Ding Darling NWR and Artie Morris in 2010

In the summer of 2009, I read in premier wildlife photographer Artie Morris' Bulletins and Notes Archive that he would not be visiting Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (DDNWR) for the first time in 11 years during his President's Week Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) of southwest Florida.

The master wildlife photographer, Artie Morris, above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

The reason for this Artie described as a decline in the wildlife photo opportunities observed over the past decade at the refuge.

In the most recent musings in his blog, Artie mentions getting himself and his gear crapped on by some birds observed. He is really serious in his work to do that for sure.

The Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) crew above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

I have made several trips to DDNWR in the last couple of years and had always been impressed by the diversity of wildlife seen at different times of the day and tidal situations.

Mr. Morris told me that his 11 February 2010 visit to the Ding Darling Refuge was unplanned while the weather here in Florida was too cold to take his clientele into the water at another planned venue at the time of his IPT.

The Great Egret above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

The unusually cold weather here in Florida this winter has been persistent to say the least. My last few beach trips have had me head to the car after my wildlife observations shivering uncontrollably.

There was relative seclusion from the northerly winds on the day of Artie's visit as the refuge is more of a see it from the road (Wildlife Drive) experience.

The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

Upon my arrival to the refuge, the IPT had already made a complete trip through the drive and had established itself at a great photographic location just beyond the entrance gate on its second trip through.

Co-leader of the IPT, Fabiola Forns, had told me that there was little opportunity upon the first trek through the sanctuary.

The White Ibis above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

When I had the opportunity to take my first photographs of Mr. Morris and others with him, I was surprised by the stance of the photographers. Comfortably on two feet they were, but certainly having taken a risk with their photo gear to get closer to the water's edge.

I would have been in the mud to document the Snowy Egret periodically dancing over the water in its search of food with numerous photo opportunities at hand.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

This was an extraordinary experience I have observed at this place before. The situation should only be expected again in early morning light with a very low tide.

At one point, I recall Artie hollering the correct exposure to be using under the circumstances. I was way off. I was significantly overexposing my images of the birds.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

It was my great pleasure to meet the down to earth co-leaders as well of the 2010 SWF IPT, Fabs and Arthur Forns. They were unpretentious and more than willing to share their expertise and have me meet everyone present affiliated with Bird Photographers Network.

There was a new word with seemingly great meaning added to the BPN lexicon while in the company of these fun people. Artie had called that a "wiggle" was needed. After clarification, the word summoned his group together for a trip down the road with a stop for lunch . . . I think.