Myakka Oak 1

I’ve returned to this oak tree year after year, always waiting for the perfect conditions to align—the water levels to rise, the right light to cast its glow, and the natural elements to come together just so. For this particular shot, I found myself waist-deep in the water, drenched by the pouring rain. The lens was covered by the umbrella to protect it from the downpour. As if that wasn't enough, the mosquitoes, seeking shelter from the rain, swarmed under the umbrella, making every moment a battle. But despite the discomfort and the struggle against nature’s elements, there was something magical about capturing the oak in that raw, unfiltered moment.