16mm, 0.6 sec, f14, ISO 100

I don't usually drive around and take random roadside pictures.  Typically there's quite a bit more planning that goes into creating an image than the luck of stumbling upon something good.  I do drive around and look for locations, but I'm usually cataloging them for the future so I can plan to return during ideal conditions. 

It was July of 2015 and I was driving around the Champlain Islands on just such a scouting mission.  I hadn't discovered much in the way of good shooting locations and I was starting to get a little frustrated.  A big thunderstorm had just blown through and it looked like things were going to stay dark and grey for the rest of the evening.  I was just about to call it a day when I saw a small sign directing me to Allen Point.  I had never heard of such a place and my curiosity was peaked enough to delay my departure.  When I arrived at my destination I instantly knew where I was.  I had just discovered where the island side of the Colchester Causeway made landfall.  The Causeway is a treasure (almost) connecting the Islands with the mainland via an old railroad bed.  I say "almost" because there is a break in the line approaching the South Hero side, but in season there is ferry that will take you across.  Taking a walk or bike ride on the Causeway is great way to spend an afternoon out on the lake without ever leaving dry land. 

I grabbed my gear and strolled out onto the lake quickly finding this location with it's intriguing rock beach.  That before mentioned thunderstorm was blowing off the lake in the western sky over Stave Island, setting up the dramatic lighting seen here as sunset neared.  It's not that often that a scouting trip turns into a location shoot but when it happens there's a certain satisfaction that comes from skipping a step in my creative process.