I recently entered the Haw River Shootout, a local photography contest based around the Haw River which runs through Alamance County, NC. “The emphasis of your Haw River photos is to include something with an aspect of wildlife, farming, unique structures, scenics, or activities on or along the river.”
I will be the first to admit that landscape or scenic photography are not my strong suits. If you’ve read my little photography bio, you know I tend towards people photography. But I also like the challenge of trying something outside of my normal range.
I love that this contest got me out of the house and exploring some of the Haw River public access points, many of which are just minutes away. Sometimes I need that little extra nudge, this time in the form of a Haw River themed photo contest, to go out and do the things that I’ve always meant to go do. Those things that are right in our own backyard but we never get around to finding/seeing/experiencing because we get caught up in our own daily routines and our own busyness.
Here are the 5 photos I chose to submit:
Photo 1: Sunset at Braeburn Farm/Cane Creek Farm in Snow Camp NC.
Russ, Megan, and Nate Perry enjoy the sunset with a cold growler of locally made Red Oak Beer and the sound of gress-fed beef grazing in the distance.
You cant see it will in the photo but we are overlooking a valley with a creek flowing through it. The creek, called Wells Branch, slowly winds it’ way across southern Alamance County before emptying into the Haw River
Photo 2: Brilliant Green Leaves at Oakdale Town and Country Park in Burlington NC
I was walking down the path towards the Haw River at Oakdale Town & Country Park in Burlington NC when I was stopped dead in my tracks by these green leaves. They were luminescent light green and stunningly beautiful. Most of the time I just stand in awe of natural beauty and dont try to capture it with my camera. Lets be honest here, it takes a particular talent and a lot of practice to properly capture nature’s beauty. How many times have we all stumbled upon a gorgeous scene, snapped a photo and then realized that photo doesn’t even begin to do justice to what our eyes saw. This photo included. But today I was specifically on the hunt for that very elusive animal called a great nature photo. So I broke out my camera and this was the result.
Photo 3: On The Banks of The Haw River at Oakdale Town and Country Park in Burlington NC
Photo 4: Old Cone Fabrics Mill Overlooking the Haw River as seen from Red Slide Park in the town of Haw River, NC.
I am still amazed at how many beautiful rivers are cloaked in old abandoned industrial buildings. After seeing the creation of the RiverMill Loft Apartments in Saxapahaw, and the revival of that little mill town that nearly died after it’s textile mill closed, I can’t help hoping that other innovative developers will appreciate the beauty of the Haw River and turn more historic old mills like this old Cone Fabrics building into retail and living space.
Photo 5: Cane Creek Farm’s Staff and Friends Softball Game
After a long but fun weekend giving hundreds of visitors hayride tours, the 2010 Piedmont Farm Tour came to an end. The Cane Creek Farm Staff and friends took a well earned break on Sunday night with a friendly game of softball. With beautiful weather and comfortable temperatures, it was the perfect evening for the first softball game of the summer. Held a scant half mile from the Haw River at B. Everett Jordan Elementary School in Saxapahaw, NC.