Welcome to the Jungle by Paul Marcellini

Thursday, 23rd July 2009

Welcome to the Jungle

by Paul Marcellini

The swamp is a visually intense experience. I don’t think anything else could be crammed in these forests. The epiphytes cover the trees, the moccasins are hiding under the logs, spiders build webs across every opening. Slow moving, but that’s how it should be.
I don’t usually come away with stunners when I go into the swamp, but I always enjoy it.
This shot was midday, backlit and begged for bw. The foreground is gator tracks and tail drags, with a few bird and otter prints mixed in.
These aren’t cypress. These are rather large pond apples (Annona glabra). There are some largish cypress in the area but the old growth is not standing. This is the center of a cypress strand, most have a pond in the center, the only remaining water in the dry season.

Equipment: Canon 5d2, Canon 16-35 2.8 II

Paul Marcellini

Naturalist and nature photographer based in Miami, FL

www.paulmarcellini.com

30 Comments

Billy B Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am
A little witch hollow action. Cool picture and and even cooler story behind it.
Denise Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 am
Cool, looks like a painting.
mike Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 am
Some big tree there. Wow. I love swamp pictures.
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 am
Oooooooo…….creepy! I can see all sorts of gnomes and tree people in those gnarled trunks and limbs. I think the gator tracks are even scarier than knowing where the gator is….right now…
Very nice shot–much more impact in b/w than it would have been in color!
Leslie Parsley Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:26 am
I agree with Katherine’s interpretation. I can picture liittle withces moving along with pails, the gnomes sitting around the bases of the the trees and the tree people doing what tree people do. It is a stunning photo. Only bw could do it justice. I hope we’ll get to see more.
Leslie Parsley Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:34 am
This is a note to all the photographers. You have no idea the amount of pleasure I get from viewing the photos. I positioned the photo at the top of the IGoogle screen so when I’m having trouble writing I can look at the pic and get reinvigerated and even inspired. Everyone does a fine job and I’m glad I stumbled into you.
su Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 am
Thanks for the info, it gives a great insight into the area. Never mind the tree people folks think of the giant spiders! Great shot.
John Harrison Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Nicely done. Like the monochrome! That really gives it a perfect balance. Moods and tone. Very creepy and could be a movie backdrop. Keep shooting! John
Pauline Jones Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Coooool! Great photo, brilliant location, I would love to go there. We don’t have gators or giant spiders in Ireland, I would love to paint and photograph them. And I echo Leslie’s comments, these photos lift my day and can provide much inspiration.
Malta Photography Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
very dramatic shot indeed very well achieved.
SérgioLuísSilva Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Excelent work with great (and dramatic)impact in b/w. Great shot!
Michael Groves Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
Witch Hollow indeed – I wouldn’t go anywhere near that place!! One of the best shots of the month!
wanda krack Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
Wow, what a wonderful black and white!! I see ‘pictures’ within pictures within this picture!
andrea tritico Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
It seeps into your skin and wraps around you to smoother you while you languish struggling until a warmth brings you to the end… the swamp great photo!
planet lover Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Fantastic photo and a great story! But, WHAT WERE YOU DOING in such inhospitable place? This would be a picture of my worst nightmare, with a big swamp rat lurking behind a tree to boot!
Nicole Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Very nice!!! I’d show this to Tim Burton for his next horror film
Don Stilton Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
If you are in Miami is this a part of the Everglades? I love the Everglades and this is a great photo . . . swamps have so much life and at 63 I never tire of visiting them and phtographing them.
Ellen Empson Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
WOW. Imaginative and creative composition. THanks for the detailed info, I have enjoyed taking a mind scape to this swamp!
Grade “A” stunning image.
Robert F Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Its little Creepy and artistic and the same time if you ask me!
Miriam Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
It is not often we get to see muddy swamp shots. There is amazing textures in this, and it is fabulous in B&W. Great info. on the details; this image is very alive!
Renee Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Looks very erie!! Great shot!
Grete Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Impressive and fantastic photo in sepia color. Congratulations Paul!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
You must be one heck of a story-teller, Paul. You brought us into the swamp with your description & wonderful picture!
beth Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
This is an amazing image…and am I the only one who sees hobbit houses!?!? Seriously, thanks for answering all my questions (tree species and critter tracks). I think that film makers need to see this image…honestly, out of this world!!!
Dianne Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Wow what a story! I see a very old person with the roots of their lives exposed. All knarly and bent, wrinkled and used amongst his peers. Gators, spiders, leaches, all traces that could be the dangers that still pursue one’s energies as they age. Still, the branches reach upward toward light, hope exposed… near water, the source of life..Very good photography, encourages my imagination to write. Thank you.
Tim Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’m on the other side of the everglades from where this was probably taken, but I’ll vouch for his story Welcome to sunny south Florida. Spiders, snakes, and alligators, oh my.
Kirk Jordan Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Creepy like and old fashioned film. What you can’t see is scarier than what you can. I keep waiting for something to jump out and say “boo.”
Paul Marcellini Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Thanks everyone for the great response. Yes this is the “Everglades”. It is actually in Big Cypress National Preserve but its all one big ecosystem that starts up by Orlando and the water flows down to the southern tip of Florida. I actually really enjoy it out there.

Thanks again,
Paul
MATE Says:
July 24th, 2009 at 12:51 am
amazing i love how it looks timeless and mystical
Malcolm Says:
July 26th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Fascinating subject, spot on composition – well done!