Velvet Mirage

Weston Town Center, Weston Florida

This happened during a hot summer afternoon. The moment was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter as families gathered to enjoy the day. The scent of coffee and pastries fills the air, while the vibrant colors of the storefronts catch the eye. Walking towards the plaza's edge, a quiet park filled with tall trees provides a peaceful respite from the heat. As the sun sets, the sky turns a deep shade of orange, casting a warm glow over everything in sight. The light reflects off the leaves and grass, creating a stunningly beautiful scene.

The evening became a breathtaking wonder as my son, and I walked around the Town Center. We noticed this uncanny sunset rendering on the horizon and felt compelled to capture it.

Usually, I prepare my drone and pack it into my car early in the mornings in case I step into anything worth capturing; luckily, that day was one of those.

So we ran back to the parking lot and grabbed the drone from my car's trunk. Once I finished assembling it, my son helped me review the flight checklist before sending it up into the sky.

Once airborne, I positioned my drone in the best possible zone to frame this breathtaking moment. What we saw from the ground was just a fraction compared to my drone's perspective.

Before us lay an unreal display of gradients, unfolding in an unparalleled set of hues that ranged from velvet purples to bright oranges and yellows. The sky was topped with a bright core, while the fountain lake magically transformed into a mirror, mimicking all those contrasts and blending into the incredible sunset above us.

The entire scenery seemed to dance and shimmer like a mirage, drawing the viewer into a world of magic and wonder, inviting us to pause and immerse in the moment's beauty.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for several reasons; the unique colors in the sky, the reflection panorama in the lakes, the uncanny splash of hues in everything around, but mostly, the opportunity to share this experience with my son.

Even though the days have passed, I treasure the day I captured this aerial panorama as a reminder of nature's magnificence and the power of bonding time with our loved ones.