Back to Nature for a Change of Pace

I've been doing tons of people photography lately. So, Friday morning, I managed to free some time to slip away to the Eno River State Park in Durham, North Carolina, to spend the hours around dawn shooting photos with no people in them.

During my hours along the peacefully gurgling river, I encountered a beaver along the river bank at close range. It freaked and barreled towards me. I stepped out of the way, hoping it was just panicked, not rabid.

It charged right past me and into the water. A few minutes later it started slapping the water with its tail, making a loud splashy boom.

I also saw a group of deer crossing the river in the mist. It was magical. And naturally, I was in absolutely the wrong place to take pictures of it. I was standing in a bunch of trees as feeling returned to my feet after having overtopped my water proof boots getting these photos:

I spent a little more time, getting some shots of the river bank scenery, and then headed for home.

As I headed for home, a nap, and then work, I had my final wildlife sighting of the day. A kingfisher came flying down the river, turned towards me for a second or two, then veered away violently to the far side of the river. Guess it realized I was there.

Not a single person did I see while I was in the park.