06/02/2026
Back in March, I pointed my truck west and drove from Key West, Florida, all the way home to Livingston, Montana.
One of the things on my bucket list for years was taking an airboat ride through the Louisiana swamps. This year, I finally made it happen.
From a photography standpoint, it wasn't exactly ideal.
My choices were either to hire a private boat for a lot of money or hop on a tourist boat and take my chances. Since the only available trip was mid-morning and the light was going to be harsh anyway, I chose the tourist boat and figured I'd make the best of it.
Honestly, that's part of what I love most about photography.
You don't always know what you're walking into. You don't know what wildlife you'll see, what the light will do, what lens you'll wish you had mounted, or whether you'll come home with anything worth keeping at all.
The guide was fantastic, full of local history and wildlife knowledge, and as luck would have it, there weren't any kids on board. The alligators cooperated, the cypress swamps were beautiful, and I came home with a few images I really like.
The black and white images were an attempt to salvage some pretty harsh midday light, but I have to admit—I think the swamp scene may actually work better that way.
In the end, that's photography. You work with the conditions you're given, adapt, and hope to come away with a few images that tell the story.
For me, these photos will always remind me of a random day in Louisiana during a cross-country drive home, checking something off my bucket list, and enjoying the adventure along the way.
Which do you prefer—the color or the black-and-white versions?
