Winter beauty along Hamilton Creek
Last week, when the balmy weather included a high of 80 degrees, we went for a hike at Hamilton Pool, a beautiful collapsed grotto (click for a previous visit). After skipping a few stones in the pool, we took the trail along cypress-lined Hamilton Creek, following it to the bluff overlooking the Pedernales River and back. Here are some images from along the way.
A tree trunk, cut to clear the path, has been carved to show the way.
Enormous boulders line the creek, providing natural windows to pretty views like this small waterfall and green pool.
Oak leaves were still in fall color.
Fall and winter always mingle in central Texas.
A giant bald cypress along the creek
Wishing you a Happy New Year, dear reader! May 2011 bring peace and prosperity.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Happy New Year to you, too, Pam. Your pictures are stunning as always and remind me of autumn in Indiana. I hope spring is early this year, for all of us!
Lovely journey, Pam! And how fortunate to have 80 degree weather in which to partake! (Freezing here, but might venture out once the windshield de-ices!) Love that shot looking through boulder “window”. Happy New Year!
Very nice! Now, I know what one of your area’s huge appeals to me is: it is a greener version of the East Mountain Abq area, complete with deciduous oaks and bigtooth maple that give fall color, junipers, limesstone grottos, etc. Except 80F in late Dec…no chance here, let alone in the mtns to my E!!
This winter walk looks like it was lots of fun. Happy New Year to you too Pam.
Very pretty images you got from your walk. 80 degrees? What a nice walk you had with temps like that. I love the window shot, it looks like a great place to stop for a moment.
You’re really mastering your new camera! These shots are beautiful – you have a great eye. I hope you have a joyous and abundant 2011 Pam!
Great images, I particularly love the first two. Happy New Year!
Thank you for a year of great photos, good information and delightful diversion.
What a nice outing. Happy New Year to you!!
Thanks for the tour. We keep saying we’re going up there for a hike. We’re not too far away. You keep inspiring.
Happy New Year to you, too. Hoping for that Peace and Prosperity….and, more frequent soft, gentle rains.
Really, 80F? You are such a tease. Can it be that the oak is just now turning color? I know spring will be there much sooner than here. Maybe it is time to pack up and pick out some cowboy boots in Austin. Ha! Happy New Year Pam.
Layanee, it is true that the oaks are some of the last trees to turn color, but even the first ones don’t really get going until around Thanksgiving or the first week of December. By February spring will make its earliest appearance. Yes, anytime but summer is a good time for cowboy boots in Austin! —Pam
looks like a great hike! I like how they made the arrow in the trunk.
Happy new year!
gorgeous views….jealous of the 80 degrees..Happy New Year Pam
Beautiful shots! We are in a foggy gloom entering 2011, with much needed rain soaking in beautifully – but not in a visual way 🙂 – all the best for the new year!
So interesting that the two seasons mingle there. I always forget. Here, all is brown and gray right now except for the clear blue sky.~~Dee