Category: Nature

Aug 20, 2010

Gulf coast dreaming

I think it’s time to plan a trip to the coast.   Maybe that’s where we’ll go when we take off a week at the end of September.   We’ve made many trips down, mostly visiting Port O’Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas and South Padre Island.

I enjoy looking for shells on the beaches.   On one trip I found this lightning whelk shell.    One of its more unique features is that it is a “left-handed” shell… its spiral is counter-clockwise and so its opening is on the left.   It’s actually the state seashell of Texas.

But, I digress….

We aren’t headed to the coast this weekend, but we will be out on the lake.

TGIF!

Aug 16, 2010

Live oak leaves

A most welcome, brief rain shower opened up over us at about six o’clock tonight.  The winds whipped up, blowing many leaves off the live oaks in back and off the red oak and ash in the front yard.   It seems impossible to keep the patio clear.

This is a shot of the mat outside the back door, full of (dead) live oak leaves.  Seeing all these leaves reminds me that fall is just around the corner.

Crazy central Texas weather…

Jul 11, 2010

Shaking out the cobwebs

As Sunday morning rolled around, we were rafted up again with Teri & Jim, Marty & Sue & Joe in Hurst Harbor.  Aquapalooza was this weekend on the lake about 8 miles upriver.  There were a couple thousand motor boats on the lake churning things up.   We sailed up just to see it Friday night, but yesterday and today we decided hang out close to home.  We picked a spot in Hurst Creek to anchor, well sheltered from boat wake and enjoyed another great weekend on the lake with friends.

Back at the dock this morning I got this shot of one of the many spider webs that decorate the boats and slips.

We made it home to watch the final match of the 2010 World Cup.   Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0!!!    First time ever, Spain wins the world championship!!!!

Jul 10, 2010

Un champignon dans la matinée

With the all the recent wet weather several mushrooms have poked up through the St. Augustine grass out back.

This is a shot of one with a bit of morning dew on the grass.

Jul 6, 2010

Mimosas anyone?

We have a mimosa tree out back by the shop.  It casts a lot of shade, and the leaves are quite pretty, really.  This is a shot looking up from underneath the canopy.  We thought it was dead after a long, dry summer last year followed by a cold winter.  The bark had several splits from some hard freezes.   But this spring it sprouted to life with its silky pink flowers, and I’m glad that we get to enjoy it for one more year.

My mind is on a young great-niece who has been fighting a battle for her life for two and a half years now.    I’m reminded that life is fragile.   We don’t get to choose where we’re planted or how long we stay.    Here’s to enjoying another day!

Jul 2, 2010

Splash!

Rainy Friday.   I’ll take ’em any way I can get ’em.  I tried to capture a slash in the puddles out back, and this is the best I was able to get.   Maybe the next downpour will yield a better shot.

We were thinking of watching the Carlos n’ Charlies fireworks tonight, but they ended up getting rained out.

We’re headed to the lake tomorrow.

Jun 2, 2010

Storm a'comin

It’s hard to believe it’s June already.  It’s been really muggy and hot the last few days.  Hopefully the storm on the way here tonight will burst the humidity bubble.

The weather radar is my favorite TV channel.

May 16, 2010

Eastern Washington

Headed back home today.  Went to mass at Gonzaga this morning.   Had breakfast with the fam, who dropped me off at the airport before they headed back on their long drive back to the other side of the mountains.  It’s a little longer trip home, since I did not get the direct flight from Seattle.   I’m flying Spokane to Portland to San Jose to Austin.   I’m flying Alaska Airlines for the first time this trip, and I have to say it’s not bad.

This is a view from the plane of Eastern Washington farmland on the flight from Spokane to Portland.    I drove back and forth across his landscape many, many times back in the day.   Brings back memories.

May 14, 2010

My favorite mountain

Earlier this week I decided to join my sisters and mom on a trip to Spokane to visit an aunt, and to meet up with another aunt and cousin flying in from California.   I was able to swing it without having to take time off by leaving late on a Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday night.    A short visit, but it should be fun.  I’m looking forward to seeing my aunts again.  It’s been a while.

Spokane isn’t the easiest destination to fly into, but it’s not too bad.   I fly direct from Austin to Seattle and then on to Spokane.

I’ve flown by Mount Rainier, outside of Seattle, too many times to count, but I am always awed by how beautiful it is.    I always have my nose pressed up to the window like someone seeing it for the first time.

This is a shot of my favorite mountain on our approach to Seattle today.     Enjoy the view!

Mar 24, 2010

Rainy day

It’s been drizzling on and off all day.   Which is good for the garden, and good for the lake.   The lake just passed its full level of 681′ above MSL (681.27 as of right now, actually).  It’s hard to believe it was at 629′  last Fall.

I’m looking forward to going to the lake this weekend.   But for the time being,  I am happy to sit inside the warm, dry house and watch the rain.

This is a picture looking up through a skylight in the gameroom.

Mar 23, 2010

Yett Creek

Yett Creek Park is completely undeveloped — a nice place to walk or bike, though very rough terrain.   Lots of cedars.  Lots of limestone.   I took a walk there after work today.   This is a shot over the creek at the crossing.

Mar 21, 2010

Sunday walk

Weekends slip by.   I took a walk through the greenbelt down the street from our house.    I should do that more often.

Mar 17, 2010

Texas clover

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! After work, I took a walk out back to survey the new wildflowers, budding trees/shrubs,  and the herb garden we planted over the weekend.   These little patches of clover caught my eye.  They’re not the real thing, but they are close enough.  I haven’t found any with 4 leaves yet.

For dinner we had a bit of homemade shepherd’s pie and a pint of guinness /  harp.   Tonight my family called for a remote group toast over the phone – to the day, and to my Dad.     Slainte!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

-Traditional Irish Blessing

Feb 23, 2010

Austin snow

The day after we came back from the BVI, it snowed in Austin.   Big fluffy flakes.  We got a couple inches.