Finding Beauty in the Storm and the Quiet that Follows: A St. George Island Photo Story
Not every day of a vacation will be perfect, but the good thing about being a photographer is that even on the "worst" days, there is always something to capture. On the third morning of my trip to Florida’s Forgotten Coast, we woke to a wicked storm. The sky was filled with clouds, both menacing and magnificent, and we rushed to capture the incredible sky before the rain began to fall in sheets.
In the afternoon, after the storms had moved through, we were finally able to get out and explore more of St. George Island. One of my favorite parts of exploring a new place is having no expectations or a particular destination in mind. It's in those moments of open curiosity that I am inspired to explore with my camera, constantly seeking interesting details.
We found ourselves wandering down a path that led to a serene, reflective pond. The world felt completely still here, a stark contrast to the storm we’d felt earlier in the day. The tall, thin pines and palmetto trees stood perfectly reflected in the water's surface, creating a sense of peace that was almost meditative. It was a beautiful reward for waiting out the weather.
Near the banks of the bay, we spotted an incredible sight: a Bald Eagle, perched high in a distant tree. While the gray sky did little to flatter the bird, a Bald Eagle always looks beautiful, no matter the conditions. Its presence felt like a powerful testament to the untamed spirit of this island. The pelicans, ever present on the pilings along the banks, were also on high alert, curiously eyeing all other creatures that passed nearby.
While it might not have been the day we would have planned for a photography vacation, it turned out to be a pretty amazing day. It reminded me that when you look for it, beauty can be found in the wind, in the rain, and in the quiet that follows.
Grey Catbird, St. George Island, Florida
This is the third post in a series about my photography trip to Florida's Forgotten Coast. Be sure to check out the earlier stories!
