Lake Apopka is one of the largest lakes in Florida. It just so happens that we live 15 minutes away from its shores.
A few years ago our state began an extensive cleanup of this lake that was overgrown with algae. This was caused by the muck farms that lined the shores of the lake for decades.
The work began by buying the surrounding land and turning it into a wetland project to naturally filter the polluted lake.
All this effort is working.
On Friday, Saturday and Sundays as well as National holidays, they open the area for nature lovers to drive through the 11 mile restoration project. The speed limit is 10 mph and the road is a one-way gravel road. Photographers and nature lovers come from all over the state to slow down and breathe in the restoration—of the lake and their own souls.
This morning my husband and I decided to take the drive. Our life has been quite stressed and it does us both good to hear nothing but the gallinules calling through the wetlands.
Today was different for we woke to dense fog. We weren’t sure how much we would see, but we needed to try.
What a surprise was waiting for us. Normally we see over a hundred Gators prowling the waters. We see water fowl of all kinds and turtles and fish. An Eden of sorts with all kinds of teeming wildlife.
Fog. It settled on the water allowing glimpses of the beauty we normally don’t notice. Since we couldn’t see the details we observed the landscape as a whole and it took our breath away. I’ll let the photos draw you in to our experience. I pray your Sunday will be blessed through my lens.
If you ever come to Orlando, please reserve time to visit the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. It will refresh your soul and enrich your mind. We all need to take a pause from life and let God help us focus our gaze on His handiwork. It is marvelous in our eyes!
“…wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” – Psalm 139:14b ESV
This is Day 14 in The Ultimate Blog Challenge to post every day in November.
Write from the heart 
Beautiful shots!
I’m a bit of a fair weather tourist, so I tend to get discouraged when it’s rainy – or foggy for that matter. You proved me wrong: with an open mind there’s lots to see even if there’s no blue sky and sunshine.
Happy Sunday, Debi!
Tamara,
I can only imagine how gorgeous your mountains are on a rainy day.
Happy Sunday to you too! 🍃🍂🍃
The drive is the pause that refreshes – fog or sunshine.
You know it well. 🥰
Thanks for sharing those beautiful and evocative images. I’m on the coast so I do love a foggy day. The soft light seems to make the world so peaceful, I have not heard of Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive but if I get to Florida again, I would love to visit.
Yes, you’ll have to visit LAWD. It is worth it!! Thank you for commenting.
Blessings,
Debi 🍂🍃🍁
Breathtaking pictures!! But where are the gaters??
The gators were all in the water, which is typical on a cloudy day. They come out in the sun to warm up their cold-blooded bodies. One time we counted 117 gators in one drive! It’s was amazing.
Debi, I have relatives in your area, but I had never heard of the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, or the renewal efforts. Fantastic! Thank you for the amazing eerie foggy images. I can remember such mornings back East, with a smile.
Kebba, you’re welcome. I hope your family will grow to love it as much as we do.
Blessings,
Debi 🍁🍃🍂