Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

Ibis at sunset, Ten Thousand Islands NWR

On our way out of Everglades National Park, we decided to spend an evening photographing at Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This vast refuge, filled with swamps and mangroves, provides an ideal roosting site for birds.

When we arrived on a quiet weekday, the place was nearly empty, except for two or three other birdwatchers. Unlike some other wildlife refuges, there isn’t much of a trail system here—just one main road. A short way in, there’s a one-story birdwatching platform overlooking one of the main marshes. Climbing to the top gives you a great vantage point to watch birds flying in from all directions.

I walked to the end of the road and back, scouting for interesting compositions, but didn’t find many other options for photographers. The marsh extends on both sides of the road, and I noticed large slide marks along the banks—likely from alligators. If you visit in the dark, it’s worth keeping in mind that some big gators might be crossing the road at night.

As the sun set over the refuge, birds began gathering from all directions, roosting in the mangroves. A couple of my friends had photographed here the previous week and found it to be an excellent location for "birds in flight" photography. However, on this particular evening, the birds were flying in from the opposite direction—apparently influenced by wind conditions.

Once the birds started arriving, the scene turned into a cacophony of calls and movement. I initially tried capturing birds in flight but soon shifted my focus to the setting sun. My goal was to photograph birds silhouetted against the golden sky as they entered the rookery. I spent about ten minutes shooting and managed to capture some striking images of ibises soaring through the evening light.

Overall, this refuge is an intriguing location, definitely worth visiting a few more times—especially at sunrise or sunset.