Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
The elk today were visible in the valley and reasonably close to the road in the Ponca fields. Good elk viewing, but the herds are a little small. This can, of course, change on a moment's notice overnight. I don't expect that to happen, but one of the treats of coming down often is the adventure of seeing what the day will bring.
I am feeling real pressed now to get as much fall color photography done as I can. We are at the end of the color season, but there are still some great pictures to be had. As leaf off occurs, sometimes the photos are better because you can see more of the tree trunks and limbs. They add nice black lines to compositions in addition to the explosions of color.
Today I chased color at Kyles Landing. I wanted to get at least a first review of Kyles done to introduce it to visiting photographers. Kyles is the next access point down river from Steel Creek and a great campground. It is more compact than Steel Creek and it has a cozy feel to me. It also offers superior photographic opportunities with beautiful bluffs and interesting river flows. Kyles does not have a horse camp and that makes it more quiet and perhaps preferable to tent campers. I would say though that the horse camps are well segregated from the tent camping areas, so this is not much of an issue.
Kyles has one disadvantage. The road to Kyles is very steep, and you need good ground clearance to get in and out of Kyles. I would not go down there with a vehicle with low ground clearance.
Kyles Landing has the following advantages as a base camp for photographers and wildlife watchers. First, it is a very scenic, very close to the camp along the river. I believe it is the equal of Roark Bluff, and speaking personally, I prefer it because it is more varied, and the river is more interesting. Second, it is the easiest way (by avoiding the climb up and down the canyon) to access Hemmed In Hollow, Granny Henderson's Cabin, Sneed's Creek, Indian Creek, and Horseshoe Bend from the river level. Kyles is closer to these destinations than Steel Creek by a few miles. Third, the wildlife habitat is more dense. I see more animals near Kyles than I do near Steel Creek. Fourth, I think the stretch of the Buffalo River near Kyles, on both ends of the camp, is more scenic than it is near Steel Creek. Fifth, near Kyles is the intersection of more trails including Sneeds Creek Trail, the Compton Trail to Hemmed in Hollow Falls, Indian Creek Trail, the Old River Trail, The Buffalo River Trail, and a trail from Camp Orr up to the Bench Trail. Sixth, if you like waterfalls, Kyles has many waterfalls nearby in fairly easy hiking distance. Seventh, Kyles is in the heart of the Ponca Wilderness.
Kyles Landing pictures from 11/05/08:
I am feeling real pressed now to get as much fall color photography done as I can. We are at the end of the color season, but there are still some great pictures to be had. As leaf off occurs, sometimes the photos are better because you can see more of the tree trunks and limbs. They add nice black lines to compositions in addition to the explosions of color.
Today I chased color at Kyles Landing. I wanted to get at least a first review of Kyles done to introduce it to visiting photographers. Kyles is the next access point down river from Steel Creek and a great campground. It is more compact than Steel Creek and it has a cozy feel to me. It also offers superior photographic opportunities with beautiful bluffs and interesting river flows. Kyles does not have a horse camp and that makes it more quiet and perhaps preferable to tent campers. I would say though that the horse camps are well segregated from the tent camping areas, so this is not much of an issue.
Kyles has one disadvantage. The road to Kyles is very steep, and you need good ground clearance to get in and out of Kyles. I would not go down there with a vehicle with low ground clearance.
Kyles Landing has the following advantages as a base camp for photographers and wildlife watchers. First, it is a very scenic, very close to the camp along the river. I believe it is the equal of Roark Bluff, and speaking personally, I prefer it because it is more varied, and the river is more interesting. Second, it is the easiest way (by avoiding the climb up and down the canyon) to access Hemmed In Hollow, Granny Henderson's Cabin, Sneed's Creek, Indian Creek, and Horseshoe Bend from the river level. Kyles is closer to these destinations than Steel Creek by a few miles. Third, the wildlife habitat is more dense. I see more animals near Kyles than I do near Steel Creek. Fourth, I think the stretch of the Buffalo River near Kyles, on both ends of the camp, is more scenic than it is near Steel Creek. Fifth, near Kyles is the intersection of more trails including Sneeds Creek Trail, the Compton Trail to Hemmed in Hollow Falls, Indian Creek Trail, the Old River Trail, The Buffalo River Trail, and a trail from Camp Orr up to the Bench Trail. Sixth, if you like waterfalls, Kyles has many waterfalls nearby in fairly easy hiking distance. Seventh, Kyles is in the heart of the Ponca Wilderness.
Kyles Landing pictures from 11/05/08:
Shameless Self-Promotion Department
My framed wildlife prints are on display and for sale at a number of locations:
Jasper
Boardwalk Cafe/Arkansas House
Cliff House Inn
Point of View Restaurant
Jasper Chamber Gift Shop
Ponca
Lost Valley Canoe Store
Villines Store (Boxley Valley)
Low Gap
Low Gap Store
Compton
Compton One Stop
Harrison
Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop
My framed wildlife prints are on display and for sale at a number of locations:
Jasper
Boardwalk Cafe/Arkansas House
Cliff House Inn
Point of View Restaurant
Jasper Chamber Gift Shop
Ponca
Lost Valley Canoe Store
Villines Store (Boxley Valley)
Low Gap
Low Gap Store
Compton
Compton One Stop
Harrison
Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop
Boxley Valley Update -- 11/5/08 -- Kyles Landing
This picture was taken just downriver from Kyles Landing, within 100 yard of the parking area.
Hikers crossing the Buffalo River along the Old River Trail
This was taken just downriver from the Kyles parking lot, under a 100 yards away.
Up river from Kyles Landing, a short walk along the gravel bars during low water.
Kyles Landing looking up river, short walk from the parking lot.