Back in late October we went to Florida to photograph Lisa and James' spectacular wedding in West Palm Beach. While visiting south Florida, we took a few days to explore the Everglades and a bit of the Florida Keys. Here are some of the highlights!
Yes, this is a Pygmy Rattlesnake ... and yes, I am using a wide angle lens, which means I was probably way too close. Don't try getting this close to a poisonous snake unless you know well how to read their body language. This one remained very calm and I took a lot of time to ease up to it to get the shot.
Alligators
I was soooo excited to get these next few photos. These alligators are hatchlings and I have never encountered them in the wild before, despite trolling the swamps of FL for the better part of 10 years. I heard the classic "chirping" noises and new they were close. It didn't take long to locate them. I felt so fortunate to observe them but we were always cautious ... you must always be on the lookout for the mother in a situation like this. The mother will protect her young.
So cute!!!!
The cuttest baby turtle in the world on the left :-).
Great Blue Heron
This was one of my favorite shots of the trip!
A little wild turkey humor :-).
You know you are entering the Everglades when you see a Florida Panther Crossing.
Osprey with fish.
This is an American Crocodile and the Everglades is the only place you will find them and even then it is rare ... we were very lucky!
Bald Eagle and Raven.
Great Egret
Turkey Vultures
This may seem sad, but it is for my decades long personal project, "Casualties of War." I really get angry to see a beautiful animal lose its life by speeding drivers, especially in a National Park where they shouldn't be speeding in the first place. The victim was a snowy egret.
The Keys ... specifically Islamorada on the left and Key Largo on the right.
The keys are crawling with wild iguanas.
Purple Bill and Greeny visit south Florida :-)!! They had a blast!
