I used to live in Florida, very close to the Everglades. Life has taken me elsewhere but I hope to return soon.
I was making an early morning trip into the northern part of the Everglades when I made this image. I’ve made countless images of its beauty and drama but I think this one most expresses its true nature and the interdependence of some of the natural forces that maintain this wonderful environment.
The Everglades is an ecosystem that’s unique in the world. Called “The River of Grass”, it’s essentially a slow moving river that’s sixty miles wide, a hundred miles long and, at most, a few feet deep. Water that starts from the northern end can take months or years to reach Florida Bay. That’s what is seen in the foreground of this image. Completely clear water that appears to be still but is actually part of this massive river. It supports plants from tiny floating lilies to giant cyprus domes.
The dramatic cloud formations illustrate the water cycle that helps to feed the river and make it viable.
This image brings me almost the peace and serenity of an actual visit. It’s a “big picture” image in that you get the sense of the place as an environment, rather than a smaller composition which highlights intimate details. Its very immersive and it makes me feel good.
An interesting aside… just out of the frame there was a drama going on. There was a family of ducks in their nest on a small patch of dry ground. A mother, father and four chicks. The father swam about twenty feet away and, one by one, the mother gently nudged the chicks out of the nest for the first time. The first three plopped into the water and swam to the waiting father. The last one was not ready, or willing, to cooperate. With a mighty shove (for a duck), he was forced out and then dutifully swam to his father. All of this happened under the gaze of a six foot alligator, silently watching about 10 yards away. Each was aware of the other. The ducks clearly knew something that I didn’t and were quite comfortable exposing their babies to this predator.
Just another day in the Everglades.
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