Star One Smart Blog's

Pleasure boating the Stones River, East and West forks thereof.

Photos after the break.
clicky to embiggen.

Just past the put-in at the West Fork.

Great Blue Heron, tried to shit on the boat because we were near it's nesting place. This area has a remarkable population of these prehistoric-looking critters.


The water wasn't as cold as you'd think. If you stayed above it. )

Approximate photo locations, courtesy google maps.

---

Base photo. Click to enlarge. Canon EOS 350D, 1/500 sec, f/10, ISO 200.



Cropped and enhanced, but just a little.



Extreme crop; just a little more enhancement, c/o Photoshop.



Photo from Party Cove, located on J Percy Priest Lake, not so far from my home.

---

Enjoy your day. I've gone boating.

---

Test post, from Flickr.

Burgess Falls, Center Hill Lake, taken from my boat several years ago. I doubt that I can approach this close right now, because of the draw-down to CHL (repairs to the leaky dam) but we'll see.

Boating season begins in just a month or so..

---

UPDATE

Since I was playing around with images (and GIMP tutorials) I wanted to liven up a couple of otherwise wasted photos.



This GIMP tutorial used a layer mask to eliminate blue sky from the tree's background, and superimpose it over an otherwise wasted (blurred) sunset photo.

---

Had to shoot 'em first.

Part of my ka-tet. I see him every time I'm out there.


So, do you see the 707 and the holy clouds? Or something like that.

---

Fishermen hit the water year 'round. I only hit the water when I can play in it.

Water temps are tolerable. Far from mid-summer, but not breath-takingly cold either.


At least the boat runs.

More later. Al Gore promised us earlier and longer boating seasons. He lied.

---

One of my favorite boating shots...and I wasn't even in the boat!

You've got to get a shot like this before the cheap little plastic disposable waterproof camera's lens gets wet.

I'm so ready for spring...

---

Gimme a break, this was 20 years ago. Global warming wasn't invented yet; I was still just having fun.

But strong even then in the ironing...

If you thing I sit around on my arse watching college football all day on Saturdays, guess again.

The Boat Lives. Although we spent about an hour wrenching on the motor, in the middle of the lake, at least it wasn't overly hot. Nor did we have to paddle...very far...

I haven't seen many days where the water was perfectly glass and the sky was perfectly blue since...well, Spring. But Fall is in the air, in the water, and

This is the I-840 Overpass, near Lebanon's



Recognize the rock? I tend to revisit that spot every time I'm on the Stones River. Since it's less than a quarter mile upstream from the put-in, it's a natural.



Near Jefferson Springs, Smyrna, returning from Percy Priest Proper (where I managed to ding my prop.)



My view while holding the rope...




Boston has to win this game tonight. Or the TV ratings for the World Serious will suck.

Cleveland? They have a team?

There's nothing better than a good day on the river.

Location: Stones River, East and West Forks, Rutherford County, Tennessee.





The water was cooler than last week (and a bit higher level, thanks to the rains.)

There won't be many more days left in FY 2007 Boating Season. Unfortunately.

Kid's first action boating run, with his Favorite Uncle, and includes his first complete (without wipeout) 360 on the trainer knee board.

Now, that's satisfaction....

Hey, we're back on the Stones River, everything is working well (including my leg) and the fisherfolk are on the lookout for crazed boaters with masks, doing high-speed maneuvers on narrow river channels, and generally having too much fun...
__________________________________________






This is a 'cave' of sorts, just a cut-out in the rock that isn't much over 15 feet deep. Boone wants to check it out.





______________________________________





I did find a couple interesting macro shots in there; this little guy is either the predator or the prey, it wasn't moving, much. Fish food.

Back out there, tomorrow.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Back on the water.

"A photograph isn't necessarily a lie, but nor is it the truth. It's more of a fleeting, subjective impression."
--Martine Franck

Early morning riser.
______________________________________________________________________





Can you see the little guy?
___________________________________________________________________________________

He must be part of my ka-tet, I see him every time I'm out here...

This rampart is a natural stopping point.


Now, this kid's a little young for full-speed barefoot skiing. This is how it starts...get 'em used to the water, swimming, before you know it, they're hooked for life.

Better get that rope up!
That's a twang...not supposed to hit the thing. Minus 10 points...

That's a little better.







This thing we know affectionately as a "4 X 8 Sheet of Plywood with a Motor Attached", but you can fish from them, I guess.














Best part of water action? Putting down the camera, saying "My Turn..."

Now, a word from our Sponser (I wish! Have you seen gas prices for premium unleaded???)

____________________________________________________________________________________