Lakeside Bird Watcher Gathering

Just when I thought I was about done with my photo walk, a group of bird watchers approached from the other direction.

I strolled along the eastern edge of the Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve trail, just soaking in the fall vibes. I did my usual "walk, stop, set-up, capture" routine, doing my best to capture the reds, yellows, and oranges that were, like a kaleidoscope, all in the mix.

Just when I thought I was about done, a group of bird watchers approached from the other direction. They seemed excited. I assumed that they'd spotted something interesting in the trees. I felt compelled to photograph them as they chatted in the grassy area near the lakehouse.

There's a certain asymmetry to the photograph. The bird watchers are standing off to the right with most of the colourful vegetation. The blue sky and the colourful leaves on the trees contrast with the drab grey lake and the green grass. But still, it feels "right".

An Anxious Quest for Fall

Exploring the tranquil lakeside.

I was anxious that I hadn't photographed fall in the area, so I decided to visit the Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton Township to photograph the picturesque treeline at the lake.

I began my photography walk at the southern edge of the artificial lake. The early morning sun radiated a warm glow. It seemed the perfect day for capturing some fall colour. My focus was on the trees bordering the lake's edge. I set up my Fuji X-T3 on the tripod with the XF16-55mF2.8 R LM WR lens and a Hoya PROND1000 filter. I wanted long exposures with silky smooth water.

Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve
Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve · October 22, 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I strolled north along the eastern side of the James Sayen Trail (green markers) that loops around the lake, frequently stopping to take photographs. The snail would win if a landscape photographer and a snail were in a race. 🙂

Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve · October 22, 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Each step revealed a new perspective, a fresh angle, and an opportunity to freeze time in a frame.

Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve
Billie Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve · October 22, 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I fine-tuned my photographs using Adobe Lightroom and Luminar AI to enhance the colours and highlight the details.

my name is blurry face

I asked the ChatGPT AI to write a story about two women and a dog sitting at lake in the fall from the point of view of the dog.

I asked the ChatGPT AI to write a story about two women and a dog sitting at lake in the fall from the point of view of the dog. Here's what it produced.

As I lay at the edge of the lake, I watch the two women sitting nearby. They laugh and talk, their voices carrying across the water on the cool fall breeze. One woman throws a stick for me to fetch, and I eagerly run into the water to retrieve it. The other woman watches with a smile as I splash back to shore, dropping the stick at her feet.

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I can feel the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my paws as I lay next to them, the autumn colors of the trees surrounding us a beautiful sight. The women continue to talk and laugh, and I close my eyes, basking in the warmth of their company.

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Occasionally, one of the women will rub my ears or scratch my belly, and I let out a contented sigh. I am so happy to be here with them, in this peaceful spot at the lake. The world around us is changing with the coming of fall, but this moment, with these women and me, feels eternal.

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As the sun begins to set, the women gather up their things and we start the walk back home. I follow them, my tail wagging, grateful for their love and companionship. I know that no matter what the seasons may bring, I will always be by their side.