Who said there is no drama in Texas fall foliage? When I saw that Inks Lake State Park was at peak time for fall colors, I drove there the next day. The park is only a little over an hour from my home. I planned to have time for a hike at the end of the day and get to Stumpy Hollow in time for sunset for more intense colors. The timing was perfect.
In addition to the featured photo above, I wanted to include a few more for the Lens-Artist Last Chance challenge. I began looking at my catalog to see what I would include. With over 11,000 RAW photos captured this year, I knew picking only a few images for this post would be very challenging. Don’t be alarmed by that number. I often use the camera’s burst mode when shooting wildlife and macros. So, I end up with 2-4 RAW photos for each image. Still, I had a lot of images to go through and pick favorites. I selected the following six images to include here.
One volunteer opportunity I enjoy being a part of is with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Once a week, a group of photographers meets there to assist with the fauna survey. This grasshopper was very cooperative and unafraid of my camera. I photographed it from various angles, and this face shot is one of the shots I liked.
Spring is a busy time for photographing wildflowers. In one photo walk with a macro photographer friend, I got sidetracked and chased this dragonfly at the Sunken Garden in Georgetown, Texas. As I’ve mentioned previously, dragonflies can be predictable. They like to return to the same spot over and over. So, with patience, I got several photos of it.
Now, here is a fortunate shot. I took a break while biking and sat on the banks of Brushy Creek. This skipper liked my biking gloves’ neon color and rested on my hand. I slowly got my Samsung S23 phone and took a photo with my other hand.
We moved to a new house in Teravista, one of Round Rock’s neighborhoods, this summer. The difference is noticeable, although we are still in the Austin metropolitan area. The area is quieter and offers this backyard view from our deck. I have written and shown several photos from the area in other posts. This was the sunset three days after we had moved in.
Green Anoles are one of the cutest lizards I’ve ever seen. I love watching them. This guy was my companion in several meditation sessions on the deck. Sometimes, he’d stay on a tree and sometimes come down to the birdbath for water. I had always wanted to photograph it showing its dewlap (that throat fan). That is a male characteristic, incidentally. Rarely will a female have a dewlap.
Having a pond right behind our backyard brings a lot of wildlife. The Green Heron is another frequent visitor and meditation companion.
Last week, John delighted us with a challenge that focused on the beauty of winter. I loved seeing those beautiful photos you shared and what winter was like in your corner of the world. This week, we close the year by sharing a few images that we took in 2024 but never made it to any challenges. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
As we approach the close of 2024, the Lens-Artists team will be on hiatus, returning on Saturday, January 4. As is our tradition, we will open the New Year with our Favorite Photos of 2024 challenges. We can start the new year by revisiting some of the beauty we created. Please visit this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
I hope you spend the holidays surrounded by loved ones and celebrating your favorite traditions. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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margaret21
Well, I love all of these of course. But that first grasshopper shot is particularly wonderful.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Margaret. I’m glad you liked that shot especially. I was very happy I could take different photos of it and capture such details.
margaret21
👍
André
A gorgeuous collection, Egídio. Hard to name a favourite!
Egidio Leitao
That’s very kind of you, André. Many thanks.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Bello l’autunno texano, ma la mia preferita è la Green Anole. 😃
Egidio Leitao
Grazie! Sì, anche a me piacciono le Green Anole. Buon weekend!
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Buon weekend anche a te, grazie!
Anne Sandler
Great images of your natural environment and mediation partners Egidio. Loved the lizard.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. He’s one of my favorite partners at meditation.
nesfelicio
Great photos to close this year’s challenge, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Nes, that’s kind of you to write. Thank you.
restlessjo
Home looks a wonderful peaceful place, Egidio. I love dragonflies but rarely find a still one. Happy Christmas to you and yours, and a healthy 2025!
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Jo. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
Alison
What a hard choice you’ve had to make Edigio, I think you chose well though. I love the sunset though 😍
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for your support, Alison.
Vicki
Stumpy Hollow is spectacular in Autumn and beautifully captured.
The insects images are wonderful too.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, thank you for these kind words. That park has amazing wildflowers display every year. This was the first time I checked it out for fall colors. I’m glad I did.
Rebecca Cuningham
Great nature shots. Love the little lizard with the big throat.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Rebecca.
Sofia Alves
Your bug shots are fantastic, Egídio, something you don’t share nearly enough. The lizard is the winner as it’s so unusual and it’s a great capture. Feliz Ano Novo, tudo de bom para vocês 😀
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Sofia. I’m glad you liked them. Feliz Natal e Bom Ano Novo para você e sua família.
Toonsarah
Loads of great shots here – I’m so glad this challenge theme gave you the opportunity to share them! My favourites are the grasshopper, dragonfly and lizard 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, thank you very much for your compliment.
photobyjohnbo
I am impressed with your macro work, Egidio! Such great nature shots, but my favorite is that beautiful fall color landscape image you shared in your opening photo!
Happy New Year!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, John. I’m glad you liked the macro and other shots, too. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Tina Schell
A marvelous post Egidio, your nature images are amazing. Your autumn colors in the header/opener are glorious! And your post reminded me of “It’s a Bug’s Life” which I think was a TV special but I don’t actually remember where I heard it. In any case your macro work is marvelous. I love the little gekko!
Egidio Leitao
Tina, this is a wonderful theme. I keep hearing that from other bloggers. Thank you for the wonderful feedback. I appreciate that.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Stunning autumn foliage, Egidio! I love all the tiny critters you captured as your last chance images! I love when they cooperate for the lens!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Terri. I agree it’s wonderful when these critters don’t mind a camera close to their faces.
Wandering Dawgs
Wow, your fall foliage at Stumpy Hollow is stunning! I love the insect images, too. Wishing you happy holidays!
Egidio Leitao
Beth, thank you for the feedback. That park is wonderful in the spring for wildflowers, too. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful photographs Egidio, those Autumn colours are especially gorgeous! 🍁 Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays too 😊🎄
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Xenia. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Thank you Egidio! 😊
JohnRH
Great photos Egidio. Autumnal, ‘hopper face off, bug on glove, sunset. Beauties.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. Much appreciated.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Just wow, the opening shot had me stop at my tracks and the macros are so good. Bravo Egídio. It has been a joy to get to know you this past year,
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, thank you very much for this compliment. I appreciate the friendship we started to build this year, too. Much gratitude!
Anita
Adorable photos Egidio and I agree, that lizard is one of the cutest I’ve ever seen.
Egidio Leitao
Anita, thank you very much.
Life is Beautiful with Birds – Nes Felicio Photography
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I. J. Khanewala
These are wonderful photos, and they hang together so well. I’m happy you showed them at last. I hope you have more nature related challenges in future.
For this challenge I have https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/12/16/misfits/
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, I.J. Yes, I’m trying to come up with some more nature challenges, too. I commented on yours yesterday. I loved that title and photos.