Swamps and Wetlands
“My temple is the swamp… When I would recreate myself, I seek the darkest wood, the thickest and most impenetrable and to the citizen, most dismal, swamp. I enter a swamp as a sacred place, a sanctum sanctorum… I seemed to have reached a new world, so wild a place…far away from human society. What’s the need of visiting far-off mountains and bogs, if a half-hour’s walk will carry me into such wildness and novelty.”
-Henry David Thoreau, Walden and Other Writings
When Timber Makes One Still 
Thoreau was so right about having a place that is only a few minutes away that you can go to renew your spirit by enjoying nature. I have such a place. It is called Dogwood Pond. It is only about a 10 minute drive from where I work, so I like to go there during my lunch break to commune in nature. There are some natural springs and a pond where there are turtles. There is a boardwalk that traverses a swampy area. I feel so refreshed going back to work after lunch. Great pics Tom! Thanks for sharing.
I spent years of my life equating “swamp” with the Great Dismal Swamp. Then, I started visiting Louisiana, and discovered that “seasonally flooded woodland” was a better description than “dank, muddy, reptile infested horror.” Your photos really capture the liveliness of a swamp: places I understand now as being almost continually in motion, and not at all dismal. With spring coming, it may be time for a return trip.
I too love swamps, and hitherto thought it was unusual (few in my circles share this reverence).
I even read Walden, but don’t recall Thoreau agreeing with me.
I like the tree-laden swamps myself, and they’re always a good place for bird-watching.
Paz
Beautiful green wilderness in your photos. I like the Thoreau quote.
Absolutely stunning! Wonderful quote 🌞
Thanks much!
Everyone of your photos is a work of art. Thanks for brightening my day.
Thanks for your kind words : )
Love Thoreau’s quote! Swamps and wetlands are my ‘go-to’ places for serenity. 🙂
Agreed : )