Photo Hiking- The Art Of Being Alive

Recently I returned to my love of photography, an art form that I embraced long ago consisting of 35mm cameras, film, and darkrooms. I assumed the new high-tech digital cameras would be simple, not having to mess with film or development.

Well, we all know what happens when we assume anything. Suffice it to say, it’s an entirely different and somewhat complicated world.

I also enjoy hiking because Lord knows I need the exercise, but most of all I love being outside in our beautifully created world. Some of the most interesting places and things are beyond the road most traveled. So, putting on some hiking shoes and getting “out there” is the only way to see them up close.

Hiking and photography seem to go hand in hand. Taking a camera along just “feels right.” Wouldn’t you want to take a photo of that squirrel sitting on a limb dropping nutshells on your head and chattering as you walk underneath?

Let me tell you, I was elated that my camera was with me as a herd of elk walked into the field right in front of me just this past Saturday.

(PS- All these photos are taken by me)

When you look upon towering cliffs, relaxing bubbling creeks, or breathtaking scenic vistas you must have that camera and capture the moment. The images will last a lifetime and every time you look at them you will be taken right back to that exact moment.

You get to re-experience, not only what you saw, but the sounds, the fragrances, and how it all made you feel.

I am truly blessed to be living in the Ozarks where towering cliffs abound, and amazing stone sculptures have been carved into them by wind and rain. Countless species of trees and foliage burst into flaming colors during the Fall. Spring and Summer will reveal more shades of green than you thought possible.

People travel hundreds, even thousands of miles just to glimpse the full spectrum of natural color. Fantastic waterfalls, mysterious and exciting caves for exploring await. There are beautiful lakes, streams, and rivers loaded with 200 species of fish. You can see and photograph 70 different breeds of mammals and nearly 400 types of birds. But you can’t experience any of it working all the time or sitting at home.

We all know there is much strife and turmoil in the world today. Divisiveness, fear, and even hate can surround and consume us if we let it.

You will never hear better advice than this: Get out from in front of the TV. Stop playing video games or watching the news. Get off the internet and use that life-controlling phone as a camera (it won’t get reception out there anyway) and come back to real life!

If you do these things and enter nature’s wonderland, all that aforementioned turmoil and the anxiety that goes with it will disappear.

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