Every winter, when the sunlight hits the right angle over the wetlands of First Landing State Park in Virginia, it transforms into a rainbow of colors.
“Rainbow Swamp” in Virginia is a wetland forest that turns into stunning hues during the winter months. Under specific lighting conditions, the swamp becomes a gigantic, vibrant rainbow, interrupted by the shadows of bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) and cypress knees—the conical structures that grow upright from the tree roots, also known as kneeling trees.
The forest displays rainbow colors when sunlight hits at the right angle. (Photo: Kate Scott/Shutterstock).
The Rainbow Swamp is one of many wetlands along the Bald Cypress Trail at First Landing State Park, where the first English settlers landed in 1607, according to the park’s website. Most days of the year, the swamp looks like any other wetland—quite dark and murky. But occasionally, in late autumn and winter, the still waters create a brilliant display of light.
The rainbow effect comes from the decomposition of leaves in the swamp during fall and winter. “The trees shed their needle-like leaves in the fall, and as the leaves decompose in the swamp, this waste, when illuminated by sunlight at the right angle, creates this prism effect,” a park representative wrote in a post.
The cypress leaves contain natural oils that seep into the swamp as the leaves decompose. These oils then separate from the water and form a film on the surface that reflects light like a puddle of gasoline. Biological processes in the soil, resulting from bacteria decomposing iron, may also contribute to the rainbow effect, Jeff Ripple, a former swamp walking guide in Florida, told the BBC in 2018.
The less disturbed the swamp is, the stronger the effect. “Movement from currents, flowing water, or wind will disrupt the delicate rainbow film,” Ripple stated, adding that this effect is often seen in small puddles.
“I have seen this happen about 10 times in the 40 years I have lived here,” Michael Hussey, a retired engineer who owns the land with this swamp, told the BBC. “It’s beautiful to behold.”
First Landing State Park is one of the most famous destinations in Virginia, USA. Covering approximately 11.7 million square meters, the park offers numerous activities for visitors to enjoy.
