Summary

The author describes their daily routine of visiting a nearby wooded area to take photographs, detailing the challenges and rewards of capturing wildlife, mountain bikers, and the serene landscape, while also sharing personal anecdotes about the experience.

Abstract

Every morning, the author embarks on a photography expedition to a local woodland, a habit they've cultivated to intimately understand and better capture the essence of this specific place. Despite the convenience of other locations, the author finds value in the familiarity of the woods, which has grown on them over time. The area is shared with mountain bikers, requiring quick reflexes to avoid collisions, and the author has learned to navigate the light and speed challenges to photograph the fast-moving cyclists. The woods serve as a sanctuary for various activities, including bird watching and dog walking, and the author has become adept at managing their dog's excitable behavior around other walkers and poodles. Amidst the hustle, there are tranquil spots, like a reflective pond, which offer respite and opportunities for capturing nature's beauty. The author reflects on the changing use of the land and its significance as a natural habitat amidst urban development, hopeful to continue their photographic journey there for years to come.

Opinions

The author values the deep understanding of a location gained through frequent visits, believing it enhances the quality of their photography.
They express a preference for capturing birds up close despite the challenge, indicating a dedication to their craft.
Mountain bikers are described as polite yet unyielding to pedestrians, suggesting a mixed feeling of respect and mild annoyance.
The author is critical of safety practices for children on the bike trails, highlighting a concern for child welfare.
A sense of pride and endearment is conveyed when discussing the fearless riding of a young boy on the trails.
The author reveals a humorous frustration with their dog Tom's behavior, particularly his penchant for barking at poodles, indicating a loving yet exasperated pet owner relationship.
There is an appreciation for the quiet beauty of the woods, away from the activity of biking and dog walking, as evidenced by the description of the pond and its surroundings.
The author shows a keen interest in preserving the natural state of the land, recognizing its importance as a habitat for wildlife amidst the encroachment of suburban sprawl.

There Is a Special Place That I Go in the Morning

Taking pictures in just one place has advantages

Every morning I drag out of bed, slug down coffee and a Bob’s Bar, grab the camera and head out to the woods about half a mile from my house. I could drive lots of places within an hour, but I have an idea. If I get to really know this place and understand it maybe my pictures will get better. I certainly appreciate these scrubby fields a lot more than I did at first.

Yeah, I take a lot of bird pictures. I don’t have the greatest gear so I have to get close. You can’t sneak up on a bird, especially if you are clumsy but I keep trying. After a thousand visits, I know where the birds are. If only they would hold still!

I share the trails with mountain bikers who are very polite. but they all hold to the fixed belief that they are a train running on a track and cannot slow down for anything. The trails are set up so the bikes are coming toward you and you have about five seconds to leap aside, a challenge if a stubborn little dog is involved. As they disappear the cyclists always yell “have a good day.”

A shutter speed of 1/1000 or higher is needed to freeze the action and this creates light issues on the shady paths. I want to be able to read jacket inscriptions and shoe brands! Solution: stand in pools of light and let the action come to you.

A young girl challenges the mountain bike trails by the Author

There are 16 miles of bike trails many too challenging for me. I have seen this young lady several times and I have confidence in her rabbit-eared skills. Unfortunately, I have also seen children around three or four riding without helmets perched on the front of their mother’s bike seat or in a “baby seat” on the back. Have there been serious injuries? Probably no one would know.

A family is spread out on the mountain bike trails by the Author.

The little guy you can see up ahead here rides like a rocket. If he fell off his bike he would probably somersault and hop back on. Notice he wears a good helmet. I wish there was even a moment in my life when I was so fearless!

A man walks his dog toward evening by the Author

As long as you are adept at dodging mountain bikes the woods is a great place for dog walking, cool and shady on the hottest days. When I meet another walker with a dog, I bail out between those pine trees into the tick jungle so Tom’s growling and lunging will not cause alarm. I have now removed 65 ticks since April.

Tom’s dream target for mad barking by the Author

Tom looks for poodles on short leashes being walked by well-dressed rather elegant ladies. If he can wind the leash completely around her he scores ten points but does not win my approval. He does not respond to any training attempts. I have tried shaking coins in a can at him and distracting him with treats but unfortunately, barking IS the treat.

Away from bikes and poodles, the woods have some pretty spots. In the late afternoon, the surface of this pond is like glass. Turtles and fish enjoy the shallow water. Someone has set up poles to attach sleeping hammocks by the water. There is also a tiny “free library” box where we often leave books.

In winter a light dusting of snow creates a pretty scene at the farm next door to the woods. Theoretically, I could walk across these fields from my house to the preserve but it is too muddy and weedy to actually do that.

There are very similar pictures I have taken many times, trying different lenses, apertures, and perspectives. Here I am pleased with the exposure as usually the field is too bright if the path is properly exposed. Of course, I can adjust the highlights and shadows with Lightroom. On a typical four-mile walk I will take 300 exposures with the goal of three good ones I am at least kind of happy with.

A mountain biker in the shade by the Author

These are old lands that have seen tobacco wagons, horses, beat-up farm trucks, tired field hands, and now multi-use park trails. In twenty years this will be the only viable deer and turkey habitat amidst ugly subdivisions. I hope I will still be stumbling around.