Walls of Jericho

The Walls of Jericho is an interesting geological place straddling the Alabama-Tennessee border nestled among the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau. It has been called the Grand Canyon of the east but it reminds me more of the slot canyons of the American west but instead of sandstone walls, the walls are slick limestone. Instead of the gorgeous reds, the rocks are a pasty white stained by water and speckled with moss and lichen. It is a brutal day hike to get here and a place I have attempted to photograph numerous times. It is a finicky place to shoot. Fall is hit or miss (usually miss) with water flow, summer is too brutally hot with early spring being ideal due to the wildflowers dotting the landscape and the water flowing. However, afternoon is out of the picture due to day hikers interrupting your composition. It is 3.5 miles and 1000′ down to get there leaving a 3.5 mile, 1000′ climb out. Not to mention the last half mile is pretty treacherous hiking. I decided to awake early and attempt to get there before the sun was high. I wanted to avoid the day hikers. I wasn’t too worried about sunrise due to the high cliff walls blocking the early sun until mid morning. This proved to be fruitful. An ultrawide is a must and the thoughts of the new canon 11-24 being an ideal lens for this place. Alas, my 17-40L would have to do.  In addition, i shot some Kodak TMAX100 on an old canon eos rebel body with a canon 50/1.8 lens.   I was happy with the images captured and believe I finally was able to successfully capture this place after 9 years of trying and 11 years of hiking to this place.  Hope you enjoy a few of these images.

Walls of Jericho-waterfall into cave

Walls of Jericho-view out of the cave

Walls of Jericho-view up

Walls of Jericho-B&W film of waterfall

Walls of Jericho-Clark Cemetary B&W

Walls of Jericho-B&W tombstone at Clark Cemetery

Walls of Jericho-Clark Cemetery color

 

How about some B&W? digital interpretations at Big Bend National Park

Sooooo, I believe I am finally through processing the images from this winter’s trip to Big Bend National Park.  I know, I know; one is never really through, but I am at a stopping point.  I am also finding some of my favorite work I captured digitally, I prefer presented in a traditional monochrome format.  Somehow, the desert atmosphere feels more authentic (to me) in B&W.  BBNP will be the theme for the next post or two as well, followed up to this with color work.  I hope you enjoy these and feel free to comment (they are welcome).
desert hills

all things will stick you in the desert

morning light awash in dog canyon

dog canyon

into the Chisos

lonesome

Chisos range