I must admit, swamp ecosystems hold a certain fascination with me. There is something of a primordial feel, especially in the spring and summer. The visual imagery is so unique - large tree trunks and cypress knees rising from the water, the calm surface covered with algae as a snake effortlessly glides among the trees. Then there is the symphony of sounds enlivening the senses. During winter there is a stillness, the silence punctuated by the occasional sound of a bird perhaps. The greens give way to cool colors in evening light and the bare bones of the skeleton which supports this living, breathing world become evident.

While visiting southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest I have had several occasions to enter this world of swamps and capture the imagery. The Cache River watershed contains cypress-tupelo swamps and numerous points of access into this ecosystem. I have visited the cypress swamp at Heron Pond twice and never encountered anyone. The numerous access points along the Cache River afford easy access into this world as well. Enjoy the images of this gallery and keep tuned as I continue to add to it from time to time with future visits.