Often photographers don't think there is anything new and interesting around to photograph where they live. I am often guilty of this myself, as I have a insatiable desire to visit new places to capture the unknown. Let's face it though, it is awfully expensive to travel whenever and wherever you want to these places. So once in a while, I hop in the car with no destination in mind and hope to find a new treasure.
I initially found this pond a few years ago when my wife and I went out for a drive one evening. The pond is about 45 minutes from my house, and I fell in love with it immediately, especially as the trees that surround the pond shield it from the wind. That improves the stillness of the pond for reflections. This past fall, I was in the mood to chill, and asked my son if he wanted to take a drive there (it has become one of his favorites too). It wasn't ideal for photography, as it was in the afternoon, and the foliage was in its early stages. I took my camera anyway, and this was the scene that we came upon. Not too shabby at all.