you are ready to start your Florida Everglades photography quest, plan on several trips to get the full flavor of the Everglades. Allow ample time to travel as you traverse the area. And allow even more time to stop and take in the grandeur, visually and photographically. Plan to bring plenty of photographic gear with you (e.g., tripod, telephoto lenses, lens shade, extra batteries and, if you are digital, extra memory cards), too.

Use each visit to hone your knowledge of the Everglades and what you'd like to capture photographically. Review your previous handiwork for content, composition, lighting and other attributes. Crop and adjust judiciously after each visit to help you better frame your images while they are being taken.

Then think about visiting in a different season and/or at different times of day. If you visit during summer, be prepared for thunderstorms that the residents will tell you may arrive at any moment, but especially in the afternoon. If you visit in the spring, you'll likely detect smoke from forest and grass fires.

Whatever you do as part of your Florida Everglades photography activities, you will find it educational, inspiring and beautiful. And with a Florida Everglades photographic documentary you'll be able to enjoy what you witnessed for many years to come.

Summary: The Florida Everglades offers a wide array of photographic opportunities, mainly because of its diverse ecosystems. Many of the areas are difficult to reach, but once there you’ll discover it was well worth the effort. You will likely enjoy displaying the many scenes you can't find anywhere else.




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