Swamp Sanctuary: Cypress Knees and Boardwalk in Congaree National Park

A striking eye-level photograph of a narrow wooden boardwalk cutting through the heart of a flooded bottomland forest in Congaree National Park, South Carolina. The scene is dominated by tall, slender bald cypress and water tupelo trees reflecting in the dark, still waters. Dozens of cypress knees rise from the water's surface, creating a primeval and textured landscape. This image captures the quiet, immersive experience of exploring one of the most biodiverse temperate deciduous forests in the world.