Posted by Barry Vangrov on March 12, 2012 at 2:06 PM
Will be in Jacksonville for a show in a couple of weeks and I'm planning to stop at the Okefanoke for a day or so of shooting on the way back. Any suggestions of shooting locations would be appreciated. I'll access the park from the east (staying in Kingsland) and I'm looking to shoot landscapes rather than birds/animals.
Barry,
I teach 5 workshops a year at Okefenokee NWR. The Folkston (East Entrance) is the one you'll want to use, NOT the Waycross entrance. Sadly the last really big fire took out the boardwalk to the observation tower. That was primo for lovely landscapes and birds. The good news is that it also took out much underbrush and now that it's "re-greened" there are lots of lovely landscape views all along the only road, Swamp Island Drive. Get there for sunrise and go to just past marker #4. There will be a pond with gators on your right. To your left the sun will come up behind the pines and it's a killer sunrise spot. After it's up, you can drive leisurely along Swamp Island Drive and pull over anywhere you want when you see a scape you like.
There is a restored homestead which has tons of potential for detail work. In the ditches along the road in several places it's almost certain to see more gators. For more landscape work, I recommend going on one of the boat rides from Okefenokee Adventures. The water is still not back to normal levels but you can still get wonderful shots of the water prairies. A perfect end for the day if you have the energy is their sunset boat ride and you'll have memory cards full of lovely landscapes. Tell Oke Adventures I sent you.
Have fun. It's a wonderful place full of great photo opportunities.
John
Posted by Barry Vangrov on March 13, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Thanks John. Great info.
Barry
Posted by Bill Leggett on March 26, 2012 at 7:12 PM
Barry,
I've gone to the Okefenokee maybe a dozen times since the early '90s on Thanksgiving. Have always gone to Stephen Foster SP on the southwest side, and either camped out or stayed in a cottage. There's not much in the way of landscape without a boat. But from the park launching ramp, you can either bring your own boat, or rent either a canoe, kayak or flatboat. The staff is very friendly and helpful. You can wonder around with a motorboat, but with limits. Some of the more interesting scenery is on the north fork of the Suwannee. In a motorboat you can go about 5 miles up the stream of the north fork. The main course of the Suwannee is worth a look as well. Have fun!
Discussion
3 repliesThanks!
Barry
I teach 5 workshops a year at Okefenokee NWR. The Folkston (East Entrance) is the one you'll want to use, NOT the Waycross entrance. Sadly the last really big fire took out the boardwalk to the observation tower. That was primo for lovely landscapes and birds. The good news is that it also took out much underbrush and now that it's "re-greened" there are lots of lovely landscape views all along the only road, Swamp Island Drive. Get there for sunrise and go to just past marker #4. There will be a pond with gators on your right. To your left the sun will come up behind the pines and it's a killer sunrise spot. After it's up, you can drive leisurely along Swamp Island Drive and pull over anywhere you want when you see a scape you like.
There is a restored homestead which has tons of potential for detail work. In the ditches along the road in several places it's almost certain to see more gators. For more landscape work, I recommend going on one of the boat rides from Okefenokee Adventures. The water is still not back to normal levels but you can still get wonderful shots of the water prairies. A perfect end for the day if you have the energy is their sunset boat ride and you'll have memory cards full of lovely landscapes. Tell Oke Adventures I sent you.
Have fun. It's a wonderful place full of great photo opportunities.
John
Barry
I've gone to the Okefenokee maybe a dozen times since the early '90s on Thanksgiving. Have always gone to Stephen Foster SP on the southwest side, and either camped out or stayed in a cottage. There's not much in the way of landscape without a boat. But from the park launching ramp, you can either bring your own boat, or rent either a canoe, kayak or flatboat. The staff is very friendly and helpful. You can wonder around with a motorboat, but with limits. Some of the more interesting scenery is on the north fork of the Suwannee. In a motorboat you can go about 5 miles up the stream of the north fork. The main course of the Suwannee is worth a look as well. Have fun!