It's rarer than a solar event when Forest Park lets you down, whether it be photographically, theatrically, sportingly or scores of other ways, and this happening was no exception. The middle of September and the tradition of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race has been preceded for the past decade or so by a brilliant nighttime demonstration of the participants' crafts along with live music, fireworks and glow sticks/light sabers (and to my surprise, a great many photographers). Timing was a challenge here since every few minutes they would sound a horn and every balloon would have to light up for just a few seconds. Could have used a tripod on many, but a few gems still managed to come together.
Perhaps more of a travelogue than a proper sequence, some images from last fall at the only major national park with free admission, (a beckon to any amateurs looking to plump up their portfolio) Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is truly unique, very old country that makes it near impossible to capture anything mediocre — these required nary a bead of sweat from my own brow, rather from my tools'.
