Every day before dawn they saddle their horses, coil their lariats and whips, and ride out to work the herds. They are Florida Cowboys--living legacies of the longest history of ranching in America. They are also the guardians of the landscape they share with endangered wildlife and irreplaceable wetlands.

Drive a few miles down the road from Disney World and you'll cross a ranch with more cattle than any other in North America. Carlton Ward's stunning images reveal a world at the heart of Florida that few tourists--or residents--ever see. These postcards will take your breath away with their raw beauty and grit.