Thursday, May 31, 2012

The San Antonio River Restoration; A Long Term Process

Thursday, May 31, 2012

This is the second part of the series of photos from my walk along the San Antonio River on Friday, May 11. As I mentioned in that post, the river was running a bit high and very swift from the rain that had recently fallen.

One of the major challenges in the river restoration project is balancing the need to maintain the flood control ability of the river channel while restoring the riparian ecosystem. Achieving this balance involves both establishing vegetation to prevent erosion and reconfiguring the underlying channel design where the force of flood water makes erosion a significant problem.

It is still early in the restoration process, but so much has already been accomplished.









Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A Resplendent Woodland Walk

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hardberger Park, Oak Loop Trail

Today's photos:














I'm really not satisfied with the title for this post. There was a palpable vitality; a life force, a spirit made manifest along the trail today that was almost overwhelming.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

I had originally intended to publish this short series of photographs with "A Friday Frolic Along the River, Part 2," but these four photos of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher are so stunningly beautiful, I think they need to stand alone as a single post. This is pure avian poetry:





This series of photos was taken on my walk along the San Antonio River on Friday, May 11.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day Afternoon Along the SSgt Morningstar Boardwalk

Monday, May 28, 2012

Salado Creek Greenway, Lady Bird Johnson Park Trailhead,
SSgt Morningstar Boardwalk

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside for special remembrance of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. I am not aware of a more appropriate location for a nature walk on this day than the SSgt Christopher Morningstar Boardwalk on the Salado Creek Greenway.


The text on the sign reads:

"As long as… stars graze in the vault of heaven so shall your honor, your name, your praise endure.  -  Virgil"

"The Morningstar Boardwalk honors Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Morningstar, a son of San Antonio and a soldier loved and respected by the troops he led. On February 5, 2006 in Husayniyah, Iraq, SSG Morningstar, 27, gave his life for his country and the democratic ideals he cherished. His sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Today's photos: