Shenandoah National Park (pics) - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

08/02/2004 05:08:04 PM · #1

It's been killing me waiting a week to share these as I entered one in the album cover challenge, but here are some of my shots from last weekend (all are from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia). On Saturday I started on the White Oak Canyon trail, a nice hike past multitudes of waterfalls. The weather was pleasant and the trail was fairly crowded. At the end of my hike, I came across a black bear.

After taking an hour or so to find Luray where I was staying the night, I decided to call it a day and start early next morning.

Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal on Sunday. I woke up at 4 am and drove onto Skyline Drive to hike up Hawksbill Mountain. Thinking I'd get there early to catch the sunrise, I was dismayed to find that a thick fog was prevailing everywhere I looked. I set out on Hawksbill anyways, hoping to see something, but unfortunately all I could see from the tallest point in the park was cloud.

(sorry, no pictures of clouds = )

Since I couldn't get too many shots from Skyline Drive I decided to spend the rest of the day hiking to take in some more waterfall shots and hopefully some wildlife.

I had seen some great black and white shots of the Dark Hollow Falls, so I decided to try my hand there. The falls are located less than a mile from the start of the trail. Below are some pictures from the hike.

(one of my two favorites of the weekend - also the same shot as my album cover submission)

After filling up my tank and getting some food, I wasn't sure where else to go. I checked out a giftshop and bought some postcards to try to get some ideas. This led me to the Doyle's River trail. I opted for the 8-mile hike which would take me onto the Jones River and Appalacian trails before completing the loop. I came across several deer on these trails, as well as some beautiful waterfalls.

(The second of my two favorites)

After the 8 mile trail, I was out of food and water and was pretty tired, so that concluded my Shenandoah experience. I'd really recommend the park. Having never been hiking before, I found it very refreshing. The park and trails were beautiful. Well, if you've read this far, I appreciate it = ) Comments and suggestions are welcome!
Thanks

Message edited by author 2004-08-02 17:12:34.

midnightride2

Canon EOS-10D

08/02/2004 05:13:18 PM · #2

Great Shots Maverick, you really captured them all very well, my fav is the one with the deer. I need to put Shenandoah on my list for places to see, very beautiful.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

08/02/2004 05:13:39 PM · #3

Coincidentally I've been listening to 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson, and he's just got to the Shenandoah NP - so thank you for illustrating the book so well for me :)

These are some beautiful shots.

mcmurma

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

08/02/2004 05:20:30 PM · #4

Great shots, Mav.

The velvia action is a touch too hot for my tases, though. Have you ever used the levels and curves functions in PS? They can give you much the same results, except they allow for much more control.

Thx for sharing.

Regards,

Michael

geewhy

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

08/02/2004 05:25:14 PM · #5

Lovely shots Ben, I particularly like the misty feel of "Velvia".
I like when people do this as it`s a good way to see parts of the world that we`re unlikely to get the chance to visit (speaking personally).

I would like to do a similar thing on a round trip of Scotland to show the differences from Highlands to Lowlands and east coast to west, but that may have to wait until I upgrade my camera and develop my skills a little.

Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 ATX Pro-SV for Canon EOS

08/02/2004 05:29:23 PM · #6

I've used them, but after seeing Pedro's thread on the velvia action, I had to give it a shot = ) I agree that it does saturate them quite a bit, but I like the effect in the two shots posted. I'll try 'em toned down though. Thanks

Originally posted by mcmurma:

MWitt

Canon EOS-5D

08/02/2004 05:52:43 PM · #7

Beautiful shots, Mav

I especially like the waterfall shots. Everything looks so lush and green. Beautiful compositions and colors. I hope you had a long lens for the bear pic. o:

Cheers....Martin

08/02/2004 06:01:12 PM · #8

70-300 G, but I got pretty close to him - didn't even see him til I was about 50-100 feet away
Thanks

Originally posted by Olympian:

Beautiful shots, Mav

I especially like the waterfall shots. Everything looks so lush and green. Beautiful compositions and colors. I hope you had a long lens for the bear pic. o:

Cheers....Martin

Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 ATX Pro-SV for Canon EOS

08/02/2004 08:30:29 PM · #9

-BUMP-

MWitt

Canon EOS-5D

08/02/2004 11:32:33 PM · #10

Originally posted by Maverick:

70-300 G, but I got pretty close to him - didn't even see him til I was about 50-100 feet away
Thanks

Originally posted by Olympian:
Beautiful shots, Mav

I especially like the waterfall shots. Everything looks so lush and green. Beautiful compositions and colors. I hope you had a long lens for the bear pic. o:

Cheers....Martin

Could you smell him? LOL
The only reason I ask is because I was in the woods the other day and I swear I could smell something musky. And sure enough, I stood around for about 5 minutes and a small herd of deer came through. I hear that bears have a pretty strong smell. I always wonder if I'm going to smell one first and hopefully not just run into it.

08/04/2004 06:57:17 AM · #11

One more to add = )

This was taken on Skyline Drive. I almost drove past it, but turned around as soon as I saw it.

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/04/2004 07:15:07 AM · #12

Those are all terrific shots, Ben. These make me look forward to going to Shenandoah in the fall when the leaves turn.