Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, April 2004. It had been a very busy week in and around the urban Monterrey area, and as the weekend approached, a new friend/colleague invited me to go for a Saturday drive into the country. I readily accepted and was ready for pickup at my hotel around dawn. The “nice” weather that had persisted through the week (brilliant, blue, cloudless skies and bright, unimpeded sunlight) had, as the weekend approached, given way to moderately thick, uniform cloud cover and a fine, misting rain, resulting in universally soft, diffuse light—my very favorite conditions for photography. Our destination was the 4,015-acre Chipinque (chee-PEEN-kay) Ecological Park, only 18 km from Monterrey. Our Toyota RAV-4 easily negotiated the winding, unpaved road up into the higher (1,500-meter) elevations. The forested hillsides were lovely to behold, and although the rain increased in intensity, I was protected by Gore-Tex and Akubra (my beloved Australian hat) and made several excursions from the protection of the car to bring back some representative images from the adventure. I’d gladly return, under nearly any weather conditions.
krikitarts 
Wow! what a beautiful image Gary, soft and mysterious
…and wet…and wonderful. Could be much worse!
great mood
Thanks, MBC!
Beautiful misty moody shot. I can almost feel that mist on my shoulders.
It was more like down the back of my neck, since I used my hat to shelter the camera from the rain, but you’re very perceptive. It’s all part of the experience of savoring the moment, as you know only too well.
In such weather and light I wouldn’t even have tried to photograph the trees, but I’m glad you did as the result is stunning. Dripping with atmosphere, as well as rain.
With all due respect, if I may be so bold, with your skills and experience, push that envelope! Go out when conditions are far less than favorable. If you can call on a good friend to hold that umbrella for you, so much the better. It’s amazing what doors of opportunity will open. Even solo, juggling that umbrella can be fun–if you can laugh at yourself–and the results can be so rewarding!
Point taken, I will indeed endeavour to give the envelope a nudge :-)
Love the mood
Thank you, David, the mood was what I was trying hardest to capture.
love love love love love that picture!
Whoa! Hold your horses, but thanks a whole lot for the support! I’m delighted that you love it, too!
That is a wonderful photo, great job. I am looking out of the window to very similar weather now so I can almost feel it too!
Thanks for the compliment. It’s really worth it, venturing out wih a camera in challenging conditions.
That’s a nice picture, Gary – the leaning tree, the water on the track and the misty backdrop – serene and calm! Adrian
Thanks Adrian, This was one of the real highlights of that whole Mexico trip. If only one didn’t have to go through so much of the other Mexico to get to it!
Excellent image Gary. I really can’t add anything more that hasn’t already been said.
No problem, Jeff–thanks for taking the time to let me know you like it, too!