Swirling leaves, cascading water, and the quiet embrace of autumn. This scene wasn’t just something pretty to look at; it was a reminder to keep moving forward, even when life feels overwhelming. I almost didn’t take this hike despite making the long drive to the unmarked trailhead. This afternoon was one of those strange, cool yet muggy days, and the rain was falling much harder than the Weather Channel app had predicted. I wasn’t sure I had the energy to deal with the dark, dreary skies that seemed to be amplifying the worry and fear swirling around me. But nature has a way of pulling you in, whispering that it’s okay to feel scared or upset, it’s part of the journey. And then, it surprises you with a moment like this that has you #talkingexcitingly about the swirl of beauty, chaos, and calm all at once. It’s these moments that remind me why I love photography: the emotion, the connection, and the magic of finding beauty even in the hardest moments. Sometimes, life feels like those leaves spinning in the water; wild and unpredictable. But if you stop and look closer, there’s a rhythm, a pattern, and even a little bit of magic. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #VisitHabersham #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

I got a little deep in my last post, I think it is now time to lighten up the mood in this club and talk about how Flo Rida inspires me when shooting waterfalls! Just like Shawty, what gets me #talkingexciting when hunting for comps is always that moment when… Next thing you know Brad got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low Seriously, every time I’m squatting on a rock, butt dipping in and out of the water, hovering over my tripod that is submerged right up to the bottom of my camera, these lyrics go through my head. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Hiking and exploring waterfalls often helps me confront the mental struggles in my life. It must be the cool air hitting my face, the cold water rushing at my feet, the quiet, steady stillness of the trees all around, and the overpowering thunderous roar of the falling water that seems to match the swirling emotions racing through my heart and head. Being in these moments, surrounded by so much raw power and beauty, helps me get in touch with my emotions and feelings, causing my anxiety. It gives me space to acknowledge the pain instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s a connection, a confrontation, and sometimes, a bit of a release. And sometimes, that’s all we can ask for. A moment to connect and confront what’s really weighing us down. Well, at least on this day and this waterfall, with tears streaming down my face, that was all I could ask for.  I went out looking for a moment to be #talkingexcitingly about but instead found a moment that helped heal, if only for a second. If you are struggling with your mental health, please know you are never alone. If you ever need someone to talk to or to explore a waterfall with, please do not hesitate to drop me a line. Sometimes, we need to walk alone, and sometimes, we need to walk with someone who is willing to listen and empathize.    #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Chasing that perfect light... until it chases you! The frenzy of snapping pictures as you race across the beach. Looking for the perfect scene. Hunting for that unique perspective. Agonizing over whether your composition is just right. Don’t be mistaken; photography is a full-contact emotional sport. And just when you think you’re getting close, your sand-covered camera takes its last breath because, well, sand. This one? NOT the most perfect shoot, but that pop of color? Totally worth #talkingexcitingly about, right? Photography, like this post, is often chaos, but chaos in all the best ways. Here’s to finding beauty when the clock is ticking and sand is everywhere. Oh, and to air-in-a-can, for saving my Nikon and getting it working again. #ChasingLight #ChasingCreativity #CumberlandIslandMagic #LivingInTheMoment #GreyfieldInn #CumberlandIsland #wild_cumberland #cumberlandisland #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #georgiacoast #georgiacoast #georgiaphotography #exploregeorgia #goldenisles #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #onlyingeorgia #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #NationalParkService

I always long for that moment of inspiration, that spark of creativity that so often feels just out of reach. But on this day, with the warm sun on my back, the sand beneath my feet, and the wild spirit of Cumberland Island all around, it felt like I was surrounded by the Siren’s song for so long (The hepatizing music only faded when my camera was covered in too much sand to keep shooting without being properly cleaned). As I sat, soaked in the early morning light, waves lapping around me, trying to capture something different. The song called me to this solitary bubble floating in the water that reflected everything: the blue sky, the orange clouds, and maybe even a bit of my own restless spirit. I am not going to lie; I was just... lost in the moment. Having fun, playing with angles, exposure, and perspective. And yet, amidst the seductive song, there was a little tingle of fear. The moment was quiet, still even, but I knew disaster was just a wave away if I didn’t stay in tune with the rhythm of the ocean. My camera, mere inches from the sand and water, needing to be lifted out of danger at the last possible second over and over and over again. Maybe that’s what has me #talkingexcitingly... the calm mixed with the thrill of the crash. #ChasingCreativity #CumberlandIslandMagic #LivingInTheMoment #GreyfieldInn #CumberlandIsland #wild_cumberland #cumberlandisland #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #georgiacoast #georgiacoast #georgiaphotography #exploregeorgia #goldenisles #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #onlyingeorgia #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #NationalParkService

I’m not sure my definition of what makes a perfect #talkingexcitingly morning is the same as most people… ✅ 5:00 AM Alarm. ✅ Getting dressed in the dark (don’t want to disturb the sleeping). ✅ Bike ride in the dark, navigating by flashlight, on a tree canopy-covered dirt road. ✅ Hike over mosquito-filled sand dunes. ✅ Getting to see the rising sun on a wild Georgia beach with not another soul around. This was certainly a morning that had me reflecting (bad pun, I know) on the wonders of nature. #GreyfieldInn #CumberlandIsland #wild_cumberland #cumberlandisland #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #georgiacoast #georgiacoast #georgiaphotography #exploregeorgia #goldenisles #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #onlyingeorgia #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #NationalParkService

There’s nothing quite like stepping onto the expansive beach of Cumberland Island, where you feel like you’ve got the entire world to yourself. Endless sand, vast ocean views, and a sky that seems to go on forever. But what got me #talkingexcitingly this morning wasn’t all that… it was this tiny seashell, perfectly placed in the surf (possibly by me, but who knows? I was alone on the beach after all, so no witnesses), basking in the glow of the early sun. It’s a little moment in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes the smallest scenes steal the show. #GreyfieldInn #CumberlandIsland #wild_cumberland #cumberlandisland #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #georgiacoast #georgiacoast #georgiaphotography #exploregeorgia #goldenisles #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #cumberlandislandnationalseashore #NationalParkService

Snap, crackle, pop, and the abrupt end to the photo portion of my adventure is what I’ll always remember, and it’s what will have me #talkingexcitedly every time I see this image of Linville Falls. Capturing an image of Linville Falls was near the top of my photo bucket list for my solo camping adventure on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After traipsing down the muddy descent to the gorge floor and making my way upstream, I was thrilled by all the possible compositions. First up: a classic wide-angle shot with the stream flowing underneath the lens, highlighting the beautiful rocky cliffs. With that shot captured, I was ready to hunt for more angles, but that’s when my trusted and beloved @peakdesign travel pod gave out. One of the legs broke clean off when I was closing it up. I’m not going to lie; this really threw me for a loop. I tried to keep shooting, but I was too distraught and ended up packing up pretty quickly and starting the long hike out of the gorge. I had plans to hike to two more waterfalls and do some astrophotography that night, but with no tripod, with each muddy step I took, my thoughts of photography were replaced by dreams of a hot shower, a soft bed, and a cold beer instead of another night in my tent. So that’s exactly what I did. I packed up, hit the parkway headed towards Asheville, to spent a lovely evening enjoying the finer comforts in life. Oh, and Peak Design is the BEST! They stand by their lifetime guarantee. It was a breeze working with their customer service to get my tripod replaced! Seriously, I love this company and all of their products that I own. #linnvillefalls #828isgreat #Wnc #Blueridge #BlueridgeParkway #VisitNC #northcarolina #BlueridgeMountains #appalachiantrail #BlueridgeMoments #VIsItnorthcarolina #northcarolinaoutdoors #moutianscape #mountainphotographer #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #romanticasheville #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #peakdesign #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #yes_globe

I love those moments when I am completely alone to enjoy the solitude and peace of the sun rising over vast stretches of mother nature. And thanks to what seemed like every inch of the Blue Ridge Parkway being closed leading in and out of Doughton Park, I spent two wonderfully peaceful days almost completely alone on this beautiful stretch of the Appalachian Mountains. On this morning, even though I felt like I had to whisper because it was so quiet, I could not stop #talkingexcitingly about the beauty of the wildflowers and mountain layers in the warm summer sun. #doughtonpark #828isgreat #Wnc #Blueridge #BlueridgeParkway #VisitNC #northcarolina #BlueridgeMountains #appalachiantrail #BlueridgeMoments #VIsItnorthcarolina #northcarolinaoutdoors #moutianscape #mountainphotographer #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #romanticasheville #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #peakdesign #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #yes_globe

Sometimes, it is best to keep our mouth shut. Will I ever learn? I doubt it… On this lovely mid-morning waterfall adventure, I pulled into an empty parking lot, excited to explore and photograph Widow Creek Falls. I hiked up to the falls; I instantly started scanning the area, looking for composition, and then, for some reason, I said aloud, “I cannot believe I have the beautiful waterfall to myself. How lucky am I.” Cue.. not one, not two, but five families cresting the hill to enjoy the natural rock slide and cool mountain water on a warm summer day. And while I was certainly bummed to be sharing this spot and not to have free reign to capture its beauty, I am not going to lie, my little Grinch heart grew three sizes, listening to all of the laughing and screams of excitement and joy of the children splashing, sliding, and playing in the water. When I look at this picture, those sounds will have me #talkingexcitingly about this waterfall, not its cascading water. #ncstateparks #stonemountainstateparknc #widowscreekfalls #828isgreat #Wnc #Blueridge #VisitNC #northcarolina #BlueridgeMountains #appalachiantrail #BlueridgeMoments #VIsItnorthcarolina #northcarolinaoutdoors #moutianscape #mountainphotographer #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #romanticasheville #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #peakdesign #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #yes_globe

300 seconds… That is a long time to spend begging for cars to drive by.   300 seconds… That is a long time to spend lost in the dark on the side of a rocky cliff face when you have missed a turn on the path.   However, 300 seconds is not long at all when you drop your images into Lightroom, and you realize the shot you didn’t think you got in the field turned out to be an image that has you #talkingexcitingly!   On my last adventure to the Blue Ridge Parkway, I had hoped to find many opportunities to snag some fun pictures, but I had no images in mind besides capturing an image of streaking car lights on the Linn Cove Viaduct.  I spent nearly 90 minutes perched on a rock just above the parkway, slowly bumping up my shutter speed and hoping to time cars traveling in both directions.  With the traffic light and the sky turning darker and darker, I feared I had missed the shot.  More frustrating, I could feel that the sunset sky was taking off in the opposite direction.  However, this was the only night I had to get this image, so I stayed long after the sun had set, trying to get the picture.  Long enough that I also got turned around on the trail back to the visitor center in the dark and panicked as I tried to backtrack my steps.    However, thank goodness I stuck it out because I really am pleased with how this image turned out.   #linncoveviaduct #828isgreat #Wnc #Blueridge #BlueridgeParkway #VisitNC #northcarolina #BlueridgeMountains #appalachiantrail #BlueridgeMoments #VIsItnorthcarolina #northcarolinaoutdoors #moutianscape #mountainphotographer #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #romanticasheville #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #peakdesign #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #yes_globe #nikoncommunity

Most of life is just showing up. Lately, I’ve let the stress in my life wear me down, making me lethargic and creatively unmotivated. On this particular day, I was once again struggling to get out of bed and venture out for some much-needed nature time. But thank goodness I finally managed to push through and get outside. This beautiful waterfall truly had me #talkingexcitingly on a steamy Georgia morning. Sometimes, the hardest part is just taking that first step, but the reward can be breathtaking. Remember to keep showing up, even when it feels tough. You never know what beauty awaits. #WaterfallWednesday #MentalHealthMatters #KeepShowingUp #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Looking back through my Lightroom catalogs this past weekend, I found this image from my trip a couple of years back on the Schooner Stephen Taber. Every time I look at this picture, it gets me #talkingexcitingly about how idyllic this morning was, as the sun soaked our vessel in warm light. Plus, I love how this picture has me humming the tune and mumbling the lyrics to Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic. “Hark now, hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly Into the mystic” #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #lovemaine #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #NikonCreators #thisiswindjamming #mainewindjammer #carpeTaber #schoonerstephantaber

Capturing and editing this image of an old hood ornament has me #talkingexcitingly about the power of movement and creativity. I’ve talked often of late about the struggles I have to find balance in my creative life, which have made it difficult for me to thrive. This image really captures this struggle as when I look at it, I see myself looking forward but not actually moving, just like this ornament. To me it perfectly shows that if we don’t take action, we risk rusting in place, missing out on opportunities, and stifling our potential. This image truly resonates with me and reminds me to always keep moving and stay creative, no matter how small the steps. After all, progress is progress. It’s so important to keep striving for growth and creativity. Innovation and fresh ideas keep us vibrant and engaged. A special shoutout to @lorimitchumphotography for getting me up on a hot, humid, and mosquito-filled day to travel somewhere new and push myself to look for images I wouldn’t normally look for. Your encouragement made all the difference. #Photography #Motivation #GrowthMindset #KeepMoving #PersonalDevelopment #Creativity #Innovation #TalkingExcitingly #oldcarcityusa #bestofthepeachstate #yes_busa #best_globe

On a fast-paced, whirlwind, hit the major highlights tour of NYC, I didn’t have much time to pull out my Nikon. Still, I did find just a few minutes to capture the mesmerizing ceiling of the Oculus, and even if we paused for just a few seconds at this sight I cannot help but to be #talkingexciting about these lines. #ig_newyork #empirestate #newyorkphotography #newyorkstate #iloveny #exploreny #travelnyc #newyorklifestyle #ispyny #discovernewyork #newyork_instagram #loves_nyc #newyorknewyork #newyork_inspiration #thebigapple #newyorkcity #bestoftheempirestate #yes_busa

Oh, to see the world through the eyes of Le Petit Prince. When you are married to a French teacher, and you stumble upon a statue of the Little Prince gazing off into the heavens, it is hard not to start #talkingexcitingly about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s most famous piece of literature. #ig_newyork #empirestate #newyorkphotography #newyorkstate #iloveny #exploreny #travelnyc #newyorklifestyle #ispyny #discovernewyork #newyork_instagram #loves_nyc #newyorknewyork #newyork_inspiration #thebigapple #newyorkcity #bestoftheempirestate #yes_busa

I think the most important off-the-beaten-path photography gear is a trowel and a roll of toilet paper… Any who… How lovely is this little 14-foot Georgia waterfall tucked away in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management area? I was getting a little nervous as a bush-whacked to this falls because the creek was so small, but from the moment the waterfall revealed itself, I could not stop #talkingexcitingly about it. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #lakerussellwildlifemanagementarea #VisitHabersham #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

I suspect this image will not get too many people #talkingexcitingly. However, I find it oddly mesmerizing. I am not typically one who takes minimalist scenes that rely on the simplest of features to tell the story, but as I was squatting in nearly two feet of snow and trying to keep my freezing hands from shaking too much, these snow drifts were talking to me. I am so happy that I looked beyond the mountain creek and tree line mountains in the distance to capture this scene because it might be my favorite image from my trip to Whistler. #OnlyInWhistler #WhistlerBlackcomb #Whistler #ExploreBC #EpicDay #WhistlerBC #OutdoorAdventure #TravelGoals #MountainLife #ExploreCanada #GetOutside #ThisIsCanada #WeAreWhistler #yes_globe #nikonusa #kasefilters

What’s not to be #talkingexcitingly about? Despite the jetlag and the temperatures in the low 20s, it was easy to get up before dawn to have this magical wintery scene of fresh snow and the Whistler village covered bridge crossing Fitzsimmons Creek all to myself. #OnlyInWhistler #WhistlerBlackcomb #Whistler #ExploreBC #EpicDay #WhistlerBC #OutdoorAdventure #TravelGoals #MountainLife #ExploreCanada #GetOutside #ThisIsCanada #WeAreWhistler #yes_globe #nikonusa #kasefilters

Why do I love cold, overcast, rainy days? Well, one reason is I am a weirdo who loves cold and gray days better than sunny and warm days. However, the more practical reason is I had Mingo Falls all to myself for 45 minutes in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. Overall, this photo adventure turned out to be 6+ hours of driving with very little to show for it for a multitude of reasons. Still, I am happy I decided at the last minute to detour over to Mingo Falls, where while not my favorite picture, I did end up with a moment solitude to be # talkingexcitngly about. #visitcherokeenc #smokies #friendsofthesmokies #gsmnp #GreatSmokyMountains #Gatlinburg #SmokyMountains #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

I rarely attempt astrophotography, and this image had several complications as it was taken aboard the 150-year-old Schooner Stephen Taber. Namely, I was on a boat, in the water, and no matter how calm the harbor is you are anchored in, you never stop bobbing up and down in the water (which is not the best for a slow shutter speed). The other issue was dealing with the forward light that had to remain on because, for some reason, the Captain did not want another boat to run into us in the middle of the night. Nonetheless, despite the world trying to spoil my evening photography adventure and thanks to Lightroom, I am pleased enough to be #talkingexcitingly with how the final product turned out. #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #lovemaine #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #NikonCreators #thisiswindjamming #mainewindjammer #carpeTaber #schoonerstephantaber

I suspect I’ll return to posting waterfalls, ocean waves, and mountain vistas sooner than later (especially knowing some of the trips I have planned this year). However, I really like the colors in this macro image that I snagged at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. #gastateparks #watsonmillbridge #watsonmillbridgestatepark #wandernorthga #exploregeorgia #northgeorgia #getoutside #onlyingeorgia #bestofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #NikonCreators #gaparkfriends

I think I nailed it… Yeah, I’m disappointed in myself, too, for the truly terrible dad joke. Bad puns aside, I recently ventured to Watson Mill Bridge State Park to take pictures of, you know, the bridge. I took several downstream compositions (I suspect I will share one or two), but the image that has me #talkingexcitingly the most is this simple picture of a loose nail. There is just something about how this nail draws ones attention to the mixed colors and textures of the bridges wood siding that I really like. #gastateparks #watsonmillbridge #watsonmillbridgestatepark #wandernorthga #exploregeorgia #northgeorgia #getoutside #onlyingeorgia #bestofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #NikonCreators #gaparkfriends

The journey to Len Foote Hike Inn is truly part of the adventure as you park your car 5 miles from the hotel lobby! The hike up Frosty Mountain is a relatively easy-to-moderate hike with a few lovely vistas, but the reason for the hike is to reach the rustic, off-the-grid Inn. An evening at the mountain lodge includes a stay in a private bunk room, warm showers in the bathhouse, family-style meals, and evenings talking to old and new friends. However, for me, the highlight of the stay comes before the pre-dawn light the next morning. On a clear morning, you will hear a soft drum beat, letting you know it is a good day to wake up early and venture out to the sunrise vista. On this particular morning, the pre-sunrise skies were dramatic with rich, vibrant oranges and reds, but it was this final image with its soft colors that I took a few minutes after the sun poked over the horizon that really has me #talkingexcitingly about my latest stay at the Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park. #gastateparks #lenfootehikeinn #hikeinn #dawsonville #visitdawsonville #wandernorthga #exploregeorgia #northgeorgia #northgeorgiamountains #appalachiantrail #hiking #getoutside #onlyingeorgia #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #amicalolafallsstatepark #NikonCreators #gaparkfriends #exploregeorgia

No one is going to excuse me for being an earlier adopter. Posting up my first “reel”. To be honest, I am not sure if this even counts as real, as I edited the video in Adobe Premiere Pro because I want to start learning how to edit videos. Not that any of that, either here or there. However, putting together this short 30-second video montage of my hike to Courthouse Falls was fun. The process certainly has me #talkingexcitingly and pondering doing a little more of this in the future. #courthousefalls #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

One of the best gifts I have received is Neoprene socks. These knee-high socks do a fantastic job of keeping my feet and lower legs warm and dry when splashing around cold mountain creeks. So, when exploring Courthouse Falls on a mid-30-degree morning a few weeks back, you know where my socks were, right? You guessed it, BACK HOME. However, if you want to photograph waterfalls, you cannot fear getting wet. So, I dove into the water knee-deep for over an hour of hunting for different comps. I found a few unique ones, but this classic waterfall comp really has me #talkingexcitingly #courthousefalls #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

I snagged several traditional compositions of Courthouse Falls. I suspect I will share one or two of them in the upcoming weeks because this off-the-beaten-path waterfall is genuinely magnificent. However, the image I had the most fun taking that has me #talkingexcitingly is this one that focuses (but unfortunately is still a little out of focus) on this bright red leaf floating down the stream. What I enjoyed the most about this image was splashing around in the cold mountain stream water on a 42-degree morning while having this beautiful cove all to myself. Knee deep with my butt hovering just inches above the water (and more often than I wanted dipping into it), I kept tossing my leaf upstream, hoping it would land right side up and float perfectly in front of my camera. While at the same time, I franticly tried to nail the focus and timing of my shot. Needless to say, I failed a LOT, and I am not even sure I was successful here. But despite being cold and wet (or maybe because), I had way TOO much fun trying to get this image not to share it. I hope y’all enjoy this image even just a fraction as much as I enjoyed taking it. #courthousefalls #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

So… it’s different. I'm unsure if I am #talkingexcitingly about this image or not. It certainly is not my normal image Nonetheless, while waiting for the sun to set, a small storm cropped up on the distant horizon, and while it didn’t have a lot of electricity in it, I did catch a few shots that included some lightning. #bradentonbeach #holmesbeach #annamariaisland #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #tampa #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #floridafun #tampa #myami #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #kasefilters #nikonusa #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

I’m not typically a laze away on the beach type of person but there is just something about surf and sand of Anna Maria Island that helps me slow down and disconnect from the rest world every time I visit it. However, I am excited that before the beach adventure was over I did get up early one morning and over to my favorite sunrise spot on the island. The view of the sun rising over the Anna Maria City Pier never fails to get me #talkingexcitingly. #bradentonbeach #holmesbeach #annamariaisland #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #tampa #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #floridafun #tampa #myami #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #nikonusa #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

I splished, splashed, and found a new North Georgia waterfall to be #talkingexcitingly about! Seriously, I cannot remember the last time I went on a little waterfall advantage! While far from the most epic waterfall in Georgia, I had this small cascade all to myself, and it was heavenly. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Some sunrises are epic light shows. Some are not. This 4:45 AM coastal Maine sunrise was somehow neither. However, thanks to the telephoto lens and a very tight crop, I cannot help but to be #talkingexcitingly about how the rising sun lit up the low-slung fog rolling through pine trees. #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #raw_usa #raw_newengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #mainething #lovemaine #mainetheway #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #thisiswindjamming #mainewindjammer

I have not gotten out to explore my home state of Georgia a lot this year, and I am not complaining. I love to explore near and far and everywhere in between. That said, I do love #talkingexcitingly about a beautiful North Georgia waterfall. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Getting up for sunrise is never easy, and it is undoubtedly more difficult after hanging out with good friends into the early morning hours. So, as I trudged across the sand and rocks en route to one of my favorite hidden spots, I was pretty concerned that the less-than-ideal sunrise conditions would leave me not #talkingexcitingly about this early morning adventure. That said, what I love about this secluded beach is that it always evokes surreal and tranquil vibes. I think the soft, warm light of this cloudless morning and the cool blues of the gently lapping waves really helped me capture that mood. #FlyAwayBahamas #VisitTheBahamas #instaparadise #TheBahamas #Bahamas #AtlantisBahamas #BahamasAtHeart #TheCoveAtlantis #Paradiseisland #nassau #sunrise #nikonusa #kasefilterglobal #raw_waters #waves #kasefilters #peakdesign

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the end of a nearly mile-long man-made breakwater that was built between 1880 and 1900. As I hiked down the breakwater, the lighthouse never seemed to get any closer on the horizon until that moment when I realized, oh hello, I’m here. During the hike, several not-so-positive #talkingexcitngly thoughts were racing through my mind, 1. There will not be any compositions worth a damn, and 2. the lighthouse is crawling with people, and I’ll never be able to get a good picture. Luckily, I was wrong on both accounts! Patience and a small dock bobbing in the water proved to be my saving grace. Oh, and the new Photoshop remove tool for the one person that clearly was not going to move. #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #raw_usa #raw_newengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #mainething #lovemaine #mainetheway #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #bestoftheusa_lighthouses #bestoftheusa_reflections #yes_busa #best#nikonusa #kasefilters

Sometimes you need to get “Lost in the (Sea) Weeds”. With sunrise in the neighborhood of 4:45 AM, getting up before the sun cracks the horizon in Maine is a commitment. So, when my lighthouse sunrise was shot turned out to be pretty meh. I was really wishing I had just stayed in bed. However, as I started the dawdle back to the hotel room, being careful to watch my feet, as I didn’t want to slip, I found myself drawn into what appeared to be endless shades of green and a single speck of orange. This is certainly not my normal scene to capture, but it is one that I cannot help but to be #talkingexcitingly about. #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #raw_usa #raw_newengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #mainething #lovemaine #mainetheway #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters

Oh hello, Babson Island! While sailing aboard the Schooner Stephen Taber, I fell in love with Babson Island and, more specifically, with this little rock outcropping with its stately pine tree. Toss in the coil of rope to frame the subject and give the entire scene a little nautical vibe and I’m not sure if there is a more Mid-Coast Maine scene to be #talkingexcitingly about. #thisiswindjamming #mainewindjammer #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #raw_usa #raw_newengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #mainething #lovemaine #mainetheway #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #MaineThing

It’s dig out your American flag pictures day, also known as my son’s birthday, oh, I guess it is also known as US Independence Day, AKA the 4th of July. So, in honor of today, here is a picture of an American flag that got me #talkingexcitingly from our Maine sailing trip from a few weeks back. Our Schooner, the Stephen Taber, decided to have a little meet-up, better known as a Gam (a gathering of windjammer schooners where you can walk from one boat to the other), with the Ladona and the Grace Bailey in a peaceful little harbor in Penobscot Bay. It was a magical night that included a concert on the Grace Bailey and Stephen Taber and, in between, a lovely sunset with the American flag billowing in the wind. #thisiswindjamming #mainewindjammer #newenglandcoast #mainecoast #newenglandphotography #discovermaine #downeastmagazine #maine_igers #naturalmaine #onlyinmaine #visitmaine #exploremaine #scenicmaine #mynewengland #scenesofnewengland #raw_usa #raw_newengland #yankeemagazine #mainelife #mainething #lovemaine #mainetheway #coastalmaine #bestofthe_pinetreestate2 #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters

Life is messy. However, your pictures don’t have to be. This photo started with me dropping my CPL in that beautiful tidal pool with the two protruding rocks beckoning me to explore the scene in the hunt for the perfect composition. That beautiful tidal pool, in truth, was a two-foot-deep inky black pool of slim and muck. Oh, and to boot, it was ice cold on a very brisk Northern Ireland morning. To say I was #talkingexcitingly about stripping down to my undershirt and fishing my arm around the depths of this pool looking for my filter would most certainly be a lie. However, I found my CPL, properly attached it to my lens, and started composing and photographing the scene. After deciding I had captured the image I was seeing in my mind's eye, I packed up my equipment and decide, despite being cold and wet, to sit just for a minute to enjoy the moment sans my camera. That is when I noticed a dis-guarded plastic bottle floating in the tidal pool. Exasperated and now out of time, I mumbled to myself, “I’ll fix it in post”, stripped down to my t-shirt AGAIN, and went to fishing the garbage out of the fringed water. With my camera equipment now safely on my back, the litter in my hand, I started the short hike back to my hotel that led me past my rental car, where I noticed it had a FLAT TIRE. I won’t even start talking about my issue with tires this year. I don’t think Instagram allows enough characters to outline my tire issues properly. All that said, the picture turned out pretty darn well, and only I will look at the end result and see the mess that led to capturing the pristine moment in time. #finnlough #ireland #travelireland #slowtravel #tourismni #tourismireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #nikon #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal #CausewayCoast #portrush #portmagic #coldasswater

I love Google Maps. It is my go-to trip-planning, time-wasting, world exploring tool. Several years ago, on a trip to Barcelona, we wanted to pop into France for the day, so I got on Google Maps and started searching for the closest place in France that looked cool and stumbled upon Collioure. The pictures looked good, so I punched the city into Waze, and this magical seaside village took our breath away. We loved our short visit so much we returned in 2022 for several incredible nights and one pretty good sunset that has me #talkingexcitingly about dreaming about a return trip to Collioure and the surrounding Cote Vermeille. #collioure #absolutecollioure # #tourisme_en_occitanie #payscatalan #catalogne #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #paiscatala #les_beautes_catalanes_off #les_beautes_catalanes #occitanie #occitanietourisme #voyageoccitanie #pyreneesorientales #collioure #chapelle #patrimoinecatalan #mediterranee #cotevermeille

I mean, is there anything more #talkingexcitingly than a waterfall flowing directly into the crashing waves of the North Atlantic? I think not. I was not feeling the harsh late morning sun on this scene, but my Kase Filters did a great job in tough long exposure conditions. Dunseverick Waterfall is truly a magical Northern Ireland natural site to see. #Dunseverickfalls #Dunseverickcastle #waterfalls #Ireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #Portrush #CausewayCoast #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #VisitPortrush #portmagic #nikon #nikonusa #kasefilters #kasefiltersuk

Feels good to be #talkingexcitingly about a day spent chasing North Georgia waterfalls. This was a perfect little off-the-beaten-path waterfall adventure. ✅ Rough and muddy forestry road access. ✅ Easy hike with no sketch bushwhacking. ✅ Soft natural light from overcast skies! ✅ Not another soul around, just me, my camera, and the sounds of nature. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Typically, I try not to live life in a bubble, but sometimes you find adventure in a bubble! I cannot quit #talkingexcitingly about the Bubbles at Finn Lough Forest Hideaway. Inspired by my favorite YouTubers @karaandnate, I have been “collecting” unique lodgings, and these bubbles are undoubtedly unique. To me, these rooms felt like I was stepping into a giant snow globe with all the adornments of a 5-star luxury hotel, including a breakfast hamper delivered in the morning. #finnlough #ireland #travelireland #slowtravel #tourismni #tourismireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #nikon #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal

I have to be living in a #talkingexcitingly dream, right? Because I still cannot wrap my head around the stunning beauty of Kinbane Castle, nestled on a grass-covered peninsula, surrounded by massive cliffs and the blue waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The discovery and exploration of Kinbane Castle and Head perfectly encapsulated everything I dreamed of experiencing in Northern Ireland from the moment we booked our tickets for this trip. Even now, weeks later, when I close my eyes and think back on this adventure, I can hear the childlike excitement, “Oh my, oh my goodness,” in my partner’s voice as she came around the corner and first laid eyes from atop the cliffs of the beautiful glen stretching out like a scene from a fairytale. #castles #irelandcastles #kinbanecastle #Ireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #Portrush #CausewayCoast #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #VisitPortrush #portmagic #nikon #nikonusa #kasefilters

The seductive siren song of sleep is a Herculean spell to break, especially after a wondrous night of splendid food, fine drink, and merry conversation that lasted deep, deep, into the night. However, while exploring the Finn Lough Forest Hideaway grounds earlier in the day, I spotted this little tree sprouting out of the lake and knew I had to return at sunrise. In the pre-dawn light, the ease of hitting the snooze button was almost too great. Thankfully, I finally broke the siren’s spell, and that is when panic hit. As I set out on my 15-minute hike, the sky set ablaze, and my leisurely pace quickly turned into a labored run as the fear of missing the light engulfed me. Thankfully, with just a few minutes to spare, I reached the break in the trees where this vista point sits and captured this image from this magically Northern Ireland resort that I cannot stop #talkingexcitingly about. #finnlough #ireland #travelireland #slowtravel #tourismni #tourismireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #nikon #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal

Travel is fun but it can also be messy. I think it is the messy moments that often get us #talkingexcitingly the most. As I gazed upon the crashing waves and setting sun on the rocky Portrush shoreline, it was impossible to not reflect back on the day started with a flat and no jack to fix it. A trip to a tire shop to Derry that resulted in the news that the wheel was damaged and the tire could not be fixed. Then a phone call to Enterprise Car Rental and they told us to travel back to Portrush where an employee would be delivering us a new car from Belfast. And sure enough just after the sun had set and we were sitting down for dinner a lovely gentleman arrived to switch out cars so that we could continue our Northern Ireland holiday. (seriously the Enterprise customer service was incredible) In the end, we missed a few sites but everything worked out. And while it was not the day we had planned, it is a day we will always remember. #Ireland #NorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #LoveNI #LoveNorthernIreland #DiscoverNI #Portrush #CausewayCoast #FillYourHeartWithIreland #visitireland #discoverireland #irelandpassion #irelandexplore #irelandtravel #VisitPortrush #portmagic #nikon #nikonusa #kasefilters

Snowcapped peaks reflecting in a mountain lake, what is not to be #talkingexcitingly about? The serenity and beauty of Estang de Lars located high in Ariège Pyrenees, is worth a side trip if you ever find yourself in this remote part of France. On this trip, one of my must-do items was to visit an alpine lake, and as we traveled through the French Pyrenees en route to Andorra, I found a small blue spec on Google maps that was kind of, sort of on our route. I had envisioned this side trip being a quick 60-minute detour, but we quickly found ourselves lost in the journey from Massat to Estang de Lars and our quick side trip turned into a lovely adventure that ended with the idyllic scene I had been dreaming of. Oh, be sure to swipe left and right to see the pano. #tourismeariege #ariegezvous #ariegepyrenees #pyrenees #love_pyrenees #ariege #ariegementbeau #pyreneesariegeoises #ariege_ig #ariege #midipyrénées #visitlafrance #nikonphotography #nikon #nikonusa #explorefrance

I think it is time to start #talkingexcitingly about Seix! Seix France that is! Yes, the small village of Seix in the Pyrenees Mountains is pronounced SEX. I have a love-hate relationship with this remote area of France. As seen in this sunrise panorama (please swipe to see the whole scene), the mountains in the Ariège department of France are breathtaking. This image was taken just a few 100 yards from the charming and comfortable tiny home we stayed in (check out my story for pictures). However, for two days, it felt like we were constantly hangry as the area restaurants were closed for shoulder season, and we kept hitting the village shops during their closed hours. Our American brains could not conceive of them being open from 7:30 AM–12:15 PM and 3:30–7 PM (Honestly, I love this schedule and speed of life. However, it created problems for us, as we were ill-prepared for it). However, it also led to one of my best travel memories, when my very hangry French-speaking wife sent her non-French-speaking husband to the village of Seix, alone and scared to buy food to cook for dinner. I pointed and mumbled my way to buying the ingredients for a lovely meal through the grocery store, wine shop, bakery, and cheese shop, while the kids getting out of school ran and laughed through the streets. I felt ever so French, and the meal, for a very different reason, was every bit as good as the Michelin Star dinner we had eaten a few days earlier. I hope that when people see this picture, they will say wow, the Pyrenees are beautiful. I should visit. However, for me, it will always remind me of the morning I woke up to capture a sunrise after one of the most memorable meals of my life. (Oh, and of all the mud stains I got on the pajama pants I stole from my wife while hiking through the pastures to find the perfect vantage point because I was too lazy to put on pants that morning). #tourismeariege #ariegezvous #ariegepyrenees #pyrenees #love_pyrenees #ariege #ariegementbeau #pyreneesariegeoises #ariege_ig #ariege #midipyrénées #visitlafrance #nikonphotography #nikon #nikonusa #explorefrance

If you know me, you know nothing gets me #talkingexcitingly quite like a cool and misty day! And when that day includes playing in a mountain stream and taking pictures of a waterfall, it is pretty much my perfect day. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #visitdahlonega

I wish this were my current sitch. Regardless of my current location, looking back on this image sure has me #talkingexcitingly about the view of Loggerhead Lighthouse from Fort Jefferson on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park. Visiting this National Park had long been on my bucket list, and while I didn’t capture any particularly good images from the fort and the park, this adventure lived up to the hype. The trip is not cheap but well worth the money, and if I’m ever back down in Key West, I hope to spend the night sweating in a tent on this beautiful island. Please excuse the soft focus on the lighthouse, my telephoto lens is quickly dying and at 300MM the focus is… #floridakeys #keywest #nationalparks #exploreflorida #LoveFL #nationalparkservice #DryTortugas #YankeeFreedomFerry #VisitorsView # #DryTortugasNationalPark #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #NPS #visitflorida \#floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #bestoftheusa_lighthouses

I would love to say that I’m #talkingexcitingly about stumbling upon this perfect little scene in nature, but if anyone is buying that this moment just happened without a little bit of help from myself, then I have some ocean front property in Arizona that I would love to sell you. Nonetheless, my plan had not been to hit up Dicks Creek Falls, but closed forest roads required a change in plans. Since I had the waterfall to myself on a cool rainy day, I decided to play. I hopped around the waterfall looking for different compositions but when I saw this beautiful pinecone floating past my foot, I decided to stage up this scene and have fun playing with depth of field. I ended up shooting a dozen different comps and how it so often is, the last one turned out to be chicken dinner. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #discoverdahlonega

The best-laid plans… Before heading out on this hike, I had a vision of how I would capture this waterfall. However, mother nature had different plans and decided that the waterfall's base was missing several downed trees. Luckily, I had my “climbing” boats on and decided to scramble up to the middle of the waterfall and found this compensation that got me #talkingexcitingly. I think it’s important to have a plan before heading out, but it is just as important to be flexible and not let the bumps in the road end your journey, just maybe slow you down for a second. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

It's Time for Some #TalkingExcitingly Thoughts with Brad Burgess – What is the point of wearing neoprene socks to keep your feet dry and warm if you dip your ass in the cold running stream when squatting down to get your low-angle shot? I simply don’t know how not to get wet when photographing waterfalls. I mean, I guess you stay on the shoreline, but what fun is that? Nonetheless, it was great getting out over the weekend before the rains came in and capturing this beautiful North Georgia waterfall. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

​​I have four camera batteries for my Nikon. Not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR batteries. So how many charged batteries do you think I had on during this adventure? Did you guess zero? Then you are correct. I was certainly not #talkingexcitingly about this dumbass rookie mistake. Luckily, one of the batteries had enough juice to snap a handle full of pictures before dying. I would have hated to hike the 600+ elevation climb out of the High Shoals Falls hole without at least one picture to show for it. Oh well, live and pretend to learn. Because lord knows I'll make this idiotic mistake again. #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Wood and sand.  One of my goals this year is to push myself to look for texture and patterns in nature and not just the expansive views.  On this fogging morning, a few weeks backs, I was drawn to and found myself #talkingexcitingly about how the grainy sand clung to the weather ridges of the driftwood.      #FLStateParks #LoveAmelia #onlyinjax #904HappyHour #LoveFL #visitflorida #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #bestiftheusa_cfinds #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #nikonusa #yes_busa

My word for 2023 is consistency.  Over the past year and a half, I’ve given into the moving tides of my life.  I have not put a focus on the importance of being consistent.  While I have no regrets about this time period, it has been gratifying, and I have achieved many things I could never have dreamed of. It has also come with sacrifices to my physical and mental health.   One of the areas where I am striving to be more consistent is getting out into nature with a purpose.  Yes, to escape and get lost, but also to flex my mind's eye to find things that get me #talkingexcitingly.   I want to be like this tree, consistence but also changing with the flow of the tides and time.   #FLStateParks #LoveAmelia #onlyinjax #904HappyHour #LoveFL #visitflorida #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #bestiftheusa_cfinds #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #nikonusa #yes_busa #kasefiltersglobal

I do love #talkingexcitingly about the blue water and golden sun of a Gulf of Mexico sunset. Nonetheless, It’s been a minute since I posted a new picture, and by that, I mean countless months. I’ve been trapped in the gravitational pull of a creative black hole for nearly a year. The pressure and stress of an insane project at work has taken its toll on me. I rarely have a desire to get out and take pictures, and when I do, I have even less desire to edit the images. In both cases, I tend to choose sleep and mindlessly watching YouTube videos. I am unsure if this picture will help me break free of the void sucking me in, but it was still fun to take. The sunset itself was not particularly great as a band of low-level clouds on the horizon quickly choked out the light, and the calm waters of the Gulf were creating a nearly flat sea. So, instead of going wide, I decided to go with my telephoto lens at 300 mm and a 1-second long exposure to create a more abstract scene playing with the water's contrasting colors and soft movement. I suspect I could have picked a single frame, but I ended up going with six different pictures and blending them so that I could get the sky and water just like I wanted them. It was fun to remember for a brief moment why I like getting outside and trying to capture the world around me. . . . #bradentonarea #LoveFL #MyAnnaMaria #visitflorida #bradentonbeach #annamariaisland #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #rawflorida #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Leaving the Sonoma Valley floor and its seemingly endless rows of grapevines, the Mayacamas Mountains turn from a background character to the starring actor in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. On this cold and damp morning, I knew I was going to find a beautiful waterfall but what really had me #talkingexcitingly was the winding mountain road that cut in and out of the evergreen forest providing glimpses of the mountain tops covered in the rolling clouds. Once the beautiful drive ended and I took to foot, I found myself drawn to this knarled ancient oak standing tall on among the wind bentgrass and brushes. . . . . #sugarloafridgestatepark #sugarloafpark #sonomacountyparks #sonoma #sonomavalley #hiking #californiaadventure #californiastateparks #hikingadventures #trails #winterhiking #sonomacountyhikes #bestofthegoldenstate #Yes_BUSA #castateparks #ig_california #onlyincalifornia #visitcalifornia #hikingcalifornia #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_usa #optoutside #peakdesign #nikonnofilter #zcreator #raw_alltrees #bestoftheusa_trees

When in Sonoma Valley you can only drink “SO” much wine before you have to find a waterfall to be #talkingexcitingly about, right, RIGHT? Or is that just me? Jet lag, a hangover, and the rain kept me in bed longer than I had wanted but I still managed to get myself out of bed just after the sun rose into the overcast rainy sky to hunt down a waterfall because, you know, that is what I do. The effort proved to be worth the early alarm as Sugarloaf Ridge State Park was a fog-soaked wonderland and all of the rain had this falls cascading at peak conditions. Plus, literally, everyone else was tucked warmly in their beds while I hopped from rock to rock trying to find a composition that kept me dry because I only had my Adidas on this trip and could not afford to get them wet (If you know me, I believe it is a sin to not get wet while taking pictures and I sinned a lot on this trip). . . . . #sugarloafridgestatepark #sugarloafpark #sonomacountyparks #sonoma #sonomavalley #hiking #californiaadventure #californiastateparks #hikingadventures #trails #winterhiking #sonomacountyhikes #bestofthegoldenstate #Yes_BUSA #castateparks #ig_california #onlyincalifornia #visitcalifornia #hikingcalifornia #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #peakdesign #nikonnofilter #zcreator

There is no escaping it, I’m in a creative funk. I’ve got my theories to the reasons but will spare y’all the details. I simply have little drive fuled by a strong desire to hit the snooze button and an equaly strong undesire to learn the new Lightroom masking tool. This apathy has been slowly choking out the oxygen of my creative flame. I’ve been staring at this image for the better part of the past month. I wouldn’t call myself artist but creating images helps me keep the creative balance I need to excel at work and home. So on Sunday, I buckled down, fought through the voices in my head screaming to be lazy and not learn new things and finally faced my Lightroom catalog. Determined to edit one image. It’s not my favorite picture and while the adventure was awesome, I could tell at the time that the creative flow was slightly off and I was already heading into a funk. With all of that said, I hope y’all enjoy this Blue Ridge Parkway sunrise picture. Looking at it reminds me how the cool morning wind, left my toes and fingers numb, my cheeks flushed rosey red and my mind #talkingexcitngly about the fall colors and seemingly endless layers of the Appalachian mountains. . . . #blueridgenps #nps #nationalparkservice #lookingglassrock #blueridgeparkway #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #bestoftheusa_nationalparks#nikonnofilter

Some of my favorite memories growing were the one week each summer we stayed at Sky Valley exploring the North Georgia Mountains. I still long to saunter up the clubhouse bar and order a Sherly Temple on my way over to the tabletop Ms. Pac-Man machine. Those were the days, exploring the local waterfalls, eating chocolate-dipped cones from the Clayton Dairy Queen, playing bingo at night, and my parents literally just kicking my sister and me out the door of the condo and telling us to be back for dinner at nightfall. On this weekend’s escape, I only managed to explore Mud Creek Falls on a beautiful fall day but this image certainly has me #talkingexcitingly about finding grenadine and maraschino cherries tonight so I can feel like a big kid instead of a tired adult. . . . . #mudcreekfalls #skyvalleyga #vistclaytonga #wandernorthga #trailful #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #hikegeorgia #gahikes #bestofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #peakdesign #nikonnofilter #capturewithconfidence #zcreator #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments

Saving 15% on a Georgia State Park Pass is easier than finding a composition that gets me #talkingexcitingly of Trahlyta Falls at Vogel State Park. Vogel is one of nearly 50 state parks you can visit with your annual pass from Friends of the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. If you want to save 15% on your annual pass go to my bio and click on the link bit.ly/talking_excitingly. I have a love-hate relationship with observation decks at waterfalls. They provide great, safe places to view cascading water, but many of them just get in the darn way of what I want to shoot. The observation deck at Trahlyta Falls is pretty cool as it reaches over the waterfall and the water flows above you and beneath you. However, it makes getting a comp without the observation deck obscuring much of the scene, tricky (I mean I guess I could have taken the picture from the deck, but that’s not fun). I was starting to give up on finding a shot that I liked before I finally found this spot about halfway up the cascade that was speaking to me. However, even with my 16-35mm wide-angle lens I could not capture the scene and backing up was not an option (I don’t like falling off cliffs). So this image is actually 4 pictures stitched together. It’s not going to win any awards but I like how it turned out. . . . . #GaStateParks #gaparkfriends #vogel #trahlytafalls #vogelstatepark #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #northgeorgia #hikegeorgia #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #peakdesign #nikonnofilter #zcreators

Know what gets me #talkingexcitingly, saving 15% on a Georgia State Park Pass through Friends of the Georgia State Parks and Historical Sites. If you go to my bio and click on the link bit.ly/talking_excitingly you can save 15% on your annual park pass and help this wonderful organization that supports and preserves the national resources of Georgia’s great outdoors. Plus, if you get a State Park pass you can enjoy this iconic waterfall at Cloudland Canyon State Park without me in the scene. . . . . #GaStateParks #gaparkfriends #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #peakdesign #nikonnofilter

#talkingexcitingly about that throw away final composition. I often struggle to stop shooting, assuming I will not re-visit the location, I want to leave no stone unturned. Sometimes good, more often garbage I will keep shooting until I’m out of time, good light, and/or stamina. After an hour plus of capturing what I would call the more traditional driftwood beach shots and after the crowds started to thin, I decided on one last shot. I tossed a ND6 on my camera and decided to focus on the roots, branches and the light on the water. I honestly can’t decide if I love it or hate it, but either way I think it is a striking image. . . . #jekyllisland #driftwoodbeach #georgiacoast #explorethecoast #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #beastofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #goldenisles #hashtagga #tree_captures #fortheloveofbranches #ourplanetdaily #optoutside #coastalliving #nikonusa #findyourpeak #yes_busa #nikonnofilter #kasefilters #peakdesign #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #raw_trees #bestoftheusa_trees #nikonnofilter #zcreators

I spent two sunrises on Driftwood beach a few weekends ago. On day one, I hit the beach before anyone else had arrived and staked myself in front of dare I say the most iconic and photographed tree on the island. Within 30 minutes, a dozen people moseyed up to also camp out around the tree. Everyone was wonderfully nice and respectful of my spot and stayed out of my shot. I had several fun conversations and all of the chatter faded away when the sun poked itself above the horizon. It was a great morning and I will share a picture from that morning when I finally settle on the comp and edit, that I like best. However, I say all of that, to say, day two on the beach is the one that really has me #tallingexcitngly. That is because I slipped off to photograph a tree where I expected the crowds would not gravitate to and decide to try and shoot it from a different perspective. While this image is not going to land on the cover of a magazine, having this small piece of sand to myself and trying to challenge myself to capture something a little different proved to be the more enjoyable morning. . . . #jekyllisland #driftwoodbeach #georgiacoast #explorethecoast #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #beastofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #goldenisles #hashtagga #tree_captures #fortheloveofbranches #ourplanetdaily #optoutside #coastalliving #nikonusa #findyourpeak #yes_busa #nikonnofilter #kasefilters #peakdesign #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #raw_trees #bestoftheusa_trees

Is it really quieter in nature? I mean, it is amazing being away from the onslaught of information. However, without the distractions, I often find the voices in my head to be almost deafening. The internal dialogue for me typically runs the full gambit of emotions from this is amazing to why the eff am I doing. It’s not unusual in a matter of feet to go from euphoria to depression and back again. I think that’s why I take the camera, it’s a distraction from the ear-piercing silence. Oh and sometimes, nature is just actually really loud, like when you are standing knee-deep in a rocky streambed at the base of a thunderous waterfall that is drowning out the #talkingexcitingly dialogue in my head. . . . #courthousefalls #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #trailful #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters #zcreators #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa

#talkinexciting … yeah, I got nothing else to say for once, and I think that’s A-OK. . . . #schoonerstephentaber #thisiswindjamming #windjammers #rocklandmaine #mwa_fleet #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland #peakdesign #nikonnofilter #kasefilters #zcreators

There is something incredibly magical when you are standing above the clouds. This moment like so many in life was very fleeting as the clouds quickly covered the summit of Cadillac Mountain and the setting sun was lost in a sea of pea soup fog. Yet however brief the moment, this sunset was the perfect kiss goodnight to a #talkingexcitingly day that my family will cherish for a lifetime. (Do the swipey thing to see the full panorama of the scene) . . . #cadillacmountain #cadillacsummitroad #mtdesertisland #visitbarharbor #nationalparkservice #acadianps #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #207 #igersmaine #207gram #onlyin207 #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #mainenature #mainephotographer #mainesummer #raw_newengland #zcreators

Some nights even Mother Nature likes to show off. I’m still digging through pictures from my amazing Maine adventure from earlier in the summer and cannot stop #talkingexcitingly about our amazing lobster bake night on the Schooner Stephen Taber and the incredible sunset sky after the late afternoon thunderstorms passed us by. . . . #schoonerstephentaber #thisiswindjamming #windjammers #rocklandmaine #mwa_fleet #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland #kasefiltersglobal #nikonnofilter

600 metal stair steps are worth it when you get waterfall views like this to be #talkingexcitingly about. With its steep cliffs, large pool, and rocky shoreline, there are countless compositions of Cherokee Falls that one can capture. I had such a great time bonding around the falls (and maybe or maybe not abiding by the no wadding in the water sign) hunting for different perspectives. This is one of my favorites from that day’s adventure. . . . . #GaStateParks #gaparkfriends #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #peakdesign #nikonnofilter

It’s a Christmas Miracle, zero people were photoshopped out of this image because I had the crazy popular Cherokee Falls all to my lonesome for nearly two hours on a FREAKING Saturday morning! I didn’t even have to get up that “early” because I was camping with my longtime friend and old college roommate @irun100m (In cause you are wondering, yes he runs 100-mile races, I like to keep him around because his crazy, makes my crazy look almost sane). And with that said, I don’t think I have anything else to say about this adventure other than I now understand why so many people find themselves #talkingexcitingly about the Waterfalls Trail at Cloudland Canyon. . . . . #GaStateParks #gaparkfriends #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays

Oops… did I hike to a popular North Georgia waterfall? Well damn, it appears I did (don’t tell anyone but I enjoyed it too, minus the 4 million steps to climb out of the canyon). At first, when approaching the observation deck at Hemlock Falls, I was concerned that while impressive, because of the incredibly large boulder blocking the base, the falls were not going to provide me with a vantage point that would get me #talkingexcitingly. I was wrong (silly thought I know), as once I started to explore the area and found the path that leads behind the falls the waterfall really opened up to a lot of cool scenes but with the cloud coverage starting to burn off and the blow back from the falls coating my lense (luckily, in my giant backpack of camera gear, I certainly have a handful of microfiber towels, oh wait, I don’t, where do these little buggers end up?) finding a shot was still proving difficult. Fear not, I hiked on, finally landed on this comp with the path leading the way to the impressive cascade. . . . . #GaStateParks #gaparkfriends #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #hashtagga1778 #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays

The best-laid plans… I thought I was going on an easy 1.2-mile trek on an overcast morning, turns out I was W.R.O.N.G. WRONG. Unforeseen Issue Number 1 - Closed Forestry Road Gate. (I mean no big deal I only drove three hours to explore this waterfall.) What is one to do? Start driving in search cell services. Cell service found! Another trail found! Alltrails rated as easy 1.8-mile (actually 2.4 miles) one-way hike (who rates these trails, not out-of-shape middle-aged people that’s for sure). Unforeseen Issue Number 2 - The trail was basically straight up and then down the side of a mountain (984 feet of elevation climb in .6 miles (is EASY for who). However, I was not deterred, and when I finally reached Courthouse Falls all of the setbacks faded away, as this epic waterfall revealed itself as a few rays of suns poked through the clouds (can you say false advertising). So I dropped my bag, grabbed my camera, and jumped into the creek to start hunting for comps. Unforeseen Issue Number 3 - Wait is that rain? That’s OK, I’m knee-deep in-stream what’s the big deal about few raindrops? Nothing, until the freaking bottom drops outs. (I’m talking total armageddon) With no shelter and no signs of relief, I tossed my gear in my #wandrd bag (thank goodness it includes a rain fly) and after 10 short minutes at the falls, my adventure ended (minus another 2+ mile hike straight up and down a mountain). At least I managed to grab one image that has me #talkingexcitingly . . . #courthousefalls #pisgahnationalforest #northcarolina #blueridgeoutdoors #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #wnc #ashevilletrails #trailful #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #discover_carolinas #explorecarolina #atlantatrails #visitnc #romanticasheville #raw_waters #raw_southeastusa #nikonusa #kasefilters

I’m not sure what to say about this picture. It has been a rock in my shoe for the past two months. I was in love with the scene when I shot it. I knew I would be #talkingexcitingly about the images when I got them onto my Mac. I was not. Every couple of weeks I would open up Lightroom scroll the grid, looking at the 100 or so pictures I took. Bounce back between the two main compensations I took. Process one of the images, decide I hated it, close Lightroom, and try and forget about it. However, I kept coming back and coming back. Maybe this week, I cracked the code? I’m still not sure. Nonetheless, after weeks and weeks of letting the image torment me, I’m putting it out into the world so that I can at least move on. With that said, if I was just going to wax poetic about this image, I think I would say something like this, “If this old gnarled oak tree could talk, I bet it would be #talkingexcitingly about everything it has seen happen in Tampa Bay over the past century.” . . . #bayfrontpark #loveitlikealocal #bradentonarea #LoveFL #MyAnnaMaria #visitflorida #bradentonbeach #holmesbeach #annamariaisland #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #myami #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #rawflorida #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_

After a couple of days aboard the Schooner Stephen Taber and a thrilling race with a thunderstorm (seriously we went from blue skies to oh crap in like 2 seconds), it was nice to head to land for a few hours to feast on lobsters and steaks (while the damn mosquitos feasted on me). Despite the amazing meal what got me #talkingexcitingly from the second we hit land was looking at all the beautiful clouds, the majestic grassy field, and the warm summer light that was slowly starting its descent towards the far off horizon line. . . . . . #schoonerstephentaber #thisiswindjamming #windjammers #rocklandmaine #mwa_fleet #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland #peakdesign

From anticipation to despair to a little tease, sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain was certainly a moment, maybe not one worth the 2:30 AM alarm, but one I still find myself #talkingexcitingly about. With my 3:30 - 5:30 AM summit reservation in hand and sunrise at 4:34 AM, I hit the road at 3:00 AM with the hopes that the summit would be above the marine layer and the first light to hit the eastern coast of the United States would put on an epic show. As I hunted for a location to set up for the next 90ish minutes the clouds kept racing across the landscape providing brief views of the low slung fog below (Image 1 - Anticipation), but just when the conditions seemed like they were going to be perfect, it all changed as a cold, wet cloud moved in and parked itself right in front of the rising sun (Image 2 - Despair). The clouds didn’t depart until long after I left, however the sun did attempt to make one last effort to show itself (Image 3 - Little Tease). . . . #cadillacmountain #cadillacsummitroad #mtdesertisland #visitbarharbor #nationalparkservice #acadianps #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #207 #igersmaine #207gram #onlyin207 #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #mainenature #mainephotographer #mainesummer #raw_newengland

Damn … it has been a long time since I have been #talkingexcitingly about a North Georgia waterfall! It has been a busy summer (I’m not complaining, I’ve been crazily blessed to be able to travel), but after a couple of pretty awesome getaways to faraway lands (Florida, Maine, and the Bahamas), it is great to be back slogging through the humid, mosquito-infested woods of my home state. Making the adventure even better, this was one of the more enjoyable hikes I have taken with no bushwhacking and exploring on an actual trail (who knew this was an option.) I’m not exactly positive when the trail goes from forestry road to the path (well before my car could continue driving, that’s for sure) but it quickly starts to gently roll along the shores of the Canada Creek (would love to know how this stream got named) through a beautiful stretch of the Chattahoochee National Forest (with one get your feet wet river crossing) leading to this small but beautiful waterfall that because of all of the rains was flowing with considerable force. . . . . #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

We might not have been able to grab any popovers on the lawn but seriously with views like this to be #talkingexcitingly one can survive without the famous Jordan Pond House tea service. . . . . #jordanpond #jordanponfhouse #mtdesertisland #visitbarharbor #nationalparkservice #acadianps #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #207 #igersmaine #207gram #onlyin207 #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #mainenature #mainephotographer #mainesummer #raw_newengland

I know, I know. This post is… not my normal cup of tea, but for some reason, I just can't stop #talkingexcitingly about it. Maybe it's knowing I was waist-deep in the crashing waves trying to snag a handheld long exposure. Perhaps it’s how this image captures the abstract nature of water. Then again, it could be my love of Impressionist art and how this picture feels more like a painting than a photo to me. Most likely, all that is cockamamie bullcrap, and this image is just garbage. Nonetheless, this photo speaks to me, and I hope maybe it speaks to some of y’all. If it does not, fear not; waterfalls, mountain vistas, and seascapes will be returning to my feed shortly. . . . . #FlyAwayBahamas #VisitTheBahamas #instaparadise #TheBahamas #Bahamas #AtlantisBahamas #BahamasAtHeart #TheCoveAtlantis #Paradiseisland #nassau #sunrise #nikonusa #kasefilterglobal #raw_waters #waves #abstract

I believe it might be a crime punishable by death to visit the right coast Portland and not take a picture of the Portland Head Light. The conditions for an epic picture might not have been in place, but you just cannot look at this iconic lighthouse without #talkingexcitingly. Nonetheless, I still think this image turned out pretty good with some rocks, waves, and a lighthouse perched on a rock-side cliff. . . . #OnlyInPortlandME #GreaterInPortlandME #VisitPortlandME #lighthousesofinstagram #lighthouselovers #mainething #mainelife #mainestateparks #maine #vacationland #lighthousephotography #newengland #newenglandliving #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #raw_newengland #nikonusa #207 #igersmaine #207gram #onlyin207 #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #bestoftheuse_lighthouses

“For Your Safety Stay Off the Rocks” is the sign that greeted me on this early morning adventure. Obviously, because I am a rule-abiding individual I did feel an ever-so-small pang of guilt as I walked right past the sign, in search of those crashing waves and rising sun that always get me #talkingexciting when visiting seaside locations. On this particular morning, the jagged rocks (that will slice your foot, hand, or butt open if you are not careful) provided a wonderful setting for snagging an image (or a thousand) of the incoming tide off of Paradise Island. . . . #FlyAwayBahamas #VisitTheBahamas #instaparadise #TheBahamas #Bahamas #AtlantisBahamas #BahamasAtHeart #TheCoveAtlantis #Paradiseisland #nassau #sunrise #nikonusa #peakdesign #kasefilterglobal

Who fancies a ride on a dinghy to a secluded coastal Maine beach for a lobster boil? Yes, please (granted I needed lots of coaching from my New England shipmates who luckily took pity on this Southern and his inability to properly remove the meat from a whole lobster). While the Maine (yes awful pun, I know) event was the meal, I nearly missed dinner and the dinghy ride back to the Schooner Stephen Taber (I might have gotten yelled at by @abburgess68 to hurry the heck up) because I just couldn’t stop #talkingexcitingly and snapping pictures of all of the enchanting evening light (more pictures from this night are being processed). I particularly love this scene because of how calm and idyllic the water is after it had been churning with gray waves just minutes before when a thunderstorm passed over us. There is never a dull moment on a windjammer. . . #schoonerstephentaber #thisiswindjamming #windjammers #rocklandmaine #mwa_fleet #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland #primebeachusa

Do that swipe left and right thing, this is a panorama (and the right side of the image is SO much better than the left) . After a morning of fog and rain, the skies finally started to clear as on cue for our 7:00 PM reservation to drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain to catch the sunset. Around every bend of the road, the views kept getting better and we found it nearly impossible to not stop at every overlook. Nearly at the top my son and I both #talkingexcitingly implored our driver (AKA, wife/mom) to pull OVER! So that we could catch the warm light blanketing the distant valleys as the cools clouds quickly started to cover up the peaks below (Those clouds would prove to me my nemeses but that is a different story). It felt like we stood there for hours, but I’m sure it was just a few minutes. The actual summit of Cadillac was maybe only 2 or 3 minutes away and while it afforded beautiful views, just as the skies had opened up on cue for our drive up the mountain, they closed up on cue to hide the setting sun. . . . . #cadillacmountain #cadillacsummitroad #visitbarharbor #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #207 #igersmaine #207gram #onlyin207 #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #exploretocreate #getoutstayout #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #travel #mainerealmaine #mainephotographer #mainesummer #raw_newengland

On a Maine maritime adventure, that I cannot stop #talkingexcitingly about, this moment in time left me speechless. I suspect I’m going to be posting numerous pictures from our epic vogue on the 150-year-old (no freaking lie, ONE FIVE ZERO) Schooner Stephan Taber, but it was this moment from our last night, anchored in a quiet cove off of Vinalhaven Island, that I went hunting for first after dumping my memory card into Lightroom. After a relaxing day sailing across the Gulf of Maine, a quick dip in the Atlantic (this is not the Florida Atlantic I’m used to swimming in… can you say shrinkage), an incredible dinner, and a fine glass of wine (or two, or three, …) time started to slow down as the sun slowing started to fall below the horizon. As the warm rays set the cool water on fire, the precocious, charismatic son of the captain went racing across the bay in the Plain Jane, cutting in and out of the sunlight. For a brief moment in time all of the stress, the pain, the fear from the past 18 months seemed to wash away as this young man joyfully entertained the Taber’s guest and crew with his sailing skills and wit. . . . #schoonerstephentaber #rocklandmaine #mwa_fleet #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland

Sunrise in Maine during the summer is NOT fun!!!! Seriously, it breaks the horizon around 4:40 in the morning, that is just evil. Regardless, this morning I dragged my molecule mass (my son enlightened me to this dorky term) out of bed at 3:45 AM to find myself staring into a foggy mess of clouds and rain. Did I check my weather apps before going to bed? Maybe? I don’t remember, the beer might have been flowing in Bar Harbor the previous night. Nonetheless, I was out of the bed and decided to hit the streets in search of something to shoot. After slipping, sliding and busting my ass on rain soaked rocks (why did I decide to wear by Adidas, oh yeah I like the style, dumb) while getting off of the The Shore Path, I saw this lonely sailboat haughtingly sitting in fog. I shot a couple pictures, checked my watch, the sun had apparently risen. Cold and tired I decided to head back to the room, disappointed. Luckily now that I’m back home I kind of like the picture and find myself #talkingexcitingly about this moment. . . . . #visitbarharbor #MaineThing #bestofthepinetreestate #exploremaine #yes_busa #nikonusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa #optoutside #onlyin207 #igersmaine #207gram #mainerealmaine #mainelife #mainetheway #maineisgorgeous #naturalmaine #ig_maine #ig_newengland #thisismaine #ilovemaine #ilove207 #raw_newengland

I cannot quit #talkingexcitingly about the sea spray and crashing waves from this morning walk only Coquina Beach. . . . #coquinabeach #bradentonarea #LoveFL #MyAnnaMaria #visitflorida #bradentonbeach #annamariaisland #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #rawflorida #viewsofthesouth #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

Sometimes the best #talkingexcitingly moments are the ones where you take a detour from your normal route. I’m not sure how many times I have blown by this waterfall while trucking down I-75 on my way to different Florida vacation spots but I’m sure happy I decided to add a little extra time to the drive down to the Gulf Coast on my last trip to check out one of the handful of waterfalls in Florida. The short hike to Falling Creek Falls feels out of this world from the typical Florida adventure and the cool coffee color water makes for a very unique cascade. . . . #fallingcreekfalls #floridafun #sunshinestate #loveflorida #visitflorida #florida_greatshots hashtagflorida #roamflorida #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #yes_busa #viewsofthesouth #nikonusa #kasefilters #rawflorida #waterfalls #waterfallsfordays #optoutside #waterfalls_collective #raw_southeastusa #raw_waters_ #raw_usa

When heading out to capture the sunrise over the Sarasota skyline and the bay, I had hoped to be able to set up a shot that had a sailboat or two in the scene, but it was the unexpected sole sailboat (UPDATED - not kayak, my seafaring vessel knowledge is clearly not up to snuff) that really gets me #talkingexcitingly about this compensation. . . . #cityisland #sarasota_florida #mysarasota #sarasota #sarasotaflorida #floridafun #sunshinestate #loveflorida #visitflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #onlyinflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #rawflorida

Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to get #talkingexcitingly. Things you are rarely going to hear me say, I want this image to be minimalist and processed as black and white. However, before I even jumped in the car before sunrise, I had decided that is what I wanted to capture on this photo adventure. So I tossed a couple of Kase filters on the front of my Nikon and dialed the shutter speed to 90 seconds and voila, I think it turned out pretty good. Also honestly shocked that those two pelicans basically sat still for the entire exposure. . . #bradentonarea #LoveFL #MyAnnaMaria #visitflorida #bradentonbeach #holmesbeach #annamariaisland #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #gulfofmexico #gulfcoast #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #tampa #myami #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #yes_busa #nikonusa #kasefilters #rawflorida

It’s not as tall as Amicalola Falls or Cochran Falls. Still, without the crowds of Amicalola or the death-defying final climb of Cochran Falls, Bearden Falls is without a doubt my favorite of the Three Sisters to be #talkingexcitingly about. This beautiful waterfall in Dawson County, Georgia, is worth the off-the-beaten-path roads and hike to enjoy its dramatic 200+ feet cascade in near privacy. . . . #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #beardenfalls #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #YES_BUSA #findyourpeak #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays #waterfalls_collective #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal #nikonz7

Sometimes you just have to slow down and take it all in! On this day, I was scrambling around playing with my new camera, more worried about the mechanics of the shot and the technology behind the lens to enjoy what was in front of the lens until I finally stepped away from the camera for a few minutes while eating lunch to really enjoy the beauty of the waterfall and to realize this was a moment and place to be #talkingexcitingly about. . . . . #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #YES_BUSA #findyourpeak #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays #waterfalls_collective #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal #nikonz7ii #hashtagga

I often asked myself while venturing to places where no trails exist, and I’m scammering over, under and through branches and brambles, WTF am I thinking. Then, right when it seems the sweat and blood might be for naught, BAM, you turn the final bend and a scene like this unfolds, and I find myself #talkingexcitingly about a secluded waterfall that I have all to myself. . . . . #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #viewsofthesouth #naturalgeorgia #bestofthe_usa #bestoftheusa_water #bestoftheusa_shutterbugclub #bestoftheusa_nature #findyourpeak #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays #waterfalls_collective #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal #hashtagga

I’m not sure I’m cut out for photographer meetups. I see a bunch of people shooting pictures in the same basic spot and my first instinct is to go find somewhere else to shoot. Nonetheless, the Atlanta Photography Group meetup that @pauldaniel5010 organizes every month is always a ton of fun even on a cold February Saturday morning with a pretty bland sky. So while everyone else was capturing sunrise images from the west side of the 17th Street Bridge I ventured to the east side to see if I could find something that would get me #talkingexcitingly. What it turned out to be is certainly not my typical image but I was just really intrigued by how the car beams and the colorful iBeam graffiti seemed to play off of each other. . . . . . #discoveratlanta #exploreatlanta #atldtn #cityofatlanta #exploregeorgia #longexposure #atlantasnaps #atlantatraffic #lighttrails #nikonphotography #nikon #seethisatlanta #weloveatl #iloveatl #cbs46beautyshot #welcometoatlanta #atlantaga #atlanta #atl #streetphotography #atlstreetphoto #atlphotogroupshoot #atlphotographer #onlyingeorgia #bestofthepeachstate #busashutterbug #BestoftheUSA_LongExposure #kasefiltersglobal #hashtagga

Aaaah! My #talkingexcitingly waterfall adventure went from a compsonition Shangri-La to a Lightroom nightmare once I took my images off my Nikon. Appeartantly, I got WAY too caught up on trying to find cool and unique foreground elements that instead of creating well balanced images that guide the viewer through the scene, I took a ton of overly complex and busy images where the actual subject of the picture just became an afterthought. Oh well, when the horse bucks you off, you dust yourself off and climb back on. Hopefully I will be better focused during my next photography adventure. Nonetheless, I did still manage to capture this one image of this beautiful, secluded waterfall that’s pretty good. . . . . #chattahoocheenationalforest #USDAForestService #PeachState #ThisIsMyGeorgia #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #wandernorthga #trailful #atlantatrails #getoutsidegeorgia #northgeorgia #thisismyga #hikegeorgia #scenicga #bestofthepeachstate #hikenorthgeorgia #georgiahikers #naturalgeorgia #viewsofthesouth #naturalgeorgia #bestofthe_usa #findyourpeak #optoutside #blueridgeoutdoors #blueridgemoments #waterfallsfordays #hashtagga #waterfalls_collective #nikonusa #kasefiltersglobal

Palm trees, swimming pools, and the early morning sun, what’s not to be #talkingexcitingly about? I love how well the pool area at the Omni Amelia Island compliments it’s ocean side surroundings on this beautiful island. . . #AtTheOmni #omniameliaisland #ameliaisland #ameliaislandflorida #ameliaislandmemories #LoveAmelia #onlyinjax #904HappyHour #LoveFL #visitflorida #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #bestiftheusa_cfinds #viewsofthesouth #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #nikonusa

If there is falling water to be #talkingexcitiingly about chances are I’m going to find it. For once I managed to stay dry on a cold day while bouncing around on rocks trying to find a decent comp of the flowing water from the mill. . . . #mingusmill #smokies #friendsofthesmokies #gsmnp #GreatSmokyMountains #findyouradventure #NationalPark #visitcherokeenc #mountains #northcarolina #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #ashevilletrails #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #explorecarolina #visitnc #blueridgeoutdoors #romanticasheville #onlyinnorthcarolina #discover_carolinas #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #bestofthe_usa #optoutside

Sometimes you are #talkingexciting about grabbing a chair and getting your toes wet while watching the sunrise, but in January ... in the Atlantic Ocean ... chances are you are just hoping your toes don’t freeze the eff off. One day I might learn that everytime you take a picture near water, you don’t have to get wet, however this brisk January morning on Amelia Island was not the day. . . #AtTheOmni #omniameliaisland #ameliaisland #ameliaislandflorida #ameliaislandmemories #LoveAmelia #onlyinjax #904HappyHour #LoveFL #visitflorida #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #bestiftheusa_cfinds #viewsofthesouth #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #nikonusa

Seriously how can you not be #talkingexcitingly when watching the rising tide and sun on a deserted and wild beach! I had a few hiccups, like hitting the wrong park entrance to get started and finally arrived at the Boneyard a little later than I had hoped which made for a rushed hunt for a composition with there being so many cool driftwood trees abound. It was actually the rocks not driftwood that drew me into the composition. The shifting sands and the quickly changing light was proving to be difficult as I tried to get my exposure and focus set and I feared onsite I had nothing but when you take 100+ pictures your odds of find a decent one certainly improve. . . #FLStateParks #LoveAmelia #onlyinjax #904HappyHour #LoveFL #visitflorida #floridafun #loveflorida #florida_greatshots #floridasaltlife #hashtagflorida #roamflorida #floridasky #bestofflorida #instagram_florida #igersflorida #igersflorida #floridafun #onlyinflorida #bestofthesunshinestate #primebeachusa #bestofthe_usa #bestiftheusa_cfinds #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #nikonusa

What is the saying “Adapt or Die”? OK, that might be a little too dramatic but when I was so rudely met at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center by a huge flashing sign announcing that 441 was closed ahead my last second winter wonderland adventure had hit a major set back. So I adapted, grabbed my bag, and headed up 441 via foot to Mingus Mill to check out this iconic site blanketed in snow. While I didn’t get my sweeping snow covered vistas as planned I still ended up having an afternoon of playing in the snow to be #talkingexcitingly about. . . . #mingusmill #smokies #friendsofthesmokies #gsmnp #GreatSmokyMountains #findyouradventure #NationalPark #visitcherokeenc #mountains #northcarolina #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #ashevilletrails #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #explorecarolina #visitnc #blueridgeoutdoors #romanticasheville #onlyinnorthcarolina #discover_carolinas #bestofthetarheelstate #viewsofthesouth #bestofthe_usa #optoutside

The descent to Soco Falls is a little treacherous at the best of times, but with an injured ankle, several inches of snow and a trail only illuminated by the moon’s light reflecting off of the snow, it certainly got my heart beating on this spur of the moment visit. However, how often do get to be #talkingexcitingly about a waterfall blanketed in snow and seemingly glowing in the moonlight? With no flashlight to help with getting my focus set and the fear of slipping in the dark, I worked fast and sloppy but still managed to get a halfway decent shot. . . . . . #socofalls #visitcherokeenc #mountains #northcarolina #828isgreat #blueridgemountains #ashevilletrails #blueridgemoments #visitasheville #waterfall #waterfallphotography #explorecarolina #visitnc #blueridgeoutdoors #romanticasheville #nantahalanationalforest #foothillstrail #onlyinnorthcarolina #discover_carolinas #bestofthetarheelstate #waterfallsfordays #viewsofthesouth #bestofthe_usa #bestoftheusa_water #waterfalls_collective #optoutside #waterfallsofig

I love hunting for the lesser known spots to explore, photograph and get #talkingexcitingly about but you know the popular spots are popular for a reason. I now fully understand why Driftwood Beach is an iconic Georgia location that people don’t mind getting up insanely early to find the perfect patch of sand to watch the sunrise. #jekyllisland #driftwoodbeach #georgiacoast #explorethecoast #exploregeorgia #onlyingeorgia #beastofthepeachstate #viewsofthesouth #goldenisles #hashtagga #tree_captures #fortheloveofbranches #ourplanetdaily #optoutside #coastalliving #nikonusa #findyourpeak #visualcollective #ssi #bestofthe_usa #bestoftheusa_sunrise_sunset #primebeachusa