Florida’s landscape in black and white

Sunlight filtering through the oak hammock in Mayakka State Park.

After 25 years of hiking in Florida, I’ve developed an appreciation for the small details in the landscape, which others may miss. Florida’s landscape is often nothing but a sea of green and to the untrained eye. However, one of the things I love most about Florida’s landscape is how the light plays through the trees, reflects off the water and highlights the grass.

Grass along the bank of Lake Prevatt in Wekiwa Springs

The Forest Service frequently uses controlled burns to manage undergrowth. I’ve hiked right after these burns and even passed by flaming logs. After the burn, the landscape is transformed into a strangely beautiful forest of charred Earth studded with trees. Sunlight dapples the ground amplifying the surrealistic feel.

Pine forest after a burn.

I’ve published many photos of Florida’s all-green landscape over the years, but one day I realized that all of the images looked similar. Then I came up with an idea, I’d transform the shots to black and white so that the shapes and light become the focus instead of the green.

These shots are a few from my collection that I decided to start with. They were shot in various parks around the state, but most are from Wekiwa State Park near my home. I hope this experiment helps you see the beauty in Florida’s landscape through my eyes.