Sunset, trout stream, Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
Taken years before successive floods caused a massive release to be made from Broken Bow lake, which resulted in a completely different appearance of what some now call Spillway creek.
Mountain Fork River, Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
When water isn't being released by the upstream power plant, Mountain Fork river slows down, allowing one to look for wildlife ( if you're lucky, you may see otter playing, a great blue heron fishing, or even a bald eagle diving for food ), or just sit on a rock and relax ( my favorite activity! ).
Stream, Ouachita trail, near Big Cedar, Oklahoma
This photo was taken from the Ouachita trail, a very long trail that originates in Talimena State Park near Talihina, and winds it's way through Arkansas. Big Cedar creek has a greenish tint when running clear, and always looks like a great place to jump in and cool off in the summer.
Stream, Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma
There are numerous small streams in Beavers Bend state park, and this is one of them, near the visitor center in the middle of the park. The streams here are very dependent on rainfall, so when it rains a good deal, I'm out and about with my camera!
Prickly Pear cactus
Taken years ago, with one of my first "serious" digital cameras, in the Wichita Mountains. It had rained the evening before, and these blooming flowers caught my eye, with the ancient rock as a background. Since digital technology hadn't quite hit the level we are at now, I would advise not buying this print in a size larger than 11x14.
After the rain. Mountain Fork River, Beavers Bend State Park
This was taken just after a hard rain had moved through the area ( and soaked me, while I was out for an evening run ).
Cypress trees, Mountain Fork river
Reflections are always fun to photograph. Taken in fall, when cypress trees take on a fiery color.
Quartz Mountain
Many people are under the impression that Oklahoma is mostly flat prairie-land, but both the western and eastern sections have a completely different landscape.
Springtime, Beavers Bend State Park
There are certain times that you're guaranteed pretty scenes like this, and spring in southeast Oklahoma is one of them. Not too hot ( yet ), lots of rain, and the bugs are holding back, waiting for the heat of summer.
Trees in the mist. Mountain Fork River
Cypress trees in fog never gets old to me. Luckily, this happens a lot on the river.
Sunbeams, Mountain Fork River, Beavers Bend
Taken in late spring, this view would normally have kayaks and canoes in it, but for whatever reason, it was just me and a few people fishing.
Stream after a rain, fall, Beavers Bend State park
Fall colors are maybe more unpredictable in southeast Oklahoma than anywhere I've been; if the rains don't happen at the right time, the temperature doesn't cooperate, we may get a mostly brown fall, but lately, that hasn't been the case, with some spectacular colors starting in mid-late October. This stream has brought some close calls with a cottonmouth snake, but thankfully not this time.
Late evening reflections, Mountain Fork river
No caption needed; it's all about the color and reflections!
Fawn, Beavers Bend State park
I'm not a wildlife photographer, by any means, but sometimes I get lucky. This fawn had stopped by the side of the road, and looked right at me when I snapped the shutter.
Mountain Fork river
Taken in the heat and stillness of summer.
Fall on the river
Late blooming wildflowers add a splash of color to a perfectly still Mountain Fork river in fall.
Late evening light, Mountain Fork river
Late evening is probably my favorite time to shoot; you can take your time, wander, and look for quiet scenes like this.
Waterfall, unnamed creek, Beavers Bend
Sometimes when it rains in southeast Oklahoma, it can go on for days, or dump an amazing amount of water in one day ( we average 48 inches of rain a year, last time I checked ). When that happens, streams ( and waterfalls ) pop up everywhere. This is one of my favorites, only appearing when we have a "gullywasher" ( or toad-strangler, if that's more evocative ). This picture was taken in 2009, and yes, the ferns are still there ).
Mountain Fork river, after the rain
I not only take pictures of Beavers Bend, I also take my evening runs there a few times a week. In the summer ( when this was taken ), a shower can be a godsend, so I wasn't disappointed to be soaking wet afterwards. When I ran over one of the bridges leading back to the car, I saw this scene, and this motivated me to run faster to get back to the car ( and my camera ), before the fog burned away.
Stream, Beavers Bend state park
Sometimes, to get a good photo, you have to get wet. There are worse things in life than standing barefoot in a clear, cool stream, just so you can get that composition you want.
Waterfalls, Beavers Bend state park
Like many of the falls in the park, this one only really runs after a big rain. That's just what we had in the days before this photo was taken.
Falls colors, Beavers Bend state park
Some fall color seasons are better than others. I haven't seen many that matched the one when this photo was taken. Or maybe my timing was better than it usually is.
Stream, Beavers Bend state park
Since I began photography, I've been fascinated by rocks and water. Something about water flowing around ( seemingly ) permanent objects just makes me stop and stare.
Cedar tree, from Cedar Bluff
Cedar trees are always a good subject, with their twisted shapes ( and they smell good, as a bonus ).
Fall on the river
Sycamore tree, Big Cedar, Oklahoma
Little Pashubbe creek, Big Cedar, Oklahoma
I made up the name, because, as far as I can tell, this beautiful creek/waterfall system has no official name, which just doesn't seem right. The creek runs into the larger ( officially-named ) Pashubbe creek. The pool of water ( below the fallen tree ) looks amazingly deep. Someday, I may have to jump in and find out just how deep it is!
Little Pashubbe creek
I've not visited many creeks that are as rugged as this one. Steep walls, big drops, and lots of briars make getting shots a struggle, but ultimately worth it.
Cucumber Creek falls
This waterfall ( actually multiple falls, with three main levels ) is one of the most photogenic I've ever seen in this part of the state. One of my favorite places to visit. Just an aside: I'm not sure what the official name is. Some say it is Whiskey Falls ( sure would like to know how it got that name, although I have a suspicion ).
Whiskey Falls
The lower part of the falls. Like many of the waterfalls I photograph in southeast Oklahoma, these falls aren't flowing unless there has been a recent rain. Timing is everything, as heavy rains turn the water brown and muddy. Best to wait a day for things to clear up.
Sunset at Crystal Point, Broken Bow lake.
I've actually got two or three versions of this scene, and I go back and forth on which one I prefer.
Cedar Bluff, Beavers Bend State park.
Dawn, Broken Bow lake.
Creek on the Tree Trail, Beavers Bend State park.
Old house, near Idabel, Oklahoma
Late evening sunlight illuminates the interior of an old house. Taken on Ektar film.
Morning fog, Mountain Fork river, fall 2021
