My photography has taken me to some pretty neat places. I’ve shot all over Niceville, Destin, Seaside, and even Defuniak Springs. Yet, one of the most memorable places I ended up was in a bog in Niceville. I’m sure some of you are trying to figure out what in the world a bog is; well, a bog is a swampy marsh land that smells awful. Beyond awful. It could take you days to get the stench off if you fall in.
This particular bog is located across the street from Ruby Tuesday in Niceville. About 6 months ago, I entered a contest for nature photography of the local area. Big mistake. I am not a nature photographer, nor am I a person who enjoys contests. I had a day or two left to enter, so I asked around for the prettiest nature in all of the city.
A bog is the prettiest place in Niceville? Really, Aislinn? Hear me out. I pass by this place about once a week and usually around sunset. There are these white birds that sit on the dead tree stumps in the swamp in big flocks. I thought it would make a beautiful picture.
Ok put that thought on hold for two seconds while I let my ADHD take us on a side trip.
I like shoes. A lot. I’m not super obsessive, nor do I own 50 pairs of shoes, but I really love a good,sturdy pair of tennis shoes. For Christmas, my dad bought me this really nice pair that I wore while shooting to keep my feet from hurting. Spoiler: This story contains the demise of those shoes.
Back to the main story.
I parked my car, and left my cell phone and purse in my car(just like in a horror movie before someone gets killed off). I wanted to be very quiet, so that I wouldn’t scare the birds off. I took several pictures, but I really wanted to get closer in, so I stepped onto a wooden plank that had been left in the mud. While I was shooting, the plank slowly sank into the mud deeper and deeper. I, being too engrossed in the birds to notice, stepped back to get a better picture, and landed in 3 feet of bog mud. Now let’s get something straight. Bog mud is rather like quick sand in the way it does not seem to have a bottom to it.
When people panic, they usually freak out and their minds are a jumble of curse words and helplessness. My mind was shouting, “Save the equipment!!” and “You still have homework to do tonight; stop wasting time.” Thanks, brain. I’m glad your priorities are in order.
I managed to step on to dry land, save my equipment, but not my shoes. They are still rotting in that bog. Wanna know the best part? I didn’t even place in the contest!
Visit my website and spread the love. I love reading comments.
Until next time,
Aislinn
