Lost Maples - Fall 2009
Fall comes to Central Texas! These images were taken over two successive weekends in mid-November 2009. Lost Maples State Natural Area is a 2,200-acre tract of land near Vanderpool, Texas that preserves a large, isolated stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. The rugged limestone terrain, with its steep hilllsides and moist creek bottoms, provides ideal growing conditions for the trees, which are believed to be remnants of the last Ice Age. In addition to the maples, a variety of oaks, sycamores, and other species all add to the burst of fall color.
Maples in full glory, taken along the Maple Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, 70-200 lens.
Fallen leaves along the East Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, 70-200 lens.
Hillside along the Maple Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, 70-200 lens.
Creekside along the Maple Trail. This image was taken within 100 yards of the parking lot, well after sunset.
Canon EOS 5D, 50mm lens.
Two adjacent trees along the West Trail showed very different leaf colors. I used a polarizer to reduce reflected light and to enhance the brilliant sky.
Canon EOS 5D, 50mm lens.
Backlit maple leaves from the same location as the previous photo. I used the shade from the nearby valley wall to contrast the brilliantly lit leaves.
Canon EOS 5D, 70-200 lens.
Floating maple leaf along the West Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, Tokina 100mm macro lens.
Even in decomposition, this tree put on an eye-catching display along the West Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, 24mm lens.
Midmorning light illuminates a maple along the West Trail.
Canon EOS 5D, 70-200 lens.