SCENIC VIEWS

Most all of the shots that follow have been posted to Face Book so if you look in there under my name you'll see them.  There may be a few differences.  The pictures here were taken near the Cherokee Lake Tailrace (Holston River) and should give you an idea what the countryside looks like.  It is rustic near the river but not so ten miles away.

The image above is of two very old bridge supports standing in shallow water created by lack of power generation.  It just looked rustic to me so I shot it. 

 The more expansive water shots below are of the tailrace itself.  Warm sun permitted the reflective colors of landscape and water to be captured in with the lens.

 
I replaced the big 500 mm lens with a 70-300 mm telephoto so I could take advantage of wider angel captures.  The 500 mm will go back on that camera when I put the boat in the water.

 I'm not very experienced with scenic pictures as I set up my camera with wildlife in mind.   I find the scenic shots interesting in that I'm able to see really potentially great shots in otherwise mundane, average topography.  Lucky I guess.  I do what I can do.

 Streams and creeks are favorite places I like to photograph, probably due to the fact I fly fished creeks all my life back in Pennsylvania.

I don't consider myself much of a scenic photographer and not much better of a wildlife photographer but it sure is fun - all of it.  Now, if you want to see some extravagant scenic photographs - click on Face Book and search out Clarissa Sharp.  Her photos are sensational!  We go to the wild places together at times and I must say she has an eye for a photo capture.

 I miss having a boat and will rectify that very quickly.  I'm driving to Pennsylvania to buy my first motor boat back.  It is a Lowe 1999 jon boat with a 9.9 Mercury tiller engine.  This will get me back into the shallow, narrow parts of the lakes where the critters dwell.  I do enjoy this landscape photography but I really interface better with wildlife.  I guess its called diversification.  

FOLLOW THE LEADER

I noticed some deer in a thicket below a populated area just outside of town.  These animals were trying to work their way up a hill where they wanted to gain access to a field and a large stand of trees on some acreage on the other side of a road.  They made their way up the hill silently and slowly.              

 The journey started with one lone animal who forged the way.

 He stops and demonstrates extreme caution.

A friend steps out of the thick foliage and follows along behind her.

 And a third animal follows behind.

 Soon a trail of deer threads its way up the hill.

 Once at the top of the trail a burst of speed carries the lead deer across the road to safety in the big trees beyond.

 They continue on until they all cross the road to safety on the other side.

I NEED A BOAT

Its been awhile since I've posted anything on the blog and that is because of a couple reasons.  One reason is that I've been talked into giving Face Book another try and the results of that are that I am enjoying it.  The second reason for letting the blog sit for awhile is that I'm running out of new, interesting photographic material to work with.  There is only so much one can do with pasture fields and farms when a 500 mm lens is the foundation of the photographic ensemble.  A macro lens would open up new vistas but I don't have a real macro lens.  

We all know I sold the Gheenoe and am now without a boat and that limits my ability to seek adventure and wildlife photographic opportunities.  Well, fear not.  I will have another boat shortly.  Actually, I'll have two boats shortly.

I bought a new Lowe jon boat  when I lived in Pennsylvania and used it to bass fish for one year and then sold it to a good friend who, for all intents and purposes, put it in storage.  I think it was used a couple times since he had it.  Garage kept and really taken care of.

I called my friend and asked him if he'd be willing to sell the boat back to me and he said he would.  Hooray!  That's the first boat I ever owned and I'm getting it back.  Can't wait.

I don't have a good picture of the boat but trust me when I say it is as new.  My friend keeps his thing pristine.  So, the adventures will continue this spring.  Actually they will start in a month or two as I am journeying to Pennsylvania to get the boat the first week of December.  This means I will have access to all my favorite wild critters once more and will be posting some, hopefully great wildlife shots very soon.  Lake camping will be emphasized next summer also.  I'm excited.

I love taking these abstract shots but my heart lies with the wildlife photos and I know I have folks that look in on the blog expecting to find wildlife scenarios and I aim to please. 

 And, don't forget this little sweetheart.   Its a 1955 Crestliner  I intend to use on sunny days travelling up Ft. Loudon Reservoir to Knoxville for lunch down town at a favorite restaurant.  Yes, the river passes through town and there is a dock and boardwalk that makes restaurants accessible.  Its really neat to grab a sandwich and be able to watch the boat tied to the dock outside.

The Crestliner is getting a trailer rebuild right now but should come on line shortly.  I need to polish the aluminum to chrome brilliance and repaint the blue trim areas on the sides.  The rest is perfect.

I have to think on all this for awhile.  Its going to be a great summer - a really great one!

WHITETAIL DEER

Winter set in here overnight and its keeping the thermometer "frozen" on 30 degrees.  This is the second of two days off for me and I decided to go for a drive in the country this morning to see if any critters or photo ops would turn up.  There wasn't much happening until I was ready to go home.  Well, see for yourself:  Hope you enjoy the shots.

I wanted to mention that I have given Face Book a try and have learned enough to get in trouble there.  I invite you to visit my page there.