I’ve been meaning to share these images taken on a June day spent with my dear friend Steve Creek from Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas for weeks. Today is that day.
Cloudy, smoky view at Mount Magazine State Park
The first thing Steve and I did was enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, savoring the expansive views from the park’s summit. I had the creamiest grits there, which made me truly happy. Grits are something I don’t find at restaurants in Utah; I have to prepare them myself. The food at the lodge was excellent, but the company and the views were even better.
Mount Magazine State Park view
After finishing our wonderful breakfast Steve and I stopped and savored the views from several lookout points. There was smoke in the air from the wildfires in Canada and clouds overhead too. Those factors didn’t hinder me from thoroughly appreciating the breathtaking sights from the highest point in Arkansas.
View of bluffs at Mount Magazine State Park
I thought the bluffs at Mount Magazine State Park were both beautiful and fascinating. I found the following information on Wikipedia about the geology at the park:
Mount Magazine is a broad mesa composed of Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks deposited in various shallow-water environments. Like many mountains in the western Arkansas River Valley, Mount Magazine is capped by the Savanna Formation, a sequence of shale, siltstone, and sandstone.
Bluffs at Mount Magazine State Park
I didn’t actually get to touch the bluffs with my hands but I can still imagine what they would feel like. I’m a very tactile person.
Roadside White-tailed Deer buck at Mount Magazine SP
While at Mount Magazine State Park I heard and saw many birds but due to the low light and the birds being skittish, I didn’t photograph any of them. I did manage to get to photograph a few larger mammals including this White-tailed deer buck that appeared on the road next to the forest.
White-tailed Deer doe close up at Mount Magazine SP
When this White-tailed deer doe emerged from the forest to munch on some leaves, I was ready to take photos of her as well. The poor doe’s ears showed lots of ticks, and I cringed when I saw them through the viewfinder of the camera Steve had loaned me to use during my visit with him.
Mount Magazine SP Eastern Cottontail rabbit
I was also able to take photos of this cute Eastern Cottontail rabbit munching on the dew-laden grasses. I took quite a few images of this rabbit that I really like.
It was marvelous exploring Mount Magazine State Park with Steve, and I would love to go back there again one day to take more photos. Thanks for sharing this park with me, Steve!
Life is good.
Mia
The landscape photos were taken with my Samsung cell phone, the deer and rabbit images were taken with Steve’s Canon R7 and 100 to 500mm lens.
Click here to see more of my White-tailed Deer photo plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Eastern Cottontail rabbit images plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful view! What a delightful way to spend a morning! I’m a grits fan as well and it’s hard to find really good ones out here too.
Gorgeous scenery.
And some wonderful shots. Ouch on the ticks front. Loved the shot of the bunny – its ears are almost transparent.
Beautiful area. I noticed those ticks first thing, yikes.
Mount Magazine brings back some interesting memories from the early 1970’s. I was going to school in St. Louis and met up with some folks who were living there in a Commune in the city. They also had a few of the group who were staying at this park in Arkansas and were operating the lodge. They invited me to stay a couple of weeks in NW Arkansas at one of the cabins on the property. Very interesting times….
Love the long series of cottontail rabbits; found the snowy shots especially charming!—Jeri Spann