Shared by Katherine Scott @scottkatee, as Guest Blogger.

If you happen to visit First Landing State Park at just the right time, you might see people transfixed at the edge of one of the cypress swamps. I've been there and excitedly said aloud, “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!” to no one in particular, while wearing a very silly grin. Why you ask? Because I saw this rainbow water for the first time.

The rainbow swamp at First Landing State Park
Image source: Katherine Scott @scottkatee

When I first arrived at the park on this December day, I headed down the Bald Cypress Trail past the typical opaque cypress swamp we’re used to at First Landing; beautiful in its own way, but not unexpected. Seemingly ordinary, even, especially to frequent visitors of the park. I observed the swamp as usual, snapped a few photos, and continued on to other trails.

The usual Bald Cypress Swamp as it appeared the first time around

After a full morning of hiking and photographing all manner of flora and fauna, I was beat. Ready to call it a day. I approached the end of the Bald Cypress Trail, gloriously close to the parking lot, my car, and the prospect of lunch. But as I turned off Bald Cypress, I stopped short.

The cypress swamp that just seconds before had been its usual dark, murky self was magically, suddenly transformed by sunlight into this:

Close up view of the beautiful array of colors
Image source: Katherine Scott @scottkatee

The murky-opaque swamp was magically transformed into this
Image source: Katherine Scott @scottkatee

There it was. Instead of old black water, a new rainbow of color. Across the still expanse of the swamp, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples were spread smoothly. The calm, colorful water was punctuated by cypress knees and long shadows, which somehow only enhanced the overall scene.

Photo taken on December 13, 2018
Image source: Katherine Scott @scottkatee

What causes this phenomenon?

When the bald cypress trees drop their leaves in the fall, they decompose in the swamp. The resulting matter, when hit at just the right angle by sunlight, gives off this prismatic appearance.

And the longer the water goes undisturbed, the stronger the effect. If you’re lucky, you can see the rainbow throughout the later fall and over the course of the winter in cypress swamps throughout the South.

Plan your visit to First Landing State Park to try catching this view for yourself.

First Landing State Park is located where English colonists first landed in 1607. Native American canoes, Colonial settlers, 20th century schooners and modern cargo ships have navigated the park's waterways. Its cypress swamps were a source of fresh water for merchant mariners, pirates and military ships during the War of 1812. Legend has it that Blackbeard hid in the Narrows area of the park, and interior waterways were used by Union and Confederate patrols during the Civil War.

Built in part by an all African-American Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1940, it's an oasis within urban Virginia Beach, and is one of Virginia's most-visited state parks. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage. Cabins, water and electric hook-up campsites, picnic areas, boat ramps and a camp store with bicycle rentals are also available.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 20-30 minutes (this facility is in the area); Roanoke, five and a half hours. Click here for a Google map.

Click here to learn more, to reserve a cabin or campsite here, or call 800-933-7275.