By Scott Shephard

I am back at the cabin for a few days and, lemming-like, I returned to Iron Creek for more photography. Why do I keep going back to a place I've photographed so many times? The answers may not be all that interesting to you but I'll offer some anyway.

First, I like the place - especially on a day like yesterday. It was 65 degrees, mostly clear and windless. Why not take a photo walk along a gurgling stream?

Second, I keep thinking that "this will be the time that I get the perfect shot." In my mind, I rarely do but, as the poet Robert Browning said, "A man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a Heaven for."

Third, and most important, conditions change on this creek. The colors change with the season. But the amount of water coming through is a big variable. Usually, at this time of year, I'm lucky to find a trickle. But right now there is a large flow coming through. Heavy rain? I don't think so.  The Black Hills National Forest Service is draining three lakes in the Hills so they can be dredged,  and I'm thinking that one of them lies above this spot. They've pulled the plug and I am a beneficiary. :-) This photo, incidentally, is of a place along the creek I have never photographed because usually there is nothing special to see here.

So ends the blog post. I hope you enjoyed it.

Canon 5DIII f/20.0 ISO100 32mm (variable shutter speeds in a 5 shot HDR composite)