Posted by Darren Huski on July 13, 2013 at 6:05 AM
I guess I could also call this why I like Google Maps and Earth.
I am always on the look out for places close to home I can photograph. That is no easy task. North Texas is not a nature photography hotspot so you really have to dig for good places. Also, I think the fact most people are set in the routines and it makes it hard to find new areas. Well I do spend time with Google Maps and Google Earth looking for potential areas. If something looks promising I start looking for images too to see what might be possible.
I knew that there were some limestone bluffs south of us near Lake Whitney. I saw some images of a couple that were along the Nolan River. spending some time with Google Maps, I found one that looked like it had good public access. Do not under estimate that part as 99.9% of Texas is privately owned.
So hoping that it had great potential, I made a trip down to the Nolan River and found a short walk got you to this bluff. The river is running clear on a rocky bottom too.
Needless to say, I was quite pleased to find such a neat feature that was both close to home and relatively unknown.
It is exactly 60 minutes door to bluff. Looking forward to being here in the fall and even winter.
Wow, what a great find, Darren! Really a neat place. Looks like there might be a good place to take a swim on a hot summer afternoon too.
I enjoyed the story about how you found the location. I think one of the things I love most about landscape photography is the anticipation of new discoveries and new places to see. Most of the time they are mediocre at best, but once in while, "even a blind sow picks up an acorn" as my dad used to say. I planned for a scouting trip last week using the methodology you described, and was thrilled to find a remote canyon with some flowing spring water - not an easy thing to do this time of year. It was like the land that time forgot.
Great find, Darren, I bet we will see some shots this fall and winter from here!
Posted by Darren Huski on July 14, 2013 at 7:19 AM
Thanks guys. Yes, there are some good tools that can help find locations. Add in finding one fairly close to home is a bonus. You can be sure I will be making trips back here.
Discussion
4 repliesI am always on the look out for places close to home I can photograph. That is no easy task. North Texas is not a nature photography hotspot so you really have to dig for good places. Also, I think the fact most people are set in the routines and it makes it hard to find new areas. Well I do spend time with Google Maps and Google Earth looking for potential areas. If something looks promising I start looking for images too to see what might be possible.
I knew that there were some limestone bluffs south of us near Lake Whitney. I saw some images of a couple that were along the Nolan River. spending some time with Google Maps, I found one that looked like it had good public access. Do not under estimate that part as 99.9% of Texas is privately owned.
So hoping that it had great potential, I made a trip down to the Nolan River and found a short walk got you to this bluff. The river is running clear on a rocky bottom too.
Needless to say, I was quite pleased to find such a neat feature that was both close to home and relatively unknown.
It is exactly 60 minutes door to bluff. Looking forward to being here in the fall and even winter.
See a few more on my blog.
http://wildernessphotographer.blogspot.com/2013/07/hidden-gems.html
I enjoyed the story about how you found the location. I think one of the things I love most about landscape photography is the anticipation of new discoveries and new places to see. Most of the time they are mediocre at best, but once in while, "even a blind sow picks up an acorn" as my dad used to say. I planned for a scouting trip last week using the methodology you described, and was thrilled to find a remote canyon with some flowing spring water - not an easy thing to do this time of year. It was like the land that time forgot.
Nice work! Thanks for sharing.