Several weeks ago I was privileged to talk to a photographer friend who said he finally made it up to Wisconsin’s Morgan Falls.  He made the hike only to find trash and junk everywhere.  Another photo friend was present and he added that his sister attended an outdoor wedding reception at MFs.   I will forever give thanks to God that I was guided to Morgan Falls and many other special “little” places many years ago.  In 25 years of making pictures at MFs I only (in 2009) saw one other human being at the falls.  I once drove through the forest in the darkness and hiked to the falls while it was still dark.  I wanted the feel what it was like to great the new day at the foot of the falls.  Things they are a changing.

We live in an entertainment oriented society.  We want to be entertained and we want it now.  I can imagine as the crowds build at MFs that many will actually be angry when they get there.  Angry that the state would dare put up signs and guide people to MFs and there is not a bit of entertainment.  No snack shack beneath the falls.  No tee shirts. No funny tour guide to make us laugh.  I mean just what am I supposed to do here?  No video games.  No interactive media.  And couldn’t they do something to make the falls better.  Wisconsin better go see the falls they put in at DisneyWorld.  Now that’s a waterfall.  No petting zoo either. It amazes me because I can find nothing more entertaining than sitting peacefully next to an ethereal waterfall. The day will come when the guide and the snack shack will actually be at MFs.  So will paved paths.  I said goodbye to my old friend in 2009 and I will be happy to remember her the way she once was.  She was a treasure and those of us that searched for her were kind and respectful of  her wildness.

As the throngs of crowds visiting our natural resources get larger every year, a couple of things will happen.   First of all the good people (most) who visit these places will treat them well, and want them to last forever.  Secondly, others will ruin it for the rest of us.  There will be security at every little treasure.  We will only be allowed to visit every third Tuesday of the month in order to preserve what remains of the original natural experience. Those of us who are older will remember the days when nature and we were both wild and free.

Double Visions

Yellow Warbler

Valley of The Gods, Utah, at sunrise

Common Snapping Turtle

Female Red-winged Blackbird

Bull Frog

Raccoon

And finally, Morgan Falls……Adios Amigo