As the sun rose through the thick humidity of south Florida, I heard a cacophony of sounds as I approached this waterway in Big Cypress National Preserve. The water seemed to be boiling, with smaller splashes of fish jumping and birds grabbing, and larger splashes of alligators snapping their jaws. The sound was almost deafening, but I never felt so alive, and to be a part of this amazing natural world. Nor have I ever seen such an abundance of birds, especially wood storks, which are not common to see. And those hungry alligators - so many in one place!

I watched this great egret start stretching its neck toward the water and suddenly flapping its wings. I caught the shot as the egret skimmed across the water on the hunt, surrounded by alligators patiently waiting for their next meal. You can almost feel the heat in the golden light shimmering in the air and water. I love the translucent light coming through the wings of the egret and the graceful movement, as if dancing across the water like a ballerina.