Beautiful Destination: Foster Falls Sequatchie TN.

With all this craziness we have been experiencing with the COVID19 spread I decided to go for a hike to a wonderful and amazing Tennessee State Park.

Base view of Foster Falls

Before I even started my journey I decided to look for some information like hours of operation, trails, overlooks, waterfalls lower view. After getting all my information right, I packed my gear and began the 2 hour and 24 minute drive from Clarksville TN to Foster Falls Recreational Park in Sequatchie TN. 

As I reach my destination there’s a pretty large parking for multiple vehicles. Theres restrooms facilities including a water fountain to fill up your bottles. 

From the parking lot to the waterfall overlook is less than 4 minute walk. The waterfall lookout is pretty spacious for people to view the waterfalls and all it’s beautiful surroundings without bumping into each other. 

After snow day. Foster Falls

There are two trails: if you go towards the right it will take you over the waterfalls and if you go left it will take you to the bottom of the waterfalls. Both trails are pretty easy to hike. Just make sure you have some good hiking boots or sneakers. Never go hiking with sandals, slippers or crocs (not good for your feet, believe me you will feel it later). 

The first time I went to Foster Falls I took the top view of the waterfalls and have to tell you it was amazing.

 

Top trails. Foster Falls

So on my last couple of visits I decided to hit the lower trail and get a good view of the waterfall. There’s also a suspended bridge that either way you look it will be amazing. 

One of the visits was right after it snowed, just majestic. You could feel the coolness and the fresh breeze cover you soul (image added).

After snow day. Foster Falls

I was able to capture different shots from different angles. Using my Canon 60D, GoPro Hero7 Black and Sony a6000. Performing long exposures and low shots. 

Beautiful Sunset. Foster Falls

You will definitely love this place. Is one of a kind. From it’s awesome trails to it’s breathtaking views. In summer they also allow people to go swimming and enjoy the park. It also has more than 20 campgrounds, a pavilion, bbq pits and other amazing trails to enjoy. Just remember to pick up after yourself and keep it cleaner than how you found it. 

I would like to thank the Tennessee State Parks for keeping it clean and in good shape for hikers, turist, photographers and adventurers. Also to TriStaAdventures for sponsoring my epic adventures and capturing amazing shots. 

Here are some other shots taken at Foster Falls. Enjoy. 

Note: Images have been edited with Lightroom from Adobe and Luminar 4 from Skylum Software. Captured with either/or GoPro Hero 7 Black, Canon 60D and Sony a6000. 

For more information about the hours of operation, campsite reservations and other questions please visit: https://www.tnvacation.com/local/sequatchie-foster-falls-recreation-area

For all the epic merch I use, visit: http://tristaradventures.com/

Spider Monkey - Captive in solitude.

Last week I was able to visit the Nashville Zoo with the family and as you all know I took my gear with me. I truly enjoy visiting the zoo.

But there is a feeling of sadness when I see them with this facial expression of pain and suffering.
Yes they might have acres and acres of land to run, jump, eat and play. But is not the same this as if these amazing animals lived in the wild. But what can I do. Absolutely nothing.

The most intriguing animal that caught my attention and was able to capture an amazing shot, was the spider monkey. Here is some extra reading if you would like to learn more about these fascinating animals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_monkey

When I approached the area where they were. Not only was it extremely hot for them but you could see their facial expressions of not only boredom but of pain. Those big round eyes just telling you to let them free, that they want to be in the wild. And with sadness the only thing you can do is take the picture and walk away.

The spider monkey is a very active and versatile animal. One that loves to be hanging from tree to tree and eating fruits and nuts which is part of their diet. Being surrounded by this metal fence and not being able to explore the outside world might be slowly killing them. The spider monkey that I was able to photograph stood hanging on the fence for about 15 minutes. Just looking at me.

I understand that some of these animals are endangered species and that they are trying to grow their population. And that the zoo is the perfect place for them, but is it really what they need?

As studies show the population trend for spider monkeys is decreasing; the IUCN Red List lists one species as vulnerable, four species as endangered and two species as critically endangered. But why not create a foundation to help them at their natural habitat. Which their might be a foundation to help them re-populate.

As a photographer and a parent I have to teach my girls to love nature and respect it. Including the animals that live in it. To appreciate what has given to us as a gift to enjoy. Let's try our best to protect either way possible our nature and it's beauty that surrounds us. We have an advantage against those poor animals that are locked up, we are able to do something positive to help out.



"It’s hard to see an animal caged and locked up like a prisoner. Locked up in places where they exploit them by viewing them as trophy's. Day in day out they are surrounded by sadness, pain and the desire to escape. When their animal instincts are to be free in the wild jungles around the world. But as a photographer I’m able to capture that emotion where it shows pain or maybe numbness from a daily routine life." 

BoriPhotography

Some of this information has been obtained from Wikipedia. And the statements presented on this blog are the writers opinion and all images are property of the BoriPhotography. 

Land Between The Lakes - A unique place.

As I woke up that day I had one goal and it was to visit an amazing park. Looked in Google and found Land Between The Lakes. I started looking at the photos provided by some other great photographers. I was pumped, ready to hit the road and visit this amazing place. Woke up the wife, prepped the girls and in 30 minutes was out the door with gear ready for an awesome adventure.

Land Between The Lakes is located half of it's territory is Kentucky and the other in Tennessee. The drive towards this amazing place is beautiful. Being able to see the farm lands, the cows and even spotted a couple of hawks along the road. I was super excited.

To get to this amazing location you have to cross a bridge, this bridge i high and narrow. Incoming traffic will be like if they are invading your lane but they are not, so don't be scared. They are building a two lane bridge right next to it, so hopefully they can leave the old one there for viewing a photographers delight.

As we drove towards the welcoming center it was cold and chilly, but you can smell the fresh scent of pine trees that surround you. Just amazing. If you want to see the Bison and Elks, you need to get a $5.00 pass which I consider to be cheap for the amount of wildlife you see there, plus the experience of being there.

We got to ELK & BISON PRAIRIE, I got my camera ready for that amazing shot. Was pretty down because I was not able to see any bison (they were being kept enclosed for some environment test) or elks the first 5 minutes of driving in this area. Then my wife tells me "Babe look over there, I see something among the trees". I stop and there they were..... Elks just chilling among the talk shaded trees. I got so excited. I was able to take some shots from more than 300 feet.

So we continued driving down the road to see if we were able to see any deer or more elk. Also was able to capture some amazing shot of the flora that surrounded us. As we were getting closer to the north side of the park we saw how the females and baby elks were separated from the male elks. Was able to get some shots of them. Pretty epic.

We decided to drive back to where we saw the male elks. They we still on the same spot we had saw them before. So I parked the car and started walking towards them keeping a safe distance. What an amazing feeling it was. Mother Nature, my camera and these graceful yet powerful elks in front of me. As I got closer they stood up, from 3 we had seen before, out of nowhere there were a total of 6 elks. Wow. I was able to see their warm breath come out their mouths while just staring at me, just wondering what was going to be my next step. But I stood there amazed by there beauty.


After a while we decided to drive around the other side of this amazing place. We reached a spot that was amazing. The reflection of this amazing place was breathtaking. Beautiful in a way like no other. Stayed on that spot for maybe 40 minutes. The sun was going down and it was getting colder by the minute.

Wrapped it up and loaded the girls, put gear away and started driving home. And for our surprise we saw an American Bald Eagle. Wow, epic capture. Was able to get a couple of shots from down below. There is a lookout tower where there are two huge nests. Now we know were to look for some epic shots.



Believe me when I say that I was a happy camper, like a when you give candy to a kid. And when I started editing these amazing shot, making those amazing colors pop...... it's a feeling like no other. I encourage you that reads this, please do go out and explore the world, take your kids with you so they can experiment and value what mother nature has for them.

Here is a link o of my Facebook BoriPhotography Galleria where you will find more photos I took from this amazing place. You are more than welcome to comment and share.