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Bear found Trail Magic
Bear found Trail Magic
WickedSound


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2009-09 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D100
Lens: Tamron SP MF 28-105mm f/2.8 LD Aspherical IF Adaptall
Location: AT on Afton Mountain Va
Date: Sep 21, 2009
Aperture: 2.8
ISO: 200
Shutter: .077 (1/13)
Galleries: Portraiture, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Sep 30, 2009

 [Oct. 8th, 2009 12:02:50 AM]

The term “trail magic” was coined by thru-hikers to describe small, unexpected, remarkable events that lifted a hiker’s spirits and inspired awe or gratitude. “Trail magic” came in two forms: The magic created by nature, and the magic created by the kindness of strangers. Nature might offer magic in the glimpse of a black bear and her cubs or a hail storm that held off until the safety of a shelter was reached. Acts of kindness by strangers might include a family in a state park offering to share its picnic with a passing hiker, or a trail neighbor handing out cookies to hikers on a roadwalk.

Meet "Bear" (Trail name). A Friar for the Chatholic Church. He isn't a thru-hiker but once he finished, Bear will have covered well over 100 miles in one stretch.

Two friends of mine and I took a small break on the AT. Shortly after stopping, Bear walked down the trail and asked if there was a water source around. There wasn't any listed on the map. After talking to him for a bit, he had no water, low on food and the next hut was 13miles away. Without a thought, I insisted he take my food and water since we only had a few miles left. To make a long story short, he refered to us as Trail Angels (my first) and couldn't believe how Trail Magic always popped up when he needed it the most.

As always - many thanks for the comments and votes!

Statistics
Place: 150 out of 400
Avg (all users): 5.8844
Avg (commenters): 6.0000
Avg (participants): 5.8455
Avg (non-participants): 6.0000
Views since voting: 931
Views during voting: 256
Votes: 147
Comments: 5
Favorites: 1 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 10/08/2009 06:26:21 AM
I thought this was one of the best in the challenge. Nice story you added too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED
 10/07/2009 08:50:31 PM
Great! Hope to find out how you toned this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
 10/03/2009 07:30:34 PM
(No vote, just a comment)

Nice environmental portrait!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D500
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
 10/02/2009 12:23:02 AM
Great man. Only now you found it?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
 10/01/2009 12:06:08 AM
But...but...that ain't ME!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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