Ideas for places to visit in the Midwest
In Southwestern Missouri there is a private park (open to the public) called Dogwood Canyon. Filled with waterfalls, unique bridges and scenic vistas, this is a “must visit” place! A 6½ mile paved path lets you see it all.
Be sure to bring your camera!
A friends farm had a number of Peacocks wandering around. There were so many that I had to be careful not to run over one.
This particular character framed himself at the entryway into a barn, sort of framing his plumage for all to see. So I had to stop and take his photo!
This is taken with a Nikon S9700. The color of the bird himself is bright blue and the picture is not oversaturated.
This is a monument marking the grave of David R. Francis. Francis is one of many prominent people buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery. He was Mayor of the City of St. Louis, Governor of Missouri and Secretary of the Interior. He may be best known as President of St. Louis’ 1904 World’s Fair.
See more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_R._Francis
http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Portfolio/i-h55dspr/A
St. Louis’ Bellefontaine Cemetery is a great place to explore our country’s history. In 1891, Ellis Wainwright, a young St. Louis millionaire brewer, commissioned Louis Sullivan to design the tomb for his beautiful young wife. Sullivan had just completed the Wainwright Building in St. Louis, one of the masterpieces of architecture and generally considered to be the first skyscraper in the world.
In the mausoleum, Sullivan combined two ancient forms: a half circle with a cube. The only ornament is a border of stone richly incised with tulip and leaf motifs. The double doors are bronze grills, framed by delicate stone carvings in a snowflake pattern. This unique tomb is considered the Taj Mahal of St. Louis and in 1970 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This retreat facility sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River in South St. Louis County. The campus has beautiful buildings with a stunning view (a perfect place for a retreat). However, it was pointed out to me that showing the buildings and the view at the same time was difficult to do. Taking this as a challenge, I use my 10 – 20mm Sigma lens to provide a sweeping view. Also I used a three shot HDR effects to add contrast. The 10mm setting and the HDR effect in the clouds added drama to this sweeping view.
http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Portfolio/i-SfJGxkN/A
More Springtime Daffodils. This time from St. Louis’ Forest Park. As I have stated before, this is one of America’s largest and most beautiful urban parks. Be sure to click on the links to see more photos of the park if you have not been there before!
Here is a scene of the Park’s suspension bridge with the St. Louis Art Museum in the background. This bridge makes an interesting subject for photographers (click here for another view).
See my complete portfolio of Forest Park photos: http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Forest-Park/
Are you ready for Spring?! In St. Louis it is a long time coming. However, lots for daffodils are in bloom along roads and in parks. Here is a nice little area in South St. Louis County.
In the middle of St. Louis’ Forest Park is Post Dispatch Lake. This is where The Boat House restaurant is located, people riding paddle boats and various water fowl. Here is a simple photo from the area:
This area of St. Louis County sits high on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and allowing for scenic views and spectacular sunrises. This is a three shot HDR photo that eliminates the high contrasts that you get when taking photos of sunrises and sunsets.
http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Portfolio/i-kXwXW6k/A
Religious buildings offer great subjects for photographers. The gothic structures and interesting settings offer lots of opportunities.
This is the bell of retreat house in St. Louis County. Easter weekend will bring a large group to celebrate their faith.
http://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Portfolio/i-vzCBKR5/A
Great Rivers Imaging 