An excerpt from E.A. McIlhenny’s 1935 book, The Alligator’s Life History: “The deep booming roar of a twelve foot male alligator is a sound that once heard will never be forgotten. It is not unlike the first boom note of the ostrich, or the deep, slow-throat roar of the lion before he begins the quickContinue reading “Deep Booming Roar”
Tag Archives: Okefenokee Photography
Cypress Knee Bend
Passing north beyond Minnie’s Lake along the Suwannee River Middle Fork trail, the kayak channel constricts through a more mature Cypress forest. Here the dense, towering trees cast their shadows and darken the swamp below. One gets a feel for what it was like throughout the entire Okefenokee before the saws and lumber mills ofContinue reading “Cypress Knee Bend”
Rock Star Alligator Paparazzi
Huge, intimidating, armored beasts all decked out in bony spikes and dark leather – they are the rock stars of the reptile world! And I’m the paparazzi that follows them. What exhilarating photo subjects (sure beats baby photography!). Most of the time the gators lay there or slowly slide into the swamp water as youContinue reading “Rock Star Alligator Paparazzi”
Okefenokee Swamper Daniel Lee on Billy’s Island
Excerpt from the 1926 History of the Okefenokee Swamp by AS McQueen and Hamp Mizell: “Years ago an adventurous pioneer by the name of Dan Lee settled on Billy’s Island, erected a rough log cabin and for years made his living by the primitive means of hunting, fishing and trapping. When Dan Lee and his brideContinue reading “Okefenokee Swamper Daniel Lee on Billy’s Island”
World Record Alligators
The largest alligators are said to have been from 15 to 19 feet long. I don’t think any of those 19-footers were scientifically verified, but an internet search shows Mandy Stokes’ 15’9” alligator holds the current world record. The largest Georgia alligator was killed in 2019 and measured 14’1”. I haven’t climbed out of my canoe withContinue reading “World Record Alligators”
Virtual Okefenokee Exploration through iNaturalist
The Okefenokee has grown into an obsession! Even though I have opportunity for only a few “boots-on-the-ground” days in the Swamp each year, I love exploring it year-round through online and print publications. I just can’t get enough! My favorite way to get into the swamp (virtually) is through iNaturalist. Just like paddling down an OkefenokeeContinue reading “Virtual Okefenokee Exploration through iNaturalist”
McIlhenny’s Mother Alligator
In his 1935 book, E.A. McIlhenny (of the Tabasco Sauce family) tells the story of an upset mother alligator nearly grabbing his head: “On another occasion, I had been shooting Upland Plover in late August, and I was riding back from the prairie over the road through the marsh connecting Avery Island with the highland,Continue reading “McIlhenny’s Mother Alligator”
Sharing an Okefenokee Post from Nichter Photography PLUS, Part 2
Sharing Part 2 of Kathleen’s great Okefenokee travel journal to the wonderful Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Birds are part of the fun of visiting the Okefenokee Swamp. I watched the Snowy Egret high-stepping toward me, and kept the camera on him waiting to capture one of the “golden slippers” of his feet in the air,Continue reading “Sharing an Okefenokee Post from Nichter Photography PLUS, Part 2”
Focus Stacking an Okefenokee Gator Stack
While paddling through the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, I came upon an awesome scene. Multiple juvenile alligators were stacked upon logs and lily pads in a small cove on Minnie’s Lake. My eyes took in the whole scene and I was overwhelmed with delight and wonder. But my joy was replaced with a bit ofContinue reading “Focus Stacking an Okefenokee Gator Stack”
Okefenokee Birding and Binoculars
Birds and reptiles! Large wading birds and huge reptiles of the order Crocodilia! That is what the Okefenokee is all about. It’s a wildlife photographer’s dream! But in 2019 there was something new for me: small passerines! New for me on this year’s paddling excursion was my new pair of Zeiss Conquest HD binoculars thatContinue reading “Okefenokee Birding and Binoculars”
