Sarfraz 'Surf' Durrani is not your ordinary physician. When he is not attending to patients, he engrosses himself in his passion for photography and exploration. In essence, surf has a deep appreciation for nature and its beauty, which he captures through his lens.
One of his most fascinating subjects is the Big Cypress Bayou in Texas, USA. Due to his passion for nature and adventure, hypnotic photography showcases the essence of this bayou’s natural setting.
Surf Durrani's Photography
Surf's journey as a photographer began as an extension of his love for nature and exploration. He found solace in capturing the beauty of the natural world through his lens.
His fascination with photography began as a hobby during his medical studies, when he realized that capturing the beauty of the natural world through his lens was not only a source of personal fulfillment but also a way to share his experiences with others.
As he improved his skills, he developed a distinctive style that focused on portraying the raw essence of nature and evoking the sense of nature’s raw and unfiltered marvel in his viewers.
His approach to photography is, therefore, deeply anchored in his appreciation for the natural world and a belief that every photograph has a story to tell. He, as a result, seeks to convey a sense of connection and emotion through these images.
As previously noted, Surf's affinity for adventure led him to discover the truly enchanting landscapes of Big Cypress Bayou, which hosts the biggest cypress forest in the world. He was instantly entranced by the elaborate interplay of light, shade, color, and textures that define this unique ecosystem.
Surf Durrani:
“I was blown away by the beauty of the cypress forest in the swamp draped with the Spanish moss and egrets and herons living in their magical, hidden little corner in Texas. There is a two-week period in November when the colors come alive, and the lake becomes magical.”
Hence, his series of photographs depicting the serene yet enigmatic charm of the lake and its cypress forest took shape.
Through the photographs, Surf conveys the essence and spirit of the bayou, with his images bringing to mind a sense of tranquility as they immerse viewers in the raw beauty of nature, creating a deep emotional connection.
In the photography works, his lens captures the interplay between light and shadow, showcasing the bayou's dynamic nature. The pictures reveal the intricate details of the cypress trees, the ripples on the water's surface, and the elaborate dances of wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Mystery and Magic of Big Cypress Bayou
The Big Cypress Bayou, located in the heart of Texas, is a place of both wonder and mystery. Its serene waters, lined with towering cypress trees, create a sight that has inspired many nature enthusiasts, artists, and photographers, including Surf himself.
The bayou is part of the larger Caddo Lake, which straddles the border between Texas and Louisiana and features a bald cypress swamp known for its awe-inspiring and enigmatic beauty throughout the year. The swamp’s bald cypress forest hosts more than 225 species of birds, and there are also snakes, alligators, raccoons, skunks, minks, nutrias, white-tail deer, squirrels, turtles, frogs, beavers, feral hogs, armadillos, hares, rabbits, and waterfowls among many other wildlife.
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) are among the biggest, tallest, and longest-lived trees in Texas, with some having reportedly reached an age of 800 to 1,200 years. Incidentally, some of these cypress trees are said to have been around during the dinosaur ages!
However, during the Great Raft of 1830 and the second Great Raft in 1873, most of the old cypress trees were destroyed and now, most of the cypress on Caddo Lake and the bayou are hardly more than 150 years old.
When young, the cypress is usually shaped like a Christmas tree, but as they age, the crown tends to open up and the branches lift skyward, forming a huge, lofty, and overarching canopy. Bald eagles and ospreys, take full advantage of the height of these trees to nest.
Dangling from the cypress trees is the pervasive Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), which quite interestingly, is neither Spanish nor is it a moss. It is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows on large trees in tropical and subtropical climates.
You may also be interested in knowing about the exquisite forest photograph work by Neil Burnell.
Capturing the Mystic Beauty of the Big Cypress Bayou Forest
Big Cypress Bayou is a place where time seems to stand still. Its ancient cypress trees, with their gnarled roots and, without doubt, majestic presence, create a mystical atmosphere.
Given that It is a place where Surf found a serene opportunity to immerse himself in the placid beauty of nature and capture its very essence in every frame, his ensuing images depict the bayou's ever-changing palette; from vibrant autumnal hues to the soft pastels of sunrise and the ethereal mist that blankets the water.
Surf describes the bayou’s forest:
“The cypress swamp forests of Texas have a magical quality in autumn as the rays of sunshine filter through the foliage and create magical mirages. The still waters of Caddo Lake mirror the changing foliage, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections that dance across the surface. The lake's iconic bald cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss, stand like sentinels, their foliage reflecting the warm hues of autumn.
The Spanish moss, in particular, takes on a golden hue, adding an ethereal touch to the scenery. The white egrets floating through the canopy of the forest give it an ethereal feel of angels flirting with your sanity as they create visual mayhem of color and contrast.”
To capture it, he often ventures out during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, because these are the magical times of day that cast a warm glow over the landscape, virtually transforming it into a painter's perfect palette of colors. He, then, patiently waits for the perfect light and composition and allows nature to guide his photographer’s vision.
Even so, beyond his artistic and photography exploits and being an individual committed to environmental conservation, Surf acknowledges the fragility of the ecosystems he captures in his photographs. He, as a result, uses his platform to create awareness of the importance of preserving these natural resources.
Through the photographs, he aims to inspire others to appreciate and care for the ecosystem and more than that, appreciate the delicate balance of nature.
Photos by Surf Durrani (@surfdurrani).
