These images come from one of our many trips to the Okefenokee. This trip was in April 2018 and was our first visit in the spring as we usually go in the middle of the winter. We were really curious to see what the swamp would be like in Spring.
We were also excited about a meteor shower that we were going to watch in the darkness of the swamp. As it turned out, rain and clouds obscured the celestial show, but were not disappointed because the dramatic clouds and rain gave us just another kind of beauty.
We travel by canoe instead of kayak as it is much easier to haul gear and get out of the boat to access camping platforms.
Right now, the Okefenokee is being threatened by potential mining. Please take a look at what you can do to help protect the swamp at Georgia River Network. Public comments are open until May 28th
There are an abundance of alligators in the swamp. Alligators were once on the endangered species list, but made a dramatic recovery.
There are 120 miles of boat trails. Once you get a few miles from the put in you see very few people though.
These are stark remains of trees that were killed in a major fire in the Okefenokee in 2011.
We spent our first night at Monkey Lake. The platform sits on a small bit of solid land which still gets quite soggy during rain. This long boardwalk leads from the water to the camping area.
Home sweet home for the night.
After we set up camp and a brief rest, we paddled to Buzzards Roost Lake. The lake had quite a few lily pads which provided a dramatic aquatic landscape.
Instead of a meteor shower, we were treated to this colorful scene of clouds and reflections
These little guys let us camp at their home.
Time to get out of the tent and get ready for another day of paddling
The sign point to ‘Home’, but we still had one more night in the swamp ahead of us.
Pitcher plants are carnivorous, trapping and digesting insects, to make up for the poor nutrients in the soil.
We got to experience spring flowers.
I love the reflections! The Okefenokee’s dark, tannin-filled, water in combination with wind makes for some curious images.
Bald cypresses are plentiful in the swamp, and make interesting photographic subjects.
This is Cedar Hammock shelter on a sunny morning that followed a rainy night.
Rain at Cedar Hammock didn’t dampen my spirit as a nature photographer and provided this cool image.
Sunset at Cedar Hammock.
We found these little guys on our way back out of the swamp.
We walked through this area with long leaf pine trees before heading home.
Anne Ledbetter 
Wonderful Okefenokee narrative and excellent photos! Thanks for taking the time to share this wonderful habitat with everyone. I hope you don’t mind, but it will share on http://www.okefenokee.photography on May 28, 2020. Thanks! William
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Sounds great, thank you.
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Okefenokee is one of my favorite place. Love to go back again. Love you guy adventure and picture. Thank you for sharing.
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