One of the easier trails I have found is in the Dunwoody Nature Center. I never would have found this place if it wasn’t for looking for a Cache. This small preserve has several winding trails, but nothing too tedious to walk along, as well as a Nature Education Center for children. While walking this trail I discovered several picturesque spots. This first picture is of a stone wall near the beginning of the trails. This was not the best time of day to try to take pictures, but I had to get something. I really loved this wall. Every time I return to the Nature Center the wall looks slightly different, depending on the water level from the creek. This visit showed a really low water level, but the wall still looked amazing in the middle of the trees.
This next picture is from the underside of a rather large rounded bush I had found. I really don’t know what type of plant this is, but it created this natural rounded shelter. Trying to take a picture of the outside of it was nearly impossible. The dimensions become skewed from the outside, so I decided to move slightly inside the bush. From this angle I was able to capture the sun shining through the leaves as well as the shelter feel to the bush.
This last picture is my favorite from this hike. As I was walking back to the car I found a broken tree stump. The rest of the tree was nowhere to be seen, but the lonely stump called to me. I was drawn to the patterns from the break on the inside. I spent most of my time taking shots from different angles to find the best one. I really loved the contrast between the different sides of the break and the splintering of the wood. I was trying to capture all of the small details in the wood on this.
This hike and picture taking adventure, I will admit, was a rather rushed one. Unfortunately, I did not have the daylight I needed to take the best shots possible. My next hike and picture session will definitely be more planned out and will provide much better photo quality. The next one will be in the early morning hours in a park. I haven’t decided exactly which park yet, but I am leaning towards a trip to the waterfall.
I’m not much of a photographer and I’m not much of hiker but I want to be the latter. I take trip up to Kennesaw Mountain at least once a week and I’ve hiked pretty much the entire park. I like the mountain for two reasons: it is close, and it provides a large variety of hiking landscapes and scenery – no waterfall though. I have at least one photograph that I took during one the hikes that I may send you if interested. I recently hiked up at Pigeon Mountain on the Rocktown Trail near Lafayette. This was a fantastic hike and I highly recommend it as a good photo-op as well. I have considered starting a creative fiction project involving hiking in Ga and whatever history I can find out about the areas.
ReplyDeleteIt was a year ago when I too discovered the treasure-hunting fun of Geocaching. I’ve carried this interest with me through several different cities in Georgia (though it is oftentimes difficult because I am using my car’s GPS unit and not a hand held one). I have my own profile on the geocaching website and it is there that I am able to track all of the places I’ve been. I think your idea for your nature photography project is pretty neat (not to mention the photos are great). I’ve noticed in my quests for caches that the best ones are always hidden in the coolest places. I’ve seen some really neat scenery and places that are off the beaten path and that I wouldn’t even know existed if it weren’t for geocaching. I’ve never been to the Dunwoody Nature Center, but from your pictures and blog I’m thinking it will be my next destination for hunting.
ReplyDeleteKari,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I really enjoyed looking at the photos that you took. I’m not that into nature, but I love looking at nature pictures (especially well-photographed ones). I just have a question: What exactly is “Geocaching.” I mean, you briefly touch upon it and you use the jargon in your entry, but I’m still unsure as to what it is. A minor issue, but for the audience’s sake, a bit more explanation into that would be very helpful. Did you find a “Cache” on this particular hike? And what does a “Cache” have in it? I guess I’m just intrigued because I’ve never heard of “Geocaching” before, I always just thought, “oh, you go out for a hike, get some fresh air, take some pictures, be in nature, etc.” but I never pictured that you’re actually looking for something.
Whatever the case is, whether you’re “Geocaching” or just hiking, I think this is a great blog idea. You get to showcase not only your writing, but your photography as well. Then again, I felt (particularly with this entry) that you run the risk of having the photographs overshadow the actual writing. Just something to consider. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
Geocaching is a modern day GPS game of hide and seek. A Cache is a container, usually a small box or bottle of some sort, where either just a log book or random items will be placed in the container. The idea is to enter the coordinates, search for the cache, and hope you find something. Once you find the cache, you log your find, and if there are items in the box you can take something and leave something behind. The website is geocaching.com and I must say, it is really fun. There are caches hidden everywhere and it is just luck as to what you find.
ReplyDeleteGeocaching is a blast and an incredible date idea. I often use it when the paycheck has been especially cruel as a source of nearly free entertainment. It also provides the opportunity of gauging a girl's receptivity to the outdoors (a must)... Bravo!!!
ReplyDelete