The Virginia Swamp That Shimmers With Rainbows When The Conditions Are Just Right

First Landing State Park Rainbow Swamps, Virginia

The cypress trees at First Landing State Park drop their leaves like any other tree. But when those leaves hit the swamp water, something beautiful happens. This is the science behind Virginia’s most photogenic swamp.

The Rainbow Swamps

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach has a strange sight in fall and winter: rainbow swamps. This 2,888-acre park sits where forests meet marshes and cypress swamps.

The First Settlers Who Landed Here

English colonists first stepped ashore near this park on April 26, 1607. Captain Christopher Newport led them from three ships after crossing the Atlantic.

They named it Cape Henry after Prince Henry, King James I’s son. After exploring, they moved inland to start Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony.

Over the centuries, ships stopped at these swamps for fresh water. Legend says the pirate Blackbeard once hid in what’s now called the Narrows.

Why Dead Leaves Make Rainbows

Cypress trees drop their needles every fall. As they rot underwater, oils leak out and float up.

This thin oil acts just like a prism. When sunlight hits it, the light splits into a rainbow. It’s the same effect you see in puddles with a bit of gas or oil in them.

The swamp water becomes a canvas of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples. The colors stretch across what’s usually just dark water.

Why The Water Must Be Still

The rainbow colors only show up when nothing moves the water for days. Even small ripples break the oil film and the colors vanish.

During calm days, oil spreads into the perfect thickness for making rainbows. The longer things stay quiet, the brighter the colors get.

Small pools in the swamp show the best rainbows. Trees and plants around them block wind and keep the water calm.

Best Time To See Rainbow Water

November and December are prime time for rainbow watching. This matches when cypress trees shed their needles.

More dead leaves mean stronger colors. Weather changes the timing each year. Cold snaps make leaves drop faster, while warm falls slow it down.

Look for rainbows on sunny days after calm weather. The still days let the oil build up, and sunshine makes the colors pop.

The Trees Behind The Magic

Cypress trees do something odd—they drop their needles each fall. Most evergreens stay green, but cypress needles turn orange-brown before falling off.

These trees love standing water that kills other trees. They’ve adapted perfectly to First Landing’s wet spots.

Spanish moss often hangs from their branches like gray beards. Despite its name, it’s not moss but a plant related to pineapples that needs no soil.

Weird Knees Sticking Up From The Water

Cypress trees grow “knees”—woody bumps that stick up from their underwater roots. These knobby spikes poke through the rainbow water, making the scene even stranger.

Scientists still argue about what these knees do. They might help roots breathe in swampy mud or keep the tree from falling over.

Where Else To Find Rainbow Swamps

First Landing isn’t the only place with rainbow swamps. They show up all through the South wherever cypress trees grow, from Virginia to Florida to Texas.

Florida has many famous rainbow spots. Near Tallahassee, one swamp shows rainbow colors by mid-February each year.

Northern spots like First Landing get rainbows earlier because their trees drop leaves sooner than southern swamps.

How This Park Started

Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built First Landing during the Great Depression (1933-1940). Company 323, made up entirely of Black workers, did much of the construction despite facing racism.

The park opened as Seashore State Park on April 27, 1936. Six thousand people came on opening day to the 1,060-acre park.

Over time, more land purchases grew it to today’s 2,888 acres. In 1997, the name changed to First Landing to honor the English colonists who landed here in 1607.

Taking Pictures of Rainbow Swamps

To catch the rainbow effect on camera, go on clear days when sunlight hits the water at an angle. Early morning or late afternoon works best.

The Bald Cypress Trail has wooden walkways perfect for seeing the swamps. These let you reach wet areas without getting muddy.

Photographers love capturing both the colorful water and dark cypress knees poking through it. The contrast makes for striking pictures.

Visiting First Landing State Park

Located at 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, this historic park charges $7 weekdays, $10 weekends April-October for vehicle parking.

Open daily 7am-dusk, with overnight areas accessible 24/7 when operating. The park features 20 miles of hiking trails, 1.5 miles of Chesapeake Bay beach, boat launch ($5 fee), camping, cabins, and yurts.

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