The arresting beauty of our plateau has attracted and is home to many excellent photographers. Too numerous to mention here, among their ranks are Peter Ray and Cynthia Strain, both of whom have published their local photographic images in lovely coffee table books available in local shops and online.

Within this rarefied group of photographic artists, two who stand out are Ed and Cindy Boos, seasonal residents of the Scaly Mountain community. Ed and Cindy retired from dedicated careers in school administration and took off like birds to wilderness areas and wildlife preserves, national parks, all 50 states, Nova Scotia and 10 provinces in Canada, Central America, and the Galapagos Islands. Ed has photographed wildlife in Kenya, Africa. In their travels they photograph the wildlife, scenes of natural beauty, and sweeping landscapes. Their portfolio, available online at edboos.com, captures the profuseness of nature, hundreds of birds including some of the best photos of Bald Eagles to be found, bear, elk and gazelle, migrating wildebeests and zebras crossing the River Mara, and more. 

Boos photography has been featured in regional and national magazines including Nature, Birds and Blooms, and our own treasured Laurel magazine. They have developed and presented nature programs for birding and civic groups in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Locally, Ed and Cindy have taken their cameras and keen eyes to Blue Ridge waterfalls in North and South Carolina, and Georgia, producing scores of still photos and a moving video entitled Living Waters. 

The stunning still photos of 22 local waterfalls by Ed and Cindy Boos will be featured during the month of September as a fine art exhibit in Highlands at the Hudson Library. Featured waterfalls include Culasaja Falls, Silver Run, Glen Falls and Upper Middle Creek Falls in North Carolina; Sweet Thing Falls, Issaquena Falls and Virginia Hawkins Falls in South Carolina; and Anna Ruby Falls, Toccoa Falls, and Mud Creek Falls in Georgia.

Waterfalls of the Southern Blue Ridge is free and open to all who visit the library in September at 554 Main Street in Highlands.