Fungal Family

In the hot early summer, with everything drying out, this fungal family found a way to push up in a moist shady area. This pic is just outside my office window here in Austin.

Blanton Museum

These wide "sweep" pictures where taken at the Blanton Museum when my sister Diane visited Austin. I was having fun with my panorama shots and the art filled rooms. A staff person reminded me there were only non flash stills allowed. My moving the camera caused the inquiry as to whether I was taking movies....of course these pics do not give justice to the fine art, but serve as a memory.

Backyard Birthdays

My grandsons Jackson and Tyler had birthdays within a couple of weeks from one another. Jackson turned three and Tyler one. Jon and Ali set up backyard fun including an inflatable jumping castle. Tyler had his own cup cake. Families, friends, fun!!!

Deer Austin

We live less than five miles from the urban core in Austin. While it isn't too unusual to see deer walk through the neighborhood in early evening it was somewhat surprising to see this doe at the mailbox mid day. I was grading papers on the front porch and went inside to grab the camera. She was in no hurry and posed for this pic.

No rain for Austin

Mid-week, against the backdrop of over 300 wildfires in arid west Texas, this thunderhead formed near Austin. While beautiful and threatening rain, we didn't receive a drop in our neighborhood.......

BP and the Angry Gulf

I was experimenting with a

graphics program and free forming brush strokes. After some initial practice I saw the contrasts of a black bottom and blue waves and of course it was reminiscent of the recent oil spill....an environmental nightmare that hopefully won't be repeated.

Blizzard of 2011

As blizzard conditions ripped across the country this first week in February, temperatures reached a low of 21 degrees in Austin last night. As news services cautioned this morning " the conditions are worse than the look". the nearly one inch of snow shut down City, County and State services as businesses also closed. With snow totals 20-30 inches in many parts of the Nation, I feel a little sheepish with friends and family north of the Mason/Dixon line. Signing off in a frigid Austin where the high is predicted to only hit 40 today..... and wondering if the kids will attempt a snow man.

Tyler was on the white blanket with his Christmas toys and I remembered....the camera in the back office. I laid down with him and snapped away while he played. I think I had more of the fun. At eight months he is growing up.

Jackson had a blast in his recent visit. I was taking pictures of his brother Tyler when he jumped in with his milk box and broad smile.

This picture of Jackson David was my favorite over the Christmas Holiday. Jon and Ali drove down from Round Rock and mid morning Jackson bolted from the car to engage the gift opening. Ali mentioned that she asked JD to get dressed but he wanted to wear his "Thomas". I don't believe Jackson wanted to stop for a pic...his clenched fist and head tilt suggests "make this short I'm coming through". We had a blast, and Jackson brought his A-game, the two year old wonder of Christmas.