Morning Walk in the Woods...

Before the leaves fade from bright reds, yellows, and oranges, and into drab brown, I'm continuing my morning nature walks. Fall is a busy time on my little Appalachian homestead. There's wood to gather and split, food to put away, and later, hunting, and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Autumn is a very brief season. There is only so much time to gather what is needed for winter and there is only so much time to stock up on photographs. Here are a few simple shots from around home this morning. My next post will likely be images from the 24 day film project. Thanks for sticking with me!

Hardwood Forest in Full Color

Red Oak Leaf with Morning Dew

The Neighbors Driveway - For some reason these leaves have decided not to change color!

(c)  2015 Jon Reaves. All rights reserved.

Nature Walk...

'Twas a crisp and clear Autumn morning, so I took to the woods in search of that fleeting colorful foliage. I managed to make so much noise while hiking up the north facing slope in front of my house that I scared off a few deer and a hawk. They would have made nice pictures...oh well. It is nearly impossible to walk up a 45 degree slope in crunchy leaves and twigs without frightening a few critters. Here are some photos I made.

24 Day Film Project Update: I contacted the lab and my scans and film should be in on Thursday! I'm excited and nervous at the same time...

Forest Litter

Holiday Maple Leaf

Red Maple Leaves

Fall Color Update...

Autumn color is in full swing in my northern corner of North Carolina. We may get to peak leaf color by the middle of next week. If only the rain would let up! It hasn't stopped raining since last Thursday...I don't mind shooting in the rain so much, but the mists and clouds need to at least lift enough so that I see some landscape! Here's a few simple photos from yesterday's rather damp nature walk.

By the way, I'm still waiting for my 24 day project film to come back from the lab. The suspense is killing me!

Fall Maple Leaves, Creston, NC. (c) 2015 Jon Reaves

The hardwood forest is beginning to turn yellow, Creston, NC. (c) 2015 Jon Reaves

Rose Hips, Creston, NC. (c) 2015 Jon Reaves

Whitetail Deer Fawn in Black and White...

It has been raining pretty solidly in our corner of Appalachia for 5 days now. There was a brief break in the clouds today that allowed me to get out and clean up some debris from the weekend storms. Now we're back indoors waiting out the rain again. I did manage to get out and make more photographs of our resident deer fawn. Rain or shine, the animals of the woods need to eat. I was able to sneak around to the backside of my house on several occasions during the last few days to watch the fawn and its mother feed on jewel weed in less intense downpours. Using a 400mm lens and keeping still allowed me to get several shots before being noticed. I chose black and white to help simplify the scene. The tangle of colorful weeds and vines can sometimes create interesting textures. Other times the foliage can be distracting. I found black and white perfect for this particular situation. 

(c) 2015 Jon Reaves Photography

Whitetail Deer Fawn in the Rain...

This little guy has alluded my lens since July. I have had only glimpses since. Wouldn't you know that he would appear right in my back yard the day after I finish the film project? This isn't the sharpest image. I shot from behind my bedroom window. I didn't want to scare him off this time. Nonetheless, I am pleased with it. I watched as it meandered through the wilting jewel weed in the pouring rain, eventually slipping away into the dark hardwood forest. 

Whitetail Deer Fawn, Creston, North Carolina (c) 2015 Jon Reaves

One Exposure A Day, 24 Days, Cheap Drugstore Film Project Update...

I took my final exposure for the film project today! It's over...heck of a ride. I started it by taking one single exposure each day for the first 10 days, then on day 11, I shot several frames (shame on me) of the same subject. Then I changed the rules for the remaining 13 days. I allowed myself to shoot multiple frames of one subject and one subject only. That in itself was pretty challenging, as most days presented me with lots of temping opportunities. 

For my last exposure, I wanted to capture star trails over my home here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Milky Way is clearly visible here this time of year...usually that is. I set up my tripod and dialed in my exposure settings while there was still daylight yesterday evening. The plan was to wait until midnight (beginning of the 24th and final day of this project) and make my final exposure. Mother Nature had other plans. My clear night turned into a solid overcast one as the clock approached midnight. I had to abandon my big finale. This morning, I found myself under the full autumn-yellow canopy of sugar maples at Bass Lake, where I made my final exposure. I'll save the subject and story for the film reveal. I'm going to ship the film tomorrow. When I receive the scans, I'll post six images and the stories behind them to this blog in four separate posts. Thanks to all who view this blog and follow my facebook page!

First Signs of Autumn, Glen Burney Falls, North Carolina (c) Jon Reaves Photography

Sunset Beach and Film Project Update...

My Grandfather had his 80th birthday celebration this past weekend, so my wife, the dogs, and me took a trip to the NC coast. It was a short weekend full of family activities, but I managed to sneak away early Saturday morning to do some light stalking at Sunset Beach. I took the 35mm and one of my digital bodies. This was the first time I'd seen the beach all year. It was great to finally smell the salty air and watch those Atlantic waves roll in. 

This was also day 19 of my 24 day film project. I decided to choose a more risky and difficult subject to photograph on film, my favorite little wading bird, the sanderling. They move so quickly it is difficult to keep the auto focus locked on, but I think I managed to get a shot. We'll just have to wait and see. On Sunday, day 20, I took a stroll down the street to a huge and gnarly live oak. It must be 200-300 years old! My wide-angle lens could only capture about a third of the tree's branches and canopy from underneath. It should make for a pretty interesting exposure...again, we'll just have to wait and see. I made my 21st exposure for the project this morning. Just 3 more days to go! By the way, even though I shot several exposures on day 11 and then changed the rules (see video in previous post), I've managed to only shoot one exposure a day for most of the days since. I'll save the stories for later.

Sanderlings

Sunrise at Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach Pier

Wood Stork in Flight

Wood Stork Dance, This stork almost landed on that little egret!

Wood Storks Wading