We know the bad-news reel gets old. It’s good to stop and remember what we’re working so hard to protect. Here’s your dose of Everglades zen.

Meet Robert Krayer

Robert Krayer, better known as @natural_wanders, is a self-described amateur photographer based out of Tampa, Florida, chronicling all the places that he visits on his days off. His shots, often starring the Everglades, capture stunning moments that never fail to awe and inspire us.

He took the shot above in early December, 2020, at Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park. As a Florida native, Robert describes the Everglades region as one of the few places in the state where the stars and Milky Way are truly on display. “I really enjoy astrophotography and it’s pretty rare that I get to go out and do it,” Robert told us. “It allows me to get creative and lets me play around with my camera more than any other kind of setting.”

“But there are times when I have to put the camera down and just look up. The night sky in the park is truly mesmerizing on a clear night.”

For other photographers interested in braving a dark Everglades for some stargazing, Robert offered this advice: “The best time to go is on a clear night with little to no moon. And if you’re worried about comfort, don’t forget to bring a ton of bug spray and a little battery-powered fan.”

Kudos to Robert for his reminder to all of us to pick our heads up out of the screens in front of us and remember to look up!

Watch our instagram for frequent features of his work.


Have an Everglades moment of zen worth sharing? Email us at info@everglades.org