In August 2017, I traveled to southern Illinois to view the solar eclipse where the path of totality would cross. I viewed it from an open area of a shallow granite canyon along Hill Branch Creek — a beautiful area to witness an unforgettable event.
Last month, we camped in the Bell Smith Springs area where the Mill Branch trail run to Hill Branch Creek (that’s not too confusing of naming, is it?) I didn’t plan to do any nightscape photography, but since I went to sleep shortly after it got dark, I was up well before dawn, and starlight filled the sky above the pine trees.
Redbud campground
Looking up
Chance and I were off for an early hike, and planned for sunrise at a different spot, but we crossed the trail that pointed to the Mill Branch area and decided to give that a try. As often in the autumn in Illinois, the morning began to get a light fog and a soft glow. We got to the open canyon area, turned around to where the old mill had been that gave the creek its name, and the rising sun began its show.
Mill Branch Creek sunrise
We continued upstream, and the sun continued on its path up.
Sun rays lighting Mill Branch Creek
Chance figured out it was time to rest up while I explored for images.
The sun had given sublime show three years before when it was covered by the moon, and now was lighting up scenes in all directions over the little canyon.
Looking east:
Looking north:
Looking west:
Looking south:
