Sunrise in the Everglades

The Everglades is one of those magical places in the U.S. that feels untouched by time. Stepping into its vast marshes is like stepping back into an ancient world.

In early February, a couple of friends and I set out for Everglades National Park. We were staying in South Florida and woke up at 4:30 a.m. to make the drive. After an uneventful couple of hours on the road, we arrived at the park. Since it was a weekday, traffic was minimal, and the place felt serene and untouched.

We began driving down the main park road towards Flamingo, enveloped in a thick, mystical fog. The entire landscape looked ethereal, as if plucked from a dream. Along the way, we spotted some interesting cypress trees lining the roadside and decided to stop for photos. The highway, though single-lane in each direction, had enough shoulder space for us to park safely.

As soon as I stepped out, I realized I had made a terrible mistake—I was wearing just a T-shirt, lulled by the unseasonably warm 82°F weather. Within minutes, I was swarmed by mosquitoes, getting bitten from all directions. I had no choice but to retreat to the car, where I hastily geared up with a jacket, mask, and a generous dose of DEET spray. Properly armed, I ventured out again, ready to capture the mesmerizing cypress trees draped in fog.

One of the most stunning sights of the morning was the massive spiderwebs along the roadside. The overnight fog had left them covered in delicate droplets of water, and as the sun began to rise, its golden light illuminated the webs, making them glisten like intricate works of art. We spent hours photographing these natural wonders, completely absorbed in the beauty around us.

As the sun climbed higher, the fog slowly burned off, revealing a different but equally stunning Everglades landscape. It was an unforgettable experience—one that I can’t wait to relive.