This is my entry for the Shadows and Reflections Contest by 
I took all of the following photos while I was on the Stocksdale Trail and the Sweathouse Trail which is at the Central Area of the Big Gunpowder Falls State Park in Baltimore County, Maryland. This area of the Gunpowder Falls State Park is located at approximately 10092 Belair Rd in Baltimore County, Maryland. My photos were also taken during different seasons but they definitely have one thing in common in that they feature either shadows or reflections. A couple may even feature both!
Pretty much all of the trails along the Gunpowder River are quite scenic! Looking for shadows, reflections and even birds and interesting rocks kinda' makes you slow down and take notice of things that you may not otherwise notice. Like a leaf slowly floating down the river and the reflection or shadow that it may have tagging right along with it.
The water here may look green but the green is from the trees overhead with their green foliage. It looks almost magical sometimes.
I caught some sun flare in my next photo! I don't mind some sun flare every now and then. Sometimes the colors that show up are pretty. When I look at this photo it reminds me of one that I could've taken years ago while on a walk with my siblings but that is just an illusion but it does stir up memories of long ago.
I'm glad that I got to take this next photo when I did! This part of the park had been closed off for about a year and had just re-opened. Since I took this photo the park has planted trees and plants which would make getting close to this part of the waters edge a little harder.
The shadows on the trail can leave some lovely designs as do shadows on the trees. When there is a breeze the shadows almost put on a dance for anyone to see that will take the time to notice!
Sometimes I get to see different kinds of wildlife while I'm out on the trail. This is the first place that I saw the periodical Brood X Cicadas emerging en masse.
It's a good thing that I stopped to take a photo of this shadow on the trail because after taking a closer look there was more than just tree foliage shadows on the trail.
Some shadows are very obvious and some are quite subtle!
I zoomed in to get a photo of this fishing bobber stuck on a branch. It wasn't till I got home that I noticed the crazy reflections in the water including the fishing bobber and branch.
These stretch along the Gunpowder River does offer some beautiful reflections ...
... and sometimes you can find both shadows and reflections! 💖
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All photos and text by me 
