Nature Photographer Magazine


	© Robert C. Roach, Field Contributor Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Article and Images
by Robert C. Roach
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For most of us who love nature photography, traveling to exotic places is not an option. So where do we turn to enjoy our pastime? Our local metro, state or national parks are all good choices. Here in northeast Ohio we are very fortunate in that respect. Cleveland and Akron both have many beautiful metro parks to enjoy, but the gem of the region is the 33,000 acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Though it is close to those two major cities it is a world apart from them.

The most popular attraction of the park is the 20-mile long towpath trail of the old Ohio & Erie Canal that follows the Cuyahoga River. On a bright summer day there are literally hundreds of people walking, biking or jogging along this beautiful scenic pathway. But leaving the towpath and exploring the more than 100 miles of hiking trails, the beautiful and tranquil scenes so abundant in this park come into view. As crowded as the towpath is, the hiking trails are just the opposite. Few if any people will be encountered at any given time.


© Robert C. Roach, Field Contributor Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The park is loaded with wonderful natural features. There are numerous waterfalls along the almost 200 miles of streams and rivers. The 65-foot Brandywine Falls is the most spectacular. Richie Ledges has towering sandstone formations with beautiful scenic overlooks. There are many ravines and valleys some dropping over 600 feet in a short distance.

Surrounded by such a large urban area the park teams with wildlife seeking a safe haven. The park contains large areas of forests, fields and wetlands along with over 100 lakes and ponds and many miles of rivers and streams. This provides a diverse habitat for a large variety of animals; deer, coyote, wild turkey, and beaver glide around the marsh almost any evening the water is open. They are usually close enough to photograph with a medium telephoto lens.


	© Robert C. Roach, Field Contributor Cuyahoga Valley National Park

There are two large great blue heron rookeries in the park—one easily accessible and the other requiring a short hike. Both offer superb photographic opportunities. 194 species of birds and 56 species of butterflies have been recorded along with 20 different kinds of reptiles and 22 kinds of amphibians. There are many great opportunities for wildlife photographers. All it takes is patience, knowing your equipment, knowing your subject, and a little luck.

I hope some of you have a chance to visit this wonderful park. I think you will be surprised at the beauty found here and agree that it truly is “the gem between two cities.” For more information and directions, visit the park web page at www.nps.gov/cuva.


© Robert C. Roach, Field Contributor Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Does this inspire you to explore the parks close to your home? Many hidden treasures await you there. The outstanding photograph of the jackrabbit on the cover of the 2003 spring issue of Nature Photographer was taken inside the Phoenix city limits. You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles and spend lots of money or have expensive equipment to enjoy nature photography. Take whatever camera you have, go to your local park and enjoy yourself. You may come with a prize-winning picture. Even if that prize-winning photo eludes you, just being out there seeing and enjoying all the wonder and beauty nature has to offer is reward enough.

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