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.
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.
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.
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.
As the virus, violence, and hurricanes raged I sought refuge at the wildlife refuge and had many beautiful moments to myself.
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.
Jason Frels 
I agree Jason, we have so much to be thankful for. And sometimes we need to be reminded about nature’s beauty, the one constant thing among all the chaos, remains steadfast. Your photos always do that 😃. Thank you.
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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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Well please do, you are extremely good at it 😎
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I think its good for everyone to have a hobby for pleasure and a way to escape the stresses of life, that is why I write. 🙂
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Oh, I thought that you felt obliged to entertain me.
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LOL!!
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am glad you are so easily entertained. 🙂
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It is currently snowing here if you can believe it. I don’t expect it to stick around
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Wow! Did you steal Betsy’s bell? 🙂 I hope you are taking pictures.
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Yes, but there is not much accumulation yet. It is supposed to snow most of the day.
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See, I told you that if you sang “White Christmas” enough that it may just happen! A little delayed, but …. enjoy watching it fall and I hope it accumulates for you.
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So far so good. Have already made a few snowmen with the kids
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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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So how much total snow did you end up with? Did you make more snowmen?
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A couple of inches of snow I guess. It’s mostly gone now. Back to mild later this week.
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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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It is hard to enjoy Big Bend in a day as it is a very large place. Perhaps when the times are better, you guys should plan a Texas vacation.
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That is a great idea and we have talked about it. So many places we would like to visit. Wish our employers could pay us to travel for a year! 🙂
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Just be aware that if you really wanted to see Big Bend AND Galveston, that would be like going places that are 3 or 4 states apart where you live. It is an all day drive from one to the other.
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Another reason that I need an enchanted cowbell! LOL!
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what a great collection of photos to help you remember some of the beauty of 2020…
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Great photos and an excellent idea for a post ( may have to “borrow” that later in the year! )
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