Missouri state park

Do You See What I See

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“To me photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

Elliott Erwitt

Elliott Erwitt was famous for his uncanny ability to capture on film the humor and irony of everyday life.

Fortunately, we are all different. The world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things. Ten people can look at the same picture and see it fourteen different ways. As a photographer I want the viewer to see what I see. When I see something that excites me, I immediately begin analyzing the shot trying to figure out how to shoot the picture for the viewer to understand what I see. In this particular picture I would have to ask which came first? The rocks or the tree.

This shot was taken on a ridge that paralleled the St. Francis River inside the Silver Mines Recreation Area near Fredericktown, MO. It is along a trail that runs parallel with the river along the ridge and just to the right a trail takes off up the ridge. My thinking is the rocks were put there many years ago to mark the trail when the tree was small.

More pictures of the trail that runs along the west ridge overlooking the river.

Silver Mines Recreation Area

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Turkey Creek meets St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir  Our National Parks

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

I would like to share with you an area in Madison County Missouri located along the St. Francis River.  It is a piece of paradise named Silver Mines Recreation Area.  It is part of the old Einstein Mines where the Einstein Mining Company began mining silver, tungsten and lead in 1877 and ceased mining in 1946.  The area is known  for its Precambrian and felsite rocks.

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

Silver Mines offers a variety of recreational opportunities and is abundant with historical and geological wonders.  The St. Francis River is the only river in Missouri classified as a “white water” river.  It is very popular with kayakers during the spring high water.  Parts of the river are used for swimming, other parts are good fishing and the state holds an annual kayaking competition the third weekend of March, providing  the water levels are sufficient.  There is a two mile trail that follows both sides of the river with some breath taking views, for those addicted to hiking.

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

When I was younger we would meet my grandparents there and camp for the weekend.  I took a couple of walks down memory lane and I recalled all the good times we had there.  It was all tent camping and sometimes it got rough.  There were some great camp sites and the park was well maintained.  The area is alive with spectacular scenery and is occupied by many varieties of wildlife.

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St. Francis River near Fredericktown, MO

“In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out til sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

 

“Any fool can destroy trees.  They cannot run away; and if they could, they could, they would be destroyed – chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides, branching horns, or magnificent bole backbones.” – John Muir

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St. Francis River/Silver Mines

Well I hope you enjoyed reading and I thank you for taking the time to do so.  We are blessed with some very nice state parks in Missouri and I tip my hat to the Missouri Conservation Department.  If you have never been here, be sure and put it on your bucket list.  Spread the Love!