perceptions and reality

today was one of those beautiful days where the sun was shining, i was up early and i had no where to go but anywhere i wanted...well, anywhere cheap, not overnight and well, with photographic opportunities. my choices were north (done so much), east (hmmm) or south (a bit far for a 10:00 a.m. start). so, on the recommendation of another photographer in town i headed to chewacla state park in auburn, alabama. "go" she said, "the trails are sooooo easy" she said. (perception is reality slammed home when the mind of an 18 year old and the mind of a *ahem* older woman did not agree on "easy" - hahahaha).

she didn't know i have asthma and have been battling allergies all spring. but, yay! i conquered the hike down a steep trail to go to the falls. they were beautiful and powerful but not very tall. i didn't carry the tripod down the trail due to the steepness and the case of nerves i had even carrying my camera somewhere that steep. i slapped on the fiddy and off i went. oh...but wait. i'm totally ahead of myself.

along the drive, i passed a huge field of daisies and blackeyed susans. now, since there is a low front moving in, the wind was whipping about 10 to 15 mph and macros were out of the question. but i did get in a few fun shots.





the park is an easy drive from montgomery - about 40 miles. it has a lake/beach area, plenty of cabins and camping, and cheap admission ($2). so, back to the hiking down the steep, gulley washed trail to the falls. along the way, the trees were gorgeous hardwood with lush greens everywhere. the canopy was fairly overgrown, leaving plenty of areas were moss and ferns were grown; however, with the traffic volume there was plenty of red clay where foot traffic wore off the natural carpet.







it was a fun hike down the hill, i met other hikers including a student drawing for classes at auburn and two couples spending time together splashing in the falls. and of course an adorable puppy that looked like wishbone on steriods. i led off with the money shot of the falls. so i will close this portion with this shot. i think she had the right idea and this is what i need to do on my next hike there.




the drive home was nice and i was lucky to spot this gorgeous field of indian paintbrush by the side of the highway. though i got a few good shots of it... i couldn't get close due to fencing and a large culvert. i seriously needed my zoom but couldn't find it today. so i settled on using the 100 mm. people came out of texas roadhouse (where i parked) to see what this crazy woman was doing trying to get to the field of wildflowers. *sigh* i need land and plenty of wildflower seeds because i would seriously plant acres of these flowers if i could. of course i would rather have texas bluebonnets or english bluebells, but i could make do with these. could you?