A mesmerizing photograph of a rainbow swamp captured by Brent Rossen’s girlfriend has captivated the internet, garnering over 120,000 upvotes on Reddit within 24 hours. Rossen shared their experience in a post: “Me and my girlfriend were walking in the woods the other week and saw a rainbow pool for the first time.” The couple had been exploring First Landing State Park in Virginia, US, when they encountered this rare and beautiful natural phenomenon.
Jeff Ripple, a former swamp walk leader from Florida, explained the science behind the enchanting sight to the BBC: “The rainbow sheens found as a thin film on top of pooled water in swamps and marshes are the result of natural oils released by decaying vegetation or the biological processes of anaerobic bacteria reducing iron in soil.” He added that still water over extended periods is necessary for these rainbows to form. “Movement by sheet flow, current, or wind disturbance would destroy the fragile rainbow film,” Ripple noted, emphasizing that this phenomenon typically occurs in smaller, isolated areas.
Michael Hussey, a retired engineer, shared his own photo of a rainbow pool in Tallahassee, Florida. He observed the phenomenon in a small, swampy area on his property, watching as the water began to display a spectrum of colors. “If it doesn’t rain for a couple of weeks, it continues to become more pronounced,” he explained. Hussey has witnessed this stunning display roughly every three to four years, usually around mid-February. “I have seen this occur about 10 times in the 40 years I have lived here,” he said, describing the sight as “beautiful to see.”
Sandra Friend, another Florida swamp walk leader, has also documented her encounters with this natural wonder. “Over the years, I’d noticed this phenomenon in swamps along many Florida trails, as well as somewhat of a faded rainbow effect across the waters,” she blogged. However, it wasn’t until recently that she experienced the “pastel swamp rainbow effect in all its glory.”
For those eager to witness this rare occurrence, numerous photos can be found on Instagram under the hashtag #rainbowswamp, showcasing the captivating beauty of these rainbow-tinted waters.
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