Enchanted Rock - at the Summit #5

Dead trees and other things compositioned against the sky were in abundance at the Rock. Elements was used to brighten the shadows created by the afternoon sun...

Enchanted Rock - at the Summit #4

This is one of those that you wish could be given to the subjects themselves, but alas to me they are "anonymous". Once I took a picture of the Jumbotron at an Astros game of a guy asking his girl to marry him. Thought about sending it to the organization so they could pass it on to the couple, but it never happened...

Enchanted Rock - at the Summit #3

Said pile of stones also made for a pretty good reflection shot...actually an advantage of shooting in the midday sun.

Enchanted Rock - at the Summit #2

In one of the pools at the summit someone decided to pile up some rocks, Druid-style.

Enchanted Rock - at the Summit #1

Little pockets of life like this were isolated on the summit, where the plane of the rock was relatively level. Tracks of deer and other animals could be seen in the mud of some; in all of them it was interesting to see the bits of granite mixed in.

All in all this area was little more than 10x10 feet; an angle was used to make it appear much larger...

Enchanted Rock - Climb to the Summit #8

Near the summit we came across pockets of life that are impervious to the incredible drought that Texas has suffered this year. The cactus, however, didn't look as healthy, as can be seen here...possibly because animal life has been forced to seek it for moisture not available elsewhere.

Enchanted Rock - Climb to the Summit #7

This little guy was walking way in front of its owner. By sheer luck the image was captured while all four feet were off the ground...

Enchanted Rock - Climb to the Summit #6

This one fell in with a little luck, as the girl neatly fills the gap in the brush; her boyfriend was a few feet in front and had just walked out of the frame. When I saw them approaching and realized they would be on the other side of the brush, the Big Cahoona was raised into position and the series began...

Enchanted Rock - Climb to the Summit #5

At the same place I moved to the right for this shot with the summit in the background. Lettering was added in Photoshop Elements 7.0, as this was the banner piece in a collage highlighting plant life at the Rock.

Enchanted Rock - Climb to the Summit #4

During this drought it was rare to find a splash of color to capture against the granite background, so this was a treat to find on the way up. It's cropped way in, though, because most of the cactus was in bad shape - either rotted or half-eaten by creatures of the night...