We have finally reached the end of Februray, and the only way I can describe it is “Wow!” It truly was a month of extremes. The first week of the month, low temperatures were generally in the 40s with highs mostly in the 70s. We even had one day that got up to 81°. Forget what Punxsutawney Phil said about another six weeks of Winter weather – Spring had arrived early!
But, it didn’t last long. The day after that 81° high, temperatures began to drop with lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s. Nothing too bad and in line with what we normally see in February. There was even a bit of a warm up during the week. Maybe a sign that Spring really was returning?
Absolutely not! Not by a long shot! Starting on the 16th, the temperatures began to drop. . .and drop. . .and drop. Daytime temperatures were generally in the 30s with nighttime temperatures in the 20s or lower. One night, it got down to 0°. According to my phone, I got up that morning to a temperature of 2° and a windchill of -15°. It made for a miserable time when I took the dog outside for him to do his business!
Thankfully, the awful cold lasted just a few days. By the last week of the month, temperatures were still pretty cold at night, but the days warmed up to very Spring-like temperatures of 60s and 70s. Just for fun, I pulled the data from the National Weather Service website and charted it, and it really looks like a rollercoaster. 🎢 Ah, February, how you love to tease me!
IN THE FIELD
Collins Creek
This was my first trip out this month and also my first trip out with my new Nikon Z8. I arrived just after sunrise with thick heavy clouds overhead. I made my way down the short trail to the creek and photographed this waterfall scene.
Waterfall along Collins Creek, Arkansas, February 2025
And, another small waterfall I photographed on the trip. If you like to photograph waterfalls, Collins Creek is the place to go. They aren’t very tall; the tallest is maybe three feet high. But the creek is pretty shallow, so it’s easy to walk through it to find various angles to photograph them and to position your camera lower to give them the appearance of being somewhat higher than they are.
Small waterfall along Collins Creek, Arkansas, February 2025
Big Dam Bridge
A couple of weeks later, I made a visit to a small area under the Big Dam Bridge, which I hadn’t been to in several years. It was a cold morning with overcast skies, so the sunrise I was hoping to get didn’t happen. But, I was able to create a nice image of the shapes and repeating pattern of the steel arms that raise and lower the dam’s floodgates.
Floodgate arms, Murray Lock and Dam, Arkansas, February 2025
By this time, my hands and fingers were almost numb from the cold, so I started to pack up and head home. But, before I did, I walked over to the steep bank that is covered in very large, very jagged rocks. They definitely aren’t something you want to try to climb and scramble over in the dark even with a flashlight or headlamp. Fortunately, it had grown plenty light to see where I was going, and I was able to photograph the rocks’ amazing textures and colors.
Striated rock face with hues of rust, rose, and grey, Murray Lock and Dam, Arkansas, February 2025
Textured rock face with hues of rust, rose, and grey, Murray Lock and Dam, Arkansas, February 2025
Petit Jean State Park
I made my final trip of the month yesterday to Petit Jean State Park. No hike to Cedar Falls, though; I think I may still be recovering from that! No, I decided to spend some time at the Lake Bailey Dam before heading to the area known as Turtle Rocks. While at the dam, I noticed some sunlit trees reflecting in the shaded water of the creek. The creek’s rippling water was creating some incredible abstract patterns, so I spent a few minutes photographing them. Hopefully, I will be able to get through the rest of those pictures in a few days and share some more of them. That’s my plan, anyway.
Trees reflected in rippling water, Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas, February 2025
HITTING THE LINKS
Adrian Vila Originality is Overrated (5 mins): We’ve all heard the advice that we should strive to create original photographs with our photography, but Adrian explains why that advice may not always be the best advice to follow.
Roger Federer’s 2024 Dartmouth College Commencement Address (25 mins): It may be a bit long, but, even if you’re not a tennis fan, Roger gave a very entertaining, very personal, and very inspirational speech that’s definitely worth a watch.