Last Friday I had to deliver greeting cards to Killarney Provincial Park. It was a leisure trip. My intentions originally was for a dawn shot in the Park. But due to a back issue I decided to hike down to Recollet Falls on the French River. I would do some evening shots. I arrived at the French River Visitor Center late afternoon. Before hiking the trail to Recollet Falls I stopped in at the visitor center for a coffee and say hello. I will have my work set up here for the upcoming long weekend.
Shouldering my camera bag and grabbing the tripod I made the trek along the hiking trail to Recollet Falls. I passed a number of people along the way who were returning from the falls. Upon arrival I followed the portage trail to the bottom of the falls. I would not truly call this a water falls as the drop in elevation is low. Unloading my gear I found a spot in the shade to sit on some rocks. I also had brought my e reader to pass some time. It was 4:45 and I had to wait until around 9:00 before I would begin shooting. As I sat there a gentleman came along. He was capturing the falls with his point and shot camera. We converse for awhile and we exchanged our names. John is from Southern Ontario. He and his wife were travelling back home from a two week vacation to various Provincial Parks.
As I sat there I got to thinking about the Indigenous peoples who traveled through here in ages long ago. The Voyageurs hauling there Montreal canoes and launching them were I sat as they made there way West with trade goods. The Jesuit missionaries also passed through here to spread there religion. There is a lot of history in this location. It was nice to sit back and listen to the sound of running water that is soothing to the ears. The sun slowly dipping to the West. The changing light patterns. A little House Wren appeared beside me as I lounged on my rock seat. I have not seen one of these little birds in years. The House Wren is a plain brown song bird that is small in stature. Our meeting was over quickly and I was left with the memories of a chance encounter with a quaint little bird.
As the sun disappeared behind the treeline I set up my Canon 7D on the tripod and recorded the above shot. I put a bit of rock structure in the foreground. There was just enough vegetation to add contrast. The vegetation was small so as not to overpower. There was just a hint of lighting on the vegetation. In the background There is also a hint of lighting from the setting sun. These little attention to detail add to the overall effect of a composition. With out the sun blasting the rock face you achieve a nice warm color on these rocks. The lighting was not the greatest but I got what I wanted. I am sure I will return again.
As the evening darkened I packed up an made my way back along the trail to my Ford Escape. Well that is it for now. As I mentioned I will be at the French River Visitor Center this coming long week end. If you are in the area stop by for a chat. So until next time happy trails.
It’s a lovely warm looking shot, nicely done 🙂
Late evening is best for the nice warm lighting
Ken,
That location looks the perfect place for contemplation – odd how some places give an instant sense of the past. Difficult to describe, but it’s almost an intimate connection with all those who have past and are long gone. But then again the ‘minds eye’ needs to be open to those thoughts and feelings; sadly missing for most people these days.
David.
Awesome work Ken. Great meeting you that night.
John from southern ontario