A different view of the Falls at ROLF

This picture was taken in late August on the east side of the river at 6:00 AM.

Juvenile Great Blue Heron 9/29/08

This picture was taken from a river cabin at ROLF at 125 yards with 840mm f4 on a Canon 5D body. This pictures is actually 30" x 40" and is cropped and re-sized downward.

Notice the lack of head feathers on this young bird, the sparse feathering and spots on the chest. Never the less, this bird was a very successful fisherman; taking a dozen or so large crawdads, sculpins, and darters, and finally one large sunfish. I got about 175 pictures of him. Click to enlarge.

Canon 5D with 600mm L EF IS Lens at ROLF

Which is the long lens I use with a 1.4X TC to reach out to 840mm for close-ups of birds, etc. It is connected to a Canon 5D full frame DSLR.

Close-up of Copperhead 9/27

I took this picture with a 105 mm on a Canon 5D DSLR so I wasn't as close as it looks -- but still too close. This snake was not active (actually kind of lethargic in the 44F morning temperatures).

This snake is one of the very few venomous snakes found at ROLF. If you watch where you are stepping and move quickly you would remain 99% safe from this variety of pit viper.

Note the elliptical eye slits.

Brian Wise's Big Brown caught about October 1, 2008

Caught on the North Fork, I believe around the left side of the island below Blair Bridge. Brian is a professional Guide who works out of ROLF. Click to enlarge. Courtesy Brian Wise.

North Fork Sycamore Reflections 9/28

During late afternoon, I took this photo with my Canon 5D and a 24mm f4 lens to capture what I though was a standard look of the clear North Fork water enhanced by yellowing sycamore trees. Click to enlarge.

Blue Springs on the Current River 10/20/08

A 1 - 1/2 hour (from ROLF) side-trip that is well worth it. Blue Springs is (I think) the prettiest spring and spring branch in Missouri. You can get there by taking Highway 60 from Cabool east to Highway 19 North to Highway 106 and East to the Trail-head just past the Current River Bridge. Click to enlarge.

North Fork in late September 2008 - an autumn view

I was standing next to the river watching the late afternoon day when this image appeared due to changing colors of the sycamores.

Pumpkin near Topaz Mill

Typical Ozark fall picture taken near the Old Topaz Mill; late September 2008.

Blackgums and Dogwoods between ROLF and Hammond

Fall colors 2008. Just starting. 

Stay tuned. Click to enlarge.

Old "low-water" Bridge 2 miles below Topaz

This is a 1930's - 1940's style concrete slab located on the upper North Fork about 2-2.5 miles below the old town of Topaz and 1/2 mile above the entrance of Indian Creek.

Two gorgeous September trout

Both these trout caught wading (by a ROLF customer) in the North Fork. The Wild Rainbow and the Brown were both 14-16".  Beautiful fish. Click to enlarge.

Dogwood turns in September 2008

There are many species of Dogwood and a few in the correct well drained and morning sun locations were turning red early this year (mid-September). Here is one on thee main road to ROLF that I watched each day for one full week. I just turned prettier and prettier during the week. Wonder what it looks liken now,  in October. Click image to enlarge.

Beautiful morning 9/28 from Whispering Pines cabin

What more can you ask for. I awakened at 7:30 AM and looked out into the fog to see the sun baking through the dense fog. The pines trees looked ancient and the sun made a gorgeous smokey pattern though the pine needles.

Finally the Milky Way at 9:00 PM at ROLF

The stars were incredible on this cold and clear September night.

Sunset much later at nearly the same spot ant ROLF

and see the tree full of black walnuts is missing all of it's leaves already.

September Sunset at ROLF

A very late September sunset on the hill overlooking the North Fork River valley.