Winter transforming to Spring in the South Texas brush country:
These photos were taken on a walk at the Medina River Natural Area on Friday, February 26, 2016.
Showing posts with label honey mesquite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honey mesquite. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Springtime Awakens Along the Lower Medina River
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Winter transforming to Spring in the South Texas brush country:
These photos were taken on a walk at the Medina River Natural Area on Friday, February 26, 2016.
Winter transforming to Spring in the South Texas brush country:
These photos were taken on a walk at the Medina River Natural Area on Friday, February 26, 2016.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Serendipity
Friday, January 4, 2013
San Antonio River, Mission Reach, Roosevelt Park Trailhead downstream
Today's photos:
This series of photos is from the end of my walk today. There are two more sets of photos from the walk that I will post separately. This particular series came about, as so often happens in photography, serendipitously; purely as the result of a coincidence of timing and proximity.
In order to get the photo of the honey mesquite tree on the opposite bank of the river from the angle I desired, I had to get right up to the edge of the water and crouch lower to the ground. As I was getting into position, the mockingbird flew up and landed on the electrical line high above the opposite side of the river channel. Concerned that it would fly off, I took its photo before taking the photo of the tree.
I have photographed this mesquite tree before from other angles. The curve of its branches, typical of mesquites, has always fascinated me. This particular angle highlights these curves more effectively than my previous attempts.
When I first approached the edge of the river to position myself to photograph the tree, the mallard couple swam to the opposite side of the river. Mallards are monogamous. Once they have paired, the male and female usually remain in fairly close proximity of each other. Being crouched down at the rivers edge placed me at the perfect angle to photograph this couple.
As something of a side note, almost all, if not all, of the photographs I have taken and posted while on my walks have been from a full standing position. Given my lower extremity weakness, it is difficult for me to return to a standing position if I crouch down, so I try to avoid it. That is one of the greatest frustrations I have in doing nature photography.
Finally, after I managed to get back up to a standing position and was preparing to return to my car, the snowy egret flew in and landed a short distance upstream, almost as if to say, "Wait a minute. You can't leave without taking my picture."
San Antonio River, Mission Reach, Roosevelt Park Trailhead downstream
Today's photos:
In order to get the photo of the honey mesquite tree on the opposite bank of the river from the angle I desired, I had to get right up to the edge of the water and crouch lower to the ground. As I was getting into position, the mockingbird flew up and landed on the electrical line high above the opposite side of the river channel. Concerned that it would fly off, I took its photo before taking the photo of the tree.
I have photographed this mesquite tree before from other angles. The curve of its branches, typical of mesquites, has always fascinated me. This particular angle highlights these curves more effectively than my previous attempts.
When I first approached the edge of the river to position myself to photograph the tree, the mallard couple swam to the opposite side of the river. Mallards are monogamous. Once they have paired, the male and female usually remain in fairly close proximity of each other. Being crouched down at the rivers edge placed me at the perfect angle to photograph this couple.
As something of a side note, almost all, if not all, of the photographs I have taken and posted while on my walks have been from a full standing position. Given my lower extremity weakness, it is difficult for me to return to a standing position if I crouch down, so I try to avoid it. That is one of the greatest frustrations I have in doing nature photography.
Finally, after I managed to get back up to a standing position and was preparing to return to my car, the snowy egret flew in and landed a short distance upstream, almost as if to say, "Wait a minute. You can't leave without taking my picture."
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A Deep Breath of Fresh Country Air
Monday, December 17, 2012
Crescent Bend Nature Park
Today's photos:
The air was comfortably warm and the sky a bright winter blue this afternoon at Crescent Bend Nature Park. A distinctively sweet savanna aroma brought back memories of similar days in numerous other places from many decades ago. It is an aroma similar to fresh cut hay, but with an added woodland accent.
The winter hardy red admiral, American snout, orange sulphur and dainty sulphur butterflies flitted about. The red admirals and American snouts cooperated photographically. The sulphurs just wouldn't sit still long enough to get them into focus. There were also a wide variety of birds. I'll post their photos tomorrow.
As I pointed out in my post from August 1, 2011, Crescent Bend Nature Park is a section of land that is being returned from development to a natural savanna habitat. The ecosystem recovery and improvement in wildlife habitat over just the past sixteen months has been remarkable. Nature is quite resilient and can heal itself when given an adequate amount of protection.
Crescent Bend Nature Park
Today's photos:
The winter hardy red admiral, American snout, orange sulphur and dainty sulphur butterflies flitted about. The red admirals and American snouts cooperated photographically. The sulphurs just wouldn't sit still long enough to get them into focus. There were also a wide variety of birds. I'll post their photos tomorrow.
As I pointed out in my post from August 1, 2011, Crescent Bend Nature Park is a section of land that is being returned from development to a natural savanna habitat. The ecosystem recovery and improvement in wildlife habitat over just the past sixteen months has been remarkable. Nature is quite resilient and can heal itself when given an adequate amount of protection.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Woodland Theme and Variations, Part 2
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
This series of photos is a continuation from my walk yesterday on the Water Loop Trail at Hardberger Park:
This series of photos is a continuation from my walk yesterday on the Water Loop Trail at Hardberger Park:
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Upland Woods of the Medina River
Monday, November 26, 2012
Medina River Greenway, Upland Trailhead east
Today's photos:
It is worth noting that this section of the Medina River Greenway passes through beautiful wooded land typical of South Texas owned and maintained by the Land Heritage Institute. The Land Heritage Institute is a consortium of 15 organizations and agencies. It is "a living land museum on 1200 acres of open space along the banks of the Medina River on the far south side of San Antonio preserving, maintaining and interpreting 10,000 years of continual human habitation."
Medina River Greenway, Upland Trailhead east
Today's photos:
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