View looking south, before the sunrise
This morning I decided to visit a favorite spot on the Timucuan Preserve - Round Marsh. This area has a raised platform and a 280 degree view of North Florida wetlands, a view that is iconic for the area. I parked at the trailhead for the Blue Trail in the Theodore Roosevelt parking lot. It was pitch dark and I had a 30 minute hike out to the platform. I really forgot about bringing a flashlight or headlamp, but there is always the phone! After about 25 minutes of walking the sky was beginning to lighten, also bringing out the mosquitoes. I was relieved to see the platform, empty. I have no problem sharing the view, but it somehow feels intrusive to disturb someone’s early morning experience.
I arrived early enough to make some photographs before the sunrise. This is often when everything is quiet, and I can settle down from the walk. Usually I’m running late and it’s a workout to haul a bunch of camera gear and setup before the magic happens.
I could see that the weather report was wrong and there were very few clouds. This is always disappointing because once the sun comes up things are essentially over. It’s useless for me to plan these trips so I let serendipity rule. I’m here and that’s the whole point of the experience.
A small band of clouds blocked the sun for a few minutes as the marsh started to wake up
Looking north, after the sun broke through the clouds