Swamp Stomp sign-up

Reservations are now being taken for the 11th-annual guided swamp walk hosted by Clyde Butcher and his wife, Niki. Butcher, black-and-white landscape photographer extraordinaire — often compared with well known photographer Ansel Adams — invites the public to his Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee for a weekend of festivities September 2-4.

The swamp walk originated spontaneously at Butcher's Labor Day open house, where he exhibited his art. It was a casual atmosphere and Butcher suggested to his guests, "Let's all go for a swamp walk." The intent was to educate the visitors about Everglades ecology, about which he is so passionate.

Clyde and Niki continued to take gallery-goers on muck-abouts (a walk through the swamp) every year and started charging a fee in 2002 to cover expenses, with the remainder going to local environmental organizations.

Called the "Swamp Stomp," this outing has become increasingly popular. The Butchers, with immense help from daughter Jackie Obendorf (who "runs the whole kit and caboodle") and 40 volunteers, will welcome 500 to 600 people a day, Saturday and Sunday, and about 200 on Monday. A maximum of 20 people will be in a tour group with at least two guides per walk.

Last year, 2,000 people signed up but only 1,200 attended. The event took place a week after Hurricane Katrina and in the midst of a gas crisis.

In addition to the muck-about, activities include live Florida folk music performed on guitar and banjo by Cindy Hackman and Valerie Wisecracker. The walk and the environment are the general themes of their lyrics. Butcher was so enamored by their songs, he invested in their CD, which will debut at the Swamp Stomp, available for purchase.

Large-format camera demonstrations and environmental booths set up by organizations such as Friends of Big Cypress, Rookery Bay, Florida Trail Association and the National Parks Association are among the weekend attractions.

Long-haired, full-bearded Butch, who wears an eye patch and carries a bull whip (alluding to Florida "crackers" who brandished them), is returning to tell stories of old Florida. "He's a hoot!" exclaimed Obendorf.

Of course, there will be food available and an awning-covered picnic area to enjoy it while listening to the live folk music. A volunteer cartoonist, who has participated in the past, will be sketching people coming out of the swamp or sitting for a portrait. He sells his artwork for donations.

A sneak preview of Butcher's "America the Beautiful" exhibit will be accessible to lucky participants of the weekend. The College of William & Mary, in Virginia, has sponsored the artist to create this collection. It premieres at the college's museum in August 2007 before it travels across the country, between 2008 and 2011, to cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Clyde and Niki are "photographing the country" for "America the Beautiful" all summer.

Another project of Butcher's can be sampled by guests. His PBS documentary, "Apalachicola River — An American Treasure," will be shown, in part, in a makeshift theater created from a Ted's Shed. "It's a great film and it will be a chance to cool off in the air-conditioning for a little while," said Obendorf.

The walk is sure to be a memorable experience. "People come from all walks of life and, together, we all are as one," reflected Obendorf. "The volunteers are (fantastic) — we've all become one big family. We're all go-with-the-flow people."

To make reservations for the Labor Day Swamp Stomp or for more information, visit www.clydebutcher.com or call (239) 695-2428.