Edwards FreeLance Photography

2012 Trail of Tears – Remembrance Ride

Every year on the third Saturday of September, thousands of avid motorcycle riders ascend of the city of Chattanooga Tennessee for the annual ride to pay respects to the Indian nation.

Excerpt from the official TOT website:

"This ride is not about which trail we ride, or the remembrance of one particular group of people that traveled the Trail of Tears. It is about the remembrance of the plight of the Native American people ripped from their homes, their lands and forced to endure the terrible hardship placed upon them when forced to a new land, forced to a land full of uncertainty, unknowing, and a feeling that their aggressors may again change their mind and force another removal, or worse annihilation."

The ride starts off in downtown Chattanooga Tennessee, follows the trail taken by the Native Americans, around Lookout Mountain to Monteagle, TN. The route transverses some of the most scenic routes in Tennessee, as it meanders throughout the area before a the convoy takes a short break in Fayetteville,  then heads off towards Florence, AL where for most, the rides wraps up. For others, it's an overnight stay before pulling out for Wewoka, Ok

Mustang Sally

The Trail of Tears Kickoff Party was held the Friday night at Thunder Creek Harley Davidson on Lee Highway, where the riders from across the region were entertained several bands highlighted by Mustang Sally out of Nashville.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For many, the Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride is an annual event, where they can share, renew and form new relationships with their fellow riders.

Thunder Creek Harley Davidson Event

 



Preparing to Bless the Riders



Trial of Tears Remembrance Ride

Slide show of the Chattanooga Events: 

 

Mark your calendar for next year's event.

Merritt Island, National Seashore Florida Space Coast

Every time I head south to the east coast of Florida, I try to make a run over to Merritt Island and the National Seashore. Established in 1963 as an overlay of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge provides a wide variety of habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals.

Taking stroll

Many recreational opportunities are offered at the Refuge. Bird and wildlife observation, a wildlife drive, manatee observation deck, fishing and hunting opportunities, and boating and paddling are examples of available activities. The Visitor Information Center located 4 miles east of Titusville, Florida, is a great place to start your visit.

Low Tide at Merritt Island

 

National Seashore

 

Blooming Flower

Gone Fising?

I like most travel photographers,  I enjoy getting out and driving around in search of interesting items to photograph. On a recent weekend drive along some backroads near the Alabama and Mississippi stateline I came across an abandoned derelict hotel or something along those lines anyway.

Finding something like that is not really uncommon, but what I found interesting was that someone had spray painted No Fishing on one of the buildings. Well, this got my curiosty peaked because there was no sign of anywhere that someone could actually do a little fishing, no pond, no lake, no nothing.

No Fishing

After a closer inspection of this building I did find a pipe with water flowing into the area that at one time was a office of some sort.

Water Filled

So I guess if you're really determined to do a little fishing then anyplace that has water is a go place to sink a line.

Abandoned Complex

Have a little fun and get out over the weekend and see what you can uncover.

Hinged Barn Window

Throughout rural Alabama, old abandoned barns can be found ready for you to pull out the camera to take a few shots. 

This image is now avalable as a Giclee Print

Springtime in the South

It's springtime across the South and the sudden rise in near record setting temperatures, has caused a eruption of brilliant colors as flowers and trees begin to come to life. Gone are the dreary days of winter, daylight savings time has kicked in and it's time to dust off the camera and get out to capture the beauty that nature sprouts during this time of year.

Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be visiting several of the South's most favorite and unique floral and botanical gardens, sharing those visits with you as we explore how best to capture the images nature provides. So let's get started. Make sure you've got your tripod, off camera flash and if you've got allergies, your favorite med.

Our first stop is Jasmine Hill Garden and Outdoor Museum, just south of Wetumpka, Alabama about a mile off highway 231, brings a little bit of Greece to the South. The main pathway is awash in pink and purple azaleas and Dogwood trees. As you meander throughout the garden, you'll come across various statues of Greek goddesses, wrestlers and urns covered with ivy.

The middle of this unique garden opens up to pavilion, complete with pillars of concrete and should you get a little tired while perusing the area you'll find plenty of benches to rest your feet or better yet take a moment to celebrate as Barbara and Polly were doing.

Now let's talk a little about photographing in the various conditions that will occur. Trees and shrubs will cast shadows where you not might want them to appear. You can counteract these shadows by using a flash. Use off camera flash when you can, as the pop up flash can and will cause hots spots. The add-on flash will give you the ability to bounce or redirect the light providing better results.

Everyone loves close-ups of flowers. You'll need to get up close and personal to get these shots. A tripod is a necessity here and I like to use a remote control trigger, that way you can reduce camera vibration, creating a sharper image. As you compose the shot, remember your DOF, do your want a blurring effect or do you want everything in focus.

As always, the rule of thirds is important, what are you trying to draw the eye to? Everything does not have to be centered, in fact some of the most interesting images are a little off kilter.

For more images of Jasmine Hill Garden and Outdoor Museum>

Have fun, watch out for ever lurking bumble bee, and happy photography.