2018 Year in Review

January started out so cold that I had a hard time convincing myself to go outside.  But, the bitter cold also caused our pond to freeze over creating all sorts of interesting ice patterns to photograph.

Designs in ice

The temperatures eventually warmed up a little bit a few day later. I found myself wandering around in the front yard one evening for no particular reason, other than it was a nice evening, when I spotted these turkeytail mushrooms growing on a fallen tree limb.

Turkeytail mushroom

In February, I visited Pinnacle Mountain State Park.  Walking along one of the trails, I spotted this cypress tree root and was captivated by its color, shape, and texture.

Cypress tree, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas

On another rainy February morning, I photographed this stand of trees that created very nice abstract patterns.

White oak trees, Arkansas

March saw me make what would turn out to be the first of four visits to Petit Jean State Park where I photographed the waterfalls at Lake Bailey Dam and Davies Bridge.  Because of the heavy rainfall over the prior days, the waterfalls were really flowing.

Lake Bailey Dam waterfall Petit Jean State Park Arkansas
Davies Bridge waterfall Petit Jean State Park Arkansas

I made a trip to the Old Mill in April and Spring was in full bloom.  The overcast sky was perfect for photography, and these photographs were two of my favorites images.

The Old Mill, Arkansas
Spring flowers, The Old Mill, Arkansas

In May, I made a second trip to Petit Jean State Park, where I photographed the interesting colors and patterns formed by the lichen growing on the formation known as Turtle Rocks.

Colorful lichen on rocks

I took a drive down Pecan Alley one Saturday morning in June.  The low angled light from the rising sun created this amazing photographic opportunity.

Pecan Alley, Scott, Arkansas

In September, I made a third trip to Petit Jean State Park where I found some more interesting color patterns on the Turtle Rocks.

Lichen on rock formation

Autumn, and the blaze of color that come with it, finally arrived in October, and I was able to photograph the changing leaves of this tree that was standing on the bank of another pond a few miles from my house.

Fall foliage, Arkansas

November marked my fourth and final visit to Petit Jean State Park for the year. I hiked to Cedar Falls where I captured some fallen autumn leaves on the rocks surrounding the thundering waterfall.

Cedar Falls, Arkansas

A week later, I made a quick trip to the Ouachita National Forest just west of Little Rock and photographed this incredible display of autumn color that was the best I have seen in several years.

Autumn foliage, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas

December was marked by a week-long trip to St. George Island, Florida, where I photographed this colorful collection of seashells that had washed ashore.

Seashells, St. George Island, Florida

St. George Island provided several other wonderful photographic opportunities, such as this Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron, St. George Island, Florida

The sand ripples created by the wind and surf also made some very photographic designs.

Sand ripples, St. George Island, Florida

Finally, I couldn’t end our trip without photographing the island’s iconic Cape St. George Light.

St. George Lighthouse, St. George Island, Florida

After seeing the photographic possibilities 2018 provided, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019!

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