NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

I am posting 16 photos total, so you may have to wait a little before they are all up.
I was in the park from January 17th through the morning of the 21st. Four nights at the inn for the price of two, a winter special price.
The first three are the same photo, taken at night, difference being what I did in post. The fourth photo is the same shot but during the daytime. Then the next three are ice on the trails. Then two of the young Red Tail Hawk that was posing nicely for me on a fairly low branch. Then one from the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek. Then a fairly large icicle (#11). Next four of the covered bridge at the narrows on Sugar Creek, and finally a pano of all the icicles lining Turkey Run Hollow.
On my hike to the covered bridge, which is a fairly flat trail along Sugar Creek, I fell down three times due to ice hiding under the snow. The second fall I slammed my D700 into the ground lens first! Did some minor damage to the lens hood (pushed it back on the lens), but after wiping all the snow off, everything still worked fine. A testament to the durability of the D700 and the 24-120mm f4 Nikkor lens. My last fall was right in front of the bridge, went flat on my back... that one hurt a little and left me with a headache for several minutes. :( Other than falling down three times on Wednesday the 20th and once on the 18th (all due to ice), it was a fun time. I know there are some fellow Hoosiers out there on the forum that know this park, so if you haven't seen it in the winter this is what it looks like. ;) Hope you all enjoy the photos.
Oh did I mention the temperatures were in the single digits Fahrenheit all but the last day? After being out when it was 4 to 9 degrees for a couple days the low 20's on the last day didn't seem that bad. ;)
One other thing; if you download the image there is GPS data in the properties that will tell you where I was standing when I took the picture.
Please ask any questions you may have, I would be happy to answer them. :)

#1 - From Sunset Point after sunset (right out of the camera) 30 sec exposure

(Download)

#2 - Same photo exposure adjusted +1.5 in Nikon Capture NX2

(Download)

#3 - Same photo exposure adjusted +2 and shadows adjusted +100

(Download)

#4 - Same location next morning

(Download)

#5 - Icicles on one of the trails

(Download)

#6 - Ice flow... End of the trail for me. :)

(Download)

#7 - More icicles hanging into the canyon.

(Download)

#8 - Young Red Tail Hawk from the front.

(Download)

#9 Young Red Tail Hawk from behind.

(Download)

#10 From the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek.

(Download)

#11 - Large icicle (still forming)

(Download)

#12 - Narrows Covered Bridge (between fall 1 and fall 2 :) )

(Download)

#13 - Narrows Covered Bridge (just before fall #3)

(Download)

#14 - Narrows Covered Bridge from up on the county road.

(Download)

#15 - Covered bridge pano from the county road bridge.

(Download)

#16 - Turkey Run Hollow icicles.

(Download)

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Download is a MUST!!....
Very nice work

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Tom. :)

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

These are all beautiful! I enjoyed them all very much.

I have been there a few times, but only in the summer. Fell over a log in a dry ravine the last time. 😄
It is a beautiful area.

jeanbug35 Loc: Jonesboro AR

Looks like a great place to hang out. Love the icicle shots. Hope you were not hurt on any of the falls, sometimes the results don't show up until a few days later.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have been there many times, one of my favorite parks. I noticed that have given the covered bridge a new coat of paint. I was last there in May of 2013 for my Honey Moon my second marriage. The suspended bridge had got damaged in the high water that spring and was closed. Getting to old now for some of the trails. It is photographers dream. I believe the one scene down Sugar Creek is right behind the Inn

Crazyjay58 Loc: Southern Maryland

:thumbup:

angela k Loc: Long Island

Beautiful set, I enjoyed them all especially #8!!!
Thanks for sharing, looks like a wonderful place to visit!!

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Ellie! It's a beautiful park any season. I guess for us it's a good place to fall. :)

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Jean! It's one of my favorite natural hangouts. In the winter it's fun to wander around looking for ice formations. I should post the really big icicle I saw there a number of years ago, it was amazing.
Thanks for looking and commenting. So far no lasting damage from falling. :) Thanks for your concern. :)

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

NikonJohn, fantastic coverage of your time spent in this scenic area! All are exceptional, but there's something about the ice formations that make me like them a lot! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Old Timer! It's one of my favorites too. Yes I noticed when I was there last year they were painting the Narrows Bridge, so I wanted to get out there while the paint was still fresh and get some shots. I think they need to paint the Cox Ford Bridge next, it's getting in pretty sad shape. Yes the first four photos are Sunset Point by the Lieber Cabin behind the Inn.
Apparently what happened to the suspension bridge in 2013 was a tree coming down the creek during high water caught the bridge and twisted it. I think the park staff told me that they had to wait till the water went down because when the tree hit the bridge it twisted the bridge and jammed against the bottom of the creek and lodged there. They had to cut it out then repair the bridge. Would have been something to see.

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Annie for your kind remarks!
I love all the icicles that form there in the cold weather, that's why I go in the winter. Though the snow is pretty in the park too. I just don't like the snow hiding ice where I don't expect it. ;) Next time I will strap my crampons on my boots for a little more traction. :)

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks for the thumbup Crazyjay58!

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

Thanks Angela. That hawk let me walk up to ten feet from the tree it was in. It would just look at me when the shutter clicked. :) I think it's use to people and doesn't consider them any threat. I have had red tails let me get pretty close before, it's the great blue herons that don't let me get within 100 yards of them. ;)