THOMPSON PINE ISLAND ROAD 2 © 1984

Everglades National Park, FL

Oscar Thompson taught me about the swamp, and we became close friends through our shared love of photography and nature. We explored, walked along the roads, and photographed as we got to know each other. One day, as we were driving through Big Cypress National Preserve, Oscar suddenly pulled over on the side of the road and marched right into the swamp. I was stunned and alone on the side of the road. Despite my serious apprehension, my pride propelled me to follow him, acting as though I wasn’t afraid. Along the way, I was astounded by the clarity of the water and all the beauty I had missed from my roadside view. Oscar was responsible for my baptism in swamp water that day. This experience profoundly changed my life, and I will always be grateful to him. Thompson Pine Island Road 2 was the first photograph I took in the swamp. This photograph is printed on a large format Epson printer using genuine Epson ink and archival Harman Hahnemuhle paper. Each photograph is digitally signed, then mounted and matted to current archival standards. This is a limited edition series and each photograph is numbered.