Along the Borrow Pits

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Our Fakahatchee annual outing led to the creation of this plein air watercolor in my journal/sketchbook – a view of one of the roads along the Borrow Pits within Fakahatchee Preserve State Park just south of Alligator Alley near SR 29. 

A Borrow Pit is a location where rocks, sand, and soil have been removed, usually to be used as fill for a project, in this case the re-vamping of an existing highway into an interstate.  Borrow pits in Florida often turn into lakes and ponds, as our water table is high. Florida ground is full of limestone, which makes for excellent gravel and is in high demand. 

Borrow Pits and quarries are great fossil-hunting sites as well, and in the past some companies have opened their sites to the public for weekend fossil field trips.  Much of Florida was undersea, so many of our fossils are marine related: shark’s teeth, shells, portions of manatee ribs.  Beads and other  artifacts sometimes turn up around previously inhabited sites.

I’m guessing that the term “Borrow Pit” is a common name now become proper through usage, and refers to the idea that stone and soil are “borrowed” for use elsewhere.  I suppose through time and erosion some may be returned… but doubtful! 

Regardless of the origin, it was a gorgeous morning ~ quiet and serene, hawks and vultures and tree swallows out breakfasting.  Cool sunlights cast deep shadows… this is a right place to be.

Aquabee Super Deluxe spiral sketchbook, 93 lb, 6 x 9 in
Daniel Smith transparent watercolors
Niji waterbrush M and S