Monday, January 27 (the end)

Bankhead Revisited (wink wink)

The Waterfall chapter, Part 2

After leaving the (less-than-stellar) falls, we revisited the falls we had (barely) shot a few days before. The results this time were a lot more interesting, mostly because we turned our attention downriver. The afternoon sun both lit up the creek and completely blew it out.

(iPhone)

(Canon 5D)

There was this little tributary that fed into the main part of the creek, after pooling into this amazing side alcove that you couldn't see from the banks.

Monday, January 27 (the beginning)

Bankhead Revisited (wink wink)

The Waterfall chapter, Part 1

So we went back to Bankhead National Forest on Monday because we had heard tale of this magnificent waterfall that was 'amazing.' The only thing is, it was allegedly a mile hike (uphill, no less) from the parking area and temps were forecast to be in the teens. "Thrilled" wasn't exactly the mood...

But, being the troopers that we are, we went in search of the falls. We kind of spread out on the path, with one fearless photog leading the way, way ahead, while Thom and Brady (our Chickasaw homelands guide/guru/godsend) brought up the rear with the heavier equipment.

The guys didn't make it nearly far enough, having to haul a generator up and down the path, over trees and bridges, rocks and around outcroppings. It was tough going, even if you weren't pushing/pulling a cart...

But we did get some good shots from two locations (iPhone):

Smoke from a brush fire (or control fire, we never did figure out which)

and with a Canon 5D:

Brady!!!

The other photog watching Thom do his thing...

Split personalities

So we were a two-state troupe today!

Thom was in Alabama:

While the other photogs were in Mississippi:

Admittedly, we were only 12 miles apart, but still...

Forest for the trees

Thom getting the forest shot

Sunday, January 26

We went back to Tishomingo State Park today (sorry, Ms Patty, we didn't stop to eat!) to shoot an overhang, plus some more mini-waterfalls.

We started out with a scenic little area near the park entrance (we were waiting on the ranger to return)...

...then drove down to the (dreaded) swinging bridge. Why people think these things are good ideas is beyond me.

Anyway, we schlepped equipment about a quarter mile to the overhang location. The photogs got some great from-below shots, while I hoofed it up above to see how the view was.

 Hi, Thom!!

What you can't see from those photos, is that I'm about 50-60 feet above them, easily. This might help with perspective:

Or this:

Did I mention I have this thing about looking over the edge of something? Probably should've said something about that before now...


Anywho, we then moved on to another waterfall. We got plenty of shots above, below, in front of and behind it. Here's a taste:

We then moved on to find some spots closer to the river.

After getting a wee bit misplaced (some would say 'lost' but that's neither here nor there...) we called it a day and headed out...to eat at quite possibly one of the best pizza parlors I've ever visited, The Lost Pizza Company in Tupelo, MS. Simply deeee-lish.

 

So that's the end of day 5. As, usual, here's a parting shot:

  

Walking some of those trails TOTALLY felt very Blair Witch-y