 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 Chilly Water and Warm Air... American Alligator basking by a Cypress stump in the Okefenokee Swamp. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020. “Wow, that water’s cold!” I exclaimed as I put my hand over the side of our canoe and dipped my fingers into the dark, tannin-stained waters of the Okefenokee Swamp. But the sun overhead was pleasantly warm. It was late in the afternoon, and as we circled Billy’s Lake, all the big gators were out in the sun. Even as we pulled our canoe in close, they were reluctant to dive back into the cold water. That is why I love to come in March. Climbing temperatures on top of still cool waters means the alligators pull their full glory on every sunning spot for great photography! Taylor Schoettle in A Naturalist’s Guide to the Okefenokee Swamp, writes, “Springs are delightfully long and may extend from middle February through May with temperatures in the 60s and low 80s with steady daily breezes.” Springtime is the perfect time to Okefeonkee!  Close up of an American Alligator basking by a Cypress stump in the Okefenokee Swamp. Teeth and scales. Billy`s Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020.  American Alligator crawling in the mud in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020.
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 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  Juvenile American Alligator swimming in blackwater swamp grass near Stephen C Foster State Park boat ramp. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020. Last minute packing, under-inflated trailer tires, construction on the interstate, slow drivers… just all the typical things that take place in this hectic world. We arrived in the Okefenokee later than I had desired. But once upon the waters of the swamp, all that was left behind. No cellular signal, no traffic noise, no way to even log on and work from home! This year's trip was special. My daughter brought along a friend this time... her first trip to the swamp; her first time being face-to-face with an alligator. We pushed off from the Stephen C Foster State Park boat dock for an hour paddle around Billy’s Lake. Thankfully, the gators did not disappoint. Being around 75 degrees, there were many large alligators out of the cold water and laid out on the logs and mound to soak up the last solar rays warming their reptilian bodies.  We got a couple of medium-sized gators to make a splash and spectacle for Gabrielle as they dove to the water to avoid our close approach. But she said it was more eerie when they slowly slunk off their stumps, crawled toward us into the blackwaters, and disappeared under the lily pads. She feared they were coming under our canoe to dump us in!
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  American Alligator laying on floating peat hammock surrounded by Spatterdock lily pads on Billy`s Lake in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 9, 2020 canoe trek. By the time we made our six-hour drive, set up camp and unpacked, it was 4:30 when we hit the waters of Billy's Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp. Technically, we had only thirty minutes until we were supposed to be off the water, but we paddled around the edges for an hour. The spatterdock, logs and peat islands were still covered by gators taking in the last of the evening sun.  American Alligator laying on a log in a dark blackwater Cypress swamp surrounded by lily pads, spatterdock and marsh grasses. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  American Alligator basking on a log in a blackwater swamp surrounded by Spatterdock lily pads on Billy`s Lake in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 9, 2020 canoe trek.  Large alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Maidencane prairie, lily pads, spatterdock, blackwater swamp on Billy`s Lake at Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020.  American Alligator laying on a log in a dark blackwater Cypress swamp surrounded by Spanish Moss and lily pads, spatterdock and marsh grasses. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  An Eastern Phoebe bird in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 2020.  American Alligator laying on a spatterdock floating peat mat. Billys Lake in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. Stephen C Foster State Park. March 2020.  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  Canoe trail directional sign in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Billys Island, Minnies Lake, Big Water, River Narrows, Suwannee River Sill, Cravens Hammock. March, 2019. Photo #201903076_DT158373422 © William Wise - Dreamstime.com Tomorrow morning my daughter and I embark on our annual Okefenokee Swamp paddling trip! And this time, she is bringing a friend who has never visited the swamp before. I love sharing this unique world of the Okefenokee with others. I’m sure she’ll be absolutely amazed.
We will be staying at our regular spot: site #4 in the Stephen C Foster State Park campground. Our food is all packed, the canoe is loaded, all is prepared and after a four hour drive, we’ll be in one of my favorite natural places! Once that canoe hits the water, which way will we go? Which of our favorite gator watering holes will we visit… Big Water… Minnie’s Lake? Where will we get out and explore… Floyd’s Island… Billy’s Island? Is it up the Red Trail, or squeeze through The Narrows? Whichever we choose, it will be an incredible time as usual. I love the swamp! |
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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