On my way home from Cedar Lakes Woods the other day I happened to notice the turn off for Aripeka. I hadn’t thought of going there for the sunrise since I got back from the Tetons. It wasn’t the 6 months away that I first imagined when I began to think of myself as a snowbird, but you’d think I was away that long for how thoroughly my mind has remained somewhere in limbo since I got back. But when I checked the weather yesterday morning and rain was a possibility for all afternoon into Sunday off I went for the sunrise. The feature photo was my first stop, the first bridge that I arrive at when I approach Aripeka from the south. It was still dark so the three exposures for HDR seemed to take forever to finish, but that first shot is the feature photo. You should have heard the splash under the bridge as I stood there on top, waiting for the last exposure. It must have been a big fish, but at least I don’t still imagine an alligator that might, in my mind at least, creep up on me on the bridge and gnaw off my foot.
I then moved just up the road to the next bridge, where I can never resist taking an HDR photo of the little bait shop. Plus the possibility of seeing One-Foot Fred dawned on me also.
I moved back and forth across the bridge, loving the pretty sunrise and the reflections on the west wide of the road. I must have been lost in thought because the voice surprised me when I heard someone say that I could get a shot of One-Foot Fred. It was Ray, the guy I’ve talked with before, who said that Fred had followed him over to the bridge. I was happy to see Fred again, and it’s nice to have someone to chat with as well. Ray told me of a new spot to go for sunset pictures, and said the if anyone gives me a hard time for parking there I could say that I have permission, from Ray. LOL. I will check it out one day soon.
Ray said that Fredhad followed him to the bridge, and he would follow him home also, so I stopped by my car and shot long distance photos as he walked away. Use your imagination because, just as predicted, Fred is following him, he’s that gray blur just to the left of the telephone pole. Must have been time for breakfast…
I chatted with another photographer as we enjoyed the scene. He had lived in the area for 40 years he said, and he takes every chance he gets to enjoy the scenery in the good weather, because the winters are brutal. Which reminded me of what my friend said about visiting the campground in the winter, or attempting to visit their campsite. Thigh deep snow defeated their attempt. And my cousin had stressed that she sits out on her deck and enjoys her flowers every minute that she can because the summer is so short in Jackson. It really was perfect summer weather with chilly nights and then hot in the sun. I found that if I sat in dappled shade to read a book I needed a sweatshirt. Yes, to me that was perfect weather, and a wonderful trip that I was lucky to be able to enjoy. Especially this year, when things aren’t quite normal. I’m not sure I feel quite normal either, but I’m working on it…
