Matthiessen State Park is located in central LaSalle County, approximately 4 miles south of Utica and 3 miles east of Oglesby.
Continue reading “Tips for Photographing Cascade Falls in Matthiessen State Park”
Autumn
Photography Tips for Lake Falls in Matthiessen State Park
Matthiessen State Park is located in central LaSalle County, approximately 4 miles south of Utica and 3 miles east of Oglesby.
I took the images on this page on the last possible day this year. A big snowstorm hit the area the next day, and all the leaves blew off in the accompanying windstorm. Continue reading “Photography Tips for Lake Falls in Matthiessen State Park”
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area Waterfall, Merrimac, Wisconsin
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This is my second post is on Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area.
Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first State Natural area and is unquestionably the most visited state natural area outside of Devil’s Lake State Park. The glen is open to the public from 6am to 8pm. At its uppermost part, the glen reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet and embraces a mountain-type stream flowing through its floor. The Glen’s walls are sandstone embedded with pebbles and boulders of quartzite. This quartzite is conglomerate, sometimes called a “plum pudding” stone. The sandstone layers represent ancient sandy beach. Because the Glen has many unusual and rare flora, visitors must stay on the trail from the lower parking area to the top of the glen and retrace their steps back. The Path is about 0.8 miles long.
In the last 20 years, the glen has been changed drastically by powerful floods. The glen has gone through various closures, repairs and upgrades in recent years. The bridges and trail known to hikers in the 80s and early 90s are now gone. The trail was again damaged by flooding in 2010 and closed until the fall of 2011. The 2011 repairs only went as far as the gorge itself. The expectation of further floods has caused the DNR to curb spending on repairs within the gorge proper. Hikers wishing to continue up to the waterfall must navigate a stream and rough stone. The steps leading up to the old viewing area and the viewing area are also damaged. Steps are missing and a section of the viewing area is now partly collapsed. Use caution if you plan to go beyond the marked trail. Visitors may hike to the pool below the waterfall, but not go around or beyond the falls.
The hike to the small waterfall featured in this article is at the end of the trail, about 0.8 miles each way. I would rate the trail as easy despite the cautions above. There is a bit of scrambling over rocks, but seriously, it is not as difficult as it may seem from the above description. Bring the kids. They will love it.
This is a fee area with pay boxes. They do check, frequently. Buy a pass or you are highly likely to get a ticket.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at ISO 125, 20mm, 13 seconds at F22 with a circular polarizer to increase the shutter time.
It had just started to drizzle when I took a set of images.
Parfrey’s Glen Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- Rain saturates the leaves as well as the colors on the rocks.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days and did so on these images. Here are more images from the glen.
Second Image
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Other Parfrey’s Glen Images
I have four additional images of the quartzite and sandstone bluff in my first post on Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, Merrimac, Wisconsin.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Pewits Next, Ableman’s Gorge, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
Pewit’s Nest
- Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Lower Falls
- Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Upper Falls
Ableman’s Gorge
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 1
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 2
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, Merrimac, Wisconsin
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This post is on Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area.
Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first State Natural area and is unquestionably the most visited state natural area outside of Devil’s Lake State Park. The glen is open to the public from 6am to 8pm. At its uppermost part, the glen reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet and embraces a mountain-type stream flowing through its floor. The Glen’s walls are sandstone embedded with pebbles and boulders of quartzite. This quartzite is conglomerate, sometimes called a “plum pudding” stone. The sandstone layers represent ancient sandy beach. Because the Glen has many unusual and rare flora, visitors must stay on the trail from the lower parking area to the top of the glen and retrace their steps back. The Path is about 0.8 miles long.
In the last 20 years, the glen has been changed drastically by powerful floods. The glen has gone through various closures, repairs and upgrades in recent years. The bridges and trail known to hikers in the 80s and early 90s are now gone. The trail was again damaged by flooding in 2010 and closed until the fall of 2011. The 2011 repairs only went as far as the gorge itself. The expectation of further floods has caused the DNR to curb spending on repairs within the gorge proper. Hikers wishing to continue up to the waterfall must navigate a stream and rough stone. The steps leading up to the old viewing area and the viewing area are also damaged. Steps are missing and a section of the viewing area is now partly collapsed. Use caution if you plan to go beyond the marked trail. Visitors may hike to the pool below the waterfall, but not go around or beyond the falls.
The hike to the small waterfall at the end of the trail is 0.8 miles each way. I would rate the trail as easy despite the cautions above. There is a bit of scrambling over rocks, but seriously, it is not as difficult as it may seem from the above description. Bring the kids. They will love it.
This is a fee area with pay boxes. They do check, frequently. Buy a pass or you are highly likely to get a ticket.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens at ISO 125, 20mm, 4 seconds at F14 with a circular polarizer to saturate the colors.
Parfrey’s Glen Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- Rain saturates the leaves as well as the colors on the rocks.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days and did so on these images. Here are more images from the glen.
Additional Images
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Pewits Next, Ableman’s Gorge, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
Pewit’s Nest
- Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Lower Falls
- Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Upper Falls
Ableman’s Gorge
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 1
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 2
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up: A second post on Parfrey’s Glen.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Upper Falls
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This post is my second on Pewit’s Nest State Natural Area.
The dominant feature at Pewits Nest is a 30- to 40-foot deep gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier. Associated with it are Skillet Creek, shaded cliffs, and a northern dry-mesic pine forest. When Glacial Lake Baraboo drained, Skillet Creek cut a narrow canyon through the Cambrian sandstone, forming a series of potholes and low waterfalls. The layers of Cambrian sandstone show that a finer-grained sediment was laid down by the Cambrian seas “inside” the syncline, a process different from that at Parfrey’s Glen where coarser Cambrian conglomerates and sandstones are found in layers. Skillet Creek has a gradient of 38 feet/mile and an average flow of 0.8 cfs. Within and above the gorge grows a narrow fringe of forest dominated by red cedar, white pine, hemlock, and yellow birch.
The hike to the gorge is about 0.9 miles. I would rate it as very easy. There is elevation change to get to the top, but anyone in reasonably good health who can walk will not struggle with this one. The main danger is getting too close to the cliff edge and falling off.
Pewit’s Nest Directions
The DNR link above provides directions and a map of newly closed areas. I cannot tell precisely from the map if I was in a closed area or not when I took the vertical images from above. I do not believe I was in a closed area for the third, horizontal image that shows a tiny portion of the lower falls.
Judging from the map, all the trails appear to be open but there is no longer any access to the gorge itself.
I had never been in the gorge but wanted to do so in the winter if things froze solid enough. That option appears to be gone, at least legally.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at ISO 100, 32mm, 4 seconds at F22 with a circular polarizer to saturate the colors.
Pewit’s Next Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- The rain saturates the leaves as well as the colors on the rocks.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days and did so on these images. Here are two more images from this spot in the upper area.
I went back the next day, but a heavy overnight rain increased the flow and washed almost all the leaves away.
Also see Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Lower Falls.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, Ableman’s Gorge, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
Ableman’s Gorge
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 1
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 2
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
I will cover Devil’s Lake State Park and Parfrey’s Glen in subsequent articles.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up: A second post on Pewit’s Nest them Parfrey’s Glen.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Pewits Nest, Wisconsin State Natural Area, Lower Falls
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This post is on Pewit’s Nest State Natural Area.
The dominant feature at Pewits Nest is a 30- to 40-foot deep gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier. Associated with it are Skillet Creek, shaded cliffs, and a northern dry-mesic pine forest. When Glacial Lake Baraboo drained, Skillet Creek cut a narrow canyon through the Cambrian sandstone, forming a series of potholes and low waterfalls. The layers of Cambrian sandstone show that a finer-grained sediment was laid down by the Cambrian seas “inside” the syncline, a process different from that at Parfrey’s Glen where coarser Cambrian conglomerates and sandstones are found in layers. Skillet Creek has a gradient of 38 feet/mile and an average flow of 0.8 cfs. Within and above the gorge grows a narrow fringe of forest dominated by red cedar, white pine, hemlock, and yellow birch.
The hike to the gorge is about 0.9 miles. I would rate it as very easy. There is elevation change to get to the top, but anyone in reasonably good health who can walk will not struggle with this one. The main danger is getting too close to the cliff edge and falling off.
Pewit’s Nest Directions
The DNR link above provides directions and a map of newly closed areas. I cannot tell precisely from the map if I was in a closed area or not when I took the vertical images from above. I do not believe I was in a closed area for the third, horizontal image that shows a tiny portion of the lower falls.
Judging from the map, all the trails appear to be open but there is no longer any access to the gorge itself.
I had never been in the gorge but wanted to do so in the winter if things froze solid enough. That option appears to be gone, at least legally.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at ISO 125, 45mm, 3.2 seconds at F22.
I do not recommend an F22 or anything greater than f16 because you run into diffraction limits which makes for decreased sharpness. I was trying to get a longer exposure to blur the water. F16 would have resulted in an exposure half of F22 (each F-Stop doubles or halves the time). 1.6 seconds likely would have been long enough to get the effect in the water that I wanted. All that said, the image is very sharp, so F22 does not seem to have hut the image any.
Pewit’s Next Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- The rain saturates the leaves as well as the colors on the rocks.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days and did so on these images. Here is a second image from the bluff area with a narrower angle view.
The gorge contains at least three waterfalls.
To get those images, I was in a place where if I fell I would have died. I do not want to exaggerate the risk as there was not that much danger as long as one is paying attention. It is easy to take a step back or slip if one is not careful.
Similar shots are available from the main trail, but they will have trees blocking a portion of the scene.
Portion of Lower Falls
That’s all you can see of the lower falls from ground level, at least legally. Swimming and wading are prohibited.
I edited out a small portion of one rock where some idiots attempted to scratch their names. The rock is very hard and you have to get wet, so, fortunately, the area is not very defaced.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, Ableman’s Gorge, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
Ableman’s Gorge
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 1
- Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 2
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
I will cover Devil’s Lake State Park and Parfrey’s Glen in subsequent articles.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up: A second post on Pewit’s Nest them Parfrey’s Glen.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 2
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This post is my second on Ableman’s Gorge.
Ableman’s Gorge is a classic gorge cut by the Baraboo River through Baraboo quartzite, Cambrian sandstone, and conglomerate. The cliffs and rocky slopes rise about 200 feet above the river to form a wall nearly three-fourths of a mile long, oriented east-west, which then abruptly turns south for a similar distance. The latter portion is 250-450 feet wide and is composed of irregular quartzite cliffs. Spectacular unconformable contacts with younger Cambrian sandstone can be seen on both the north and south sides of the Precambrian Baraboo quartzite. The exposures of the unconformity between the ancient quartzite and the overlying sandstone are world famous. The site tells a fascinating geological story of changing conditions in an ancient sea that first rose quietly against a cliff of quartzite and then, as layers of sediments gradually decreased the relief between sea floor and land, surged against the top of the cliff, wearing away quartzite and depositing a layer of cobbles and boulders across its upturned edge. Erosional forces and a former quarrying operation in the southern part of the natural area have re-exposed these long buried layers. Nowhere in the Midwest is such a sequence of events so displayed. The cool, moist, north-facing slopes shelter plants more typical of northern Wisconsin, including hemlock, yellow birch, mountain maple and Canada yew. The groundlayer contains numerous ferns and includes species such as Virginia water-leaf and Canada mayflower. The area is widely used for geology research and a plaque honors researcher Charles Van Hise, who formulated some of his principles of structural deformation and metamorphism here. Ableman’s Gorge is owned by the DNR and the University of Wisconsin and was designated a State Natural Area in 1969.
Ableman’s Gorge Directions
The DNR provides directions but fails to mention there are two sections to the park. Be sure to visit both. There is parking near Van Hise Rock on one side of state highway 136 and just down the road, there is a second parking area on the other side of 136.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens at ISO 125, 17mm, 0.8 seconds at F20.
Using F-stops above 16 are not advisable. But that is what I did. It is better to use focus bracketing and stack images. It would have been easy to do in this image, but this shot was taken a number of years ago befire I learned that technique.
The foreground leaves and rock were not moving so the procedure would have been a piece of cake.
Ableman’s Gorge Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- The rain saturates the leaves as well as the purple and pink quartzite.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days and did so with many of these images.
That’s my car in the preceding image. I had my wife, Liz, drive real slow towards me. My Tripod was on the highway.
There are not a lot of trails. So don’t expect long hikes.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, Pewits Nest, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
I will cover Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, and Pewits Nest in subsequent articles.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up: More images from Ableman’s Gorge, then a new location near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area, Wisconsin – Part 1
Those looking for a nice weekend or day trip from Chicago, Northern Illinois, or Wisconsin should check out the natural features near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This post covers Ableman’s Gorge.
Ableman’s Gorge is a classic gorge cut by the Baraboo River through Baraboo quartzite, Cambrian sandstone, and conglomerate. The cliffs and rocky slopes rise about 200 feet above the river to form a wall nearly three-fourths of a mile long, oriented east-west, which then abruptly turns south for a similar distance. The latter portion is 250-450 feet wide and is composed of irregular quartzite cliffs. Spectacular unconformable contacts with younger Cambrian sandstone can be seen on both the north and south sides of the Precambrian Baraboo quartzite. The exposures of the unconformity between the ancient quartzite and the overlying sandstone are world famous. The site tells a fascinating geological story of changing conditions in an ancient sea that first rose quietly against a cliff of quartzite and then, as layers of sediments gradually decreased the relief between sea floor and land, surged against the top of the cliff, wearing away quartzite and depositing a layer of cobbles and boulders across its upturned edge. Erosional forces and a former quarrying operation in the southern part of the natural area have re-exposed these long buried layers. Nowhere in the Midwest is such a sequence of events so displayed. The cool, moist, north-facing slopes shelter plants more typical of northern Wisconsin, including hemlock, yellow birch, mountain maple and Canada yew. The groundlayer contains numerous ferns and includes species such as Virginia water-leaf and Canada mayflower. The area is widely used for geology research and a plaque honors researcher Charles Van Hise, who formulated some of his principles of structural deformation and metamorphism here. Ableman’s Gorge is owned by the DNR and the University of Wisconsin and was designated a State Natural Area in 1969.
Ableman’s Gorge Directions
The DNR provides directions but fails to mention there are two sections to the park. Be sure to visit both. There is parking near Van Hise Rock on one side of state highway 136 and just down the road, there is a second parking area on the other side of 136.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at ISO 200, 45mm, 1/6 of a second at F16.
Ableman’s Gorge Tips
- This park photographs best on a cloudy day.
- Perfect conditions would be bright overcast, with little wind, with wet rocks just after a rain.
- Light drizzle works very well is there is little wind.
- The rain saturates the leaves as well as the purple and pink quartzite.
- Use a polarizer to remove glare.
Polarizer Tips
People misuse polarizers. I generally do not use them on sunny days, especially if I have a lot of sky in the image. Why? The polarizer will darken the sky in a very non-uniform manner that is hard to correct even in Photoshop.
I often use polarizers on cloudy days.
Those images were all taken within a 100-yard area at most. There are not a lot of trails. So don’t expect long hikes.
In the Spring, there are lots of wildflowers, especially in the other section.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Nearby Locations
Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, Pewits Nest, and the International Crane Foundation are close by.
I have an entire series on the International Crane Foundation. That link will take you to some of them. Look for those tagged “Mish Moments”.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
I will cover Devil’s Lake State Park, Parfrey’s Glen, and Pewits Nest in subsequent articles.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up: More images from Ableman’s Gorge, then a new location near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Woodstock Illinois: Opera House, Courthouse in Autumn Plus “Groundhog Day” Winter Scene
The classic 1993 film “Groundhog Day” allegedly filmed in Punxsutawney and Gobbler’s Knob Pennsylvania was in reality mostly filmed 575 miles away, in Woodstock, Illinois.
The feature image is of the Woodstock Opera House that appears in many scenes.
The town square is nice and there are a lot of good restaurants.
Here’s a Walking Tour of Downtown Woodstock.
The Legend
Each year, on February 2, Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, a long-time resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, comes out of his home in Gobbler’s Knob (about 2 miles east of town) to predict the weather for the rest of winter. In front of all the townfolks and thousands of his followers from all over the world, Phil looks for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, spring will be coming early this year.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift Lens at ISO 400, 1/15 of a second at F16.
This is a fixed focal length lens, not a zoom.
It has tilt/shift capability that I primarily use in shift mode. If you are familiar with the unsightly effect of pointing up at trees or buildings, you can correct that distortion by shifting the lens up rather than pointing the camera up.
Tips
- This Opera House image requires patience and lots of it. I camped out for hours in one spot, shooing away any cars that tried to park in front of the building. Everyone cooperated. Most cooperated happily, one reluctantly. The cars to the right were there all day. Had they been parked in front of the building, the image would have bee ruined.
- I took this shot mid-week. Forget about having a clear view on Friday or Saturday, or for that matter almost anytime you are not shooing cars away.
- A sunny day works well but you need to know how to bring out shadow details.
- In Autumn, this scene is mostly backlit but right at sunset expect extreme sidelight. There were some high thin clouds that helped even out the light.
Here are some images of the courthouse as seen from the town square.
Winter Scene
I took the Winter scene with the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt-Shift Lens as well. Canon also makes a 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lens.
I have both lenses now but only had the 24mm version when I made those images.
If choosing between the two T/S lenses, take opt for the 17mm lens. You can always crop, but it is difficult to add what isn’t captured.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Other Illinois Destinations
- Horseshoe Lake, Illinois Sunrise, Bald cypress and Tupelo trees
- Apple River Canyon State Park, Illinois
- Garden of the Gods: Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
I have an entire series on Starved Rock State Park.
Click on the link for a search, or better yet, scroll through my Mish Moments Home Page until you find them.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow MishMoments.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Garden of the Gods: Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
Our Illinois tour continues with a look a the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest in extreme Southern Illinois.
More than 320 million years ago, the wind and rain patiently started to chisel away at large deposits of sedimentary rock located in what is now, Shawnee National Forest. Over the years, the elements have sculpted stunning, extraordinary rock formations.
There are 5.5 miles of hiking trails at this spot with many more trails nearby. I would rate the trails to the images shown in this article as easy for almost everyone but those in a wheelchair. The feature shot and the images below are a half-mile or less from the parking lot.
Feature Image Details
For the image, I used a Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens at 28mm, for 1/13 of a second at ISO 250, f16.
Tips
- This is an easy shot. 28mm is not extreme. Anyone can take this image with almost any camera.
- You just have to be there at sunset on a sunny day. The location does not photograph well at other times. The hardest part is not having people in your images. This is a very popular spot, especially on weekends.
- Best time: Very late October or early November.
Here are some more images from the same day.
I assure you these shots are as easy as they get. Nearly anyone can walk to this location and nearly any camera will do.
I recommend a tripod as always, but these shots could be taken without a tripod with proper technique.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Related Articles
- Horseshoe Lake, Illinois Sunrise, Bald cypress and Tupelo trees
- Apple River Canyon State Park, Illinois
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow the former.
Please follow. I do not give away or share email addresses!
Thanks!
Coming up next: Another destination in Southern Illinois.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Apple River Canyon State Park, Illinois
Those looking for a scenic day trip from Chicago or Northern Illinois should check out Apple River Canyon State Park.
The park is located in the hilly northwest corner of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. Limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams and wildlife characterize this area. In the winter, eagles frequent the area.
Five trails – Pine Ridge, Tower Rock, River Route, Sunset and Primrose Trail (accessible) – wind through the woods for several miles within the park.
You can easily explore the park in a single day.
All of these images are from late-October. They represent the peak of the Autumn season.
Feature Image Details
For the feature image, I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at 58mm, for 1/30 of a second at ISO 500.
Tips
- The key to reflection images such as these is for the water to be in the shade.
- Play around with various exposures and time durations.
- Get low to the water! Sometimes you cannot see any reflections unless you get low. Find a composition you like, then set up the tripod in that position.
Here are some more images all taken within a couple hundred yards of the feature image in late afternoon.
When possible, shoot both vertical and horizontal images. Here is a vertical image from the same location.
The previous two images were taken with a Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens: If I had to pick one lens and one lens only, this lens would be at the top of the list. I see things from a wide angle perspective.
Apple Canyon Lake Waterfall
Note the Great Blue Heron fishing at the top of the waterfall.
The above image is not in the main park area. Rather, a dam on the river forms Apple Canyon Lake. For directions, do a search for Apple Canyon Lake Waterfall as opposed to Apple River Canyon State Park.
There are no trails in the area. The surrounding land is private and posted. Other than to stop and take an image, there is little to do at this spot. It’s worth a side trip from the state park, but it’s not an activity destination.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow the former.
Please do. Thanks!
Coming up next: Another new destination.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Porcupine Mountains State Park: Greenstone Falls, Overlooked Falls, Little Carp River
One of my favorite Midwest spots is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Michigan upper peninsula.
The park offers 90 miles of trails, beautiful lakes, and numerous waterfalls. It also offers an immense amount of biting insects (black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other major nuisances).
The best way to avoid these annoying pests (they are worst in June and July), is to go offseason. Fall and Winter are my favorite times. In the Winter the park offers both downhill and cross-country ski trails. Continue reading “Porcupine Mountains State Park: Greenstone Falls, Overlooked Falls, Little Carp River”
Porcupine Mountains State Park: Presque Isle River Reflections
One of my favorite Midwest spots is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Michigan upper peninsula.
The park offers 90 miles of trails, beautiful lakes, and numerous waterfalls. It also offers an immense amount of biting insects (black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other major nuisances).
The best way to avoid these annoying pests (they are worst in June and July), is to go offseason. Fall and Winter are my favorite times. In the Winter the park offers both downhill and cross-country ski trails.
The park has three main sections: Lake of the Clouds (plus the shoreline), the interior, and the river (waterfall) section. This post is on the river section.
All of these images are from mid-October. They represent the peak of the Autumn season.
Autumn Reflections
The feature image was taken at ISO 100 for 0.4 seconds at F11. I used a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at a focal length of 82 MM.
Here are a couple more images. Slight changes in composition or tripod placement can produce hugely different reflections.
Tips
The key to reflection images such as these is for the water to be in the shade. The reflected trees are in the sun. The exposures were long enough to purposely blur the water.
You will need a tripod for shots like these. Play around with various exposures and time durations. The faster the moving water, the less time you need to get smooth water.
Get low to the water!
Sometimes you cannot see any reflections unless you do. Find a composition you like, then setup the tripod in that position.
There is a 2-mile waterfall loop trail that circles the waterfall section. Take it.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Porcupine Mountains Images
- Porcupine Mountains State Park: Lake of the Clouds
- Porcupine Mountains State Park: Presque Isle River, Manabezho Falls
- Porcupine Mountains State Park: Presque Isle River, Manido Falls
- Porcupine Mountains State Park: Presque Isle River, Nawadaha Falls
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow the former.
Please do. Thanks!
Coming up next: a long-exposure surprise then on to a new location.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Porcupine Mountains State Park: Presque Isle River, Manabezho Falls
One of my favorite Midwest spots is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Michigan upper peninsula.
The park offers 90 miles of trails, beautiful lakes, and numerous waterfalls. It also offers an immense amount of biting insects (black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other major nuisances).
The best way to avoid these annoying pests (they are worst in June and July), is to go offseason. Fall and Winter are my favorite times. In the Winter the park offers both downhill and cross-country ski trails.
The park has three main sections: Lake of the Clouds (plus the shoreline), the interior, and the river (waterfall) section. This post and the next few will cover the Presque Isle River section.
Manabezho Falls
Manabezho Falls has a drop of approximately 25 feet and a crest of 150 feet, it is the largest of the waterfalls on the river. It is below Manido Falls and Nawadaha Falls. The name Manabezho refers to an Ojibway spirit god. A view of the falls is easily accessible by trail.
All of these images are from mid-October. They represent what you can look forward to.
Feature Image Details
ISO 100 for 0.6 seconds at F16. I used a Canon 100-400 MM F 4.5-5.6 L Lens at a focal length of 200 MM. I seldom use this lens but it does come in handy at times. This was one of the times.
For this waterfall, one needs to zoom in to isolate the best portion of it. Otherwise, you will end up with too much sky or too many unattractive sections of the span.
The composition lends itself to both horizontal and vertical framing.
The focal length on the vertical image is 300 mm.
Tips
Waterfalls photograph best in bright overcast conditions or in shade. Judging from the autumn reflections in the water, this was an image taken late mid-to-late afternoon with some sun hitting the trees and reflecting in the water, but no direct light on the waterfall itself.
There is a 2-mile waterfall loop trail that circles the waterfall section. Take it. This waterfall photographs best from the main parking area side, but Manido Falls, up next, offers opportunities from both sides.
Presque Isle River Bridge Crossing
A scenic wooden bridge crosses the Presque Isle River and there is a nice shot from the middle of it.
Be forewarned, traffic is heavy and it can be difficult to get a shot with no one crossing. That shot was 1.3 seconds at 100 mm which necessitate a tripod. For this length of time, if anyone is moving on the bridge it will ruin the image.
The water is high in this shot, way too high actually. There are beautiful stone carve-outs and potholes that photograph better when the water is low. But when the water is low, it’s also low on the main waterfalls. All in all, more water is better even if less water was better for this one shot.
It’s hard to get calm conditions at this spot. The rushing water makes its own wind. The best approach is to take a couple of frames, one to stop motion of the leaves, and another to enhance the motion on the water and blend them.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Coming up next: Manido Falls and Rainbows
In case you missed it, please see Porcupine Mountains State Park: Lake of the Clouds for a glorious sunset.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow the former.
Please do. Thanks!
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Porcupine Mountains State Park: Lake of the Clouds
One does not have to travel West, East, South, or overseas to make excellent images. The Midwest is tremendously overlooked as a photography location.
One of my favorite Midwest spots is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Michigan upper peninsula.
The park offers 90 miles of trails, beautiful lakes, and numerous waterfalls. It also offers an immense amount of biting insects (black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and other major nuisances).
The best way to avoid these annoying pests (they are worst in June and July), is to go offseason. Fall and Winter are my favorite times. In the Winter the park offers both downhill and cross-country ski trails.
This post covers Autumn opportunities.
The park has three main sections: Lake of the Clouds (plus the shoreline), the interior, and the river (waterfall) section. This post covers the Lake of the Clouds section.
One can drive to the top, hike a short distance, and take the same shots as millions of others, or one can go off the beaten path. The feature image is decidedly off the beaten path.
All of these images are from mid-October. They represent what you can look forward to.
Off the Beaten Path
My wife Liz and I, along with one other person, shared that glorious sunset.
To get to that spot, one can hike along the Escarpment Trail from the main Lake of the Clouds parking lot or one can take a 30-45 minute uphill trail that I would rate as moderate. It can be a scramble in some places and it is hard to locate. The trail is near a mine on the left as one is heading up towards the main Lake in the Clouds parking area.
The spot is excellent at both sunrise and sunset. For the former, you need to allow plenty of time.
I advise taking the trail during the day so you know exactly what to expect. Here are more images from this fantastic location.
The above two images were early morning. Liz and I hiked up at sunrise. Unfortunately, the clouds were just a little late. They would have turned pink at sunrise but they blew in after sunrise.
Main Lake of the Clouds Area
I took that image from the main viewing area at sunrise. It may look secluded, but it isn’t and it won’t be.
Here is a view from the opposite direction.
That image was well before dawn. I count 13 people in that scene but there were at least another dozen downhill that you cannot see. More came before sunrise and shortly after sunrise, there were at least 60 people.
The spot is large enough to accommodate everyone. I am merely pointing out you better expect lots of other people no matter how nasty the weather. I have been to this spot when it was rainy and windy with at least a dozen others all hoping for a break in the clouds.
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Top 100 Nature Photography Websites
Feedspot just featured me in their list of Top 100 Nature Photography Blogs & Websites To Follow in 2018.
There is a nominal charge of $2 per month to track whatever sites you wish to follow and see new sites as they come on board. I consider it worth it.
Coming up next: More Michigan Autumn images.
Please Subscribe: Click to Subscribe by Email.
You can also follow me on Twitter! I have both an economic forum and a photography forum.
- Photography: MishMoments
- Economics: MishGEA
MishMoments is a subset of MishGEA. Those interested in photography only should follow the former.
Please do. Thanks!
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Joshua Tree National Park – Barker Dam – Autumn Reflections in December
The Barker Dam, also known as the Big Horn Dam, is a water-storage facility located in Joshua Tree National Park in California. The dam was constructed by early cattlemen, including CO Barker, in 1900. It was raised in 1949 by rancher William F. Keys.
I took this set of images on December 12, 2017. No one was more surprised than me to learn mid-December was the peak of Autumn. The willow trees were all glowing orange and yellow about a half-hour before sunset.
We got there late in the afternoon and it was a scramble to take as many different angles as I could in about 1/2 hour of time.
Feature Image Details
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
- Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at 28mm, F16, 1/40 second, ISO 400.
Additional Images
All of the images were taken with the same 24-105mm lens. The focal lengths of the images ranged from 24 to 98mm.
Nowhere else in the park has such beautiful deciduous trees.
Equipment
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Please Share!
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Much more coming: Click to Subscribe by Email.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Council Overhang – HDR Merge
This the last in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
Next up: Joshua Tree National Park where I went in early to mid-December to photograph a meteor shower and rock formations.
I took the feature image in last week of October of 2017.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Council Overhang – HDR Merge”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Autumn – Focus Bracketing
This the next to the last in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
It’s almost time to explore another place in depth. Death Valley National Park California is one of my choices. I have lots of images to choose from. Finding time to write that’s the issue.
I took these image the first week in last week of October of 2017. They are from Ottawa Canyon.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Autumn – Focus Bracketing”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Starburst
This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took these image the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.
There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.
The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.
There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Starburst”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections II
This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took this image the first week in November of 2017. It’s from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park. My last article also covered reflection possibilities in Illinois Canyon.
There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.
The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.
The reflection images show the water you may encounter. It’s not that deep. but in Spring and Fall, it can be cold. There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections II”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections
This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took these images the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.
There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.
The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.
The reflection images show the water you may encounter. It’s not that deep. but in Spring and Fall, it can be cold. There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon in Autumn Part 1
This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took these images the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.
There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.
The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient. Some upcoming reflection images will highlight the need for waterproof shoes.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon in Autumn Part 1”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Aurora Canyon in Autumn
This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took these images on October 29. I was at the park again today. I got some nice shots from Illinois Canyon that I will post shortly.
This is the Autumn grand finale. There is only a day or two left. One strong wind will end the Autumn leaf-chasing opportunities season.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Aurora Canyon in Autumn”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Waterfall in Autumn
This is the fourth in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
I took these images this past week. If you are close by, there is still time to see the park. Peak time is now.
As is typically the case at Starved Rock, and photographing waterfalls in general, the best conditions possible are bright overcast days with little or no wind.
This past week was cloudy most of the time and winds were calm early and late in the day most days.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Waterfall in Autumn”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Kaskaskia Canyon
This is a third in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.
If you haven’t been there, go. If you have been there, then go back, in a different season. My favorites are Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, in that order.
No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Kaskaskia Canyon”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon – Council Overhang
You do not need to go to national parks or national monuments to make great images.
No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.
I offer this advice to Illinoisans: Just outside Chicago, there’s a place called Illinois. Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon – Council Overhang”
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon
You do not need to go to national parks or national monuments to make great images.
No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.
I offer this advice to Illinoisans: Just outside Chicago, there’s a place called Illinois.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon”
Zion National Park – Autumn – Clear Creek
Clear creek runs parallel to the road through Zion in many places.
For the images in this article, I parked in designated but unnamed parking spots and scrambled down to the creek. I did not run into another person but in several places, I did see footprints on occasion.
The water-carved canyon walls are quite impressive and well worth exploring.
Feature Image Details
- Canon EOS 6D (I now use and highly recommend the EOS 5D Mark IV )
- Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens: (my favorite lens) at 35 mm.
- F16 for 8 seconds ISO 50
The light was fading fast but it was nearly calm so there was little movement in the leaves. In retrospect, I should have used a much higher ISO.
ISO 800 would have provided 4 stops of light. 50-100 is one stop, 100-200 is another stop, 200-400 is the third stop, and 400-800 is the 4th stop.
Each stop doubles or halves the exposure time. Instead of 8 seconds, my exposure would have been 1/2 second.
To achieve the depth of field in the images, I used a technique called focus stacking. I focused on the wall in one image and the background in another. Two images are generally insufficient for focus stacking but that is all I took.
One can combine the images manually or use a program like “Zerene Stacker“. I was forced to do a manual combination as I accidentally shifted the camera slightly between images and they did not line up.
Thus, I made a lot of mistakes, but I am pleased with the final result.
Additional Clear Creek Image
Scrambling Tips
The key to these images is easy: Get off the beaten path and explore!
There is nothing difficult about the preceding image other than scrambling down the hillside with no marked trail to get to the creek bed. I took the above image about 15 minutes before the feature image.
I almost stopped at that point because the light was fading fast but an inner voice said look around the next bend. The result was one of my favorite images from the trip.
When you are off the trail, please look around you in all directions even if you have a Garmin or other tracking device. It’s important to know how to get back out, whether or not your tracking device fails.
I frequently leave cairns for myself. In this case I didn’t because I have an excellent memory for features, even individual rocks. When in doubt, please mark your spot so you know how to get back to your car.
Other Zion National Park Articles
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Three – Inside the Subway
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Two – The Crack
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part One – Archangel Falls
- Zion National Park Autumn – Great White Throne
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 1
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 2 (After a Rainfall)
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Middle and Upper Emerald Pools
- Zion National Park – The Watchman – Autumn
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Hiking “The Narrows” Part I
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Hiking “The Narrows” Part II
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Hiking “The Narrows” Part III
Equipment
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Please Share!
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Much more coming: Click to Subscribe by Email.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Zion National Park – Autumn – Hiking “The Narrows” Part I
The premier hikes in Zion National Part are “The Subway” and “The Narrows”. Competition for the Subway is intense and there is a lottery system as explained in my previous posts (links below).
This set of posts covers the “Narrows”, a hike whose only trail is the Virgin River itself. Some parts of the hike are relatively open, but other sections are narrow, between water-carved sandstone walls rising over a hundred feet on each side of the river.
In the summer you can hike in shorts, but in November, when we went, a wetsuit is best. The feature image is just before the narrows. I have more dramatic images coming up, but I like autumn colors and the stream reflections in this image.
Feature Image Details
- Canon EOS 6D (I now use and highly recommend the EOS 5D Mark IV )
- Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens: (my favorite lens) at 33 mm.
- F16 for 5 seconds ISO 50
Reflected light is the key to this image, and images in the Narrows in general. There is no sunlight on the water, the tree or the canyon walls. Rather the light hits one canyon wall and bounces off it providing a glow everywhere else.
I used a polarizer on this image as I did every image in the Narrows.
Many photographers carried cell phones with HDR (High Dynamic Range) programs to see what images would look like before deciding whether or not to taking their cameras out of their dry bags and setup.
It seemed easy enough to me to tell whether or not I liked an image without having to rely on a cell phone app to check.
Narrows Equipment
That’s what hiking the Narrows looks like. I took the image using my tripod and a self-timer: ISO 800, 21mm, F13, 1/5 second.
We rented wetsuits, hiking poles, and shoes suitable for river hiking. In addition, I rented a dry bag for my camera (the gray bag in front of me). Those are full wetsuits. Unless it is really cold, I strongly recommend a half wetsuit. If you have to pee, full wetsuits are more than a minor nuisance.
There are numerous places just outside the park to rent equipment.
On my back is a CamelBak Backpack. CamelBak makes a great hiking pack. The model I have is called HAWG NV. On B&H, the equivalent seems to be the Fourteener 24 22 L Hydration Backpack with 3L Reservoir. This is a wonderfully light pack and it comes with a water hydration system. It is well constructed and I am not worried about leakage. Pick one that meets your needs. In addition to 3 liters of water, the backpack will hold a couple of lenses, batteries, a flashlight, filters, ect., but not large lenses.
I only took two lenses with me: A Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens and a Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens. Add a polarizer and a tripod (the latter is a necessity), and that is all you will need. If you are in the canyon and you think you need a flash, you are shooting in the wrong light.
I saw people carrying massive telephoto lenses and I was constantly wondering “What they hell do they need those lenses for?”
The hike is not strenuous if the water level is low. If the water level is high and fast, they close the hike. If a big rainstorm is on the way, you will not survive the narrowest sections.
There is no elevation change but you are hiking in the river, against the current on the way in.
Riverwalk Area
One can take the above image without getting wet.
Relatively speaking, I found the upper Emerald Pools Trail more difficult than the Narrows, but we were fortunate to have easy conditions. The rental places and the park visitor center can assist if you have questions.
Other Zion National Park Images
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Three – Inside the Subway
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Two – The Crack
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part One – Archangel Falls
- Zion National Park Autumn – Great White Throne
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 1
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 2 (After a Rainfall)
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Middle and Upper Emerald Pools
- Zion National Park – The Watchman – Autumn
Equipment
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Please Share!
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Much more coming: Click to Subscribe by Email.
Coming up: More Narrows
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Zion National Park – The Watchman – Autumn
Everyone wants an iconic image of the Watchman. An hour or more before sunset, people line up on a bridge that provides the viewpoint. You will stand shoulder to shoulder, assuming you can find a parking spot and photography spot.
There are white painted lines on the bridge that give each photographer his 24 inches of space or whatever it is. Spots directly over the Virgin River are the most coveted spots. To get a good spot, you may need to be two or more hours early.
Feature Image Details
- Canon EOS 6D (I now use and highly recommend the EOS 5D Mark IV )
- Canon 24-105MM F4 L Lens at 47 MM.
- F8 for 1/100 second ISO 100
The guidebooks all say to be on the bridge at sunset. Phooey. I took the feature image in the early afternoon. I had the entire bridge to myself.
There was nothing in the near foreground so F8 was quite adequate. Shortly after I took the above image, the clouds dissipated but the crowds came pouring in.
At sunset, in November, there is no light at all on the cottonwood trees. And if there are no clouds coupled with deep shadows on the trees, there is not much of an image. Nonetheless, nearly every day, people stacked up, waiting hours for a shot could not happen under the existing light.
In such conditions, I suggest doing something else. Anything else. We went hiking on the Emerald Pools trails for the second time rather than fight the crowds.
Other Zion National Park Images
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Three – Inside the Subway
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part Two – The Crack
- Zion National Park – Subway Trek Part One – Archangel Falls
- Zion National Park Autumn – Great White Throne
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 1
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Lower Emerald Pools Part 2 (After a Rainfall)
- Zion National Park – Autumn – Middle and Upper Emerald Pools
Equipment
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
Please Share!
If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.
Much more coming: Click to Subscribe by Email.
Coming up: Hiking the Narrows.
The Narrows is a premier hike in Zion, second only to “The Subway” see links 1-3 above.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock