Everglades | Lee Smith Photography

Everglades Sunset

A trip to Pine Glades Lake in the Everglades National Park at sunset

We had a photo session out in the Everglades last night and the sunset was spectacular! We knew the mosquitoes were going to be intense so tried the Thermacell product – once it started up – it worked like a champ! I also had netting on and that really worked too.
The colors and hues were just incredible and that reflection from the still water just enhanced the whole image!
Everglades National Park, Canon 5DM4, 16-35mm F/2.8L USM II

A New Day

Dawn of a new day in the Everglades National Park

Everglades Moon with a Sunrise

Got up at 4am to meet my friend in the Everglades, We met at Long Pine Key in the parking lot around 5:30am. I got dressed for the occasion with long pants, long shirt sprayed with Deet, vest, boots, buff neck guard, hat with head netting. I also used a set of golf gloves for both hands because the mosquitoes nailed my hands last time – even with bug spray! I was ready for those blood suckers this time. I could hear them buzzing relentlessly trying to get to any flesh they could find.

So when my friend arrived, I walked over to his truck and he hops out in shorts and a t-shirt! Then asks “how are the bugs?”, he instantly became a Latin gourmet for the mosquitoes! He was back in that truck so fast!!!!

Anyway, my friend stayed in his truck putting on his bug gear while I went over to the lake to setup. I took a series of shots and this was one of the first ones. At Long Pine Key with the moon in the sky and the sunrise on the move.

I took a series of shots, this was one of the first ones. With the moon in the sky and the sunrise on the move. — Everglades_2601

Barred Owl of the Everglades

I saw a Barred Owl at the top of a cypress tree while I was driving through Everglades National Park. I pulled over, because I do not see owls very often and never did I see a Barred Owl in the wild along the road. It did allow me to walk up to about 30 feet of it, but flew to the road to eat something then back to the trees. I just followed it on foot for a while till it allowed me to get close enough (about 25 feet) to grab a few good shots. I took a few more shots and backed up and went on my way. That alone made it a terrific day!

Barred Owl in the Everglade National Park — Everglades_LSP6774

Reflections of the Sky

Reflections of the sky along Alligator Alley in the everglades

Everglades Startrails

A late night at Harold A Campbell Public Use Area, we arrived about 12:30am and shot for a few hours to get this star-trail compilation. This shot consists of 100 images – 26 seconds each with loads of flying insects flying insects trying to get to our blood. We work netting around our heads thankfully because the buzz was non stop. These types of nightime photography in the swamps are challenging, any open skin is a target – even if you are wearing long sleeves these blood suckers will bite through, unless you spray your clothes with deet before you leave.