Paddling East Fork Suwannee River to Canal Run, mile markers 13-15

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. -- "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

Wilderness area canoe kayak trail directional sign. Permit Required Beyond This Point, No Motors. Along the orange canoe trail headed to the Canal Run overnight shelter platform. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.

To go where one has not gone before is the call of every adventurer's heart. Many times my daughter and I had paddled eastward just past Billy's Island only to stop and stare at "permit required beyond this point" sign and wonder what lies down that channel. I was going to find out on my October 2022 solo trip.

Obtaining the permit for this section of trail that leads to the Canal Run shelter was quite easy, being a one-night trip. The platform availabilities and paddling routes are now on a website. No longer do you have spend time on the phone with Refuge staff to list the available routes. You can simply look up your desired dates and routes, and then call to book them. 

I booked this one night stay at the Canal Run Shelter so I could explore a short portion of canoe trail that runs between the Stephen C Foster State Park Launch and the Suwannee Canal. I would paddle the five mile 'permit only' portion of the East Fork Suwannee River, camp overnight at the platform, and backtrack the following day while taking photographic observations along the way. 

Being a relatively narrow and closed-in portion of the trail, the conditions weren't the best for photography, but great for exploration. In the close quarters, I used my cellphone camera more than my DSLR and long lens. It was hard to pinpoint the small birds and lizards that scurried among the thick, tangled vegetation. 

Close up of American Alligator vertically elliptical eye in dark blackwater swamp. Wildlife herping photography on canoe paddling excursion on Middle Fork Suwannee River orange canoe trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Alligator mississippiensis is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. October 26, 2022.

Big Six-spotted Fishing Spider, Dolomedes triton, Okefenokee swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Wildlife photography along East Fork Suwannee River orange canoe trail

Close up of American Alligator`s eye as it lies hidden in the blackwater swamp. Wildlife herping photography on canoe paddling excursion on Middle Fork Suwannee River orange canoe trail in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Alligator mississippiensis is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. October 26, 2022.

Small Carolina Green Anole lizard climbing a branch in the Okefenokee swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA. Wildlife herping photography along East Fork Suwannee River orange canoe trail

Juvenile American Alligator on log along the East Fork Suwannee River orange canoe trail headed to the Canal Run overnight shelter platform. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia USA.