Getting into nature with a busload of teenagers
By Philip Cardella February 13, 2026
Everglades National Park
On Tuesday the youngest kid and I went on a field trip with the kid's high school to Everglades National Park with about fifty juniors from the high school. My kid tried to convince me NOT to bring my camera(s) so I didn't bring the big dogs and then the teacher brought a Nikon with a 100-500 lens (he called it a bazooka) and I felt sad. But not really. I at least brought a nifty little point and shoot with a main feature of being nearly indestructible and waterproof to fifty feet deep (not that I've test that feature...yet).
It was a gorgeous, perfect day, and because of the drought we are in (meaning, there's little water in the Everglades and where there's water there is life) and the cold weather we had an abundance of wildlife to enjoy.
Sadly, my little camera seems pretty solid for macro (up close of small stuff) but not great for wild life.
It was a joy to watch high schoolers chill in the Everglades, taking in the sweet cool breeze, relaxing, looking for baby birds and just overall being out in nature.
It fills you with hope!
There are baby anhingas there but my little point and shoot camera, which was solid with the bee photo and some landscapes (and my phone--ditto), just wasn't up for the task for the birds.
So I had to go back the next morning with the big dogs (cameras, not actual dogs). Bummer.
Worth it!
Most of the best shots I got on Wednesday were along the Anhinga Trail in the Royal Palm Area of just inside the gates of Everglades National Park, about 45 minutes from Tropical Park in the Miami Area. But, I always try to get to the Flamingo area at the end of the Main Park Road (and the southern most road in the Continental United States).
These are just a sampling of what I shot on Tuesday and Wednesday that I liked–I discarded over a thousand photos I didn't like (yeah not having to pay for film!)! In other words, I captured these over the course of about 24 hours in Everglades National Park this week. If you're in South Florida and haven't been or haven't been recently, you have to go and do like the manatee mom (the calf was next to her but that photo isn't as good) and take a deep breath of the fresh air of the Everglades. I promise the abundance of life, despite the drought (and especially if you're with children!), will fill you with some of that infinite hope Dr. King was talking about.
All of these photos are available for purchase if you are interested. The 8x10 variety runs about $20. Email me for more information about these photos or check out my photo store.
