Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part II

My hike along the Dogwood Trail had proven that yes, Virginia, there is fall foliage in Texas in late November. After arriving at the Trout Pond I still had about three hours of light left to enjoy it.

This was only the second time I'd taken Ginny hiking in our five years in Texas.  It was like riding a bike for her.  I let her off leash numerous times, and she always stayed within about 30 feet of me as she explored.

As the sun dropped, more and more backlit subjects presented themselves.

I am virtually powerless against the urge to take pictures of backlit leaves.

It's a weakness, but one I really don't mind having.

There was an odd charred tree trunk right in the middle of otherwise healthy forest.  It looked like a Scottish Terrier to me.

If crossing a wooden footbridge covered in leaves doesn't make you feel like you're going on an adventure, I honestly don't know what will.

We next tackled the Lakeview Loop.  Brim Pond was almost completely still and provided some interesting reflections.

I think I prefer this broader view of the pond.

I love the vibrancy of the sky, lake, and leaves in this scene.

One last stop back at the park entrance to capture these majestic oak trees, and then 138 miles back to home.

Everything about the visit was great -- the weather, the foliage, the hikes, and getting to be outside with Ginny again.  Truly things to be thankful for on the Saturday before Thanksgiving!

Related Links:

• Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part I
• Tyler State Park, Part I 
• Tyler State Park, Part II

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part I

I couldn't believe it had been three years since I took Ginny out to Tyler State Park for a fall foliage hike. But Facebook said it had been that long since I shared some of those pictures. And Facebook never lies, right?

Anyway...

The point is I was long overdue to get out and try and shoot some more fall color. I called Lake Bob Sandlin State Park last Friday, and the helpful ranger on the phone said the color was still excellent. So Ginny, my cameras, and I hopped in the car Saturday morning and headed east.

I had to pull the car over and get out to shoot this turkey in Mt. Vernon.  Quality use of a hay bale.

I decided to hike the Dogwood Trail to the Trout Pond first.  The weather was perfect -- warm, dry, and only a light breeze.  And there was, indeed, color on the trail. :)

Beautyberry was new for me.  I had no idea what the bright purple berries were, but they practically begged to have their pictures taken.

With Ginny on a leash I considered not trying to also carry a second camera with my zoom lens.  But I was glad I did to capture some of the close-up color.

Just seeing so much leaf litter, smelling it in the air, hearing the crunch, and feeling the soft slipperiness under my feet was wonderfully therapeutic.  The only sense I didn't use was taste!

After 1.6 miles on the trail, we reached the Trout Pond.  It was clear we'd missed peak foliage, but enough trees still had their leaves to make for a pretty scene.

The reflections of the Bald Cypress trunks kept drawing my eye.  The trees had already dropped their needles...

...but there were enough floating on the water to make an interesting visual.

Did I mention I was drawn to the cypress trunks?

Drawing my eye wasn't enough.  I ended up walking around the pond and getting right up to the water's edge by the trees for a different angle.


Related Links:

• Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Part II
• Tyler State Park, Part I 
• Tyler State Park, Part II