Travels this week took us just below the dam located between High Rock Lake and the Tuckertown Reservoir along the Yadkin River in North Carolina. Taking advantage of a public park/access point we pulled over to see how high water levels might be with the frequent rains we’ve been experiencing.
Some areas of western North Carolina have already reported amounts of rain equal to or exceeding normal annual amounts.
Since I had a camera with me, I took a trail along a high and steep bank from the parking area to the dam disturbing a couple of dozen white Egrets who were resting/feeding on some rocks just below the dam.
Water behind the dam…on the High Rock Lake side…was at the top of the dam’s sluice gates, in some cases splashing over a little. It’s been a delicate balancing act to control water flow down local rivers in a manner which limits flooding.
I thought these photos worked better in black and white (with a slight sepia tone) in part because the waters were the ugly muddy red color we normally see around here thanks to North Carolina’s abundance of red clay in the soil.
Earl, your images convey the power of the water. They also are very powerful in black and white.
Hi Steve, thanks. I hope your doing well out there in northwest.
The sepia tone was a good choice for these, Earl. They’re strong images and they’re the type that can have historical significance. The Museum has a large collection of personal photos that show this area of the country going back more than a hundred years. I think photos like this, especially ones that are technically very good (as these are), are important records.
Ken, thanks. The processing of these photos gives then a bit of a historical look but I don’t know that the subject matter is of great significants. Perhaps in a hundred years someone would be interested but I certainly don’t have to consider that. :-)
You said that right, “a delicate balancing act to control water flow down local rivers.” Well done on the images. The only thing missing is the roar of the water.
Monte, thanks. There was certainly plenty of “roar” from when I took some of these photos. :-)
These are beautiful, beautiful images Earl
Thanks, Chris.
Good choice on the toning, Earl. Not overpowering in the application, but just enough. Good work!
Thanks, John.
Yeah, I think I can hear the roar. Looks like a cool place Earl.