Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Winter Morning With the Birds of Wakodahatchee

In January of 2020, Geoffrey spent a cool winter morning walking the boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida. The wetlands are famous for their incredible concentration of birds, and on this visit, the camera filled quickly.

Every few steps, there was something new to watch. Birds hunting in the shallows, drying their wings in the sun, or perched quietly in the trees above the marsh.

We're sharing a few of the species Geoffrey photographed that morning. With so much wildlife in one place, it made sense to break the visit into a couple of parts.

Anhinga

An anhinga perched high in the mangroves, its long neck lifted toward the morning light. These birds spend much of their time underwater hunting fish, then climb out and sit quietly while their wings dry.

Little Green Heron

A green heron standing motionless in the shallows, watching the water for movement. Their patience is remarkable. They can stand perfectly still for minutes before striking.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

High above the marsh, a red-shouldered hawk scans the trees and water below. Their sharp calls are one of the most familiar sounds in Florida wetlands.

Double-Crested Cormorant

A double-crested cormorant resting deep in the branches. After long stretches of diving for fish, these birds often retreat to the trees to watch the wetlands below.

Wood Stork

A wood stork standing over its nest among the branches. With a wingspan of more than five feet, these birds are among the largest and most distinctive residents of Florida's wetlands.

Mornings like this are why Geoffrey always brings a camera. Watching how birds move, balance, and interact in the wild is often where ideas for future sculptures and paintings begin.

Below are a few examples of how those moments in the field eventually make their way into the studio.

From the Wetlands to the Studio

Sweetwater Heron

Double-Crested Cormorant

Wood Stork

Wakodahatchee is one of those places where a short walk can turn into hours of watching birds move through the marsh. This was only part of what Geoffrey photographed that morning.

More from this visit in Part 2.