trying to make sense of my world through pictures

Nature

Woods Fork – Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork - Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork - Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

A 6.6 mile hike with 800′ of elevation climbed on Busiek’s White and Orange trails.

06 January 2012 | Copyright © 2012 Gary Allman


James River, Springfield, near the Crighton access point.

James River, Springfield, near the  Crighton access point. by Gary Allman

Today looked like being the last warm day for a while so we took Lanie out fishing on the James River. It was a wonderfully warm and a very pleasant afternoon. Not that either Lanie or I caught anything apart from leaves and trees.

Ginger and Lanie near the Crighton access point on the James River

Ginger and Lanie near the Crighton access point on the James River

Gary Fishing. James River, Springfield, Missouri

Gary Fishing. James River, Springfield, Missouri. All I caught was leaves.

13 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Sunset at Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Sunset at Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

I went on a walk around the closed off areas of the campsite, and ended up walking back along the lakeside. When I got back to our campsite Ginger fancied a walk, so we re-traced part of my walk, which was very fortuitous as we were able to see this fantastic sunset over the lake. Note the very cool Crepuscular Rays.

The wind blew hard and unpredictably most of the evening, making sitting round the campfire hazardous at times, but the sparks made up for the absence of fireworks.

Sitting round the campfire on Guy Fawkes night

Sitting round the campfire on Guy Fawkes night

Bucksaw campsite in the moonlight

Bucksaw campsite in the moonlight

05 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Dead tree, Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Dead tree, Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

We took the Kayaks out on Harry S Truman lake today, but it was too windy to go far. We saw a flock, or whatever the collective noun is, of white pelicans. After being driven off the the lake by the wind I went on a walk around the closed off areas of the campsite, and ended up walking back along the lakeside where I saw this dead tree.
 
White Pelicans on Harry S Truman Lake at Bucksaw

White Pelicans on Harry S Truman Lake at Bucksaw

Camping at Bucksaw Campground, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Camping at Bucksaw Campground, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri


05 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Autumn color on the road to the South trail head at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Autumn color of the road to the South trail head at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area by Gary Allman

On leaving Busiek I spotted this scene on the track out from the trail head.

Fall color at home

When we arrived home the fall color was just as impressive

01 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri

Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri by Gary Allman

Looking up I saw these wonderful colors…

Gary and Ginger stopped for lunch on Woods Fork, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Gary and Ginger stopped for lunch on Woods Fork, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork Crossing

Woods Fork Crossing

01 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri

Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri by Gary Allman

We hiked the Yellow and Silver trails at Busiek today – a little over 4 miles and around 624 feet of elevation climbed.

The the colour of the trees on the trail by the Carter Cemetery were breathtaking.

Woods Fork crossing, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork crossing, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri

Fall color at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, Missouri

Berries on the Yellow Trail at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

01 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Railroad Bridge over the James River at the Springfield Nature Center

Railroad Bridge over the James River at the Springfield Nature Center by Gary Allman

This morning we took our kayaks out on James River – just a 15 minute drive from home.

Ginger kayaking on the James River, Springfield Missouri

Ginger kayaking on the James River, Springfield Missouri

Relaxing in the Kayak after lunch at Lake Springfield, Missouri

Relaxing in the Kayak after lunch at Lake Springfield, Missouri

31 October 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Kite flying on Old Hunstanton Beach

Kite flying on Old Hunstanton Beach by Gary Allman

09 July 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Waiting for the weather and tide

Multicoloured layered cliffs at Hunstanton, Norfolk, UK

Multicoloured layered cliffs at Hunstanton, Norfolk, UK

The play of light in the sky and the humps of the the eroded sandstone boulders which were arranged in lines pointing out to sea, was wonderful. I made a couple of attempts to capture it, and this is the one I like best. The green of the seaweed was a great bonus. It really was that vivid. Even though it was accurate, I had to take the saturation down just a tad as it was looking unreal.

The picture was taken looking West from the beach at Hunstanton, where there are some wonderful layered and coloured cliffs. While setting up and taking this picture I knew there was a chance of the sun breaking through and lighting up the cliffs behind me. But after a seemingly interminable wait, we gave up. Sure enough later on the sun shone through but I wasn’t in a position to get the shot.

Sun burst over the Wash

Sun burst over the Wash

08 July 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Guile Point leading Marks. Lindisfarne, UK

the obelisks on Guile Point that make up the leading marks into the harbour to the South of Lindisfarne (Holy Island). The seaward obelisk carries a light (Guile Point East Lighthouse) and is over 68 feet tall. I’ve seen the obelisks referred to as sinister, they certainly do loom somewhat forlornly I thought over the windswept coastline.

You can also see Bamburgh Castle on the horizon.

Lindisfarne Castle

An attempt to get a picture of Lindisfarne Castle and use a wall to frame the castle and obscure an ugly lamp post on the quay.

Lindisfarne Castle

Lindisfarne Castle

07 July 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Oil refinery at Grangemouth seen from Culross

Oil refinery at Grangemouth from Culross by Gary Allman

Looking across the Firth of Forth.

It’s about time I posted a picture that didn’t include lots of green in it.

29 June 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Dunmore hill and Melville monument

Dunmore hill and obelisk by Gary Allman

Taken on our Comrie hike, looking North towards the granite obelisk on Dunmore hill which commemorates Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville.

There was a tad too much water vapour in the atmosphere for a really clear picture, but I liked the way the light was playing on the field and trees.

The 18mm – 105mm kit lens that came with the camera is very good – though as I shot this at 50mm I could have used my prime lens and got an even sharper image. Checking the image in detail I was very surprised to find that details of the obelisk can be seen.

29 June 2011 | Comrie | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Looking North along Glen Lednock – Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland

Glen Lednock by Gary Allman

Looking North from the road while on our Glen Lednock hike.

Gary seen in a ditch getting ready to take a picture - Photograph by Ginger

29 June 2011 | Glen Lednock | Comrie | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Pastures and derelict buildings – Dumyat, Stirling, Scotland

Pastures and derelict buildings by Gary Allman

On the hills to the North East of Dumyat.

Keith, Gary and Ginger - Dumyat, Stirling, Scotland

Keith, Gary and Ginger on Dumyat, Stirling, Scotland



28 June 2011 | Dumyat, Stirling, Scotland | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Scottish hills

Scottish hillsides by Gary Allman

We’ve been hiking in Scotland. Taken from Dumyat, Stirling.

28 June 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

We bushwhacked our way along the riverside in the brush on the left.

Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

18 April 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Bluffs on the Meramec River, Meramec State Park, Missouri

Bluffs on the Meramec River, Missouri by Gary Allman

We spent the last couple of days of our Spring break holiday camping in an almost deserted Meramec State Park. Just after we had arrived I noticed the light on the bluffs, and dashed over to grab a couple of quick pictures as the sun went down.

This picture is another fine example of the ‘painterly’ images my little Fuji compact camera can produce.

24 March 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Sundown at Little Brazil Creek, Missouri

Sundown at Little Brazil Creek Missouri by Gary Allman

After a day’s hiking we camped near Little Brazil Creek. While we ate our dinner by the creek we watched the sun go down.

21 March 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Ozarks’ skies

Ozarks' skies by Gary Allman

Sycamore Tree – Plantanus occidentalis on the the white trail, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri 

01 March 2011 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Little Sac River from the Sac River Trail

Little Sac River from the Sac River Trail by Gary Allman

Snow on the Sac River Trail This afternoon we decided to enjoy the sunshine, brave the snow cover and go for a short hike on the Sac River Trail. The hike was fine, proving our gear is up to a winter hike, getting to the trail and away again was not so good. 

On our way to the trail I nearly ‘T Boned’ a pick-up and trailer as it sailed through a stop sign without stopping; the driver was too busy chatting on his cell ‘phone to notice the stop sign. A couple of hours later at the parking lot for the trail I made the mistake of trying to turnaround to get out and got us well and truly stuck in the snow. I had to resort to digging down through the snow and ice to the ground using my pocket knife. Note to self: Snow shovels aren’t worth a damn for digging out a stuck van.

05 February 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


View from the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Valley Water Mill Pond by Gary Allman

Gary in the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Gary in the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Having spent all morning languishing in bed with my laptop some activity was called for. Not wanting anything too strenuous we decided to check out a small nature center just North East of Springfield.

At one end of the pond we found a duck blind with this magnificent view. So much for my saying I was going to try and cut down on the landscape lakes and rivers pictures.


02 January 2011 | Watershed Center | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Woods Fork at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area by Gary Allman

Today we hiked the yellow and silver trails at Busiek. The weather was nice and warm, not too hot for hiking, and although it was windy; in among the trees we didn’t notice it. 

The previous night night several squall lines passed through, and a couple of trees were down across the trail. We won’t mention the tree near home which the same storm knocked down, taking out a power pole and leaving us without electricity for over 24 hours.

26 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Berry Bend, Harry S. Truman lake, Missouri

Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

On our second day we went on a 6.5 mile Kayaking trip, going up one side of Berry Bend and back along the other shore. There were loads of submerged trees. I’ve not really found the best way to capture them yet.

09 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


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