I'm a self-taught graphic artist with a penchant for all things creative, and feature an eclectic collection of unusually imaginative designs available through various print-on-demand galleries. Enjoy a look around my portfolio, collections and blog, and follow me on Twitter for more updates - thanks!
It also has black bears living in the canyon – see earlier post. Most of all, however, the sandstone cliffs provide a spectacular visual experience! One of the first areas hikers encounter along the trail is the Turkey Roost Rockhouse:
Home Decor
If you’d be interested in a print for your home – or office, lobby, cafeteria – then visit my gallery at Pixels. You’ll find many options available (framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic). And, select features allow you to customize it to make it your own!
More
I’ll be posting more photographs from the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area in the days ahead – there’s so much to see, so stop back often!!!
This interesting geological rock formation was photographed along the trail in the gorge to Ozone Falls, in Tennessee. You may enjoy seeing this landscape scenery in your home, or office? If so, please visit my gallery at Pixels to select a print. Thanks for stopping by!
I recently hiked 7 miles at the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, near Jamestown, Tennessee – more about that in the days ahead. This post recaps two instances in which I encountered bears along the trail.
Highlights: the park offers scenic overlook areas of the canyon, substantial sandstone cliffs, interesting geological structures, and a canopied forest trail system.
Bear No. 1
Have you ever had the feeling that you’re being watched? That’s exactly how I felt as I approached a small stream at the base of the canyon. I had the sense that something was out there, and so I stopped to survey my surroundings, keeping still to remain quiet. I didn’t see or hear anything. Here’s a picture of the stream, which I photographed on my return:
The trail followed the stream, slowing gaining elevation with distance. I was at a point approx. 15 feet above the stream when it happened – an adult male black bear easily more than twice my weight (235 lbs.) had snuck up on me and was within 30 feet. This was, no doubt, the source from which I had pondered moments earlier. It was a shocking sight, to say the least.
I stopped moving and wondered what was next – should I turn back in the direction from whence I came, attempt to climb a tree (which was problematic – these trees were tall, without low branches), remove and unzip my backpack to acquire a knife, or begin making noise (I can whistle really loud!)?
I instead opted to remain still, concluding that the bear was aware of my proximity and deemed that I wasn’t a threat – an easy posture to assume, given a girth of 500 lbs.! Watching for a few minutes, it was clear that the bear was undertaking his daily savaging for a meal routine, shifting rocks in the stream to un-house potential sources of food. This was in fact what first alerted me to the bear – the sound of rocks being moved.
When I regained my composure, I took this video and followed the bear from along the trail, staying back a distance while attempting to remain less conspicuous behind trees:
The large rock casually moved around by the bear in this video probably weighs at least 100 lbs.. Glad he didn’t charge at me!
Bear No. 2
I saw another bear higher up – on the trail along the ridge – which was either a female or adolescent estimated at 300 lbs. or less. As I was walking and watching the ground so as to not roll an ankle, I happened to glance ahead and see a bear on the trail – looking directly at me.
This bear was probably 60 feet in front of me, and, when we made eye contact, took off like a bat out of hell racing downhill through the forest on an estimated 30-degree slope. I was truly amazed at how fast it bounded down the hill!
More To Come
I’ll be posting more information and photographs of my hike at Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area in the days ahead… stay tuned!
This photograph captures the trail along the edge of a rocky gorge, where I hiked towards the base of Ozone Falls, in Tennessee. Would you like a print for your home, or office? If so, visit my gallery at Pixels, where you’ll discover several print types to select.
Made with high quality celluloid (a traditional pick material), this guitar pick grips well and provides the flexibility and durability needed for a balanced, yet crisp tone. Medium gauge (0.71mm). Also available in larger, triangle shape. Enjoy!
This graphic artwork features many colorful drawing pencils with a distressed texture and halftones. Interested in a print? Many are available – simply visit my gallery at Pixels to find something. And see more items at Society 6, also.
The silhouette of a disc golf basket on the hill means there’s just enough daylight remaining to finish the 18th hole! If you like this sport, you’ll enjoy my great selection of disc golfing merchandise available online at Redbubble and Cafepress.
Make yourself comfortable and take a seat, anywhere. This subway is about to leave the station. Next stop, somewhere down the line. Enjoy the scenery, perhaps on a wall in your home? Please visit my gallery at Pixels to select a print type to suit your interests. Thanks for stopping by!
Colors in shapes in quadrants in a mandala graphic design with vintage appeal. To create this image, I used Adobe Photoshop, Filter Forge and Affinity Photo. I’ve added it to my galleries at Pixels, Redbubble and Zazzle. Here are some sample products you’ll find when visiting my galleries…
Walking through a hemlock and rhododendron forest, I’d rate the hike to Hen Wallow Falls as moderately difficult. This 90′ waterfall is situated in the Smoky Mountains along the Gabes Mountain Trail, taking between 3-4 hours on a 4.2 mile round trip.
Because conditions on the trail are often rocky – or, covered extensively with tree roots – proper footwear is very important! More than the knees or calves, it’s always my feet which are most sore the next day, having hiked over such uneven surfaces:
Several signs are posted along the trail to help hikers find Hen Wallow Falls –
Footbridges allow hikers to keep dry while crossing over several small streams –
Here’s some enjoyable landscape scenery you’ll encounter along the trail –
Finally, Hen Wallow Falls
Prints
You may not live near the Smoky Mountains, but you can nevertheless enjoy nature from your home or office with a print of Hen Wallow Falls. Please visit my gallery at Pixels to review several pleasant photographs from my hike.
This creative phone case is available in various styles for different device types, and features abstract shapes reflected as a mirror image. Get one today!
This photograph was taken in Tennessee, featuring a peaceful setting along Fall Creek. Less than thirty feet away, however, is the edge of Ozone Falls, where water plunges 110-feet over a cliff. Please visit my gallery to see more!
Black and white photograph featuring structural support-beams of a railroad train trestle. To see a variety of available prints, visit my gallery at Pixels.
With non-slip backing and dimensions 7 3/4″ by 9 1/4″, this computer mouse pad from Zazzle features a durable, dust and stain resistant cloth cover with full color printing. It also makes a useful gift for the upcoming school year!
More items with this design are available in my galleries at Redbubble and Zazzle.
Protect your investment in style with this cool phone case from Zazzle! Available to fit many different models – Apple, Samsung, Google. Many other items available, also – see more. Thanks for stopping by!
Situated on the eastern edge of the Crab Orchard Mountains on the Cumberland Plateau, in Cumberland County, Tennessee, Ozone Falls is the third tallest waterfall in the state with an elevation of 110-feet. And, after splashing into the plunge pool, Fall Creek disappears underground – like magic! Approximately 30-feet away, however, the creek re-emerges from under several huge boulders, at a lower point downstream.
I visited the falls following a day of rain. As such, I encountered many slippery rock-surfaces along the trail down into the gorge. Hikers should use caution – walking sticks are a good idea – and appropriate footwear is strongly recommended!
Photography
Here are some photographs from Ozone Falls State Natural Area –
Prints
Perhaps you’d enjoy one of my photographs in your home, or office? If so, then please visit my gallery at Pixels to select a print type to suit your interests.
Video
From the base of Ozone Falls, near the plunge pool –
Photograph featuring horizon of ocean washing into sandy beach, with grunge texture and vintage film frame. It would look great with a frame in your home! To see more, please visit my gallery at Pixels.
Not eggs. This creative wrapped canvas print features random chocolate candies with halftones and a distressed texture. Select one for a wall in your kitchen or dining area. Many different sizes available, as well as various side-by-side (2, 3, 4) panel options. Made in Reno, Nevada. Enjoy!
