Snippet from Naturalist Francis Harper's work "Okefinokee Album" reads: "The Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminola) is the most common species of the swamp in the winter, but in the summer it is outnumbered by Rafinesque’s bat. We found this bat on Floyds, Billys, Jones, and Chessers islands, around Minnies Lake Run, Billys Lake, and Buzzard Roost Lake, and along the St. Marys River from Maclenny to Camp Pinckney. The first bats to appear in the evening seem to come from about two hundred feet and gradually descend to as low as ten feet. The Seminole bat averages somewhat smaller than the red bat, at least as far as the females are concerned."

Photo of Seminole Bat by J. Kaiser. https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Seminole-Bat.aspx

Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) are more prevalent in the winter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Bats are often associated with the moon, hidden mysteries, shadow work and more. Naturalist Francis Harper recorded this snippet in his work "Okefinokee Album" #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #WitchSky

Capturing the ‘mystical’ energy of the Okefenokee Swamp Over the past three years, photographer David Walter Banks has spent nearly 70 nights alone in the Okefenokee Swamp. His gorgeous, almost psychedelic images have been published in his new book, “Tremb...

Meant to share this yesterday for #SwampSunday - Wonderful article and INCREDIBLE photography from my beloved Okefenokee Swamp! #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia #WitchSky

www.cnn.com/interactive/...

Map

This is Southeast Georgia, and the whole of Okefenokee swamp and all of its islands. #georgiaculture #okefenokeeswamp #alligators

Q&A posted to UGA Coastal Ecology Lab's FB page about the alligator congregation (3 of 3):
www.facebook.com/share/v/1B3W...

#SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia

Initially posted to UGA Coastal Ecology Lab's FB page (2 of 3):
www.facebook.com/share/v/1594...

#SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia

The last week of July brought a rare occurrence to the Okefenokee Swamp - An alligator congregation. Upwards of 300 alligators were present in a small area near Billy's Lake. It is not known exactly why a congregation happens. (1 of 3 )
#SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia

Victory at the Edge of the Swamp A six-year fight to save a natural wonder ends with a stunning deal.

open.substack.com/pub/morethan... #okefenokee #okefenokeeswamp #titanium

$60 million deal ends mining threat to Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp - The Current Twin Pines Minerals agrees to sell its land near Okefenokee Swamp to The Conservation Fund, ending the threat of mining.

HUGE victory for the #OkefenokeeSwamp !!

Also, looks like Twin Pines should have the money to pay off all their owed taxes and fees now...

Historic land deal halts mining project next to Okefenokee Swamp The move puts an immediate halt to a project that scientists and environmentalists had feared could irreparably damage North America’s largest blackwater swamp.

We’re still smiling for the #OkefenokeeSwamp! 🐊 Friday’s victory is the fruit of faithful action, years of advocacy, and deep love for our Common Home. 🎉 #FaithInAction
www.ajc.com/business/202...

Image copyright to Mike Luckovich/AJC. Cartoon drawing shows the animals of the Okefenokee Swamp thanking the Conservation Fund for brokering a deal to buy land, thereby protecting the Okefenokee from a long controversial mining business. This mine would have horrible consequences on Georgia's TREASURE - the Okefenokee Swamp.

Thank you to the Conservation Fund for saving Georgia's beloved TREASURE: The Okefenokee Swamp. I cannot express my heartfelt thanks enough. Next fight - having the Okefenokee declared UNESCO status. (Many rabid locals fighting against this btw!) #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia #WitchSky

AJC Editorial: A heroic deal to save the Okefenokee, Georgia's Yellowstone The Okefenokee Swamp is a jewel that was threatened by mining interests. A new deal saves it for the benefit of generations of Georgians to come.

A great victory to preserve the state’s greatest natural treasure. Thank you, #ConservationFund. #OkefenokeeSwamp #GA #naturalresources

Conservation Fund buys land from Twin Pines to stop Okefenokee mining

Victory for the Okefenokee! 🎉 The Conservation Fund purchased Twin Pines land, halting a devastating mining project. #OkefenokeeSwamp #ConservationWin #SaveTheSwamp

Conservation group makes $60M land deal to end mining threat outside Okefenokee Swamp

$60M land deal secures Okefenokee Swamp's future! 🎉 A conservation group's massive purchase blocks a devastating mining project, protecting this vital ecosystem. #OkefenokeeSwamp #ConservationWin #LandProtection

Historic land deal halts mining project next to Okefenokee Swamp The move puts an immediate halt to a project that scientists and environmentalists had feared could irreparably damage North America’s largest blackwater swamp.

Breaking news!! IT IS STOPPED!!!! My heart is so happy. 💚 This just released!! #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia #WitchSky

www.ajc.com/business/202...

Mining project near the Okefenokee Swamp has stalled over a $2M permit requirement A hotly debated mining project near the federally protected Okefenokee Swamp has stalled over a $2 million permit requirement needed before Georgia regulators make a final decision.

Stalled is good. Completely abandoned & NOT going to happen will be even better! #OkefenokeeSwamp #Georgia #FolkWitch #WitchSky

apnews.com/article/okef...

Twin Pines' financial woes stall mining permits near Okefenokee Swamp - The Current Twin Pines Minerals has not submitted the required $2.1 million bond to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, while two lawsuits filed by Danish and California companies allege breach of cont...

Bureaucracy and environmental opposition aren't the only things stalling Twin Pines' mining operations along Trail Ridge and the #OkefenokeeSwamp — there's a vital chunk of change missing from the table too.

Murkmaid and the Swamp Puppy (Part II) ~ There is one thing Tricia wants to know about the Okefenokee: Is it true that if you drink the water from the swamp, you’re cursed?

“Follow the alligator?! Are you trying to get us eaten? Are you crazy?!” Coleman’s voice was an octave higher than normal. I guess he really did only like gators when he was shielded safely behind his camera lens. #OkefenokeeSwamp #IndieAuthors

Photo by: John Petruzzi. Their breasts and bellies are white with black or dark brown round spots like a Dalmatian's. They have dull white rings around their eyes. Like many other thrushes, wood thrushes have unusually large eyes, which helps them see and navigate in the shady forests they prefer.

Known for its ethereal song & the ability to sing in two voices simultaneously, the Wood Thrush is more often heard than seen in the Okefenokee Swamp. Hearing a "Swamp Angel" sing its beautiful song near your house is said to be very good luck. (1 of 2) #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #FolkWitch

Photo of Eastern Screen Owl - or as the swampers called it “scrich owl” or "freeze owl".

An entry from Francis Harper's "Okefinokee Album", mentions the Chesser family of swampers. I find their remedy for stopping a screech owl from scaring you quite intriguing! The index finger is often associated with Jupiter, and authority/confidence/power. "How to Stop Owls from Scaring You: According to Jack Mizell and Arthur Hickox, a “scrich owl” will stop making its dreadful noise if you pull your pocket inside out. Jack added that the “freeze owl” will not holler anymore if someone throws salt in a fire. The Chessers had another remedy: hook your pointing fingers together and pull each hand as hard as you can without breaking the hooked fingers."

An entry from Francis Harper's "Okefinokee Album", mentions the Chesser family of swampers. I find their remedy for stopping a screech owl from scaring you quite intriguing! The index finger is often associated with Jupiter, and authority/confidence/power. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #FolkWitch

Save North America’s Largest Blackwater Swamp Protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from risky mining operations. This vast wilderness is like no other place on earth. But, corporations have proposed to mine this fragile region for comm...

GEORGIA RESIDENTS: Please take a moment for your voice to be heard. Help protect our beloved Okefenokee Swamp! #Georgia #OkefenokeeSwamp

protectgeorgia.org/okefenokee/#...

Quote from "Suwannee River: Strange Green Land" by Cecile Hulse Matschat, published 1938.

Cunning Folk look to nature for knowledge of healing, hexing, and how to live in harmony with the Land. There is much to be learned from the Song of the Okefenokee, as sung by the prevalent frog species there. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #WitchSky #FolkWitch (1 of 2 - recording in second post!)

The people of the Okefenokee Swamp had a tradition of "hollering". Similar to a yodel, these songs/sounds were a way of communicating at a distance. Frances Harper recorded Tom Chesser back in 1944 demonstrating hollering. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp (1 of 4) PHOTO: Wade Chesser, hollering. Photographer Francis Harper.

The people of the Okefenokee Swamp had a tradition of "hollering". Like a yodel, these songs/sounds were a way of communicating at a distance. Frances Harper recorded Tom Chesser back in 1944 demonstrating hollering. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp (1 of 3)

Capitol Conservation Day — Georgia Interfaith Power and Light Join us for Capitol Conservation Day with our Georgia Water Coalition partners and take action for Georgia’s water! This year, we’re advocating for permanent protections for the Okefenokee Swamp and a...

📢 Capitol Conservation Day is Next Week—Register Now: gipl.org/events/ccd25

💧 Join us and fellow Georgia Water Coalition partners on Tuesday, March 4 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Capitol to advocate for the #OkefenokeeSwamp and Forever Chemicals transparency.

#FaithInAction #cleanwaterforall

2 House bills introduced to protect Okefenokee Two bills have been introduced in the Georgia House with intentions of protecting the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining, the Georgia Rivers Network reported.

Today, two important bills—HB 561 and HB 562—were introduced in the Georgia House to protect the #OkefenokeeSwamp. Tell your representatives this sacred place is worth protecting. ✊ Take action now at gipl.org/gaaction!

www.wsav.com/environmenta...

From naturalist Francis Harper in his book "Okefinokee album". - Entry reads: "How a Boy Can Tell If a Girl Loves Him "We just gather a handful of love vine [Cuscuta compacta, an epiphyte] and locate us a bunch of bushes to put it on. Then we take it in our hands and take it around over our heads, throw it and let it lodge on those bushes. Then we name it a girl like we want to. If it lives, we figger she loves us. If it dies, we figger she don't. We take it this away around our head and throw it and not look back at the present time. We come back later on to see if it's died or lives"-Lang Johns."

Image showing the plant "love vine" [Cuscuta compacta] which was used in southern conjure for love spells.

Wonderful lore from the Okefenokee Swamp was collected by naturalist Francis Harper in his book "Okefinokee album". He visited our area repeatedly between 1912-1951. Love magic is a cornerstone of southern conjure!#SwampSunday #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #FolkWitch #WitchSky #Conjure

💌🐊 This #ValentinesDay, show some love for the Wild Heart of Georgia! The #OkefenokeeSwamp is a sacred and irreplaceable treasure that needs our protection. Stand up for Georgia’s iconic wetland today! Send a message to your elected leaders: gipl.org/gaaction #SaveTheSwamp

Traditional poled boats, suited to maneuvering in tight water, were used in the days of alligator hunting and frog gigging. The swamp is now a federal wildlife refuge. Courtesy of Zach S. Henderson Library, Georgia Southern University, Delma E. Presley Collection of South Georgia History and Culture.

I'd love to know what this sounded like!
Okefenokee Swampers: "Hoot of the Deer Owl: deep booming sound used as a distress signal when anyone was lost or hurt. It would carry for miles effectively bring help." Dictionary of American Folklore, 1959 #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp

Artist unknown. Please advise if you know the artist. Shows a man in a swamp seeing "swamp lights" aka Will-o’-The-Wisp or Ignis Fatuus. The ones seen in the Okefenokee are often green with a blue hue.

Beautiful lights dancing in the swamp. Science says it's methane gas. Cunning Folk know better. Don't follow them into the swamp: their playful fire warns of impending doom.

#SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #FolkWitch #WitchSky

A bit of folklore / folk magic from Francis Harper's "Okefinokee Album" for how to stop owls from scaring you. The specific owl mentioned is a Screech Owl. This bit of folk magic involves hooking your index fingers together while pulling each hand away, as hard as possible, without breaking the hooked fingers apart. The index finger is often associated with Jupiter, and authority/confidence/power.

Photo of Georgia's most common owl: the Eastern screech-owl. Owls in general have a large body of folklore beliefs about their meaning. Screech Owls are often associated with Lilith.

An entry from Francis Harper's "Okefinokee Album", mentions the most family family of swampers, the Chesser family. I find their remedy for this quite intriguing! The index finger is often associated with Jupiter, and authority/confidence/power. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #WitchSky #FolkWitch

Entry of folklore collected by Frances Harper on one of his many visits to the Okefenokee Swamp in South Georgia. "How a Boy Can Tell If a Girl Loves Him"

Photo of Cuscuta compacta, also known as compact dodder, is a parasitic plant that wraps around host plants and steals nutrients and water from them. Found in the Okefenokee Swamp and S GA region of the USA.

This lore was collected by naturalist Francis Harper in his book "Okefinokee album". He visited our area repeatedly between 1912-1951. Cuscuta compacta / compact dodder, is parasitic, aka: “Strangleweed,” “Devil Guts,” and “Witches Shoelaces”. #SwampSunday #OkefenokeeSwamp #WitchSky