Saturday I took Emma hiking at Big Sugar Creek State Park near Pineville. The weather was nice and we had a fun picnic. It’s a small state park with only a couple trails, but I like it a lot. I visited it once before a couple springs ago. If the streams wouldn’t have been dry on Saturday I probably could have got some really great fall/stream shots.

This is the only ‘sunrise’ looking picture that was even halfway good. It’s 2 exposures overlaid. I really need to get a graduated ND filter because that would achieve the same effect with a lot less work.

This part of the trail winds precariously along a cliff above Shoal Creek.

[SinglePic not found]I didn’t get the sunrise photo I was hoping for but nature photography really can’t be planned. I did get some good fall foliage shots however and most importantly I had a lot of fun.

Big Sugar Creek Road in McDonald County. I like this road a lot. Reminds me of how more of Missouri highways probably used to be.

This trail also went along some neat rocky bluffs, but not nearly as tall as Wildcat Park.

This forest was full of sugar maples so the colors were amazing!

A typical “fall foliage” shot.

So that is my latest photo work! I imagine the next time I blog it will be to post some photos from Ireland!

One item of particular excitement for me was seeing a beaver swimming in the river right beneath us. I tried to take a pic but wasn’t quick enough. All in all it was a really great float and a very pretty river. The only issue was that the water was extremely low in some areas, but that was somewhat expected considering it’s the middle of summer, and a dry summer at that.

PS you can click on any of the images for larger versions.

Here is the rustic store at Camp Tilden where we setup tent.

Crossing over a small bridge on the way to the drop off point. I think this spot may have been where we started on the second day.

We put in below a really pretty bluff area. McDonald county is generally very scenic and rural with a lot of winding dirt roads.

Here is the first day’s group getting ready to set out!

Me playing around with a new waterproof digital camera… and almost running into a tree branch.

Poco and Jimmy borrowed mom and dad’s canoe. I really dig Missouri’s über-clear rivers.

A cool bird that flew alongside us for a bit. Made it easy to get a good pic.

Here is poco trying to reach for a rope swing. Not sure what she was going to do if she reached it. Probably get her paddle stuck and then end up tipping the canoe.

Here is the group… just rollin down the river.

Grant fishing and Matt swimming.

Notice all the small fish swimming around Grant’s lure.

Here is a cool view under the water, showing all the little fish swimming around. Kind of looked like an aquarium. I never could get any pics of video of bigger fish!

Grant caught a fish and tossed it in Poco and Jimmy’s canoe. Then Jimmy pretended to eat the fish. Then he tossed it back in the river.

Here I am with my cool straw hat and green kayak. This river had very few rapids, though it might have more if the water level was higher?

Jimmy posing on a rock as a mer-man. Hawt!

The second day Mom and Dad came and joined us. I like dragging my parents along on things like this. Their canoeing skillz were a bit rusty and they tipped numerous times but still had fun. I’m really glad they came!

A really awesome jumping rock. The second day was sunnier and much hotter.

Here is a crawdad grant caught. Looks like a small lobster to me.

Enjoying a nice lunch under a grove of willow trees.

What a great way to spend a weekend!