The Long Mangrove

Florida Keys

Located in the heart of the Florida Panhandle, Dead Lakes is believed to be formed when sand bars created by water flowing from the Apalachicola was blocked up by the Chipola River, which flooded the forests and created a lake within the trees. The high flood waters killed many of the trees, but left one of the most beautiful rivers of the Florida Panhandles, along with a thriving ecosystem for plants, trees, and wildlife. As part of my ongoing documentary series, Florida 67, I photographed this landscape while chasing thunderstorms across the Panhandle. This image was honored with the $3500 Mayor’s Award at the 2014 Gasparilla Art Festival.