Inspiration and a Clean Camera: an Afternoon Spent on MDC lands and Country Roads is NEVER a Waste of Time!

I have lacked inspiration to do much with photography lately. 

Yes, I have still been shooting and writing articles and entering shows, but I've had to drag myself through the process. 

This afternoon felt different. 

The air felt lighter, the sky was blue... around 2:30pm I was (dare I say) PERKY.

My daughter is the one who suggested the drive to MDC lands. I grabbed my recently-cleaned camera (thanks to Creve Coeur Camera) and decided it was time to give it a test run. 

The weather was perfect and my heart felt pretty light once we were on the road. 

We made our way 14 miles south of our home in Union, MO to Chouteau Claim Access. It is where the Bourbeuse River and the Meramec River meet. Karlene and I saw many people out enjoying the day, but it was the scenery that stole the show. 

After we finished exploring, we decided to drive 5 more miles to River 'Round Conservation Area. This is a unique area on the Meramec when viewed on a map. Its name makes perfect sense. 

We explored some areas near the river. I was still inspired to shoot. These are a few of my favorites from that spot:

As we were driving out of the area, we saw an old road that is now a foot trail that we want to go explore at a later date (preferably not during deer season). 

Overall, the afternoon was an enjoyable one. We had dinner in Union and even stopped by the Union Access on our way home. It was a quick stop and our third MDC land of the afternoon. I left my camera behind for that moment and instantly saw some sights that made me regret not having it. 

Creative slumps, feeling down in the dumps, and overall just unmotivated is NOT a fun way to be. I am thankful for this afternoon's burst of inspiration and energy. It has me thinking of one of my favorite verses:

Until next time,
M of MK Designs

PS My website has had an overhaul! You should go check it out: mkdesignsphoto.com

Hawn State Park: My FAVE!

Missouri State Parks are amazing. It's not just my opinion, I am starting to view it as a fact. Beyond numerous national awards, I am seeing first-hand as I travel around our nation just how spoiled I am by the quality of our parks. We have excellent facilities, a top-notch staff, and amazing sights to see. 

With that said, I do have a favorite state park here in Missouri. 

Hawn State Park is a place I fell in love with the first time I camped there. I don't get there nearly enough considering it's not close to where I live, but when I do - exploring Pickle Springs is near the top of my list. 

My daughter asked me to take her camping for her 10th birthday, so in early May 2015 - off to Hawn we went. We spent most of Saturday exploring Pickle Springs. 

If you want to know more about Hawn State Park visit this site: http://mostateparks.com/park/hawn-state-park 

If you hope to visit the park, be ready for beauty. If you intend to camp during good weather on the weekend, you may need reservations. The little (but great!) campground fills fast on weekends. However, a few years ago on the weekdays (in peak season) I was able to camp without reservations Tues-Thurs just fine. 

Nearby is a trail I did a few years ago (and need to revisit soon) that you may enjoy if you want to explore outside the park. It's on Missouri Conservation land and called the "Trail Through Time" http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places-go/natural-areas/pickle-springs 

However, inside the park - there's plenty sights and trails to enjoy if you don't feel like leaving. I know many of the times I have camped in Hawn, I've had no desire to leave once I am there. 

Enjoy these images from Hawn State Park in May 2015. Hopefully, they'll inspire you to go on a little adventure, too!  Who knows? Maybe you'll be able to designate a personal "favorite" state park, too?

Michelle of MK Designs

Posted June 2015

PS If you want any images from this post or any other, contact me for pricing / printing information. Thanks! http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com/contact.html

After the Rain... Comes the Light! ((A little Photography and Life Tip)): Robertsville State Park, Mo.

It's amazing how so many people fear "weather" when they are out with their cameras... or just out in general. 

Light is the river Photographers (and all humans) drink from. Light impacts our moods and, all too often, our plans. Same applies to weather. A little rain shouldn't ruin a day for anyone. 

This all came into play back in March on a very rainy Sunday. My daughter and I decided once it "let up a bit" to hit Robertsville State Park (a place we know well) https://mostateparks.com/park/robertsville-state-park for a stroll and for some quality time. Not many people were around. I've noticed so many people dodge "life" when it is wet outside. 

K(arlene) of MK Designs and I had a blast walking around and chatting it up, while clicking some photos. So what if it was a little damp? It made for some great images. 

If you like to click pics, then go for it. A little rain will make those images SING once it lets up a little. Also, once that rain is done, the light will come (even if briefly), and your mood will lift and your photos will take on a whole new vibe. 

So, the next time a little "weather" comes your way, get outside anyway. You like to shoot photos? Great! A little water shouldn't stop you. If you like to just "be" - that's great, also. Odds are you'll have a place to yourself because everyone else is sitting inside afraid of melting. 

May your days be blessed as they grow longer here in the Midwest. Summer, sweet summer, is on her way! 

And, if a little "storm" comes your way, don't be afraid. It will pass. It always does. Just takes a little cure called "time" to fix it. 

If you see any images you'd like to have on canvas, metal, wood, framed/unframed prints, contact me! http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com 

~ Michelle of MK Designs
Spring 2015 

The Land is Awakening

The land here in Missouri is awakening indeed. Just here around Union I have found some amazing spring wildflower displays at two Missouri Department of Conservation spots. 

Reiker Ford: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Applications/MOATLAS/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=7507

Union Access http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Applications/MOATLAS/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=6508

There are times photos just do NOT do an area justice. Walking along paths that are surrounded by a carpet of flowers reminds me of things I have seen in fairy tales. Yet, right here in my hometown, it is a reality.

I hope you enjoy these images and take the time to get out and enjoy Spring. 

 "Every April, God rewrites the book of Genesis." ~ Unknown

 “If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.” ~ Victor Hugo

 “The sun just touched the morning; 
The morning, happy thing,
Supposed that he had come to dwell,
And life would be all spring.” 
     ~ Emily Dickinson

 “Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” ~ Kraft

“Come with me into the woods where spring is
advancing, as it does, no matter what,
not being singular or particular, but one 
of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.” 
  ~ Mary Oliver

Thank you for stopping by. 

I appreciate your support of my photography. 

More than anything, I hope you get out and enjoy the Spring season. 

~ M of MK Designs

April 2015

PS If you would like to order any images you see here, contact me! 

So, I got a new camera body... and a tank full of gas...

The new camera body was long overdue. My old reliable that dates to about 2008 just wasn't getting the clarity I need, so a new Canon T5 body was in order. 

Once the camera body arrived and I saw Saturday's forecast, I knew the three places I had to land as long as Betty (my trusty Ford) had a full tank:

1. Blue Springs Conservation Area
http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8405

2. Huzzah Conservation Area 
http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=5702

3. Onodaga State Park
https://mostateparks.com/park/onondaga-cave-state-park

My daughter and I explored all day Saturday and enjoyed all there was to see. Spring is for sure upon us here in Missouri. Enjoy these images from our day. 

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” 
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

“She turned to the sunlight
    And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
    "Winter is dead.” 
― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know
what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes
your heart ache, you want it so!” 
― Mark Twain

“Despite the forecast, live like it's spring.” 
― Lilly Pulitzer

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” 
― Neltje Blanchan 

“He smelled cold water and cold intrepid green.
Those early flowers smelled like cold water.
Their fragrence was not the still perfume of high summer;
it was the smell of cold, raw green.” 
― P. Harding

“It’s spring now, and I was just thinking that I haven’t been in love since the fall.
The fall of the Roman Empire.”― Jarod Kintz

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, "Let’s party!” 
― Robin Williams

“Winter and spring blended together this year like ice in water,
and I was left thirsting for love."― Jarod Kintz

“But enough of the drama.
Winter has turned to spring.
And I am feeling good.” 
― Keshni Kashyap 

“Winter is already a lost shape, forgotten
in the ground. Instead, here is Spring
with all the grace of a woman
smoothing out her apron.” 
― Cecilia Llompart

As always, please do not "copy" or "download" these images without permission. 

If you'd like to order any, please contact me. 

Also, if you'd like to share this blog post on social media, that's highly appreciated! 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. 

Until next time,
~ M of MK Designs

April 2015