big woods cypress

There has been alot of talk about this area. Here's one of mine from the big woods. You may recognize one of the trees in this image.

http://www.galerainwater.com/forum/cypress.jpg

Comments and critque always appreciated.

I knew you guys had some great images of this scene - did you send Bill out to scrape away all of the pond scum?

This is really a gorgeous pano, Gale. Makes me wish I had stayed there instead of going over to Frazier. But really, I think one could have pointed their camera in just about any direction and had something nice to shoot.

Tim, I've already decided one of my projects this winter is to build a pirouge so that I can paddle around and scrape pond scum for photographers. The fee won't be cheap though, and I'll probably charge you double now!

Thank you Tim, No you know nature photographers call pond scum foreground elements. Actually Bill decided on a different lake for his morning shoot. That's when he got the great shot from his big woods post so he missed the morning light show here. Ya know having all the great color hit all at once I have had to say to my self you just can't be in 2 places at once. I kinda wish I could clone myself for the fall color that way you could cover twice as much ground.

Thank you Bill, we must have hit post at the same time. I love your Frazier image so don't worry about it. Maybe you might try the cloning yourself also.

Bill, you went to Frazier, the lake that was closed to entry? Did they have signs posted - I assume you went in from the back side?

Yep, no signs posted though. The regs say you can still walk into the area, but no vehicular traffic. Do you know why they lock it? I'm guessing to keep hunters out. I sure would like to have seen the champion Nutall Oak and other neat stuff that is still a mystery to me. The deer season on the south unit was a couple of weeks ago, so do they keep it locked except during deer season?

Hum, the signs say NO ENTRY for that part of the refuge - it is a special area that is closed from November 1 - February 28th or 29th - I'm sure the sign was there. Which regs did you see that allowed you to walk in? The regs that are available at every entry point clearly state no entry by anyone during that time. I'm kind of surprised they did not catch you on the weekend of opening deer season - guess they had issues elsewhere! For future reference, that area is closed to all entry from November 1 - the end of February, and that includes foot traffic - at least that is what the law enforcement guy told me and is what it says on the regs - but I would love to see where you found foot traffic OK and bring that to their attention...

They close the area to protect resting waterfowl that are flying through from being disturbed, and people being there disturb them no matter if they are shooting a gun or camera, or just standing there, although I try not to be too disturbing! Ducks are funny people!

Gale, simply a stunning image. The detail in the foreground-left really adds depth to the image and keeps the mirror reflection from looking too static. Really nice. Panoramic images are my favorite format and from your website you definitely have a gift for capturing them.

Is this Goose Lake and did you just wade in or use a canoe?

I have been wanting to get down to that area (especially Enterprise Lake) for a couple years but at 5 or 6 hours from Rogers you have to REALLY want to be there. I had no idea it was so beautiful in the fall and have been kicking myself since seeing Bill's awesome images.

Thank you Ed, I really appreciate it. I know your really into panos also and you have some great images as well. Yes it is Goose and I waded to this spot. You know I'm just getting turned on to this part of the state as well. I'm not familiar with Enterprise Lake where is it? The swamps are a long drive but be thankful it isn't 12 hours away like the rockies or smokies. At least you can make it home after shooting a morning session.

Tim, what I'll quote here is from the USF&W User Permit that has to be read, signed and carried by anyone on the refuge. On one side are the rules and regulations, the other side is a map of the north and south units. It was published June 2008.

Access and Vehicle Use

..."Refuge roads on the South Unit are open to vehicular traffic March 1 through December 15. All other refuge roads are open all year. A locked gate, road closed sign, or other barrier (i.e. mounded dirt) means the road is closed to all vehicle travel but not to foot travel unless signed otherwise."

The modern gun deer season was Nov. 1-3 this year, so it had to have been open then. The lady at the visitor center even said she wasn't sure if the road was open - she thought it was but might be closed. Gale - did you see any signs?

Bill definatly no signs on the side coming in from 17 south , just a locked gate. The lady at the visitor center told me the same thing. I think she might have told me it was ok to walk in. I was of course asking about Frazier also. Ooops I didn't have a permit Bill where do you get one at?

Simply beautiful, Gale.

Hum, that is weird - I clearly saw the sign on the blocked road that said no entry, which is also what it says on the same permit form that you are quoting from - must be looking at a different location - there are several different areas on there, and the ones in pink I think are the special "demonstration" areas like Frazier Lake - it is closed on November 1 and is different than all the other areas in the refuge. I agree the volunteers at the refuge were not up to speed but the regs and the signs looked OK to me. Just to be clear, the demonstration area that includes Frazier Lake is NOT the same as the South Unit - it is completely different and has different regulations. They really need to get their volunteer staff up to speed on that issue!

Just to clarify, I dug up my copy of the regs and the special demonstration area that includes all of Frazier Lake is orange not pink as I noted above, and it clearly is marked "Area Closed To All Entry November 1-February 28." That seems pretty clear. I also know this since the law enforcement guy and I were standing at that locked gate when he pointed to the sign that said NO ENTRY. It was probably easy to miss if you did not have the enforcement guy pointing it out! But it is pretty clear on the regs that you have so it is a mute point - says clearly no entry no matter if you saw the sign or not. Now if they could just get their volunteer staff trained properly!

After reading the rules while parked at the gate, I looked around to make sure there were no signs, and thought I would be OK. I should have looked more closely at the map. Where was the sign you saw?

The sign was on a tree off to the side, but like I said, not as easy to spot without the guy with the gun standing next to you, ha! And they cover themselves in the text part about foot access by saying "unless signed otherwise." I'm going to have a conversation with the refuge manager about making sure their staff understands the regulations and gives the public the correct info - we must rely on what they tell us in case the signs are missing or difficult to see, or when phoning in. These are federal guys and they are serious when it comes to closed areas though and don't take excuses when writing out a ticket - especially now with the woody woodpecker issue (hint about the closed areas). Another hint - there are several eagle nests on the refuge and also several lakes named Eagle Nest Lake - the two are not related - the eagle nests are not on those lakes!

By the way, this is a wonderful area in the springtime too - see the guidebook and also the Arkansas Landscapes picture book for some of the images I've taken there in previous years in the springtime - some really amazing trees and scenes!

First off, the image is wonderful. Second, the image is great. Third, the image is fantastic! So much for the eyes to feast on, I especially like the splashes of blue reflection in combination with the golds of the leaves.

The lighting and colors are great on this Gale, and again you've posted a shot where the sharpening for web display is just perfect. I'm seeing more detail than I usually see in web photos.. especially in the background.

The photo is quite stunning. I continue to be impressed with the clarity and vibrance of your panos.

Gale,
Very nice image! I camp there in mid to late September. I grew up in DeWitt and have spent much time fishing and hunting on the refuge. Back then roads were passable sometimes in 4WD and not at all much of the time. We got there by boat from places you can't imagine. Mosquitoes were really bad most of the time though.
Thanks for posting.
Glenn

Gorgeous! Not much more to say. Though I must get to the Big Woods!

Wonderful subject and wonderful job on the panorama, Gale.

Beautiful color and light! Nice work.