It has been a long time since I have camped and even longer since I have been to Everglades National Park. To be exact, the last time I was in Everglades National Park was New Year's 2010.  What an amazing park, it deserves at least one trip a year. Here is a link to Everglades NP if you would like to learn more. 

I camped at the secluded and forested Long Pine Key Campground and experienced outstanding weather.  The slash pine habitat there is the most endangered pine habitats in the country. 

There is something special about being in nature and something extra special about waking up to the songs of birds and going to bed to the sounds of crickets and frogs. When I am able, as on this trip, I use a tent without a rainfly and sleep under the stars. Since it has been some time since I have camped there was a sense of nostalgia, and I reminisced about my past experiences camping in Africa and South America. Camping brought back memories and reminded me how much I really enjoy being and living outside day in and day out.  

Some highlights of the Everglades trip were the Great White Blue Heron, Kestrel, Roseate Spoonbill, and Snail Kite. The best places (most intimate) I enjoyed photographing were Anhinga Trail and Mazrek Pond.  I was able to get up-close and personal with the wildlife.  Most times it is very hard to approach wildlife and not spook them but these two locations boded well.  

I also like to get off the beaten path.  As I alluded to earlier some of the best places in Everglades NP are the marked stops and the most visited but I still crave the adventure of finding my own unique shots.  This is one of the main things I love about Everglades NP.  There are few restrictions where you can travel, and also equally important, no time constraints. Normally, when you are in a park you have to stay on the designated trails, and then observe opening and closing times.  Everglades NP is an anomaly in that the park rangers encourage hiking through the boggy swamp, taking night walks, and an overall sense of adventure.  It is very special to be able to jump in the swamp day or night and walk your own path.  This combines well with my sense of adventure.

Another great sighting the was Vermillion Flycatcher. Now this was one flash little dude.  He had some personality to him. If you ever want to see this little guy he is located at Pump Station C-111 on 9336 about one mile before the park entrance.  There is a bridge where the pump station is located and the Vermillion Flycatcher hangs out around a group of Gumbo limbo trees, power lines, and large yellow gate at a small turnoff at the pump station C-111.  If you want even more specific info I will be happy explain further.

All and all a trip to Everglades National Park was a great way to bring in the New Year.  I would not trade my time there for anything else in the world.  On the way back to Naples driving through Homestead I stopped a the intersection of 200th Street and Krome Avenue.  There is a little restaurant located in the gas station that has great latin food.  For $7.50 you get an amazing food and secondly an amazing amount of it. Thinking of food here was my New Years Eve dinner.

This is a short wildlife documentary video of STA-5 (Stormwater Treatment Area number 5) by Josh Manring shot December 17, 2011. Footage was shot with with a Canon 7D body and 15-85mm lens or 500mm lens w/1.4 TC. Sound was recorded with a Rode Microphone. Shot on location at STA-5, Hendry, County Florida.  The lighting was less than perfect to say the least but the footage speaks for itself.  This is one of the best birding spots in all the state of Florida for sheer number of birds.  Upwards of 40,000 birds have been counted at STA-5 in one day and there are approximately 75 species in this small area. The most exciting birds of the day for me were the White-tailed kite and American Avocet.  I hope you enjoy!