Up the creek
I was staring at the computer monitor. The words for my book chapter I am writing were not flowing. Outside, the cicadas were going at it full tilt, serenading their mates with a raucous din. On the desk was a notepad, listing some local reserves I had planned to visit. That was the last bit of motivation I needed. It was time to throw together the camera kit and get outside for a few hours.
I ended up at the Paremoremo Scenic Reserve. Oddly, despite being within 10km of where I live, I hadn't been before. Paremoremo is also the site of a large prison. That part of the area is not very scenic. The weather was humid. Light showers were about. Fortunately finding the reserve was easy. I was the only one there. I guess everyone else was watching the cricket.
The track into the bush surprised me. There was rather more fallen trees to climb over than I expected. It didn't look like the track got a lot of regular use. There seemed to be a lot more clambering and crawling than I anticipated. The creek however, gave me the chance to try out some shots. I wasn't optimistic. At the end of summer most creeks and waterfalls have less water flowing through them. And summer tends to produce harsher light than I like. My main intent really was to just get outside and to scout out for scenes I could photograph later- when conditions were better.
Anyway, I ended up with three shots I liked.
The first used a 20mm lens to create an unusual perspective- and to also capture the ferns being reflected in the pool above this rivulet. Also spiked tripod feet are much better for this type of work.
The second I cropped into a panoramic view. I used my 50mm macro for this. I think it will be good to return when there is more water flowing and I can stitch together a proper panorama.
The third I used the Minolta 35-105mm- it fell short of what I was aiming to capture. I think it needs a higher volume of water flowing down the steps, and I need to find a different perspective.
So in the end, the scenery was better than I'd anticipated. And I finished the trip with the requisite sore muscles, sweat and wet feet and legs. A success :)