SE Missouri 2016 Part 2

[Roanoker]

I love these little yellow beauties and the lighting surrounding them.


This forest was captivating to me.


My son snaps a picture of a wildflower on his iPhone.


He discovered that he could “fool” the camera into capturing light to his preference by holding a credit card close.


I call these “tree gills,” but I’m sure there is a more scientific name for them.


And I call these “tree ears,” although I’m sure they bear a more accurate name.


Another view of the impressive forest, this time with my son walking through it.


Perky little guys.


Nice flower serves as a landing pad for an inquisitive bug.


A woodland bride must have dropped her bouquet.


Bold out-reach. The lighting is most welcome.


That forest again. I took many pictures of it. You are seeing only three.

[Roanoker]

How about a walk in the forest?


Don’t you love the light on these skinny beauties?


We are attending a family reunion, and this shack is on the property.


This lovely critter spent some time on the tablecloth.


Still on the “family farm.”


Maybe a creek or two.


Who wouldn’t like a field of daisies surrounded by healthy trees?


A closer look at the ones who love the sun.


A member of the sunflower family. Who cares? I like it.


This is a depford pink. Again, it doesn’t matter.


This is Black Medic, a kind of clover. It looks like a wedding bouquet for a troll, to me.


This may be wild onion. Alien-looking.

[Roanoker]

Still with all the flowers I spotted. And a bug or two.


The grass is trying to overtake this blue beauty, but he stands strong.


Daisies must like farmland.


These little pretties hold their own, too.


There was a red car parked on the left side of the original picture. I didn’t want it there, so I cloned it out.


This is my cousin’s dog. I think he is as old as I am in doggy years.


This was a portrait-oriented image. I used a larger version of itself to fill in the background, scooting it to line up.


One of a gazillion.


Nearing the end of the reunion day.


You could hardly see my son in the original picture, so I lightened him up. He’s taking a picture of a flower.


These next two pictures were taken the next day (5/30/16) at Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins State Park.


It appears that a fire had its way with this “castle.” I don’t really know.

[Roanoker]

We’re still at the park where this “castle” is featured.


I turned my camera to capture as much of the building as possible.


Boating must be popular on this lake.


That’s my son in the red shirt, approaching the “castle” remains.


This place is crawling with people—and my son.


I struggle with portrait-oriented pictures. Not thrilled with the results here.


Here’s a peek at an inside wall.


Wider view.


Great spot for a group picture. (I have no idea who these folks are.)


My son reads a sign explaining all this.


My son and the black dog look like actors on a stage here.


This, too, was a portrait-oriented image. It turned out better.

[normalthings]

If only the old KC prison castle was turned into an attraction

[Roanoker]

No toasting marshmallows in THIS fireplace!


This is the same “stage” where my son and the black dog appeared as actors earlier, at another angle.


Distant tower.


The park makes sure to create outlook opportunities.


More boats…and cars.


This tree is struggling to show off.


Regal in its demise.


Tiny bit of history.


Burned out shell from below.


You can’t beat a nice forest.


Boaters seem to love this lake.


They probably like those cliffs, too.

[Roanoker]

I’m looking over…


I call this one, “Purple Ears."


You couldn’t ask for a nicer path.


The always present boats and cliffs.


Peace is all around.


The picture following this one was a big splash on the water and no people high above.


There is more to do than ride on boats at this lake.


Like an opening to a big show.


You don’t want this thing tied around your neck.


Did you know that grass can grow under water?


This part of the path has extra security.


This tree reaches for a drink.

[Roanoker]

We are still enjoying the beauty of Ha Ha Tonka State Park, known for its giant spring.


This is the mouth of the spring.


Closer view.


This looks like the same view, but it isn’t. I spent a lot of time trying to make it look natural. Next picture explains.


This is a smaller version of the original picture, turned 45 degrees or so for correct orientation. I filled the blank spaces with compatible portions of the image, blurred the edges, and cropped off the bottom. You can’t believe everything you see.


Plants, simply growing out of a rock wall. Notice the tiny columbine just right of center.


Here is a closer view of another one, more accessible.


Colorful inhabitant.


People provide scale.


This is a small section of a larger picture. It shows columbines trying to hide from my camera.


Mama duck and her babies.


More grass under water.


This must be an arched doorway of sorts.

[normalthings]

We are doing a SE Missouri summer trip now! Thanks for the inspiration.

[FangKC]

After this past week, the thought of fishing along that river looks so appealing.

[moderne]

The Karst region of Missouri with its many giant springs and float rivers are a treasure unknown to most in the US who think of this as uninteresting flyover country.

[Highlander]

The Karst region of Missouri with its many giant springs and float rivers are a treasure unknown to most in the US who think of this as uninteresting flyover country.

I am hoping it stays that way. Mention tourism in Missouri to anyone outside of the state and they immediately think of Branson. Branson is in the Karst Region but it isn't know for those attributes. That said, floating the Current River on a weekend (or any day during the summer) doesn't give one the feeling that it's a complete unknown to the outside world.