At 6pm on Saturday, March 28th, I finally emerged from my winter cocoon and went out with my new camera. I know, I’ve had my new D5500 for a month and though I’ve worked in my studio, I haven’t been able to brave the cold for outdoor photography. I’ve never been a friend of winter, and it sure doesn’t get easier as the years go by!
I’m glad I did. Inspired by a fellow blogger, I visited an area I grew up around, Nankin Mills in Edward Hines Drive. Armed with my touch screen friendly, but not-so-thermal gloves, I headed out to see what I could find, with limited daylight.
This particular treeline has always caught my interest as I’ve driven through the park, and with today’s clear sky it was just about right. I may just come back for a four season collection here, taking the same shot in summer, fall and winter. I love the contrast of white trees against a blue sky, especially birch. The way the bark peels from these sycamore trees has the same effect. The trees are in a “grow zone” a natural area with bird houses that can be found throughout the park.
Sycamore trees, along with their peeling bark, also produce what we used to call “dingle balls”. Good for throwing and also picking apart the orange fuzz. Ah, to be seven again.
Across from the grow zone is a very old, rusty bridge. If you’re familiar with the area, you know exactly where this is. Forty five years ago, there was much more to Hines Park than there is today. The turnoffs and picnic areas went well back into the wooded areas, hidden from the main road. This old bridge allowed vehicle traffic back into the park when these areas were open, today the road is an overgrown foot path.
The bridge is a great location if you like to shoot rusty, crusty textures.
From the bridge, two fallen trees made natural bridges across the river. Twenty years ago, I’d have attempted to cross, just for grins. Today? Ha!
My favorite of the day was this shot of the base of one of the fallen trees. The only editing I did here was increase the Blacks, giving it a bit more contrast. I didn’t notice until seeing it in Lightroom the way the water appeared in this shot with the reflections above and below the sunlight hitting the water. Sometimes the photos you don’t expect actually turn out to be your best work!
As the sun dipped into the bare trees, my numb fingers suggested it was time to go, and my bladder confirmed it.
I’m so looking forward to more day trips this season, and my list of destinations is growing!
Great post! I remember when the metal bridge was painted all light blue. Sadly, part of Hines Park are dilapidated and uncared for. However, it does give a great sense of antiquity during picture-taking excursions, telling the story of the years that have passed and how time is moving on. What does it tell us about the upkeep of the park? I can tell you that the bike paths are not the best, being that I blew out a tire last year and did not bike the trail again, after returning an hour late back to work from my lunch break. I ran into the meeting, 5 minutes before it began, out of breath, sweating, and with my face a beet red from trying to ride my bike with a flat, to running alongside it, and then trying to ride it again, etc. through the path behind HFCC from Hines. I am grateful for the park but wonder what could be done to maintain the safety, security, and beauty of the area. But therein lies the question: what is beauty? The rugged bridge, with its rusted, worn look provides the unique personality for the perfect picture. To paint it would be a crime. Unless it’s painted
Hey! Thanks for commenting! The comfort station at the top of the hill is getting a facelift, so perhaps the bike trails are next. Sorry to hear about your flat! As far as the bridge, I doubt it will ever see paint again. I get the impression they’d rather draw visitors to the open areas of the park, across the bridge it’s pretty secluded.
I find the Nankin Mills area to be very pleasant, more so when it is green (coming soon, we hope!). I really appreciate how you’ve captured texture in these shots–the bridge, the trees. Next trip, you should be able to dispense with the gloves.
Hi Tom! Thanks!! Yes, I can’t wait for it to all come alive again. Sans the gloves.
Bring on the rusty, crusty textures! Your pics are gorgeous and further drive home my interest in being anywhere but Vegas.
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Ah, perspective! Not a day goes by that hubs and I don’t dream of being back out west.. And thank you! 🙂