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L U M E N N E W S
I N S P I R A T I O N * I N F O R M A T I O N * I N V I T A T I O N S
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BABY CYPRESS, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA Warm greetings. This note presents a touch of my recent journey in southern Florida, a quick exploration of the Keys, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress National Preserve. 
DODGE AND BURN, ABANDONED CAR, LOOP ROAD, FLORIDA Recently, Blend Images and Getty Images independently requested I join their creative communities as a "content contributor" for worldwide licensing of photographic images and video (Stock). This opened a new chapter in my work with production and media.
In late April, Blend Images hosted its annual conference near Fort Lauderdale and extended an invitation. 
RUSTED HISTORY, ABANDONED GAS STATION, FLORIDA
With a view toward my education and a chance to build valued relationships, I accepted. Given the opportunity to visit southern Florida, I added a few days to the conference itinerary to allow time for a quick road trip.
 STARE DOWN, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
After a red eye flight, I had an open day before the conference. I arrived on time in Fort Lauderdale, rented a car, stopped at a busy Denny's for an uninspired breakfast, and headed south. It took about four hours to drive to the tip of the Keys. This included some wandering on the side streets off Highway 1, a stop at a old historic bakery, and a walk on a local beach in the central region of the islands. There is quite a mixture of scenery and daily life along this route.
SOUTHERN MARKER, TRAVELER'S BUCKET LIST, KEY WEST, FLORIDA
I spent the afternoon and part of an evening walking the streets and exploring the coast and older sections of Key West, the hub of the newly minted "Conch Republic." If you read about the history of this movement, it's quite humorous.
The island of Key West is filled with an odd mixture of history, beach energy, bohemian life, tourism, and international influence.
 FLOWER POWER, KEY WEST, FLORIDA
I returned to Fort Lauderdale around midnight tired from a long day of driving, yet grateful for the experience.
BACKSPACE BAR AND KITCHEN, KEY WEST, FLORIDA
Next, I soaked in several days at a superb Blend Image conference near Fort Lauderdale. I learned much and connected with many professionals at the forum. Blend Images supports an incredible community of photographers and film producers. It was humbling and fascinating to see their work and their dedication to the craft of stock photography and video production. Stock is a challenging business. I am a babe in these woods.
Post conference, I drove west toward Naples and then south and spent four wonderful days in Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. This was my first trip to these open spaces, a journey I had thought about for some time.
GATOR FROM ABOVE, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
There is much to discover in the southern meadows, lakes, and ever-shifting swamps. Moments linger.
The parks are massive, untamed, and beautiful. The light and big sky of southern Florida entranced me.
SUNSET IN YELLOW, CENTRAL EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
My rubber boots made several not-so-graceful appearances in the shallow swamp areas. I had to laugh one evening as the sun slowly set and the space around my feet grew darker and darker. I looked over at the shore from the open water where I stood and noted my thoughts:
"Be calm. Be calm. It's not likely gators are here. If a large animal approaches I will hear it move. Maybe. A snake will not be able to bite all the way through the tough material in my boots. It's sort of thick. Be calm. Get this silly picture finished. Get out of here. Be careful. Please don't drop your camera in the water. That's interesting light to my left. Don't fall over on this slippery stuff. Breathe. Just walk a few more feet forward. The vantage point might be great. You gotta try. All will be fine. Remember, wild animals can smell fear. Be calm."
 NIGHT FALLS, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
Ah, the inner conversations we produce when we are alone, juggling fear and other emotions as a guest in the wilderness, and it starts to get dark.
SHANNON MITCHELL, POSTMASTER, OCHOPEE POST OFFICE, FLORIDA
The people I met along the way in my travels through southern Florida were warm and friendly. Shannon Mitchell (shown above) started her work with the U.S. Post Office sixteen years ago. For the last nine years, she served as Postmaster of Ochopee, a rural region near Everglades City. Today, she supports 900 residents across 135 square miles. She has one staff member. She smiled and told me: "it's a lonnng, lonnng day for the mail carrier."
Shannon spoke about the qualities of her job and her gratitude for her work. This building (above) is her full post office. It's actually recorded as the smallest post office in all of the United States. The building was previously used to sell train tickets. Today, people come from all over the world for a quick visit and an opportunity to introduce themselves. Shannon receives postcards and presents from international strangers almost every day.
Her work space is roughly four feet wide by four feet deep with a view through a small door toward the swamp.
 SHANNON MITCHELL, POSTMASTER AT WORK, OCHOPEE, FLORIDA
Shannon spoke about the peaceful feeling she gains watching the deer gather nearby. She helped me recognize the wildlife camouflaged right before me. She seemed genuinely happy. One surprising note, if Shannon needs to use a restroom, she closes the post office and drives about two miles to a nearby restaurant. Harsh. I will try to remember her work requirements the next time I feel irritated by some small inconvenience.
 OSPREY IN FLIGHT, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
The many sounds within the wild open spaces, especially Everglades National Park, were captivating, unusual, and (mostly) wonderful. Large birds raise their wings and take flight. The thumping sound is loud and rhythmic. Tall reeds sway back and forth in a heavy breeze. A large alligator moves through the grass, across the mud, and into a river. The water parts and bubbles rise. The river moves to an eery silence. A massive black fly (roughly the size of a small bird) enters my car through the open window and panics with the recognition it may be trapped inside. Chaos ensues. 
OPEN MEADOW, GATE 7, FAKAHATCHEE STRAND STATE PARK, FLORIDA
Thousands of crickets chirp as bright light from the stars shines off flat water in the still of the night.
On my second evening in Everglades National Park, I happen upon an annual mating ritual. A massive troop of tree frogs move into full frolic. Belching, gurgling, eerching (a new word I just made up) fills the air.
SHARK VALLEY BIKE TRAIL, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
As one might expect, the weather during this trip was volatile. In a period of several days, I experienced bone rattling thunder and lightning, heavy rain, strong winds, blue skies and stillness, humidity, and high heat.
One stunning day, the temperature reached close to 100 degrees with no breeze. My California roots were on display. I was in a full sweat for hours as I explored the fabled Shark Valley on an old rented bicycle. I nearly melted. When I finished my outdoor expedition, I stumbled to the rental car, found a gas station, and self-medicated with about forty ounces of very cold soda pop and a serious chunk of ice cream. At the time, this healthy remedy seemed appropriate. Laughter.
SUNSET OVER THE GLADES, SOUTHERN EDGE BIG CYPRESS, FLORIDA
REDNECKS WARNED, PINECREST GAS STATION, FLORIDA
Birds, birds, and more birds of all kinds and colors, alligators and crocodiles, lizards, pythons, water moccasins, and other snakes, panthers, swarms of mosquitoes, hungry black flies, spiders of many types, bears, and a range of other critters as well as sunburned American men and woman of all ages and foreign travelers from around the globe may be encountered in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress Preserve. It's a bird watchers paradise.
HIKING PATH GUIDE, SHARK VALLEY, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
Locals say the bugs in the swamps during summer months are borderline unbearable. I can understand the hunger these insects must feel given the need to bite through alligator skin for a little sustained nourishment.
I arrived in Florida just before the deluge and still produced a hundred or so bites and bumps across my arms, neck, and legs - all part of the Florida experience.
CYPRESS PARADE, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
Photography in the swamps is a special challenge. The Everglades and most of Cypress Preserve are very flat and wet. So, it's tough to gain a perspective on the landscape. Gators, snakes, and other dangerous animals share the arena. So, one benefits from a healthy level of respect and caution. Small clumps of forest dot the horizon and often tempt the traveler to move and shift perspective. The light and clouds change often. Rain is common. There are few roads and paths through the marsh. The mud and water in the swamps can be of uncertain depth, softness, and flatness, yet one's tripod and boots seek stable ground. Humidity and heat can be a challenge for a photographer and the photographer's equipment. All these elements make the experience unique. I struggled at times and I tried lots of approaches to imagery that didn't work. I also found some creative encouragement and joy. It's wonderful to explore. I finished this adventure with great respect and admiration for the masters of Florida landscape photography, artists like Clyde Butcher.
ERIC ACEVEDO, BUFFALO TIGER AIRBOAT TOURS, MICCASKEE INDIAN RESERVATION
On my last day in southern Florida, I decided to take an airboat ride. Many companies provide this service. There are tours of all kinds in southern Florida. I chose an operator with rave reviews from TripAdviser - Buffalo TIger Airboats. Eric drove the boat and shared stories from his family history, the Miccaskee Indian Tribe. The wisdom of elders and other leaders within indigenous communities is often quite powerful. Much enjoyed.
A GATOR APPROACHES, MICCASKEE INDIAN RESERVATION, FLORIDA
 BABY GATORS AND ATTENTIVE BIRDS, MICCASKEE INDIAN RESERVATION, FLORIDA
The Florida Keys, Everglades National Park, and Big Cypress Preserve were on my "hope and wish to see" list. I was fortunate to make this journey. I look forward to the next time I have the chance to return.
I hope you enjoyed this missive and your Spring is off to a great start.
Jeff
PS: A few additional visual notes from Key West ... the Bohemian story.  PORCH LIFE, KEY WEST, FLORIDA
 CUBAN AMERICAN CONNECTION, OLD CEMETERY, KEY WEST
 A TRAVELER'S NOTES, KEY WEST, FLORIDA
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