It is interesting to me that the great outdoors have become such an integral part of my life. As a child I never really did very much outdoor-like… just the nice safe suburban version where you have a tree in your yard. Visits to Mimi’s farm were as close as I really got. Fast forward 15 years give or take, I was fortunate to take work on a government research project that taught me a lot about being out in wooded areas. I learned all manner of exciting things like how to read topographic maps. I learned that not all roads marked “passable” on the topos are not really possible. I also got to go to some splendid places such as the Johnson shut-ins, the Acadia Valley in southeast Missouri to name a few. It also caused my unfortunate attraction to nature photography, a pursuit at which I would rate passable at best. That doesn’t stop me from enjoying every second of it. Most recently, I was fortunate to go back to Lost Valley on the Buffalo River. I had been to the park several years ago to take the Senior Class Who’s Who for Kingston High School (one of my most treasured memories thus far as a school photographer)— but I was older, more mature and had my own fancy equipment this time. Of course, fancy equipment can only do so much– but here goes.
If only it had rained 6 inches, maybe I would have had more water in the falls; still, though… not too bad.
For those of you playing the home game, remember to turn your vibration reduction off when on a tripod and running long exposures. The motor actually- get this- causes shake. Live and learn.
Here are my friends– the Lost Valley trip was the star attraction in their weekend trip down over Memorial Day weekend.
Same friends, but this time pensive.
