The final image submitted to the 2022 Iowa State Fair was Spring at Lacey. I entered this image in the Iowa Places and Landscapes class. Another class that I strive to have a photo chosen at least for display if not receive an award. Spring at Lacey is a favorite image for many of my followers.

This image is a favorite of mine too, the number one reason it shouldn’t have been submitted. But is the image or the story behind the image, that makes it a favorite of mine? I have made images at this location in the fall and winter. But a spring photo was what I envisioned. The different shades of spring green with just a pop of redbuds in bloom and hoping there would be water.

My fellow photographer friend, Stephanie, and I went to Lacey Keosauqua State Park to photograph the woodland wildflowers. We spent time in another location of the park and then I wanted to go to this location to see if my vision would come to fruition. Seeing the water made me giddy with excitement, however, the wind was not being my friend. The light was uneven, not at all what I wanted. Even light, no wind and a reflection, not much to ask for right? Not to mention to time it right for the different shades of green and the redbuds to be in bloom.

We waited to see if the light would even out and for the wind to hopefully die down. We waited for two hours, yes two hours! We chatted at length and watched what was either a small beaver, river otter or mink swim by. And then the magic happened! The light was even and the wind died down. Click, click, click went my shutter. Trying different shutter speeds until I was able to get the best exposure.

I will never know why not one judge liked this image enough for it to be on display. And that’s okay. Other people like it and so do I. Now you know the story, which do you like best, the story or the image? Let me know your thoughts on Spring at Lacey!