Every Florida landscape photographer knows the one thing we have in abundance is clouds. When the time is right, the clouds arrive to turn any landscape into an incredible sight. Having missed the thunderstorms and stupendous clouds of summer, I knew the cloud season was coming to an end. When the weather begins to cool and the sky turns gray we will all long for those massive clouds. It was midday and the clouds as I left my neighborhood Lowes were awesome, so I decided to head to Big Talbot Island to shoot some clouds. It’s about a 40 minute drive, and as I crossed the Dames Point Bridge and turned east on Hecksher Drive I noticed the sky beginning to clear. What? Undeterred, I kept driving and as I pulled into the parking lot at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp I was disappointed. I grabbed my camera and walked out to the launch area and waited. Weather changes fast in Florida. Within 10 minutes clouds began to arrive and I was ready. Before long I was back in business.
Looking west from Big Talbot Island
I really wanted a shot from Simpson’s Creek, and stopped at the pullout right before the bridge. No luck, no clouds of any consequence. Time to move on. Next stop, Alimacani Park at Ft. George Inlet at the foot of the big bridge as you are leaving Little Talbot Island. I could see some big clouds overhead and It was time to pull out the 17mm T/S lens.
From Hecksher Drive at the turnaround to Alimacani Park
Onwards to the Jim King Boat Ramp which has a nice park and long dock and Kayak launch area. Lots of people fishing here with a great view of the marsh on Clapboard Creek. I’m usually here early in the morning alone.
At the Jim King Boat Ramp looking at Clapboard Creek
From Hecksher Drive I headed north on New Berlin Road to Cedar Point on the Timucuan Preserve, another boat launch with a great view of marshes. Expectations were high. Ah, no one on the dock, just a few trucks with empty trailer in the parking area.
Cedar Point
From Cedar Point it’s a quick ride to Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve, with a kayak launch area and great views of the marsh on Clapboard Creek.
Clapboard Creek from the kayak launch area in the Pumpkin Hill Preserve
Next door is the Betz-Tiger Point Preserve, which is a Jacksonville regional park (good job Jacksonville!). There is a new observation dock called the Edwards Creek Day Use Area. The road was not open for vehicles, so there’s always a choice to walk (2 miles). Great view!
A great day in Jacksonville for marsh and clouds!
Edwards Creek Day Use Area