2020 Wasn’t All Bad

People hate the year 2020. It has been much reviled and its end celebrated. Perhaps this is justified as many tragedies occurred through out the year. But, it wasn’t a bad year for my photography hobby. In fact, I took some of the pictures that I am most happy with last year.

At the dawn of 2020 last January, I took some colorful photos of downtown Austin in the pre-dawn twilight that turned out quite nicely. The pinks and oranges of the morning sky are mirrored in the calm lake.

Austin Texas at sunrise
Austin Texas at sunrise

In February, the morning sun and mist at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge helped me create this photo. While jogging down this trail in full pack, desperate to find a composition for this beautiful light, I just stopped and took a photo of the trail going off into the golden country side.

Trail at Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge
Trail at Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge

In July I went hike-in camping with my daughter at a state park on a clear and moonless night. We sat up staring at Jupiter and the galaxy through the trees and I took this photo. Maybe not a great photo, but I like the way it makes me feel when I look at it.

Milky Way at Lost Maples State Natural Area
Milky Way at Lost Maples State Natural Area

In August, my other daughter and I went out in search of a Galveston Island sunset and were rewarded with a beautiful evening. We stood together with our cameras and tripods taking fantastic photos and swatting mosquitoes.

Sunset over the West Bay
Sunset over the West Bay

As the virus, violence, and hurricanes raged I sought refuge at the wildlife refuge and had many beautiful moments to myself.

Sunset at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Sunset at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Fleeing civilization, I spent three fantastic days at Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park photographing the beauty of the desert solitude.

I ended my year focused on photographing the nearly dry river bed of the North Fork San Gabriel and braving the rain and slippery rocks to shoot waterfalls at Colorado Bend.

There were many horrible things that happened in 2020, but I have a lot to be thankful for and photography is one of them.

22 thoughts on “2020 Wasn’t All Bad”

    1. Thanks for the kinds words.
      I often tell my daughter to try not to worry over that which she can’t control and I have try to practice that myself. Maybe shooting photos is a way to attempt to escape from those worries.

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            6. Great! Hope you took pictures of them. And make sure to put the magic hat on Frosty so that it keeps snowing! Brad says you are welcome to all the snow you want, just keep it down there. LOL! He said he shoveled enough this year.

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  2. These are such beautiful photos, I agree that they are some of your best!
    Thanks for the reminder that 2020 wasn’t all bad, that is very. true! Glad you can find escape and moments that restore your sanity with your photography. Keep it up, for it brings your “followers” pleasure as well. Just wish I could ring Betsy’s bell and pop into some of the pictures! I could enjoy Big Bend for a day and then go to Galveston. 🙂

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