It has been nearly a year since making the eighty mile round trip up to Roline Landing on the upper Suwannee River. It was a good day to take the journey. The weather was mild, the sky a vivid deep blue. I journeyed to White Springs and took the Woodpecker route, first stop the Prospect Primitive Baptist Church. There, I found the pensive angel in the cemetery and composed several photographs. I then took the short hike down to the river. It was good to report the creek flowing into the river from PSC Chemical was not a vivid green. I walked up and down the bank, being especially fond of the clay and lime rock exposed on the river bed. The mature oaks as well were grand, and I could have used a 10mm to capture the spread.
Upon leaving, two gentlemen were cleaning up and retouch painting the church. I made it up to the next stop, Turner Bridge landing, seeing a red fox that paused but scurried away before I could back up and get a shot. Along the dirt road, the fall flowers were in profusion as were the butterflies. I stopped upon spotting two Tiger Swallowtails, a spice bush swallowtail, sulphurs, fritillaries, skippers and a monarch. It was the first opportunity to use the new 18-200 on butterflies and for the most part, no problems, except trying to get too close and the shutter refusing to engage. Most frustrating. It was quite a thrill to be in the company of such a variety of butterflies.
At Turner, I did not stay long, walking a bit downstream and composing the pylons from the old suspension bridge.
Making it to Roline, about four miles further north, I took a long hike along the river bank upstream, walking slowly. A raccoon on the far shore spotted me before I could get a shot and scampered off. I came upon an alligator leg floating in the water, and conjectured what could have caused this amputation? I took several cypress souvenirs, one looking like a woodpeckers head.
I drove back to Road 6 and headed for Hopewell Church. The scene of the Shining Congregation photographs, I was disappointed to see that the church had been painted, inside and out, along with benches placed inside. I assume they either had or are planning the annual homecoming. Either way, while good to preserve the church, I liked the way the old unpainted floor looked, along with the old white paint. This new coat of paint kind of removes the mystery from it. I do not foresee any further Shining type photographs.
I started to drive to Cone Bridge, but hunger took hold and I made a beeline home. It was a satisfying trip, one I needed, just to go in peace and reflect. Some day I shall show the photographs someplace. The business of taking photographs and sharing is at a low demand currently and thus I gain the single satisfaction of simply knowing the photographs turned out for the most part.
