Friday, December 21, 2012
Salado Creek Greenway, Oakwell Trailhead downstream
Today's photos:
If sunflowers are an effective symbol of the summer solstice, then bare tree limbs are probably as effective a symbol for the winter solstice that one will encounter in South Texas. With that in mind, I drove to the Oakwell Trailhead on the Salado Creek Greenway knowing I would find an abundance of photogenic bare trees.
As I began to walk along the trail, the winter sky quickly attracted my attention. It drew me ever deeper into its embrace, guiding me along as I slowly began to realize where it was leading me.
A mourning dove, a red-shouldered hawk and a crested caracara (a.k.a. Mexican eagle) watched intently as the sky tightened its grip on my attention.
I was astonished to find, in the end, the sky had drawn me all the way to the moon…
Friday, July 13, 2012
John James Park*, Upland natural surface and paved trails
Today's photos:
Isolated thunderstorms were moving into the area when I left home to go for my walk this afternoon. I had occasionally been checking the weather radar and knew my time on the trail would likely be limited before the storms arrived. Once on the trail, I kept an eye on the clouds.
As can be seen in the photos, I was surrounded by the most remarkable beauty and wonder imaginable. Eventually, I could hear the distant rumble of thunder and knew it was time to return to the car. With all that I was encountering, it was difficult to force myself to turn back toward the parking lot, but getting caught out on the trail in a thunderstorm is too great a risk.
June was a very dry month. It is a welcome relief to have the rain return this month. The wildlife will continue to thrive and it will bring even more to experience on future walks.
* As a side note, due to the construction of a new, higher bridge over Salado Creek on Rittiman Rd just to the east of the entrance to John James Park, it is not easy to access the park. However, the park is still accessible and very much worth the effort.
