Lost to the Okefenokee

Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message

An American Alligator hides in lily pads near our turn-around spot on the Middle Fork canoe trail; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 6, 2017.

​As the afternoon wore on, we pressed north more quickly, passed the green trail junction that leads to Floyd’s Island, and then turned around at the red trail spur. Once again, the thought of “will we make it back before dark” was beginning to press upon my mind. Picking up the pace, we used the trolling motor in conjunction with the force of the current. This, however, proved to be our frustration in some areas.

We spent most of our time using the oars to push off stumps and branches to keep ourselves out of the bushes. But at one point, the current bore us full steam ahead into a rather large tangle of twigs. Both of us closed our eyes, ducked our heads and screened our faces from the scratching sticks. Coming out the other side, Amanda realized her head band had been snatched off her head by the Okefenokee, never to be found again.

Realizing the frustration of attempting to steer through the narrower channel with the trolling motor, I told Amanda to turn it off and steer with her oar. Immediately, she lets out a gasp. “The Oar! Where is the oar?” All I could say was, “You’re kidding me?” But no, the oar, along with her headband, had been pulled overboard by the Okefenokee.
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Although the day was getting late, we had to turn around. The battery on the trolling motor was dying and we’d never make it without Amanda’s oar. I expelled one of those quick prayers of dire need, “Jesus, please let us find the oar.” Backtracking just a short distance I spotted the bright glare of metal drifting downstream toward me. Thank God oars float!

​Once again, despite my lack of faith, we made it back to Billy’s Lake before sunset. Our trip to base camp rewarded me with the Anhinga shot I had so been desiring. A strikingly contrasted black and white plumed male sat perched with wings spread. Amanda skillfully held the canoe in place against the wind so I could fire away. 

​​At the campground’s comfort station, Amanda gasped in the mirror at her reverse-raccoon tan caused by sunburn around her sunglassed eyes. We walked the boardwalk again, took some photos of Sophie in the same spot (reptiles are creatures of habit) and retired to our tent for another game of battleship (which Amanda won, again.)

Anhinga; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.