The karst topography of the Missouri Ozarks gives rise to one of the most beautiful natural resources on this planet - natural springs. Some of the springs in Missouri are among the largest on earth (from the standpoint of daily water flows). Many of these springs possess a distinct blue color due to the limestone through which the water percolates. Many have turbulent tributaries which flow into nearby rivers.

Alley Spring at the base of a bluff is adorned with a picturesque old red grist mill. Blue Spring is the deepest at 300 feet (deep enough to submerge the Statue of Liberty). The remote setting of Greer Spring in the Irish Wilderness is possessed of a natural beauty as it flows wildly into the Eleven Point River. Welch Spring issues at the base of a bluff where the ruins of an old hospital stand in an attempt to capitalize on its reported restorative powers.

Yes the natural springs of Missouri are a testimony to the marvelous hydraulic principles that are working within our unique planet. 

Matthiessen State Park in northern Illinois is a wonderful place to explore. This small park contains several waterfalls and short hikes through sandstone canyons. With nearby Starved Rock State Park attracting the crowds, this overlooked park can offer a bit of quiet solitude.

Hawn State Park is one of my favorite parks in the state of Missouri. It is an intimate place with little Pickle Creek flowing through the valley. The sandstone creek bed and bluffs are a pleasant variation to the igneous geology that dominates southern Missouri.

Although there is a trend to see how color saturated autumn photographs can be, I am partial to the subtle colors of fall. Late fall, as the trees begin to be stripped of their leaves, the bare bones begin to appear against the muted colors. The native oaks of Missouri tend to dominate hillsides with more brownish-red tones which are punctuated with color and bare trees in late autumn.

As summer ends and the trees shed their leaves. the ground becomes blanketed with colors, shapes and textures. However, finding the right composition for an image is a challenge.

Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point in Missouri. The Ozark Trail traverses the mountain and passes Mina Sauk Falls along the way. Although it is an intermittent waterfall, Mina Sauk Falls is the tallest waterfall in Missouri. It cascades down the mountainside in stages and can be spectacular after prolonged rainy periods.

As the Black River flows through the St Francois Mountains in the southern Missouri Ozarks it flows through Johnson's Shut-Ins. These are the most notable of many such shut-ins found in Missouri where the river channel meets bedrock resistant to erosion. The rhyolite bedrock here has created chutes and cascades through which the river tumbles as it flows through the valley.

Nestled along the Illinois River in northern Illinois lies Starved Rock State Park. I have heard and seen photographs of this park over the years and finally had an opportunity to visit for the first time in October 2016 and returned in 2017. The park is comprised of a series of sandstone canyons along the river, connected by a network of trails. It is an extremely popular park and especially in the fall.

Fall colors were peaking as I arrived just after a bustling weekend (the ranger said the park had been full and they were turning visitors away the previous day). For parts of three days I explored the network of trails leading into the canyons. The sky was bright and overcast until the last day. This made it excellent conditions for photographing.

The night before my last day it rained throughout the night, so my last day was spent returning to some of the canyons to photograph intermittent waterfalls that had appeared. It continued to rain throughout the day and I photographed and hiked in the rain using a makeshift setup with an umbrella strapped to my tripod. I practically had the park to myself. My final hike was spent walking almost two miles in a torrential downpour.

The resulting photographs are evidence that it was clearly worth the effort.

In fall 2017 I began to explore southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest. With sandstone bluffs and canyons, a natural bridge and Bay Creek running through it, Bell Smith Springs is a wonderful spot to explore the natural beauty of the region. It seems to be a popular swimming hole in the summer but the crowds thin out the rest of the months. With good light and no crowds, the photographic possibilities are endless.

Black Mountain is located in the St Francois Mountain range of the Missouri Ozarks. It is one of the tallest peaks in that range and part of the mountain is public land, while other parts are privately held. The public land lies within the boundaries of Mark Twain National Forest, but there are no hiking trails. After heavy rains some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Missouri occur in one of the mountain's ravine. To explore the upper falls requires ascending the ravine, climbing over granite boulders which are slippery when wet. Picking one's route among the boulders numerous cascades and waterfalls are encountered. It is a remote and rugged climb but worth the effort.

Burden Falls Wilderness is located in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois. The namesake for this area is Burden Falls, a seasonal waterfall that drops over a series of ledges ending in the highest free falling waterfall in Illinois, dropping about 100 feet in total.

Deep in the heart of southern Illinois lies the Shawnee National Forest. Sandstone canyons abound in this region as remnants of an ancient sea that once covered the midwestern United States. These canyons are remote and one can find solitude hiking within, flanked by the steep canyon walls while huge boulders lie strewn across the canyon floors. After heavy rains, the canyons yield the beauty of their seasonal waterfalls and in autumn the fall foliage can be glorious.

Enormous granite boulders strewn across a granite dome is the main feature of Elephant Rocks State Park in the St Francois Mountains of the southern Missouri Ozarks. The geologic feature is fascinating. The St Francois Mountain range is comprised of some of the oldest exposed igneous rocks in North America.

The quarries in this park, once provided the reddish-pink granite that was used for many of the buildings in St. Louis and paved its streets. The boulders strewn across the granite dome instill a sense of wonder and marvel at the powerful forces sculpting this planet.

Watkins Glen State Park in upstate New York is an absolutely fascinating place, claiming 19 waterfalls in a 400-foot-deep gorge that is accessed by a mile and a half long trail. The trail steadily ascends the gorge the gorge alternating with several series of steep stone steps. The trail takes one alongside the creek at times with 200-foot cliffs of shale, limestone and sandstone towering above, and then it overlooks the gorge at other spots, even crossing behind one of the waterfalls.

The gorge hosts hordes of crowds daily, but I visited shortly after the park opened on a dismal, cloudy, cool day. We almost had the place to ourselves at the start. Coming out, we encountered a steady stream of hikers. This combination of cloud cover and absence of hikers gave me the opportunity to obtain some beautiful images. However, despite the crowds, one still feels the enchantment of this gem.

Deep in the Ozarks of southern Missouri, Rocky Creek lies within the boundaries of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It one of my favorite places to explore. The creek flows over Mill Mountain and through shut ins alongside the site of old Klepzig Mill. It has one of the grandest waterfalls in Missouri, Rocky Falls, which tumbles down a hillside of ancient igneous rock into a quiet pool below (a favorite swimming hole for many in the summer). The many shuts ins along the creek create small waterfalls and remote places of solitude. I invite you to explore this creek through some of my favorite images.

A trip to the Cumberland River Valley in autumn 2003.

Yosemite, the icon of landscape photographers. A brief visit in the fall of 2006 gave me a chance to attempt to capture it's beauty. These images were captured as I entered the digital age with a relatively new digital camera.

Located in Western Indiana, Turkey Run State Park lies nestled in the woods of Parke County along Sugar Creek. Several deep sandstone canyons are found in the park. Hemlock trees interspersed among the deciduous trees add soft feathery green texture to the scenery, particularly in autumn. These images provide a glimpse into three of the canyons in the park.

Located in Ste. Genevieve County Missouri, Hickory Canyons is a hidden gem. Sandstone box canyons provide seasonal waterfalls after heavy rains. Wild azaleas can be found in the canyons during springtime and lush ferns thrive in the cool shade. The hiking trails are short and I have even seen a flock of wild turkeys scampering through the woods in the area.

Pickle Springs Natural Area is located in Ste. Genevieve County of southern Missouri. A relatively short trail leads one through hills, valleys and sandstone canyons, hiking past creeks and a double sandstone arch. It is enchanting anytime of year as the canyons are green with moss and ferns, wild azaleas bloom in springtime and fall foliage can be a delight. Heavy rainfall can produce waterfalls in the canyons that can be enchanting as well.

Garden of the Gods... in Illinois? Never heard of it? Most people are familiar with the Garden of the Gods in Colorado, but this one may not be as familiar. Located in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is truly a unique place. The cliffs and rock formations are comprised of sandstone, created by sand deposits from the shores of an ancient sea which, over time, earth's forces have sculpted into this unique and beautiful scenery.

On my second visit to the area, I experienced its beauty in all its autumn splendor. I arrived late in the afternoon and it had been raining. As I made preparations to protect my gear from the inclement weather and head off on the trail, the rain suddenly stopped. Heading out on the Observation Trail I arrived at the bluffs as a mist began to rise from the valley. As it mingled with the fall colors in the forest below it provided great opportunities to photograph the beauty of the scene.

Amidon Memorial Conservation Area is located in the St. Francois Mountains of the southern Missouri Ozarks. The area is small in size but possesses a unique beauty. The granite shut ins afford hours of exploration for a photographer. The Castor River narrows as it channels through the shut ins, where the stream has eroded and cut channels into the granite bedrock and boulders are strewn about the canyon. Although the pink granite is not uncommon in the area, it is still somewhat unique. Depending on the water levels, anything from small waterfalls to a rushing torrent can be experienced. Although the area is a popular swimming spot in the summer, it is a quiet place of solitude the rest of the year.

Rockwoods Reservation is a conservation area located near the St. Louis metropolitan region and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Although I frequented the area in my high school years, it was over 40 years before I returned to explore the area with my camera. So close to home, I often put off the visit. In early November 2019 I decided to hike a portion of the Green Rock Trail, which passes through the park. I had hiked this trail as a Boy Scout in the 1960’s but had little recollection of the hike.

What was immediately apparent as I set out on the trail was the vast number of fallen trees that were strewn across the hillsides. Strong winds and storms have sculpted the woods as I have never seen in another Missouri forest. This particular autumn, rains and wind had already stripped most of the leaves from the standing trees by early November. What remained was the ideal opportunity for me. An overcast day with the woodland reduced to its bare bones, punctuated by patches of color. What is presented here are images from that first return visit. In the future, I hope to add to this gallery with a more varied portfolio. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty I found as I was reintroduced to my teenage hangout.

Marble Creek is a lesser know area in the St Francois Mountains in the southern Missouri Ozarks. Located along the Ozark Trail it can be a lovely spot to relax while exploring the region. The exposed bedrock over which the creek flows and the rugged geologic features within the valley can add visual interest to the scenic valley.

Millstream Gardens Conservation Area is located in the St Francois Mountain range of the Missouri Ozarks. Here the St Francis River flows through the largest shut-ins in Missouri, known as Tiemann Shut-Ins. In springtime and after heavy rains the river crashes through the granite boulders thrilling whitewater enthusiasts. It is not uncommon to see kayaks throughout the year in the shut-ins and the Missouri Whitewater Championship races are held here each year. Photographing this area can be enjoyable in any season and the scenery changes dramatically as water levels change.

I have been visiting this place since I was a child and have seen the river in it's many stages. A caution should be added about the river and it's banks however. There is a wild nature to the area and poisonous snakes are not uncommon. In fact, one summer evening as I was hiking out from the river at dusk, I encountered two water moccasins within a five minute period, one of them actually moving towards me. I do have a healthy fear of poisonous snakes but a single encounter normally does not give me cause for concern. However, I must say that two such consecutively close encounters shook me up, thus I feel obliged to at least make people aware of their presence in the area.

Silver Mines Recreation Area lies within Mark Twain National Forest in the southern Missouri Ozarks. There the St Francis River flows over smooth granite boulders through steep hillsides lined with bluffs and granite outcroppings. A hiking trail connects this area with Millstream Gardens upstream, where Missouri Whitewater Championship races are held. Needless to say, it is a popular place for kayakers.

The area possesses a rugged beauty that is characteristic of the St Francois Mountains. I first visited Silver Mines as a child in the 1960’s and have memories of camping, riding minibikes through the campgrounds, and swimming beneath the large stone dam (with a breach through which the river flows) that once harnessed the river.

The beloved redbud tree introduces springtime to Missouri gracing hillsides and the edges of forests and fields. Although the trees are abundant, finding the right combination of light and compositional elements for a photograph is quite challenging.

The appearance of wildflowers in Missouri throughout spring and summer adds a beauty to the landscape. Wildflowers can be found in fields, on rocky slopes and in the crevices of cliffs. Wherever they appear the grace the landscape with their colorful display. 

The St Francois Mountain range is comprised of some of the oldest exposed igneous rocks in North America.

Clear streams have sculpted their way through these mountains cascading through valleys and ravines of granite and rhyolite boulders. In some instances, the streams have actually carved their way down to the bedrock creating natural geologic formations called shut-ins. After heavy rains, these streams can become a torrent and the slippery rocks should be traversed with care. In the summer, when the water is low, the slow moving streams can provide lazy pools for swimming and cooling off. There is also the danger of one of Missouri's most venomous snakes, water moccasin or cottonmouth, which are territorial. More than once I have been surprised by them when photographing and know I should give them a wide berth.

The geology of this region is fascinating. Grey and pink stone dominates the area and is often covered in lichens. It is not unusual to see basalt dikes in the rock were magma from beneath the earth's crust was forced through cracks and cooled. The geologic formation on Hughes Mountain is a unique feature called Devil's Honeycomb which is only found in a few places on earth, Giant's Causeway in Ireland and Devil's Tower in Wyoming are examples of this type of geologic formation. Vegetation growing in this rocky region is diverse and provides photographic opportunities as well.

To see more of my images from the St. Francois Mountains view the individual galleries by location:

Taum Sauk Mountain , Johnson's Shut Ins State Park , Black Mountain , Millstream Gardens , Marble Creek , Elephant Rocks State Park 

Missouri is not a place that quickly conjures visions of waterfalls. There are no grand precipitous mountain slopes with cascading waterfalls fed by glacial runoff, nor is it a state with high precipitation figures. In fact many of the clear flowing wild streams are spring-fed. However, with good timing and after heavy rains, one can find some beautiful waterfalls and often have the solitude to yourself. This is an ongoing project to find and photograph such places, but here are some from my collections.

St Francois State Park is located south of St Louis near the old mining region of Missouri. The dolomite hills are what I consider a gateway to the northern border of the St Francois Mountains in the Missouri Ozarks. Driving into the region from the north, the rolliing hills give a sample of what is to be found further south. The Big River runs along its southern border and the park hosts Coonville Creek Natural Area within its boundaries. Clear flowing Coonville Creek flows through Mooner’s Hollow, a valley which owes its namesake to the many moonshine stills once situated in the area. The three hiking trails within the park possess a nice diversity for such a small area. In springtime, bluebells fill the woodlands along the Big River turning the forest into another world.

Ferne Clyffe State Park lies in the Shawnee National Forest region of southern Illinois. Illinois’ River to River Trail runs through the park and there are intermittent waterfalls and sandstone formations and canyons as well as a protected nature preserve. It is a lovely park and enjoyable to see it as it changes from season to season. I first visited this park in October 2015 and have been returning ever since. It is a favorite stop-over on my return home when visiting the region. With 18 trails it offers diversity and many are easily accessible. Photographing it throughout the seasons is a joy.

Big Rocky Hollow is a sandstone box canyon in Ferne Clyffe State Park. The main attraction is the 100 foot waterfall at the end of the box canyon but it is intermittent. Visiting after some rain the falls roar but beyond the main falls water tumbles over ledges throughout the canyon. On a hot and humid summer day it can be magical with the mist and sound of falling water. Lighting can be challenging to photograph the main falls as the upper section can be brightly light. Despite the many visitors to the canyon (and the easy hiking trail within) the canyon can be a place of peace and tranquility. I have visited the canyon on numerous occasions, in different seasons and under varying weather conditions. At times I will stop on my return home after a day of hiking just for a peaceful stroll, capturing images of the valley beneath its tall bluffs in the soft even light. The lush green moss covering rocks and trees gives it color even in winter.

Don Robinson State Park is Missouri's newest state park (as of this writing), opening in early January 2017. Located near St. Louis, in Jefferson County, its sandstone hills, woodlands and box canyons are a great retreat from the nearby city. It is part of the upper watershed for LaBarque Creek. My first visit in early April 2017 was enjoyable, and I hope among many more to come. With intermittent clouds and sun, and some patience, I was able to capture so images of the small creek that runs through the east side of the park. I look forward to visiting throughout the years and adding to this gallery.

Piney Creek Ravine is off the beaten path. It is a lovely sandstone canyon with a small creek flowing through it. The sandstone patterns in the creek bed are exquisite patterns of colors and textures. The site has archaeological significance as well. There are ancient Native American petroglyphs on the cliffs in one area of the canyon.

The Rim Rock Trail is located in Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail follows the rim of a sandstone escarpment and then descends into a canyon. At some points one can see huge sections of the cliffs, which have broken away from the rim and lie scattered along the hillside down into the canyon below. It is not a long trail but its natural beauty is apparent, especially in autumn. I visited late one autumn day and was so engrossed photographing I couldn't finish the trail as darkness was setting in and I had to turn around and head back out of the canyon before it got dark. While in the canyon photographing, I flushed out a flock of wild turkeys whose flight echoed on the surrounding bluffs. I encountered very few people that day.

I must admit, swamp ecosystems hold a certain fascination with me. There is something of a primordial feel, especially in the spring and summer. The visual imagery is so unique - large tree trunks and cypress knees rising from the water, the calm surface covered with algae as a snake effortlessly glides among the trees. Then there is the symphony of sounds enlivening the senses. During winter there is a stillness, the silence punctuated by the occasional sound of a bird perhaps. The greens give way to cool colors in evening light and the bare bones of the skeleton which supports this living, breathing world become evident.

While visiting southern Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest I have had several occasions to enter this world of swamps and capture the imagery. The Cache River watershed contains cypress-tupelo swamps and numerous points of access into this ecosystem. I have visited the cypress swamp at Heron Pond twice and never encountered anyone. The numerous access points along the Cache River afford easy access into this world as well. Enjoy the images of this gallery and keep tuned as I continue to add to it from time to time with future visits.

Jefferson County lies just south of St Louis and has begun to see urban sprawl advancing on it. Yet there are plenty of parks, conservation areas and natural areas to exist in which to find refuge from the crowds. More images from Jefferson County can be seen in my "Bare Trees" gallery.

As summers ends in Missouri, the wildflowers of autumn begin to display their colors creating tapestries of color and texture on the hillsides.

Stripped of seasonal colors, bare trees, snow and dormant fauna create unique scenes and winter landscapes that possess a quiet beauty of their own.