I have a good half dozen posts, articles, call them what you will, in my head that I should be writing. But they seem to be stuck there. I have a feeling I would get more done if I had never found Outdoor Blogger Network. But then instead of a blog, what I write would be going on the forum I run. I’m learning to enjoy the blog over the forum, at least for immediacy.
If I had never found OBN I probably would have more spare time. Instead, I find myself visiting virtually every damn blog they have listed on the site. I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. I’ve found some pretty outstanding writing, photos, art, humor, introspection . . . thank god I know how to speed read.
Then a prompt was made on OBN asking for our Favorite Outdoor Place. I was just getting started on one of those other six things I should be writing, really, I was, when this prompt seemed to displace other thoughts.
Speaking of introspection, I find myself doing a lot of that lately. One of the things I keep dwelling on is this river that sits a two minute walk from my house. The Fox is considered a semi-urban river since it flows through small cities on the commuting edge of Chicago. From Algonquin to Oswego could be considered the urban stretch, about 42 miles. From Oswego to where the river ends at the Illinois River, maybe another 42 miles, for the most part the river takes on a wilder look.
In 1996, the year I turned 40, for some reason I stumbled upon this river. I never fished much then. I never fished a river, maybe once. Hell, I didn’t start fishing till I was 27. I don’t come from a fishing family. Outdoors, yes, but fishing, no.
Since then I have waded over 50 miles of the Fox and many of the small creeks that feed it. I have seen it at it’s urban worse, reveled at what beauty I’ve found nestled into these urban areas and have got lost, literally, exploring the remote recesses of it’s tributaries.
I don’t travel much. Don’t know why, just don’t. So this exploring is my travel. I seem to never get bored exploring this river and its creeks. From my estimates, I have another 75 miles to check out.
Along the way I’ve taken pictures. Apparently quite a few of them. My estimate based on what I keep on my hard drive is that I have over 5,000 photos I’ve taken while out exploring this river. Of course most of them are junk. In the time of film it was said that you should consider yourself lucky to get one good shot out of a roll of 36. I think with digital, one out of 50 should be the new goal.
My Favorite Outdoor Place would be the Fox River in general. Not sure I have a favorite spot. Okay, I’m lying, I’m just not going to tell you. Even I have secrets. I have a few shots of the river readily available. Not sure if they’re great, but I like them. I’ll try not to put in too many.
This little creek flows right through the more urban area. Few venture here. I’ve been known to tell stories about it that make people think twice about going there. Some might be true, some a stretch.
The rest of this will just be some random shots.
I think that’s more than enough. That last shot was given to me by a total stranger that happened to be next to me with a much better camera. My shot pales in comparison. Damn point and shoots.
The Four Season Angler
12 Jan 2011Trying to come up with words to describe. Nothing works except awe inspiring. In my eyes there are two kinds of photographers; one sheds light upon the beautiful, and the other finds the beauty staring us in the face.
Thank you for sharing.
Ken G
12 Jan 2011Thanks Ed. You know the river. Sometimes you can just turn around and your looking back at the urban aspect of it. I grew up in Chicago. I tend to look for anything that doesn’t look like a city.
Jay
13 Jan 2011Are there Smallmouths in that fine lookin’ piece of water?
Ken G
13 Jan 2011Here in Illinois the fish of choice in rivers are smallmouth. This is definitely not a trout state. Amazing how small a piece of water will hold them.
kmurray
13 Jan 2011Breathtaking place and beautiful photos! I love the one of the fawn. Being that close must have been pretty cool!
Ken G
13 Jan 2011I was taking an “old man that drank too much coffee and water break” and was practically standing on top of it. It didn’t move for some time and I was able to get a few shots. It eventually had enough of the photo shoot and took off looking for mom.
F. jeziorski
12 May 2011Your as good with the camera as the fishing pole, great shots.