Yesterday I didn’t do much shooting, I went to see Clyde and Niki Butcher over on the other side of the Everglades who I got to know when I was a newspaper photographer at the Naples Daily News. To anyone in Florida I don’t need to explain who Clyde is, but for those of you who don’t, he is the top dog when it comes to Everglades photography. He shoot large format black and white photos, mainly in Florida, but also travels all over the U.S. They are quite colorful characters and great conservationists, They filled me full of horror stories from their art show days getting me prepared for what I have in store. They now have a great gallery in the middle of the Everglades on U.S. 41. If you ever cross the Everglades you have to stop and see his work. They also have a gallery in Venice, Florida as well. Check out his web site if you want to learn more about Clyde.
On the way to see Clyde and Niki I stopped in at Shark Valley at sunrise to find out there is a locked gate that doesn’t open till 8:30 am? I’ve never heard of a National Park having banker’s hours but I parked out on the road and walked in. Being the first one there was kind of a neat experience. I was greeted by thousands of birds. It was like they were having a morning planning meeting. I walked about 2 miles out on the tram road, but the further I went the less birds I saw. So there is a lesson, at Shark Valley, for birders, the best birding is right near the parking lot.
Here’s a shot of a snowy egret from Shark Valley, I actually shot this on off the drive on the way into the parking lot as I was walking back out to my car. I had to walk in to the park from the Tamiami Trail because the park doesn’t open until 8:30.
I’ve made several attempts to make some photos walking around this beautiful cypress dome that is filled with bromiliads. On Clydes advice I tried it before sunrise, that certainly helped with the contrast, but I still have a hard time making a nice composition in these thick jungle type places like this in the Everglades. This is my best attempt. I’m certainly no Clyde Butcher, this is what he does so well.
After my pre-sunrise walk in the cypress dome I swung into the Anhinga Trail on the way back for breakfast. The vandal vultures were really at it this morning tearing out some windshield molding on this minivan. It’s so fascinating, they are absolutely infatuated with the rubber moldings and windshield wipers on cars in the parking lot. People shoo them away and they are back at it in 5 minutes. The poor owner of this minivan is going to have to get some repair work done. I’ve been parking at the far end of the parking lot and leaving my canoe on the roof of my pickup and so far that has worked. The one day I didn’t have the canoe on the roof they tore up the padding on my roof wracks. I’ve only got a few more days, I hope they don’t attack my pickup’s windshield. If you plan to visit the Anhinga Trail I suggest parking in the far side of the lot and I’ve seen people bring bed sheets and putting them over their cars and tucking them into the doors of the car to keep them in place. That seems to work as well.
Anhingas can be seen airing out their wings during the day. They dive under water to catch fish and then spend time spreading their wings to dry off in the morning sun.
Beautiful anhinga! They don’t have oil on their feathers like other birds, which allows them to dive down under the water for their food. Then, of course, they have to dry out when they’re through eating.