Yesterday a friend and I decided to go on a morning photo hike in a place neither of us had visited in over 20 years. Sturdevant Falls is in the Angeles National Forest and is a moderate hike of just 3 miles. The trail head is just north of Arcadia, CA, a place where we both lived before we knew each other many moons ago. I had hiked to Sturdevant to few times in those early days, but really could not remember much about the place. So, with camera gear packed and water bottles full we drove up to the Arcadia area and were on the trail by 8am.

Here are some of the pics from what turned out to be a beautiful and reminiscent day for us both.

Talk about having the right lens, being in the right place and the right time…. At the rodeo this past weekend there was a crash during the steer wrangling event, when the steer decided to go left instead of straight. Luckily, nobody, man or beast, was hurt.

It was incredible to see this happen while looking through a 200-400mm lens! (click in first image and then use the right/left arrows)

So, I put on a macro lens and start looking for up close and personal. Funny thing, the visibility for the dive is suddenly great! It’s amazing what you miss when you don’t adjust your expectations.

Where have your most unique dives occurred? Tell us about them.

When the water is clear, the amber forest is all the more breath-taking. I find myself becoming envious of the creatures who get to call this place home.