Iconic Sam Houston Statue plus Birds and Hiking at Huntsville State Park

Volume 3, Issue 2 • January 14, 2025

Sam Houston Statue along I-45 near Conroe

What's up, fellow wanderer? This past weekend, we had the chance to explore a little slice of Texas history and visit a great state park with some fantastic natural beauty. The iconic Sam Houston Statue—a towering tribute to a legendary figure was our first stop of the day, and it had me reflecting on the stories of what shaped the Lone Star State.

Next, we headed to Huntsville State Park for a rejuvenating hike on a serene trail, soaking in the stillness of the pine forests and the gentle rustle of leaves. It was also the perfect setting to practice with my new OM 150-600 lens!

Capturing the intricate details of the park’s wildlife and landscapes was a reminder of how much joy photography brings. I can’t wait to share more moments like these with you in this issue!

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” 
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Huntsville State Park

Visiting Huntsville State Park in January is a refreshing and tranquil experience. The cooler temperatures make it ideal for hiking and exploring without the sweltering heat of summer. The park’s towering pine trees create a serene canopy, with deep green needles strikingly contrasting the crisp winter air. The trails feel quieter this time of year, offering a peaceful solitude perfect for reflection or simply soaking in nature’s beauty.

Work crew heading out for trail maintenance

After a delicious breakfast at Café 105, we headed to the park for the first hike of 2025. Prairie Branch Loop, a 1.8-mile loop, was a nicely maintained path that took us along the edges of Lake Raven. It was a nice hike with all the pine trees to add green to the views along the trail. I looked for birds and other wildlife for photo ops, but none came close enough for a good shot. With temps in the 50's, it was a perfect day for hiking!

Feature Photo of the Week

This week’s feature shot is the January full moon, also known as the Wolf Moon. Moon photography is one of my favorite night photography types—capturing those stunning lunar details is so rewarding!

I always set calendar reminders for full moons and watch the weather to avoid cloud interference. Luckily, this month worked out perfectly. The full moon rose around 5:30 PM, but clearing the trees took another 45 minutes.

When shooting the moon, I typically start with my camera set to ISO 200, a shutter speed of 1/125 (SS125), and an aperture of f/8.0. From there, I tweak the settings based on the conditions. Since the moon is so bright, there’s no need for a long exposure. I also prefer using my longest focal length to make the moon appear as large as possible in the frame. A handy rule of thumb: keep your shutter speed equal to or faster than your focal length—for example, if your shutter speed is 1/125, your focal length shouldn’t exceed 125mm.

Although I usually use a tripod to avoid camera shake, I shot handheld this time, resulting in a slight blur. I used Topaz Sharpen AI to reduce the blur and enhance the details to fix that. I also added a bit of texture and clarity to bring out the moon’s features. The result? A shot I’m proud of!

Tips & Tricks for Bird Photography

After our hike, I practiced bird photography with my 150-600mm lens. I am excited to report that I could hold it for quite a while without it feeling heavy or causing any discomfort in my shoulder. The lighter weight also lets me achieve sharper focus, as there is significantly less camera shake.

I have much to learn about tracking birds and being patient! Today's lessons were to keep the shutter speed higher than the focal length even if the lens is lighter and find areas with fewer people if I want to capture wildlife images.

Tip 1: Use a fast shutter speed, at least 1/1000, to help freeze the action and prevent motion blur. Remember to keep the shutter speed equal to or greater than the focal length if you are handholding your camera.

Tip 2: Remember the eyes! Focus on the eye of the bird and try to photograph your subject at eye level.

Tip 3: Shoot in the early morning or late afternoon when birds are most active. That is also when the light is better so, bonus!

Next stop: Florida!

Next week, we will finally get to Florida! We will be camping at a place we have been to before, Mystic Springs, near Pensacola. I am hoping the weather is good and we can do some exploring!

If you have any must-see spots or photography ideas, feel free to reply and let me know!

Until next week!