Solitude in the Cypress Groves of Caddo Lake
Morning Light and Crisp Reflections at Caddo Lake
Fog Dreams and Early Morning Adjustments
I rolled out of bed at 4:00 AM, brewed a hot mug of coffee, and grabbed a quick kolache, a Texas staple, before heading out to meet Captain Steve Sullivan at his boat. As you know from yesterday’s journal of day 1, I only shot from the jetty at Mill Pond, so today is my first official morning out actually on the lake, and like any landscape shooter visiting these waters in autumn, I was hoping for that legendary, eerie swamp fog. However, when I met up with Captain Steve, he noted the temperature was slightly warmer than yesterday, raising the dew point enough to keep the heavy mist at bay. While we did catch a few ghostly wisps of fog curling off the water in the dark as we navigated into the bayous of cypress groves, there was nothing atmospheric left when we arrived at our shooting location. Sunrise looked hopeful, but the high cloud layer which would have caught color dissipated quickly right as the sun crested the horizon, making the sunrise pretty much a bust too. Early morning shooting is all about adapting to what nature hands you.
Navigating through the bayous of Caddo Lake in pre-dawn darkness.
Pivoting to Intimate Cypress Compositions
Instead of chasing spooky mist and a colorful sunrise, we shifted our focus to intimate landscape compositions: rich autumn foliage,backlit Spanish moss, and quiet wildlife encounters. That tactical pivot paid off big time when we came across a Great Blue Heron skimming low over the glassy water. The mirror-like surface held every detail of the cypress trunks and the bird's downward wingbeat. Caddo Lake is famous for hosting the largest flooded bald cypress forest in the world, straddling the Texas-Louisiana border across nearly 25,400 acres. These ancient trees can live for well over 1,000 years,creating a labyrinth of moss-draped bayous that feel completely detached from modern life.
Escaping the Crowds in Hidden Bayous
By 7:30 AM, several large pontoon boats packed with photography workshops—about ten people per boat—began crowding the main channels. That’s definitely not my style; I’d much rather just hire a knowledgeable local captain to show me the good stuff so I can work in peace. Sensing the crowd, Captain Steve expertly navigated us into quieter,narrower nooks and crannies of the bayou. Moving away from the group yielded several more fantastic shots, especially of the large water birds. After firing off roughly 500 frames across three hours, we wrapped up before the sun got too harsh around 8:30 AM. Back at camp now after a second breakfast, it's time for a quick nap before reviewing the haul to see what I got.
Another Great Photography Trip to Caddo Lake
After this mornings outing with Captain Steve, I feel full and am ready to head home. However, I’ll stay one more night to see what the morning conditions are like. If it’s cold enough to create the elusive misty fog, I’ll stick around and explore the shore of Mill Pond on foot, then get on the road. However, the forecast is calling for even warmer temperatures tomorrow so I’m not optimistic. If everything works out, I’ll come back next year and give it another go at photographing this amazing location.
If you're planning a trip here yourself, check out my practical guide to Caddo Lake fall colors photography.
Where the Trail Wanders On
Step back into classic roadside Americana with a nostalgic stop at the Dew Drop Inn Cafe in Hot Springs, South Dakota.