Last Sunday in the Everglades

On Sunday I was joined by several Florida alumni from the John Paul Caponigro workshops. We hired Captain Gary Thompson and went cruising through the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge in the Everglades. Attending were Barbara Ventura, Michael Gotta, Harvey and Margie Willensky and myself.

Captain Gary and the 'Minnow'

First stop was Chokoloskee Pass for sunrise (6:00AM) then off to Duck Rock where we captured a few images of the White Pelicans. From there we went to Highlands Beach, Porpoise Creek and Shark River then ended the day with a sunset (8:00PM) shoot at Indian Key. Each Island, although slightly similar, has a different set of visual circumstances to offer. There are petrified pieces of wood, hidden coves, tangled branches and spectacular views of the sunset.

The 10,000 islands are part of the largest mangrove forest in North America. There are approximately 200 species of fish and a most vital area for marine fish. Additionally,  there are almost 200 species of birds, racoons, river otters and bottle-nosed Dolphins.

Some of the endangered species that live in these islands are the West Indian Manatee, bald eagle, peregrine falcon and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles.

A good time was had by all...

                                                 Harvey and Margie

                                                       Margie and Barbara

                                                                 Michael
                                                    
In the header is a capture of the 'White Pelicans' from Duck Rock....Check the little black bird in the front....