Swamps

I like swamps and marshes. Not the mosquitos, so much, but the rest. The still water that can offer a perfect reflection of the trees around it, stained dark with tannins from fallen leaves. The sounds of frogs as they sing to each other. The shiny shells of turtles lined along a half submerged tree, catching some sun.

There is always a sense of expectation with a swamp. Will something come out of those dark waters or from the tangles roots? A bright yellow warbler, a vocal winter wren, a hopeful water snake, a bog hag? There are options.

The trick to photographing swamps is Deet and Permethrin. Or only going in the winter. The stagnant water is a prime breeding area for mosquitos and they will be hungry. Stand still for any length of time and you'll have mosquitos on every inch of exposed skin. Clothes soaked in Permethrin repel ticks as well, so always a must. Bug spray with Deet works for a while, but either carry the can with you, or get the wipes. The other option is bug bites that'll itch for days.

🔖Tags:camera nature photography swamp