CCC View

Looking out from the CCC lookout at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. The Petit Jean River valley is to the right and Cedar Creek Canyon is on the middle left below the bluff. I hoped we'd see more fall color, but it looks like we were about a week or two to early this year.

Valley View

The CCC Overlook is on the bluff of Cedar Creek Canyon in Petit Jean State Park. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this native stone overlook offers views of the Canyon and the Petit Jean River. -Petit Jean State Park website

Mather Sunset

Looking through the walkway at Mather Lodge at Petit Jean State Park as the sun sets over Cedar Creek Canyon. The 24 room lodge sits at the edge of Cedar Creek Canyon and boasts beautiful sunsets every evening. From what we saw while we were there, I can believe it.

Canyon Sunset

Enjoying the sunset over Cedar Creek Canyon in Petit Jean State Park.

Under the Stars

The new dining room in Mather Lodge in Petit Jean State Park under a blanket of stars. If you ever go, try to get a window seat at dinner so you can watch the sunset.

Bridge Over Little Water

Not much water in Cedar Creek this fall. I can only imagine how this might have looked if the creek was really flowing. One of the problems with photography in the fall is that a long, hot, dry summer often leaves creeks like these as this one appears in this shot.

Into the Light

A walk in the woods along the Cedar Creek Trail at Petit Jean State Park. Typically I'd try to avoid shooting into the sun, but the light coming throught the trees struck me and I had to get a shot.

Cedar Falls

On the Cedar Falls Trail at Petit Jean State Park. The falls are one of the tallest continuously flowing waterfalls in the state, however when we were there it was not flowing very much compared to some of the photos I have seen of the falls.

Fall is Coming

A few trees were beginning to change colors while we were at Petit Jean State Park, but we were to early for the 'nice' displays. However, if you looked around, you would see the signs that fall was here and winter was on the way.

Berries Gone Wild

Colorful berries along our hike in the Seven Hollows at Petit Jean State Park. Bet these make for good eating for some lucky bird or critter.

Mather Nighttime

View from the Mather Lodge in Petit Jean State Park looking southwest toward the Milky Way and Cedar Creek Canyon. The lights of one of the towns far off in the distance can be seen through the opening in the canyon.

Mather Way

Capturing this shot was not the easiest capture nighttime capture I've done. Lots of backlight from Mather Lodge as seen in the trees and rock, but still an awesome sight. One worth taking numerous shots until I got one I thought was just right.

Paddle Among the Trees

Taking in the view in Bayou Bartholomew.

Bayou Blues

Taking a look back at Bayou Bartholomew today.

Cypress Knees

A cypress knee is a term used in the biology of trees to describe the distinctive structures forming above the roots of a cypress tree of any of various species of the subfamily Taxodioideae. Their function is unknown, but they are generally seen on trees growing in swamps. Some scientists have thought they may help in oxygenation to the tree's roots or assist in anchoring the tree in the soft, muddy soil. - Wikipedia

Bayou Memories

Thinking about the bayou this morning after our nice rain last night. I guess all that water reminded me of this place. Looking forward to the next adventure in the Bayou Bartholomew.

Tree Yawn

My wife found this video when we were planning a trip to Arkansas last fall - http://www.aetn.org/programs/bayoubartholomew. After watching it we just knew we had to go explore it for ourselves. I really liked the way this tree looked in this shot as it towered over my wife in her kayak. Almost a little spooky looking as if it's waiting for rogue kayakers to pass by and lean over to gobble up. Luckily we were allowed to pass without harm.

Water World

Taking in the peace and tranquility of Bayou Bartholomew on an October afternoon.

Bayou Fall

An afternoon paddle on Bayou Bartholomew in Arkansas. There are not many things as peaceful as paddling through a forest of cypress trees on a sunny afternoon in autumn. The bugs are down from the heat of the summer and we had the bayou to ourselves. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Paddling Bartholomew

Another shot in Bayou Bartholomew last fall. Paddling the kayaks in here was a blast and I look forward to the next time we can return. It's much more peaceful than dealing with the motorboats on local lakes.

Cypress Dreams

Dreaming of those tall cypress trees on Bayou Bartholomew today. Really needing to make another trip there soon!

Bayou Beauties

These beauties were on the bank of Bayou Bartholomew in Pine Bluff. The bayou changes personalities from one area to another. In Pine Bluff, the area we paddled through was like a marsh, while the other area we paddled in 50 miles away was more like a swamp. In Pine Bluff there are wildflowers close to and on the banks, along with marsh grasses. Very few cypress trees, and those that are there are very small to those we saw in the other area of the bayou.

Bayou Fall

Fall colors were just beginning to show in the cypress trees in Bartholomew Bayou. This was shot in Pine Bluff in the portion of the bayou that had much younger cypress trees and more marsh like conditions. I enjoyed how these two cypress in their changing colors looked against the background of green trees that were yet to change.

Bartholomew Reflections

This shot was taken in Pine Bluff, Arkansas about 10 miles or so from the start of the longest bayou in the world. In this part of Bayou Bartholomew there are few cypress trees compared to farther down the bayou. In this section however there were flowers close to the shore that we did not see in the area we paddled about 50 miles south of this location. It's amazing in the variety of fauna that you will see in the different parts of the bayou. So don't think because you've seen one area of the bayou that all other areas look the same. They do not.

Bartholomew Reflections

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff to submit images for an exhibition they are having in early 2017 on the Bayou Bartholomew. To say I was surprised and honored when the organizers reached out to me individually to submit images would be an understatement. Each person that submitted images for consideration to be included in the exhibit could submit up to three images and the submitter would be contacted if any of the images were selected. This is one of the images that I submitted that will be in the exhibit. I made this image on a trip my wife and I made three years ago this month. The fall colors were just beginning to show on the bayou as you can see in this scene. Add in the flowering water plants and it made for quite a view. I shot this from my kayak close to the Olive Street boat ramp in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The boat ramp is off to the right and hidden in the trees along the shore. It is not coincidental that I selected this image to be included in my entries for the exhibit as the organizers indicated the purpose of the exhibition is to help spread the word about the historical importance of Bayou Bartholomew to Pine Bluff, to raise awareness about the Bayou Bartholomew Water Trail boat ramp on Olive Street (near Wal-Mart), and share the beauty of this resource. This image definitely met the last two criteria for their objective. :-) Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Water Falls

Glad it's the weekend again! Another shot from our hike on Falls Creek Trail in Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas in March.

Water Reflections

My wife and I spent last week in Arkansas touring different mountain areas in the Natural State. Most of the trees were still dormant from their winter's nap, but the waterfalls were flowing in fine form and we saw many of them. I'll be sharing them for a while based on the number of falls we saw and shots I made. This first waterfall shot was taken in Lake Catherine State Park outside Hot Springs. This was a beautiful two mile hike that followed Falls Creek. This is Falls Creek Falls, for which the hike is named. The waterfalls in Arkansas are seasonal and Spring is definitely the time to see them. So if you enjoy beautiful waterfalls, head to the Natural State in the Spring and chances are you'll be rewarded with some stunning scenes.

Water Flows

This shot was made along Falls Creek in Lake Catherine State Park. I had to get off the trail to get this angle, but I really liked how the trail's steps went off to the right in this view from the creek. I used a polarizer to remove the glare from the water and slow down the exposure to show the flow of the water. No need for a neutral density filter this day as it was overcast and the light was nicely muted. I don't know what this creek looks like other times of the year, but I imagine it probably goes dry later in the year since the waterfalls in Arkansas are generally seasonal. But in the Spring, it's a great place to take a hike and soak in the views.

Clark Creek

One of the early shots I made along Clark Creek in Lost Valley in the Buffalo National River. The new leaves of Spring were still a few weeks away when we visited Lost Valley and some trees were still hanging onto their leaves from the previous season. The water in the creek was flowing nicely from the winter rains and made for nice scenic vistas to enjoy along the hike in the valley.

Lower Eden

This a one of my takes on Lower Eden Falls in Lost Valley in the Buffalo National River valley. Water was dripping off the cliff's ceiling over my head as I quickly grabbed a few shots. It was as if it was raining on me and I couldn't help think that I was glad my new Nikon D810 was water sealed. Hopefully well enough to keep the water dripping down on me away from electronic parts. It was and I continued to grab additional shots of this waterfall from other angles. But as I edit the shots tonight, this is the one I like the most so I will share it in the morning. Lost Valley is a great place to see waterfalls and well worth the 2 mile hike to see them if you're in the area.

Eden's Grotto

I received 3rd place for this image in my local photography guild's print competition last night along with a score worthy of a merit. I'll definitely be entering this in our district competition coming up in a few months.

Eden's Grotto

Heavenly Falls

Another vantage point to take in Lower Eden Falls from at Lost Valley in Arkansas. In the other shot of these falls that I posted previously I was getting quite wet under an overhang that is outside of this shot on the right. It was much drier at this point allowing me a little more time to compose the shot without getting soaked.

Lost Falls

I could hear these waterfalls from the trail as we were hiking back to the van, but I could not see them. There was a little bit of a trail that others had forged over to these same falls, but it was definitely not on the main trail. As I got myself into position in this rocky crag, all I could think was this was probably a really good area for snakes and if it was any warmer, I don't think this would be a good place to be. Unless of course you like snakes. :-) I took several long exposures continue to be on the look out for any snakes coming to check on me. Never saw a snake, but I felt good with my final result of capturing this small, unnamed (to my knowledge) waterfall in Lost Valley.

No Qui Falls

My wife and I hiked down into this hollow when we were in Arkansas in March. The Qui VaLa Elise Falls are somewhere up this stream, but the going was a little rougher than either of us were prepared to slug through. So I looked around trying to find an image of the area that I was willing to venture too. After a precarious creek crossing where I tried not to dip myself or my camera equipment in the water, I found this spot. I moved around until I found the angle I liked and was able to come away with this shot. Maybe next time I'll venture further up the creek to find the waterfall, but this was enough adventure for me for that day.

Glory Hole

We were told about this waterfall at the Buffalo Outdoor Center when we were in Arkansas in March. It was a nice hike to this waterfall they call Glory Hole. The water has worn a hole in the rock and pours through the rock. The shafts of light piercing the darkness of the overhang add to the drama. Definitely worth the hike in if you ever find yourself in the Buffalo River region of Arkansas.

Glorious Couple

I read an article on waterfalls on the popular 500px photography site yesterday that sent me digging through some of my waterfall photos. I found this one that I intended to post last spring, but somehow forgot about it. Anyhow, I saw this couple taking photos of each other in front of the Glory Hole waterfall and asked if they'd like a shot together. They agreed and I asked them to stand still as I was going to take a long exposure to really get a good shot with the waterfall. They did a great job as this ended up being a 5 second shot.

Be Right There

Captured along the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas last week. The trees have not yet leafed out with there Spring colors and some are still clinging to last season's leaves. The hillside is covered with last seasons reminants and really makes me want to come back in the fall to see it in it's full splendor. The Buffalo River Trail stretches 37 miles from Boxley Valley, Arkansas to Pruitt, Arkansas. The trail follows the path of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas and traverses the rugged Buffalo River country. Trailheads are located at Boxley Valley, Ponca, Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Pruitt.

Winter's End

I made this shot along Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River Trail as winter was coming to an end. What struck me most was that many of the trees still had leaves from the previous season on them. I'd love to go back to this spot in the fall when the leaves were in their full glory.