Poe Lake Before a Summer Storm

Centering Myself, Outdoors collection
a collaboration with ClearWater Conservancy

While I was out this far into the Penns Creek Wild Area of Bald Eagle State Forest, I made a stop at Poe Valley State Park on my way home from the Poe Paddy Centred Outdoors hike. The day was still sunny and hot, but stormy-gray clouds were scudding by and there were only a few families camped out at the beach or boating on the lake.

I took another batch of photos to paint from later and waded along the water’s edge to slow down, cool off, and remember to center myself again.

I loved how the slanted sunshine caught the ridge behind the tree line and the breeze fluttered the reflections on the water’s surface. And the way that schools of tiny fish darted ahead with every step I took in the clear, shallow water lapping the sand.