It’s wild to me 🤯 I have such a hard time picking where to hike all the time despite living right in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system and neighboring Metro Parks, yet I find myself overwhelmed with anxiety of missing out by picking one trail over another. It’s something that I’m still working on, I keep reminding myself that this entire area of NE Ohio is an absolute gem and not to worry so much but time is a valuable thing and we always want more of it doing what we love! I like to keep Trail Notes! I literally keep little log books of dates, times, sightings and experiences (like a heavily present mosquito population!) and sometimes it really helps me decide where I need to go but there’s so many resources like eBird, iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID and more (I also use AllTrails, the @nationalparkservice app, and occasionally try out a new app here and there). I like to be prepared, overly prepared to be exact 😅 but I’ve found the more I structure and organize everything, even the parks I’ve visited, it really helps tackle your goals little by little in no time! Don’t be afraid to go somewhere new, but also don’t be down on yourself if there’s a particular park or trail you prefer! I have my own favorite trails I like to visit but I try to keep a healthy rotation of others in the mix based off recent sightings in the area so it always benefits to do your homework! What resources do you like to use when planning out a hiking/camping trip? Leave some in the comments, it might help someone else out plan their next adventure! • • • • •#heathmsmithphotography #photography_by_hms #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #cuyahogavalley #cuyahogariver #summitmetroparks #neohio #akronohio #clevelandohio #onlyinohio #visitohio #ohiofindithere #ohiotheheartofitall #ohiophotographer #shotoncanon #canonusa #yourshotphotographer #wildlifephotographer #naturephotographer #birdphotographer #animalphotographer #wildlifeplanet #wildlifeconservation #naturelovers #natureaddict #hikingadventures #exploreyourworld #travelphotographer #travelgram #outdooradventures

I still can’t believe it… I’ve come so far, I’ve learned so much but there’s still a long way to go and to quote one of my favorite chefs, “maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know there’s no final resting place of the mind, no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom… is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.” Don’t stop pushing yourself, don’t give up and never settle or become complacent. Go out there every day and do better for yourself in everything you do, practice like you’re filmed and you’ll never cut corners on yourself. Try, try again and never be embarrassed for stumbling as long as you get up and try again. If you stay consistent with yourself, your goals and your execution of both you’ll amaze yourself just how much you can grow in every area of your life. Journey along with me on my path of self growth as an individual and a wildlife photographer! • • • • •#photography_by_hms #heathmsmithphotography #nationalpark #summitmetroparks #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #cuyahogavalley #neohio #visitohio #ohiofindithere #ohiophotographer #travelphotographer #naturephotographer #wildlifephotographer #wildlifeplanet #animalsofinstagram #wildanimals #naturelovers #natureaddict #exploremore #traveltheworld #shotoncanon #canonusa #hikingadventures #adventureisoutthere #discoverearth #selfgrowth #lifeisajourney #followyourdreams #dontgiveup #motivation

It’s crazy to think about but we are all truly our own harshest critic, I’ve never had someone tell me something worse than what I tell myself behind closed doors and it takes so much effort and practice to break those cycles! Don’t beat yourself up for opportunities missed, for shots blundered, or dabble in could’ve/should’ve/would’ve “if-only” nonsense; instead, count every little moment you capture as a victory, as a blessing that adds value to your craft and your journey. Nobody takes a perfect shot every single shot, and nobody gets THE shot every single time. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting weddings, wildlife, cars or whatever; all of this will come with patience but I promise it’ll come just a little bit faster with that little mind shift of perception, give a try next time you’re feeling hard on yourself instead of comparing yourself to others or telling yourself your dreams are impossible! I’ve already come so much farther than I thought I would, now I’m just hoping to reach 3k followers within another year! Impossible? Hardly, I’ve already come so far 😏🙌🏻📸 • • • • •#photography_by_hms #heathmsmithphotography #cuyahogavalley #cuyahogavalleynationalpark #nationalpark #clevelandmetroparks #summitmetroprks #neohio #akronohio #clevelandohio #ohiophotographer #travelphotographer #adventurephotographer #onlyinohio #ohioexplored #ohiofindithere #ohiotheheartofitall #shotoncanon #canonusa #yourshotphotographer #harnessyourphotography #wildlifeplanet #animalsofinstagram #amazingwildlife #wildanimals #hikingadventures #chaseyourdreams #fyp #discoverearth #staycurious