Winter Hiking to Eagle Falls

Winter waterfalls are one of my favorite sights to see. When we venture down a winter's path through the woods, the surroundings look much different than other seasons.

Eagle Falls is located on the Cumberland River, down from the famous Cumberland Falls, in Kentucky's southeast region.

In the springtime, you can walk the path on the other side of the park. It's very popular and often crowded so go early. Hiking in winter means you usually have the woods and paths to yourself and so photographing Eagle Falls with no one to interrupt your shots is great.

This particular shot was made in the early afternoon, across the river, on the upper path, just past the parks visitors stone buildings.
We had to climb down some steep, icy stairs and then climb onto a large boulder to capture this.
The view is not very clear in the other seasons because of the tree leaves.
No, this type of hiking, by two photography nuts, isn't for the faint-hearted.
But in the end, it was worth it!

Natures Ice Sculptures







Beauty is all around us. most people think nature is only pretty in the warmer months but if you look hard enough and keep an open mind, you'll see it.

This was right in front of me in my yard. The rain had soaked the plants and then they were flash-frozen when the temperatures dropped.

It became a winter wonderland with the crystallized sculptures every where I looked.
Instead of dreading the ice, I took out my Nikon and shot some frozen scenes. Nature can create beauty all around us; even in the coldest, darkest days of winter.

This winter is fast becoming another frozen wonderland, so take your camera out and about and shoot some objects that seem to be frozen in time.

There is a beauty in these as long as the temps are cold. Make a positive experience out of one that may seem dreadful.



The Unexpected Snow

Sunny start to our hike at Pickett Park
Hiking is a fun way to get exercise and see mother nature. Sometimes we're lucky enough to capture a memorable experience.
While hiking in Pickett Park, Tennessee this winter, the clouds rolled in and it began to flurry.  Quickly the sun would pop out and warm up. This happened numerous times throughout the day so I wasn't worried.

As the afternoon sun disappeared once more, the it flurried and quickly grew into fat flakes. The wind picked up and now a horizontal blast was hitting our faces.

I was bundled up in three layers but had on sneakers and very wet, wool gloves. This wasn't fun anymore. My fingers were frozen and my toes were numb so we rushed to finished the 5 mile hike.

Pickett Park Arch
As always, my boyfriend was taking photos and the one was of me as the snow started to cover me up.
frozen to the bone
My camera was in its carrying case but not covered in plastic so I worried about it as well.
Finally after an hour and frozen stiff, we made it back to the car, very wet and cold.

I took  some nice photos that day but the reality of the drive home hit and so dampened my spirit a bit.

Hiking in all seasons can be fun and exhilarating. it can also become a near disaster if we get lost in the woods during an unexpected storm. Be sure to take a GPS along or compass, if anyone still uses these.
frozen lake at Pickett Park,TN


Giants in the Woods

If you go hiking much, there are times you'd swear someone was watching.
Yes, there are sounds and unexplained noises ,but sometimes your eyes can play tricks on you.
We were walking along a train near the Blue Heron Mining camp near Stearns KY. 
You can drive down to it or take the train from the depot.

We drove to the Mining Camp and walked across the foot bridge into the woods.
There are nice wooden foot bridges and paths all maintained by the Sheltowee Trail club.
I crossed the bridge and looked up and though the mossy group of rocks and boulder was staring at me!
Yeah, sometimes fatigue can get the better of me,but I snapped the photo and was amused by what I saw.

I see a green giant glaring at me from a sitting position and know others have too from their comments on my other sites.
How many times have any of us  had this experience and didn't tell anyone?
Now look and tell me what what you see.


Obsessed with Hiking and Taking Nature Shots



Spring Mill in Pioneer Village,IN


I often hike on weekends with my boyfriend and others through the National and State parks in Kentucky,Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.
Since receiving my new camera equipment a year ago, my love of nature and capturing images, along with hiking has become something of an obsession.
Spring Mills Park IN
Many people do hike the trails into the wilderness of the Daniel Boone Forest that runs from Kentucky into Tennessee. They also snap some greats pictures with their cell phones but carrying a camera bag and equipment isn't for everyone.
I'll be posting shots from my adventures into the wilderness from time to time. Maybe you'll recognize some of these locals and leave a comment.