WHILDEN’S POND 4 © 2002

Big Cypress Gallery

We constructed our home behind the gallery near a serene pond teeming with birds. This pond is affectionately called Whilden’s Pond in honor of Leon Whilden, the land’s previous owner. Throughout the winter season, an abundance of birds flock to the pond, creating a spectacle akin to having the Discovery Channel right outside our cottage window. Capturing these avian wonders with a large-format camera requires precise exposure settings, which can be challenging. To overcome this, I strategically positioned Niki’s Pentax 6” x 7″ camera, equipped with a 1200mm lens, so I could conveniently photograph them by simply opening a window. My favorite approach to bird photography involves sitting in the comfort of our air-conditioned sunroom, allowing me to enjoy this hobby to the fullest. The Great Egret The great egret stands in stark contrast to most of its wetland habitat with its jet-black legs, keen yellow eyes, regal pose, and suit of brilliant white feathers. There are 17 wading bird species in the Everglades, and each has a unique method of capturing food. A great egret stands still atop a branch or walks stealthily through shallow waters searching for fish, frogs, freshwater eels, and even young snakes and alligators. When it finds its prey, the egret delivers a deadly jab with its dagger-like bill. When surrounding wet prairies have dried up, and fish have retreated to the only remaining water holes, ponds such as this become opportune vistas for observing wildlife and their distinctive behavioral patterns. Whilden’s Pond 4 was taken with a Pentax 6×7 camera on Ilford XP2 film. This photograph is hand-printed in Clyde’s darkroom on fiber-based paper, selenium toned, then mounted and matted to current archival standards. The photograph is a limited edition and signed by Clyde. Camera settings f/22 | 1200mm Takumar lens| 1/4 second Disclaimer – Cropping, contrast, and image density may vary. To learn more about the darkroom printing process, click here.