The last of October found me on the Upper Buffalo close to Ponca, Arkansas. I had been there twice during the spring but wanted to get a few fall photos. I arrived late in the afternoon and hiked in to Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) and spent about 3 hours there. It was a beautiful point and I enjoyed photographing it under different lighting conditions.

Thursday evening I camped out at Steel Creek Campground. The next morning I got up early and started photographing the Buffalo River and Roark Bluff (left) before the sun peeked over the hill. The river had a little fog on it, and although it is rather low, I found a nice little pool which was reflecting the bluff.

When I left the campground, I ran into Ponca and visited a few minutes with Mike Mills (no relation). Mike runs Buffalo Outdoor Center — www.BuffaloRiver.com — and is great to work with. He has beautiful cabins, and you can get your canoe from him. It's a great operation!

As I headed down to Lost Valley I noticed the elk were out. I stopped close to Ponca Landing to take some photos. Several people were shooting, but I didn't have a long lens. A lady looked at me and asked what type camera I had. When I told her, she took here camera off her Canon 500mm f/4.0 lens (on the tripod), and said, “Here, use this!” I shot about 3 dozen photos and really appreciate her letting me use her lens. (To my friends: No, I didn’t break it!) By the way, she is Ruth Hoyt, and she is an excellent photographer. Click on the following link, go to her site, be amazed! — www.RuthHoyt.com — Oh yes, and be sure and check out her “signature photo.” (It's the little green lizard grabbing the diamondback rattler by the nose!)

After taking the photos of the elk, I headed to Lost Valley. I had been there in the spring, but wanted to go back. It has a great hiking path, and there are some beautiful rock formations and cliffs in the area.