The other day I went out to Phinizy Swamp, a beautiful nature preserve in Augusta, GA. I hadn’t been there in years but it didn’t disappoint, although it was very overgrown, as it is in the Summer. Once the cooler weather hits, it is much more beautiful and nuanced regarding the different colors. Things that were covered up in the Summer stand out because they are not impeded by the overgrowth. I still managed to get a few good shots showing just how lovely and peaceful it is there. If you’re a nature photographer this is the absolute best.
Phinizy Swamp
I love going to Phinizy Swamp in the late afternoon when shadows are more prominent. There is something so beautiful about how the bridges curve around under the cypress trees. The day I went there the sky was a deep blue with puffy clouds emitting sunlight giving it a heavenly feel. It is so amazing that a swamp can be so alluring and almost dream-like. I have wonderful memories of visiting this magical picturesque oasis in the middle of a busy world. The peacefulness is almost hard to explain unless you’re there.
Phinizy Swamp 2017
I met my friend Pat the other day at Phinizy Swamp. She came with her hubby and her grandson, Gabriel. I didn’t think there would be any new pictures to take, since I have been there numerous times, but there is always a new take on a picture. I found myself taking pictures of things I hadn’t done before, or maybe the same thing, but using a different angle to create something original. It’s very nice to visit the same place a few times during the year to get a different perspective.
Birding
A friend invited me to his house to shoot pictures of the many birds that frequent his front yard. I always wondered how he gets the super close up shots of these birds and the answer is that he hides. By that I mean that he has something called a Hunting Blind, which essentially is a small tent in his yard with a net in the front which is cut out to allow your long camera lens through. You must be extra quiet and not move too much. Basically just sit still and wait and wait and wait. To entice the birds to perch, he stocks a spot with lots of bird food. Eventually your patience pays off when these gorgeous winged creatures perch to eat and, with your long lens, you get remarkably close up shots. I borrowed his long lens for this to test it out to see if I want to buy one for myself.