BLACKWATER GOLD

Whether you are fishing, taking photos, soaking up history, or just looking for an incredible place to paddle, the Okefenokee Swamp needs to be on your list. Located on the border of Georgia and Florida, the Okefenokee Swamp is a National Wildlife Refuge encompassing nearly half a million acres. Chris Funk introduces us to this mysterious wetland and shares why this home to alligators, birds, and an incredible array of wildlife is one of his favorite places to explore.

Words and Photography: Chris Funk

The black water of the Okefenokee was slick as glass as I readied my gear for the day. A nearby great egret squawked its disapproval at a blue heron trying to take its fishing spot, while red-shouldered hawks called for mates overhead. As the bow of my kayak slid from the bank, bright green lily pads shook, sending tiny mosquitofish in all directions. Across the canal, the lily pads moved, but didn’t stop when the ripples settled. It wasn’t long before the snout and eyes of a small alligator appeared above the surface. A quick scan revealed three others nearby. This is what I had hoped to experience on this adventure: To be surrounded by wildlife in a setting so incredibly beautiful that any picture taken would be worthy of printing;…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Paddle World 2017

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