At the end of the two tunnels the river widened substantially allowing me to turn the kayak around to head up stream. The return trip took considerably longer as I was fighting both the current and the tide. Thankfully I did not encounter any alligators in the tunnel which would have been very unnerving. They seem to prefer open areas such as this.

This morning I rented a kayak and paid to have it shuttled to the Turner River where I spent 6 hours on the water. During that time I encountered two other paddlers and a half dozen alligators ( a good ratio in my opinion). Paddling down stream I encountered two very long mangrove tunnels varying in width from 1.5 to 4 boat widths. The mangrove roots were so densely spaced that they would have made an effective set of prison bars. The upper branches formed an equally dense canopy creating a true living tunnel. There was insufficient clearance to paddle and it was far easier to simply grab the branches and pull myself through the tunnels.

It is hard to imagine how the day could have been any better from a photographic perspective. Even as I am heading to my tent site I am treated to a beautiful sunset. I initially feared that the Everglades might not be as interesting as some of the higher profile national parks I have visited recently but I could not have been more wrong. You simply need to get off the beaten path.

The variety and abundance of birds in Florida is quite amazing. I could spend days instead of hours getting similar photos in New England when these same birds migrate north for the summer.

Here is a small sampling of my alligator shots. I was hoping to catch one eating a bird for lunch but they typically hunt and feed at night.

Alligators, if not surprised or cornered, will seek to move away from adult humans. I took great care to approach those on my side of the canal without startling them and was able to get quite close for good pictures. I am told they can out run a human over short distances but do not believe this to be true. If this guy turned to chase me I can guarantee you that I would set a new Olympic record for high jumping to the top of my rental car.

This afternoon I discovered a canal paralleled by a dirt road that was chock full of birds and alligators. I was able to drive down the road and get out anytime I spotted something interesting. I literally encountered dozens of alligators. Fortunately, 90% of them were on the opposite side of the canal.

I spent the morning doing a little macro photography before stowing my gear for the return trip to civilization.

After sleeping like a baby I arose to enjoy a magnificent sunrise which bathed the island in golden light.

As I had hoped, the island was a photographic treasure trove and I spent hours wandering the beaches in search of interesting subjects.

I am the only human on the island but I am not without company. Less than 50 yards from my tent is an osprey nest and the pair seem oblivious to my presence affording me a great source of viewing enjoyment.

My first order of business is setting up my tent above the high tide mark and planning my exploration around the tide table I have brought with me. Many sections of the beach disappear at high tide and it is virtually impossible to travel inland forcing you to wade through the ocean, something I was trying to avoid while carrying all my camera gear.

After breakfast I make arrangements with a local outfitter to drop me off on Panther Key, an uninhabited island just outside the Everglades National Park boundaries in the Ten Thousand Islands chain. We navigate through a virtual maze of islets until we reach the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico where we shoot north until we reach our destination. Panther Key is less than a mile wide and less than two long with almost 50% of its shoreline covered in beaches. The interior has dense vegetation and is completely impenetrable. After off loading my gear and provisions I make arrangements to be picked up tomorrow. Just like that I am off the grid and totally on my own.

This morning I get an early start and head to the Everglades City Rod and Gun Club for breakfast. I arrive too early to dine but this photo of the lobby makes the trip entirely worthwhile.