Pedestal Rocks and King's Bluff

The weather was beautiful this weekend and we both had Saturday off, so we got to go for another hiking trip! This time we drove up Scenic Highway 7 to Pedestal Rocks in Pelsor, Arkansas.

National Cemetery & The Old Mill

I stopped by the National Cemetery in Little Rock to get some photos. Unfortunately, most of the photos were lost. Here's one I still have that I liked.

I also went by the Old Mill — a popular tourist spot in Little Rock due to the fact that it was built as a set for the classic movie Gone With the Wind. 

I had to get pictures of the flowers blooming around the Mill.

A duck was pretty interested in what I was doing. :)

Flowers

I love flowers, so I took some macros recently.

A bright pink Zinnia blooming in my flower bed.

A lilly covered with pollen from a vase on my kitchen table.

Hiking Adventures

One of the main reasons I'd like to become skilled in photography is because my husband and I love hiking. Our favorite thing to do together is spend a Saturday on a day hike, and it's not uncommon for us to hike between 6-12 miles at a time. I love being in the open air and seeing God's creativity displayed in nature. It adds to my joy when I am able to share the sights we have seen with other people and see the wonder in their eyes, as well.

Hiking a small trail at Lake Sylvia in Perryville, Arkansas, I came across this scenic little bridge. The lighting was just right for me to capture it well. Too bad there was no water flowing in the creek underneath!

My husband posed for me on Hawksbill Crag in the Buffalo Wilderness near Ponca, Arkansas. I'm never able to look at this photo without being scared he might fall off! I actually entered this picture into the landscape photography division of the 2009 State Fair and it won 3rd place.

I like to call this photo "Forgotten Stream" because we happened upon it while hiking off a secluded trail in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee where we spent our honeymoon. The stream was near an old cabin, grist mill, and barn that were inhabited by Noah "Bud" Ogle and his family in late 1800's. The area has since been preserved as a historic site along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail in the Smokeys, and when I happened upon it I couldn't help but imagine Bud's children playing at this very spot when they were children.

A lone orange leaf among green moss hints at the arrival of fall after a very long, hot summer.

After fording a river we thought would only be a few inches deep (turned out to be close to three feet) my husband stops to admire the rock caves and fall colors on the Sylamore Creek Trail near Shirley, Arkansas.

While hiking a stretch of the Ouachita Trail near Maumelle, Arkansas, we came across this old tombstone leaning up against a tree in the woods. There used to be an empty coffin there, as well, but we never saw it.

People and Pets

I haven't had much experience with photographing people and pets, and that's one thing I hope to learn how to do in the photography class. Here are a few shots I've taken when practicing with shallow aperture and a diffuser filter.

Life in Arkansas

My first (and so far my only) add-on purchase for my camera was a set of filters. I bought them so I'd have a polarizing filter to help with landscape photography. I hope to use the polarizer to aid in waterfall photography so I can slow down my shutter speed more and not overexpose my photos. I took my camera out to Lake Beaverfork last week to practice with the polarizer. I was pleased with the results -- vivid colors and great reflections!

Lake Beaverfork, Conway, Arkansas

Lake Beaverfork, Conway, Arkansas

Here are a couple more old photos I thought I'd share.

Sunset at Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Arkansas

This barn is located right off the highway in Shirley, Arkansas. Unfortunately, I had to take it from the window of the truck as we drove by. I'm disappointed in the composition, but I only had a few seconds to take a picture, so that wasn't working in my favor. I still think it's a fun shot because it's a fun subject.

Countryside

Just a few shots I've taken around the area. I love the simple beauty of the country. I look forward to photographing some of these scenes again as I continue to learn more.