Starved Rock on Illinois River Photo

Photographer’s Note

This picture was taken from the view deck on Starved Rock, a bluff many feet above the Illinois River. In the distance is the Illinois Lock & Dam. This bluff is really steep and just goes straight down. If you're wondering how this bluff was named, here's what it says on the state park's website:

Starved Rock State Park derives its name from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation- giving rise to the name “Starved Rock.”

This place has many canyons and seasonal waterfalls and is a great place to visit.

JPlumb has marked this note useful

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JPlumb (3153) 2008-05-29 22:51

Hi Kevin, this is a nice scenic view taken from Starved Rock. The composition is a good one from this position, taking in the Dam, and you have that white boat up front, perfectly positioned. I like your depth of field here, with good focus on the subject rock and the with good detail seen throughout the rest of your shot. Very excellent notes, I learned something here today.

Thanks, John