Fog on the Fenceline
This past weekend on the Shield Ranch there was dense fog hanging in the pastures. The fog seemed to accentuate the loneliness of this seldom used gate.
Sun Pillar
A sun or solar pillar develops when the sun is low in the horizon, either at sunrise or sunset. Light from the sun is reflected off of ice crystal in the clouds that are falling horizontally. This phenomenum is usually short-lived and this sunrise pillar lasted less than five minutes.
Texas Frost Weed
This very unusual plant is also called the Ice Weed or White Crown-beard. It blooms beautiful snow white blossoms in the late summer and early fall. When the temperatures fall below freezing in the winter, and the ground is still warm, the root system continues to send sap up into the stalk of the plant. The leaves have long sense fallen off, leaving just the erect stalk sticking up. When the sap in the stalk crystalizes, it causes the stalk to split and thin ribbons of ice push out and form these very unusual ice sculptures. These plants are commonly found in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas.
Flora
Fog on the FencelineThis past weekend on the Shield Ranch there was dense fog hanging in the pastures. The fog seemed to accentuate the loneliness of...
Tiger Lily and River FernMy wife received this Tiger Lily for Mother’s Day two years ago. Last year it’s first bloom of the Spring opened on Mother’s...
Field of DreamsThe recent Spring rains caused this field to erupt in a blaze of maroon and gold. These native wildflowers are called Gaillardia...
Spring WildflowersWild Bluebonnets and Verbena in the pasture. The Summer drought has caused a poor wildflower crop this year. I am hoping the recent...
Sun and Sky
Sun PillarA sun or solar pillar develops when the sun is low in the horizon, either at sunrise or sunset. Light from the sun is reflected off...
Cooper’s HawkIt was a rainy, foggy, cold afternoon when I spotted this raptor perched high in an old tree. He was surveying the open field below...
Country FogThis winter has been much colder than usual with lots of moisture. We have had many, many days of thick fog and near-freezing temperatures....
DaybreakThe heat has been extreme in central Texas for the past week. An upside to the 100+ degree days is that it provides conditions for...
Creeks and Rivers
Texas Frost WeedThis very unusual plant is also called the Ice Weed or White Crown-beard. It blooms beautiful snow white blossoms in the late summer...
Fall JourneyThese two leaves were drifting down the very fast-moving waters of Baron Creek. As I watched, the current brought them ashore just...
Leaves Beneath The StreamSometimes Fall leaves look good off the tree, too. These leaves were nestled at the bottom of Barton Creek with a gentle stream of...
Lost CreekThis is a secluded spot on Barton Creek, which meanders through a large ranch near Bee Cave. I have been fortunate enough...
