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Swamp Tree

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Aaron Szabo on August 1, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Knee deep in swamp water with shorts on... I got mosquito bites to prove it. Russellville, AR

Nikon D300
50mm f 1.8
ISO 200
5 sec @ f/11



Posted by Don Kurz on August 1, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Good for you, Aaron! Wading out into a swamp to capture a huge water tupelo, Nyssa aquatica. The large buttress is an indication of how old the tree is compared to the slim- waisted youngsters in the background. There's nothing like an outing in the swamp! :wink:

Best,
Don
Posted by Rob Graham on August 1, 2008 at 8:26 PM
not an image I would associate with Arkansas, but well done none the less :toast:
Posted by Glenn Wheeler on August 1, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Hey Aaron,

Good to see you posting here!!

Nice shot and the story in a nice bonus...

Glenn Wheeler

Posted by Tim Buchanan on August 2, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Hey Aaron - I remember you from a field trip to pedestal rocks. Nice to see you posting. Great tree!!
Posted by TIMERNST on August 2, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Hey Aaron - is this from Goose Pond Natural Area? If so, isn't it great to have a SWAMP right at the base of the Ozarks and so accessible! (if not, the same applies)

Rob - Arkansas actually has some of the very best tupelo and especially cypress swamps in the country - you can find some really amazing scenes, and most of them are in shallow water like this. Of course, you do have to look out for the skeeters, snakes, and every once in a while a gator, but that just adds to the fun...
Posted by Bill Dark on August 2, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Nicely composed Aaron. Must have been almost dark for a 5 sec. shot at ISO 200 :eek: . I can think of several places I'd rather be at dark than a swamp... :biggrin:
Posted by Aaron Szabo on August 2, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Tim Ernst - This is from Goose Pond Natural Area. It's nice to know that there a swamp close by. I'm going to explore the rest of it soon!

Tim Buchanan - I think my you met my brother Isaac Szabo at pedestal rocks, and I'm sure most of you know Rita Szabo (a.k.a. Mom).

Bill Dark - It's wasn't quite dark yet... I had a circular polarizer to slow it down.
Posted by Glenn Carter on August 3, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Aaron,
Great shot! I am from southeast Arkansas (DeWitt) where there are many tupelo breaks in sloughs like this. I like it.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on August 4, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Sorry about the identification mix-up Aaron - that field trip was a long time ago :biggrin:
Posted by Ed Cooley on August 4, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Very cool. Where in Russellville do you see swamp like this?
Posted by TIMERNST on August 4, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Hey Ed, it is one of many swamps described in the ARKANSAS NATURE LOVER'S GUIDEBOOK (page 214), and is just off of I-40 near the Atkins Exit. You park right at the edge of it and can explore "downstream" for a while, walking along the bank is best, but when the water is higher you can put a boat in and play around. Aaron has explored father than I have. This natural area is part of the Point Reserve Wildlife Management area, which has some nice birding areas at the other end of the management area (also listed in the guidebook), although if you are down that way Holla Bend is probably a better bet for birding...
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on August 4, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Aaron, I love the contrast of the huge old growth tupelo set against the younger trees. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have been waist deep getting this shot so my hats off to you for the effort. Nice work!