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Thursday - April 30, 2009
Mountain laurel oddness
I've mentioned the mountain laurel bushes by the garage at work before. They smell sooooo good when they're in bloom. Last fall, I noticed something odd:
![[Mountain laurel]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mt_laurel_1.jpeg)
A weird growth. At first I thought it was some sort of parasite growing on the bush. Something akin to the ball moss that we see growing so freely on all the live oak trees. But, I looked more closely and it seemed to be part of the bush...growing from the tree. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was just growing in such away that it seemed to be coming off of a branch. But, still. Very weird.
A couple of close-ups for you:
![[Mountain laurel]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mt_laurel_2.jpeg)
![[Mountain laurel]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mt_laurel_3.jpeg)
![[Mountain laurel]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mt_laurel_4.jpeg)
Weird, eh?
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Wednesday - April 29, 2009
Longhorn Cavern light
![[Longhorn Cavern light]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_light.jpeg)
Last one. 'Love the lighting.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Tuesday - April 28, 2009
Cavern design
Water flowing through the cavern has left behind some beautiful patterns, textures, and designs...
![[Longhorn Cavern design]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_design_1.jpeg)
![[Longhorn Cavern design]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_design_2.jpeg)
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Monday - April 27, 2009
Cavern quartz
There seems to be quite a bit of quartz embedded in the Longhorn Cavern walls...
![[Longhorn Cavern quartz]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_quartz_1.jpeg)
![[Longhorn Cavern quartz]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_quartz_2.jpeg)
UPDATE. Katie calls to say that, perhaps, it's calcite rather than quartz.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Sunday - April 26, 2009
Cavern walls
Two shots of "melting" walls...
![[Longhorn Cavern wall]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_wall_2.jpeg)
![[Longhorn Cavern wall]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_wall_3.jpeg)
And, yes...I took these last September at Longhorn Cavern State Park.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Saturday - April 25, 2009
Going underground
Literally. Heh. After Buescher, we went to Longhorn Cavern State Park. And, had a nice tour through the cavern. It's a interesting place. It was used as a Speak Easy during Prohibition. And, people still get married in the cavern. That seems just a wee bit crazy to me! Anyway...
![[Longhorn Cavern wall]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/lc_wall.jpeg)
That's a ceiling. In the cavern. More photos of "melting" rock to come...
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Friday - April 24, 2009
Another dragonfly
![[Buescher State Park flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_dragonfly.jpeg)
One last shot from Buescher State Park (taken last September). It's not a great shot...a bit overexposed...a bit eh...not to mention the fact that it's not quite in focus. But, it's a dragonfly and I thought Regina'd like to see it so I posted it. Whatcha gonna do?
By the way, those wings remind me of the flags you see being waved by the guys on aircraft carriers as they wave the planes on and off. When I first saw the dragonfly, I only saw the dark parts of the wings and was flabbergasted that it could fly with such oddly shaped wings. Then, on close inspection, I saw the translucent parts of the wings. Wacky!
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Thursday - April 23, 2009
Buescher flowers
I took very few photos on our trek through Buescher State Park. I did get a couple of nice shots of flowers:
![[Flower at Buescher State Park]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_flower_1.jpeg)
![[Flower at Buescher State Park]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_flower_2.jpeg)
That second one's a bit past its prime. But still interesting, doncha think?
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Wednesday - April 22, 2009
Buescher State Park
The week after Pedernales Falls, we went to Buescher State Park. Which is chock full of pine trees. I got a bit arty:
![[Buescher State Park trees]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_tree_1.jpeg)
And then, I couldn't help but shoot this one...how could anyone pass it by?
![[Buescher State Park trees]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_tree_2.jpeg)
There's one part of the hike that's killer on a hot summer day:
![[Buescher State Park pipeline trail]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/bsp_pipeline_trail.jpeg)
It runs quite a way down this area of trees cleared for the marked pipeline. Not the most exciting trail we encountered over the last few months. 'Course, later on, in the meat of the trail, as you start to feel that all you're doing is walking in circles, you kinda long for the surety of the pipeline portion of the trail. Heh.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Tuesday - April 21, 2009
Barbed wire art
From tree trunks to barbed-wire fences...
![[Barbed Wire Art]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/barbed_wire_deer.jpeg)
Again, driving back to Austin from Pedernales Falls last summer. I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted these things hanging off a barbed-wire fence. Lots of 'em. Cool.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Monday - April 20, 2009
Tree trunk art
![[Tree Trunk Art]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/tree_trunk_art.jpeg)
'Saw this on the road as we drove back to Austin from Pedernales Falls last summer. I think it was at the entrance to a ranch. And, I knew Mom would love it. Tree trunk art. What's not to love?
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Sunday - April 19, 2009
Bird blind birds
There's a bird blind on the grounds of Pedernales Falls. We stopped at the blind in August after our hike. And, I took these shots:
![[Birds]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_birds_1.jpeg)
At first glance, you just notice the bright red feathers and it looks like there's just one bird there. Take another look.
And, another bird:
![[Blue Bird]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_birds_2.jpeg)
My. What blue feathers you have.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Saturday - April 18, 2009
Pedernales Falls
One last shot (a wide shot) of the falls:
![[Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_falls_3.jpeg)
Sadly, this one really suffers from the small window I've given myself on the blog. Perhaps a pop-up? Okay, try this.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Friday - April 17, 2009
Bones
Towards the end of our hike around Pedernales Falls last August, we spotted these things in the rock:
![[Bones]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_bones_1.jpeg)
And, more:
![[Bones]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_bones_2.jpeg)
And, more:
![[Bones]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_bones_3.jpeg)
And, still more:
![[Bones]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_bones_4.jpeg)
And, one last shot...my favorite:
![[Bones]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_bones_5.jpeg)
Those are bones, right? Set in the rock? Wow.
UPDATE. Okay, not bones. Katie and Bill think that they're probably crinoids. And, I'm thinking they're right. Sea critters...boneless (and yes, fossilized) sea critters.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Thursday - April 16, 2009
Heart-shaped hole
![[Heart]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_heart.jpeg)
There are lots and lots of holes worn through the rocks at Pedernales Falls. This one seemed to be heart-shaped. Should I have waited 'til next February to post it? Heh.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Wednesday - April 15, 2009
Lizzards
From buzzards to lizzards. 'First time I ever noticed how closely those words resemble each other.
Ah well. Here are a couple of shots of some funky little lizards.
![[Lizzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_lizzard_1.jpeg)
![[Lizzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_lizzard_2.jpeg)
They sure do that camouflage thing well, eh? I rather like the tails best.
Posted by Joanna
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Tuesday - April 14, 2009
Buzzards
So. I spend too much time trying to get photos of birds in flight. The easiest ones to get around here are buzzards. Our hike out at Pedernales Falls in August gave me a couple of nice opportunities. First, a wide shot:
![[Buzzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_buzzard_1.jpeg)
Closer:
![[Buzzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_buzzard_2.jpeg)
A rare shot...not soaring, but flapping:
![[Buzzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_buzzard_3.jpeg)
And, finally...
![[Buzzard]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_buzzard_4.jpeg)
PS: These shots always make me want something like this. 'Course, carrying one of those around would probably shorten any hike considerably, eh? What with the weight and worry about dropping it. Heh.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Monday - April 13, 2009
Small falls
![[Falls and relection]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_falls_2.jpeg)
Small falls and a pretty reflection at Pedernales Falls last August.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Sunday - April 12, 2009
Dragonflies
I guess it's a dragonfly. I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong!
![[Dragonfly]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_dragonfly_1.jpeg)
And, another...
![[Dragonfly]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_dragonfly_2.jpeg)
These were taken about 20 minutes apart so I doubt it's the same dragonfly. But, it could be. You never know...eh?
One more...
![[Dragonfly]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pf_dragonfly_3.jpeg)
Look at those delicate little wings.
PS: Yep, taken at Pedernales Falls last August.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Saturday - April 11, 2009
Green reflection
![[Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_falls.jpeg)
Isn't that gorgeous? It's a pretty typical sight at Pedernales Falls.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Friday - April 10, 2009
Hole in the wall
In my last post, you can see a hole in the rock wall behind Jennie. Here's another view:
![[Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_hole_1.jpeg)
And, yet another, from a better angle:
![[Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_hole_2.jpeg)
That's pretty cool looking, isn't it? We thought so.
Posted by Joanna at 6:00 AM | Permalink
Wednesday - April 8, 2009
Jennie at Pedernales Falls
![[Jennie at Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/jennie_at_pedernales.jpeg)
That's Jennie aka JenJen aka Jenny Penny aka my baby sister...okay, my only sister...at Pedernales Falls last August. She liked another photo I took that day better. But, I like this one 'cause she's smiling and 'cause you can see the falls (with, admittedly, almost no water flowing over 'em) behind her.
Wanna guess how many pictures Jennie has of me...posing like that? I'm guessing none. I might have cooperated once or twice for such a photo in my life. But, I can't remember doing that. Hmmm...
Okay. I'll go ahead and include the one she liked better. It's also a nice photo. She's also smiling here:
![[Jennie at Pedernales Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/jennie_at_pedernales_2.jpeg)
I like the reflection quite a bit.
Posted by Joanna at 11:00 PM | Permalink
Tuesday - April 7, 2009
Pedernales Falls flowers, part 2
Here's another set of photos I took of flowers at Pedernales Falls.
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_4.jpeg)
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_5.jpeg)
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_6.jpeg)
All of 'em a little wacky, eh?
Posted by Joanna at 11:00 PM | Permalink
Monday - April 6, 2009
Pedernales Falls flowers
The week after we went to McKinney Falls, we ended up at Pedernales Falls. Here are some of my favorite photos of flowers from that weekend.
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_1.jpeg)
Don't you love the way plants can find a way to grow anywhere? I mean, there's that clump of flowers growing from a little sliver of dirt in a crack in the rocks.
How 'bout some purple? Okay...
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_2.jpeg)
And, some yellow? Why...sure!
![[Pedernales Falls flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/pedernales_flower_3.jpeg)
Posted by Joanna at 11:00 PM | Permalink
Sunday - April 5, 2009
McKinney Falls
![[McKinney Falls]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mckinney_falls.jpeg)
You can't hardly post a series of photos from McKinney Falls and not include a photo of falls, can you? I didn't think so.
Posted by Joanna at 11:18 PM | Permalink
Saturday - April 4, 2009
Yellow
![[Little yellow flower]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mckinney_falls_yellow.jpeg)
Pretty little yellow flower...found at McKinney Falls last August.
Posted by Joanna at 11:11 PM | Permalink
Friday - April 3, 2009
Reflecting pool
![[Reflecting pool]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mckinney_falls_reflecting_pool.jpeg)
A lovely little reflecting pool at McKinney Falls State Park. (Photo taken in August, 2008.)
Posted by Joanna at 11:54 PM | Permalink
Thursday - April 2, 2009
Rain lillies
![[Rain lillies]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mckinney_falls_rain_lilly.jpeg)
Yep, another photo taken on August 23rd at McKinney Falls. 'Love rain lillies.
Posted by Joanna at 10:52 PM | Permalink
Wednesday - April 1, 2009
Turk's Cap in the wild
Here's another photo I took at McKinney Falls on August 23rd:
![[Turk's cap]](http://www.joanna.org/photobox/photos/mckinney_falls_turks_cap.jpeg)
Remember the Turk's Cap photo I took late last summer? When I first spotted these flowers near the garage at work, I didn't remember ever seeing them before. Imagine my surprise as Jennie and I stumbled across Turk's Cap flowers growing in the wild as we hiked around McKinney Falls less than a month later. I've since seen them elsewhere, of course. That's the way these things always go.
Posted by Joanna at 11:28 PM | Permalink
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