tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58355327894240959132024-03-13T06:30:56.700-05:00Ramblings Around Texas~ and over the horizon & beyond ~Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-3206069208646897102009-10-15T13:23:00.005-05:002009-10-16T00:08:59.547-05:00LBJ Grasslands Update<div style="text-align: center;">Abandoned Building<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on the photos<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Stdo-0KBh_I/AAAAAAAABoE/bEUa3fhLpwo/s1600-h/1-old-bldg-LBJ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Stdo-0KBh_I/AAAAAAAABoE/bEUa3fhLpwo/s400/1-old-bldg-LBJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392894507161323506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/StdpLUsaWlI/AAAAAAAABoM/W_gSnP4WpH8/s1600-h/2-old-bldg-LBJ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/StdpLUsaWlI/AAAAAAAABoM/W_gSnP4WpH8/s400/2-old-bldg-LBJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392894722053921362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/StdpSaCssgI/AAAAAAAABoU/mx3c0jHSQFM/s1600-h/3-lattice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/StdpSaCssgI/AAAAAAAABoU/mx3c0jHSQFM/s400/3-lattice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392894843748659714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Leave a comment.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-30956926923767263182009-10-08T12:20:00.003-05:002009-10-08T12:28:52.730-05:00Ft. Worth - Where the West Begins<div style="text-align: center;">Ft. Worth, Texas<br />Courthouse Tower<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Ss4g1_JGM3I/AAAAAAAABn8/Td3oHTEZzKE/s1600-h/Courthouse-towe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Ss4g1_JGM3I/AAAAAAAABn8/Td3oHTEZzKE/s400/Courthouse-towe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390281915863806834" border="0" /></a>Driving down Main Street<br />Looking North<br /><br />Have you been here?<br />Have you visited,<br />Friendly Texas Skies?<br /><br />Ft. Worth's Motto - "Where the West Begins"<br /></div><br /><br />Leave a comment.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-68308601107209097152009-10-01T13:16:00.008-05:002009-10-03T19:07:02.163-05:00The Drought is OverSWF<br /><br />The drought is over but Mother Nature has played a harsh trick on the best-laid plans of men. The boardwalk area of the Ft. Worth Nature Center and Refuge is now surrounded by fast-growing Sesbane (about 10' tall).<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo for a better look.</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SsTykX62IAI/AAAAAAAABn0/bcXDpxk3PFo/s1600-h/Boardwalk-20091001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SsTykX62IAI/AAAAAAAABn0/bcXDpxk3PFo/s400/Boardwalk-20091001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387697760952000514" border="0" /></a><br />Compare this photo to an <a href="http://troyandmartha.blogspot.com/2009/08/ft-worth-nature-center-marsh.html">earlier photo and post(click here)</a> during the drought.<br /><br />Leave a comment.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-20237136996964705322009-09-24T11:56:00.006-05:002009-09-24T12:09:57.106-05:00LBJ National GrasslandsSWF<br /><br />Todays post is to clear up a popular misconception about the National Grasslands in Texas. The Grasslands are not great expanses of grass as far as the eye can see. At least not today. The early settlers moved in with homesteading, farming and ranching. The establishment of national grasslands has saved old remnants and added to these by purchasing adjacent farms and ranches as they became available.<br /><br />However, even in early history, the grasslands were/and are cut with rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, and wooded valleys(see photo below). White-tailed deer, small mammals, coyotes, bobcats, red fox, waterfowl, bobwhite quail, turkey, and songbirds thrive in the diverse habitats provided by the Grasslands. Largemouth bass, blue and channel catfish, and various sunfish species are common catches at the many lakes that dot the Grasslands' landscape.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Wooded Valley Cutting Across the Grasslands</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Srult1ZsXSI/AAAAAAAABns/ZcxIIMC8hUw/s1600-h/LBJ-National-Grasslands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Srult1ZsXSI/AAAAAAAABns/ZcxIIMC8hUw/s400/LBJ-National-Grasslands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385079986299100450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Photo from a small hill on the LBJ National Grasslands<br />You can see for miles under the clear sky!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to click on the photo and scroll to its bottom</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">to see some of the native grass.</span></span><br /></div><br />As of 30 September 2007, the total area of all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Grassland">20 National Grasslands(click here)</a> was 3,843,037 acres (15,552 km2).<br />Click on the link and read the short article. It's really interesting.<br /><br />Do you live near a native grassland or have you visited one?<br />Leave a comment.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-35907057485844755752009-09-19T01:21:00.006-05:002009-09-19T10:45:57.606-05:00Big Alligator<div style="text-align: center;">Question: What does a 12' Texas Alligator eat ?<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SrR5mY7OWmI/AAAAAAAABnk/zKcUxf4VX-E/s1600-h/gator.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SrR5mY7OWmI/AAAAAAAABnk/zKcUxf4VX-E/s400/gator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383061155047430754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Answer: Anything that he wants to !<br /><br />We saw this big fella at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near the town of Anahuac.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The nearby town of Anahuac has a Gatorfest. 13 footers have been recorded there. This one may have been that long, but I couldn't get a good estimate because the end of the tail was hidden. this photo was taken before Hurricane Ike. Unfortunately the Alligator population was decimated by the ocean surge of salt water that overran the Reserve.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.texasgatorfest.com/about-gatorfest.html">Here's a link. Click here</a>.<br /><br />.<br /></div></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-72832635936420243682009-09-16T19:17:00.004-05:002009-09-16T19:30:29.435-05:00Last Days of SummerSWF<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where Sky meets Sand and Surf</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SrGC2-XXaqI/AAAAAAAABnc/oSIlAyWtA5U/s1600-h/bolivar-beach.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SrGC2-XXaqI/AAAAAAAABnc/oSIlAyWtA5U/s400/bolivar-beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382226910650002082" border="0" /></a>Bolivar Peninsula<br /><br />East of Galveston Texas<br />Pre-Hurricane Ike<br /><br />I am posting this on the anniversary of Ike<br />and to honor the recovery efforts.<br /></div><br />Comments appreciated.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-25420848367398081402009-09-09T20:51:00.008-05:002009-09-10T11:58:56.475-05:00LBJ National Grasslands<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">SWF</span><br /><br />I'm posting a bit early as Martha and I have been busy lately working on our certification for 'Texas Master Naturalists'.<br /><br />I have also been spending a fair bit of time working on our new nature blog <a href="http://troymullens.wordpress.com/">"I C U Nature"(click here)</a>. It's a 'nature photography only blog' with lots of information included. Visit and leave a comment. Tell us what you think.<br /><br />Now, for today's memories "lost under the sky"!<br />This old house is located on the National Grasslands of North Central Texas. It's a favorite spot for a day trip and only about an hour away. It's a great place for birding and seeing everything from Painted Buntings to Road Runners, not to mention Hawks soaring lazily overhead and Quail calling in the distance. Just the idea makes me want to go this weekend.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lost under the Sky</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SqheG93yJKI/AAAAAAAABmo/xqQMbbB3E_4/s1600-h/House.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SqheG93yJKI/AAAAAAAABmo/xqQMbbB3E_4/s400/House.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379653228674819234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">With only Memories</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(Click on the photo for a closer look)</span><br /><br />Idea by Martha<br />Photo by Troy: Nikon D70<br /></div><br />The Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands are located in two areas northeast and northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They not only provide grazing land for cattle and habitat for wildlife, but offer a variety of recreation. The most popular activities are hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and photography.<br /><br />White-tailed deer, small mammals, coyotes, bobcats, red fox, waterfowl, bobwhite quail, turkey, and songbirds thrive in the diverse habitats provided by the Grasslands. Largemouth bass, blue and channel catfish, and various sunfish species are common catches at the many lakes that dot the Grasslands' landscape.<br /><br />The LBJ is comprised of more than 20,250 acres with one developed recreation area located at Black Creek Lake. The recreation area consists of seven picnic units, seven walk-in camp units, one improved boat ramp and an accessible fishing bridge. No drinking water is available. The lake is approximately 30 acres in size. The discharge of firearms and hunting is prohibited on and around the lake.<br /><br />Cottonwood Lake, located 5 miles north of Black Creek Lake, is approximately 40 acres in size and has one improved boat ramp. No recreation facilities are provided. The discharge of firearms is prohibited in the vicinity of Cottonwood Lake. However, from November 1 through February 28, the use of shotguns, excluding slugs and buckshot, for legally hunting game birds and game animals during state designated seasons is permitted.<br /><br />The Cottonwood-Black Creek Hiking Trail is 4 miles long and connects the two lakes. It is rated moderately difficult. There are nearly 75 miles of multipurpose trails which run in the Cottonwood Lake vicinity.<br /><br />TADRA Point is a designated trailhead camping facility that is a primary access point for the 75 mile LBJ Multi-use Trail system. Only a few restrooms and parking facilities are provided.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-44599027081384817062009-09-03T13:21:00.004-05:002009-09-03T13:26:01.802-05:00Harris HawkSWF<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">King of the Sky Taking a Rest<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SqAJ-fp1T9I/AAAAAAAABmE/c68u7v2H1tU/s1600-h/harris-hawk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SqAJ-fp1T9I/AAAAAAAABmE/c68u7v2H1tU/s400/harris-hawk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377308924333871058" border="0" /></a>Harris Hawk<br />Rio Grande Valley, South Texas<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Please, l<span style="font-weight: bold;">eave a comment here</span> and<br />Be sure to visit our new 'Nature Only' blog, named '<span style="font-weight: bold;">I C U Nature</span>'.<br />Your opinion is important !!!<br />Tell us what you think about the format and appearance<br />of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">new site at WordPress</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://troymullens.wordpress.com/">Click here to see I C U Nature</a></span>.<br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-47322074088603041252009-08-27T13:45:00.007-05:002009-08-27T14:12:29.483-05:00Going to the Sun Road Glacier National Park<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">SWF</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A really Favorite Drive.<br />One of the top 10 in the United States.<br />As listed by many magazines, and myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photos for a really magnificent vista !!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lower section climbing out of the valley.</span><br />No travel trailers allowed on this road.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbWkGBemhI/AAAAAAAABls/AuU0ilqvn5Y/s1600-h/1-Lower-section.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbWkGBemhI/AAAAAAAABls/AuU0ilqvn5Y/s400/1-Lower-section.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374719120893712914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Middle section, well above the valley</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbW8JgUqrI/AAAAAAAABl0/WeXYRLDLrC4/s1600-h/2-middle-section-above-vall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbW8JgUqrI/AAAAAAAABl0/WeXYRLDLrC4/s400/2-middle-section-above-vall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374719534145252018" border="0" /></a>Enlarge, and look at the pickup on the right,<br />for a sense of perspective.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">These photos don't do justice to the scope of the view.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Near the summit</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbXL6xQHpI/AAAAAAAABl8/Sv_sPfPCp1M/s1600-h/3-Near-summit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SpbXL6xQHpI/AAAAAAAABl8/Sv_sPfPCp1M/s400/3-Near-summit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374719805067632274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They have a magnificent Visitors Center<br />at the summit and some great trails.<br /><br /></div><br /> Have you been there?<br /> Leave a comment.<br /><br />Note: all of these photos are "as photographed".<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-24458955092937263152009-08-20T09:08:00.009-05:002009-09-02T08:53:49.341-05:00Eryngo<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >SWF</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The sky makes a great background sometimes to see the detail of plants.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Eryngium leavenworthii<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/So1aLQAYZmI/AAAAAAAABk8/0u3YSAWWovs/s1600-h/eryngo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/So1aLQAYZmI/AAAAAAAABk8/0u3YSAWWovs/s400/eryngo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372049079844496994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to click on the photo to see the detail.</span></span><br /></div><br />There are a lot of different species of Eryngo, which may be found in nearly every state.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Distribution for leavenworthii<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/So1brJV-qbI/AAAAAAAABlE/xjbCOcfn1Fg/s1600-h/erengo-dist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 359px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/So1brJV-qbI/AAAAAAAABlE/xjbCOcfn1Fg/s400/erengo-dist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372050727323478450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Range Map:<br />USDA, NRCS. 2009. <a mce_href="http://plants.usda.gov" href="http://plants.usda.gov/">The PLANTS Database</a> . National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.</div><br /></div>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Please, l<span style="font-weight: bold;">eave a comment here</span> and<br />Be sure to visit our new 'Nature Only' blog, named '<span style="font-weight: bold;">I C U Nature</span>'.<br />Your opinion is important !!!<br />Tell us what you think about the format and appearance<br />of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">new site at WordPress</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://troymullens.wordpress.com/">Click here to see I C U Nature</a></span>.<br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-65021384518745453322009-08-13T13:19:00.006-05:002009-08-13T13:34:17.564-05:00Hot Texas Sun<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">SWF</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It was hot this day, 100+ °F. in the shade.</span></span><br /></div><br />I was on a Nature Hike at the Ft. Worth nature Center & Refuge with Michelle Villafranca. We were in the "Prairie Barrens" area and I was interested in studying the plant communities on the 'barrens' a little more closely. This photo is near the edge of a barrens area approaching some glades.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoRZqcMtv5I/AAAAAAAABkc/oYjQ3WcAxsE/s1600-h/open-barrens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoRZqcMtv5I/AAAAAAAABkc/oYjQ3WcAxsE/s400/open-barrens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369515241391374226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">click on the photo for a better view</span><br /></span></div><br />This photo is an example of a statement that I have said in previous posts. When you take a photo, try to remember not only what it looked like, but the weather, what birds you were hearing (titmice, or other sounds), time of day, what smells were in the air (dry hot grass in this instance), any breezes stirring the air, anything unusual about the geology, etc.. It will enhance the pleasure of viewing the photo later.<br /><br />Note the characteristic color of 'Little Bluestem' on the left.<br /><br />Google 'prairie barrens' for more information.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br /></div>.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-44214514200736559532009-08-11T11:11:00.009-05:002009-08-11T19:49:42.713-05:00Wild foxglove<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">D</span>igitalis is found in some</span><br />.<br />We were out looking for Celestial to photograph when we found this lone Wild Foxglove. Alas, the Celestials were long gone, but there were some interesting wildflowers and insects to photograph. More of these to come over the next few weeks. <a href="http://troyandmartha.blogspot.com/2008/04/celestial.html">Click here to see last year's Celestial</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoGZA9JjK7I/AAAAAAAABkU/lVJyisqV9SM/s1600-h/Wild-foxglove-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoGZA9JjK7I/AAAAAAAABkU/lVJyisqV9SM/s400/Wild-foxglove-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368740472496008114" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on the photo for a better view.<br />Leave a comment if you like the photo.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Penstemon cobaea</span> Nutt.<br />Wild foxglove, Prairie penstemon, Foxglove penstemon, False foxglove, Large-flowered beardtongue, Large-flowered penstemon, Prairie beardtongue, Cobaea penstemon<br />Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)<br />USDA Symbol: PECO4<br />USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.<br /><br />When in bloom, large, tubular flowers line at least half of cobaea beardtongue’s 1-2½ ft. stems. It is typically found on rocky, calcareous soils in the Hill country of Texas. The flowers are white with dark purple lines inside the floral tube. One to three stout stems rise from a woody rhizome and bear thick, 2-3½ in. paired leaves which become smaller up the stem. The leaves have a waxy, shiny luster and are coursely toothed. The lower leaves have often withered by the time of flowering.<br /><br />Perennial<br /><br />This penstemon attracts a variety of moths.<br /><br />Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge, May 2, 2009.<br />Canon G10, f/4, 1/125 sec., ISO 100, 11:30 AM<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">REFERENCES:</span><br /><br />Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Native Plant Database.<br /><br />Marshall Enquist. 1987. Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country. Lone Star Botannical, Austin, TX, 275 pp.<br /><br />PS: There is an interesting internet reference on digitalis obtained from two other species of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Common Foxglove</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Digitalis purpurea</span>, <a href="http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/Com-En/Digitalis.html">found here.<br /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Troy and Martha<br /></div>.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-86214616223202412532009-08-10T12:56:00.008-05:002009-08-10T13:54:33.572-05:00My World Tuesday<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">My World Texas,</span><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Based in Ft. Worth, Texas</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today in Texas</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cowboy Boots</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you do with your old Cowboy Boots here in Texas,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">when they are all worn out?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoBhiqxUzZI/AAAAAAAABkM/IXhA2PLtw2g/s1600-h/boots-on-the-fence-ps-ni.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SoBhiqxUzZI/AAAAAAAABkM/IXhA2PLtw2g/s400/boots-on-the-fence-ps-ni.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368398004050251154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why you hang them out on the fence of course.....</span><br /><br />Photograph taken in a light rain, cloudy day, from the inside of the car.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo for a better look.</span></span><br /><br />If you like the photo, leave a comment,<br />and scroll down and see some of the other Texas posts lately.<br /><br />Please visit<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/">"That's my World"</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>for other great places of the Earth.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/STQyrZkdO9I/AAAAAAAABbs/-5zFtJHmy3k/s1600-h/myWorlButtonblack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 51px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/STQyrZkdO9I/AAAAAAAABbs/-5zFtJHmy3k/s400/myWorlButtonblack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274896784737254354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Troy</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> & Martha</span><br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-25370237585099977342009-08-09T15:16:00.004-05:002009-08-09T15:23:35.671-05:00Harlequin Bug nymphs<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">.<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is always one to take charge and be the leader.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just out of the egg cases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Murgantia histrionica</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sn8vrYZXcEI/AAAAAAAABkE/Dcr7cVJk7Q4/s1600-h/bugs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sn8vrYZXcEI/AAAAAAAABkE/Dcr7cVJk7Q4/s400/bugs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368061703178645570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">You have to click on the photo to see the story.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I believe he is saying, "Hey guys, come on, I see some small leaves up there that we can hide in".</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Troy<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-34248586812972815632009-08-06T13:13:00.005-05:002009-08-06T13:27:01.617-05:00Ft. Worth Nature Center Marsh.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sky Watch<br />Looking for the Rain<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">120° Panorama</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnsgYU8arBI/AAAAAAAABjk/JS4x5508vUo/s1600-h/ftwnc-marsh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnsgYU8arBI/AAAAAAAABjk/JS4x5508vUo/s400/ftwnc-marsh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366918983253142546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boardwalk at the Marsh</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo and scroll back and forth<br />to see the receding water and drying marsh.<br /></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A skywatch for a serious reason. Looking for needed rain.<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy</span><br />.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-65447602136783608482009-08-04T21:06:00.011-05:002009-08-15T14:48:38.747-05:00The Sad Story of a Weevil.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">or<span style="font-weight: bold;"> "A Good Photography Refresher Tip"</span><br /></div><br />First, The Good News......<br />I made a nice photograph of a cool weevil while on an insect walk with Laura Veloz,<br />at the Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge. A broad-nosed weevil at that.<br />At first glance, I tentatively ID'd this as an <span style="font-style: italic;">Ophryastes</span> sp., maybe <span style="font-style: italic;">varius</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnjqDvasHlI/AAAAAAAABjU/PD4nmH1Npmo/s1600-h/Ophryastes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnjqDvasHlI/AAAAAAAABjU/PD4nmH1Npmo/s400/Ophryastes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366296306000862802" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo for a really close view</span></span><br /></a></div><br />Now, The Bad News......<br />After posting on one of my favorite sites, 'Bug Guide', the ID is now in doubt.<br />v.belov, a contributing editor of 'Bug Guide', tends to think it may be <span style="font-style: italic;">Epicaerus texanus</span>.<br /><br />Poor weevil. Now he/she will never be a famous star in an Entomological journal.<br />Without a proven bloodline or lineage, no acceptance.<br />You know how picky these Editors are.<br /><br />The moral to the story, or lesson learned, is.....<br />Always take several photographs from various angles.<br />According to v. belov, a plain dorsal photo may have decided the confirmed idenity.<br /><br />It doesn't cost any more to make twenty shots than one. I was just lazy.<br />I took 3 shots (all from the same angle) and all looked in focus.<br /><br />Have you ever done this?<br />Leave a comment<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Troy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SocQzOtol2I/AAAAAAAABk0/zCDfR_YZ80Q/s1600-h/CameraCritters4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SocQzOtol2I/AAAAAAAABk0/zCDfR_YZ80Q/s320/CameraCritters4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370279552971478882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SocQZmQRzvI/AAAAAAAABks/lClrI_7jhfw/s1600-h/CameraCritters4.jpg"><br /></a>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-75136000485792852212009-08-02T16:10:00.006-05:002009-08-02T16:44:29.800-05:00Cryptic Camouflage.<br />One of the examples of camouflage is cryptic camouflage or 'blending into the background'.<br /><br />Cryptic camouflage is an attempt to blend into the environment and become effectively imperceptible. To do this, the camouflaged object must minimize observable differences between itself and the background with respect to the senses of the target observer.<br /><br />The definitive example of camouflage is a cryptic camouflage designed to match the visual appearance of the expected background, generally using a mottled pattern of greens and browns to match ground and foliage color and break up the outline of the camouflaged object.<br /><br />This Catocola Moth is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Catocala maestosa</span>. The pattern is very well adapted to dim lighting. This photo is a much clearer image than seen by the eye in the subdued light along the forest trail. My flash seems to bring out the colors and separate her(?) from the bark.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on the photos for a closer look,<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Discovered while on a trip to explore the Prairie Barrens at<br />Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge with Michelle Villafranca<br />The moth is the piece of bark in the center of the tree trunk between the vines.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnYBy2cJEGI/AAAAAAAABjE/xQgPf541vRY/s1600-h/Catoc-on-the-tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnYBy2cJEGI/AAAAAAAABjE/xQgPf541vRY/s400/Catoc-on-the-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365477979177160802" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The overall pattern simulates bark texture and grain.<br />Notice how the dark semicircles break up the overall wing shape,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnYCD1FmbAI/AAAAAAAABjM/PBOGne1jajQ/s1600-h/Catocala-Moth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnYCD1FmbAI/AAAAAAAABjM/PBOGne1jajQ/s400/Catocala-Moth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365478270871956482" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />An older name found in many books is Catocala viduata.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Troy<br />.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-54738126724274901472009-08-01T09:36:00.006-05:002009-08-01T09:48:09.683-05:00August Whale Calendar.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">It's August......</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you made and printed your August Calendar yet?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo and scroll to see all of the calendar</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnRT1QtKjlI/AAAAAAAABi8/Q7HpAmXyeWQ/s1600-h/8-August.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnRT1QtKjlI/AAAAAAAABi8/Q7HpAmXyeWQ/s400/8-August.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005230587678290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was a fun photograph to make.<br /><br />Rocking boat, moving pretty fast<br />Choppy waves...lots of vibration<br />Heavy overcast, shooting ISO 400<br />Anticipating the breach location<br /><br />Nikon D200<br />18-200 mm Vibration Reduction Lens<br />1/640 sec, f/13, 200 mm focal length<br /><br />After all the heat here in Texas, Alaska would be nice again.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leave a comment and have a great August.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Troy</span><br /></div><br />.Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-17847696073578283332009-07-30T12:45:00.003-05:002009-07-30T12:51:21.519-05:00SWF<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Montana Buffalo Country</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">East of Glacier National Park<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnHdFzw0FyI/AAAAAAAABis/EbHLY0Sbsng/s1600-h/Montana-Buffalo-Country-bw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnHdFzw0FyI/AAAAAAAABis/EbHLY0Sbsng/s400/Montana-Buffalo-Country-bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364311723039004450" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo for a better look.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you been there?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leave a comment.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy and Martha</span><br />.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-91990249990249820612009-07-29T17:29:00.007-05:002009-07-29T17:46:22.346-05:00Three-banded Grasshopper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hadrotettix trifasciatus</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnDPVxuGShI/AAAAAAAABik/uEhQUSgc0_8/s1600-h/Three-banded-Grasshopper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SnDPVxuGShI/AAAAAAAABik/uEhQUSgc0_8/s400/Three-banded-Grasshopper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364015129229150738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to click on the photo for a better view<br />of the network pattern in the wings and the colors</span></span><br /><br /></div><br />According to the 'Wyoming Agricultrial Experiment Station Bulletin 912,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">"The Three-banded Grasshopper ranges widely in the grasslands of the West in the middle third of the continent. It is a common species of the shortgrass, desert, and mixedgrass prairies. It is less abundant in other prairies and is rare in grass-shrub communities of the intermountain basins. In the tallgrass prairie it occupies areas of sparse vegetation on gravelly hilltops and slopes. This particular species is not considered a serious agricultural pest.<br /><br />Its feeding on good forage grasses would tend to give it pest status, but research has shown that it feeds more heavily on poor forage plants and plants poisonous to livestock (death camus, milkweeds, some milkvetches, and others). It feeds on grasses, forbs, sedges, dead and weakened insects, plant litter, and dry cattle dung. It feeds chiefly on forbs, with as many as 40 species recorded from analyses of crop contents and direct observations in nature. Examination of 152 specimens collected from several habitats near North Platte, Nebraska revealed that 75 percent of crop contents consisted of forbs, 21 percent grasses and sedge, and 4 percent arthropod parts."<br /></div><br />This one was photographed at the Ft. Worth Nature Center and Refuge.<br />Lower prairie setting close to the West fork of the Trinity River.<br /><br />I have been seeing a lot of band-winged grasshoppers and tons of slant-faced grasshoppers there, but this is the first of this species that I have seen this year. Maybe I haven't been looking closely enough.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Leave a comment (if you like hoppers) and tell me what you think.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Photo with my Canon G10 'point and shoot'</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right; font-weight: bold;">Troy<br />.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-15037785988729546872009-03-12T11:34:00.006-05:002009-03-13T17:16:19.770-05:00Sky Watch Friday.<br /><br />We have been doing a lot of yard work and and home projects lately,<br />so no blogging for a couple of months.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well.<br />I'll try to catch up on visiting everyone over the next couple of weeks.<br />It's raining here, so no outside work.<br /><br />I thought I would share out March calendar (with a sky),<br />and a March moon (made with a point and shoot through the eyepiece of one of our telescopes).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on the photos and scroll for better full page views<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Calendar of a Photo made on the Haul Road</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Dalton Highway<br />414 mile gravel road</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >This is one of the really good sections</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sbk6FumVArI/AAAAAAAABh0/2pQmNBHXQj4/s1600-h/3-March.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sbk6FumVArI/AAAAAAAABh0/2pQmNBHXQj4/s400/3-March.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312341105542759090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March Moon</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sbk8j3TzJQI/AAAAAAAABh8/qLww4WMeRDw/s1600-h/moon-2009-03-07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/Sbk8j3TzJQI/AAAAAAAABh8/qLww4WMeRDw/s400/moon-2009-03-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312343822300292354" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Sky Watch and have a good weekend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Troy and Martha</span><br />.<br /></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-35269495471554953942009-01-01T09:32:00.007-06:002009-01-01T10:10:28.958-06:00Happy New Year 2009<span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Happy New Year</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">and wishing you health and happiness</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Click on the photo for a larger view</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SVzqhT36lbI/AAAAAAAABec/0JT-xQQE_Qc/s1600-h/Arizona-Desert-2-BW.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SVzqhT36lbI/AAAAAAAABec/0JT-xQQE_Qc/s400/Arizona-Desert-2-BW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286357920617502130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Arizona Desert</span> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2006 Martha Mullens</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Troy and Martha</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">see the </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />.<br /></div></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-48275620586592116622008-12-18T11:18:00.006-06:002008-12-18T11:53:15.126-06:002009 Calendars<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sky Watch Friday<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">It's time to make your 2009 Calendars</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">...</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />Sky Watch Photos would be a good theme...</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click on the photo and scroll up and down</span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">to view the photo & calendar better</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">January</span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUqK0rn0kGI/AAAAAAAABd0/flA_dQcp2pQ/s1600-h/1-January.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUqK0rn0kGI/AAAAAAAABd0/flA_dQcp2pQ/s400/1-January.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281186150712905826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Size 13" x 19"</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Printer - </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Epson 2200</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Paper - </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Red River 68lb Ultrapro Satin 2.0</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Camera - </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Photo Nikon D200</span></span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Are you going to make your own calendar?</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What theme are you going to use?</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Leave a comment and let us know what you think.</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">see The </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Troy and Martha</span></span></span><br /><br />.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-74957201565511490082008-12-15T12:10:00.009-06:002008-12-15T13:07:05.660-06:00My World Tuesday, Part 7<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">My World Texas,</span><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Based in Ft. Worth, Texas</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today in Texas<br />A Sunday Drive to Hagerman<br /></div><br /><br />Yesterday was a nice day for a drive in the country and we decided to go up to <a href="http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/hagerman/index.html">Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge</a>. The temperature was about 75 degrees and the birding, from inside the car, was pretty good despite a 30 - 40 mph wind.<br /><br />Hagerman is located on the Texas side of Lake Texoma, which is the The Texas - Oklahoma border. We had not been up there since the Geese returned. There were several thousand geese, mostly <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snow_Goose_dtl.html">Snow Geese</a> (including the Blue goose), some <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rosss_Goose_dtl.html">Ross's</a> Geese, a few <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Greater_White-fronted_Goose_dtl.html">Greater White-fronted Geese</a>, and a very few Canadian Geese. We saw 33 species of birds in all. Most of the sparrows and small grass birds were down out of the wind (can't say I blame them).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Click on the photos for full page views.</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">We Started Early</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUaf6NCR4kI/AAAAAAAABdM/TANYVPXuzHk/s1600-h/Moonrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUaf6NCR4kI/AAAAAAAABdM/TANYVPXuzHk/s400/Moonrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280083435418935874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(photo by Martha at the What-a-Burger),</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">while I ordered Breakfast.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thousands of Geese</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUagF7vE4lI/AAAAAAAABdU/b0hAdD41Gho/s1600-h/Geese-loafing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUagF7vE4lI/AAAAAAAABdU/b0hAdD41Gho/s400/Geese-loafing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280083636933419602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(photo by Martha)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coots Surprised</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUagR1fWRhI/AAAAAAAABdc/90haD_R_jF4/s1600-h/Coots-walking-on-water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUagR1fWRhI/AAAAAAAABdc/90haD_R_jF4/s400/Coots-walking-on-water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280083841415267858" border="0" /></a>When I walked up to the edge of a cliff, and grabbed this snapshot,<br />they started walking on water,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Leave a comment for your favorite photo.<br /><div align="right">Troy and Martha</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Location of Hagerman and Lake Texoma</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUapyvw5_ZI/AAAAAAAABdk/7q8c4vSp46Q/s1600-h/Hagerman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUapyvw5_ZI/AAAAAAAABdk/7q8c4vSp46Q/s400/Hagerman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280094302418632082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hagerman NWR is located on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.</span></span><br /><br />Please visit <a href="http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/">"That's my World"</a> for other great places of the Earth.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/STQyrZkdO9I/AAAAAAAABbs/-5zFtJHmy3k/s1600-h/myWorlButtonblack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 51px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/STQyrZkdO9I/AAAAAAAABbs/-5zFtJHmy3k/s400/myWorlButtonblack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274896784737254354" border="0" /></a><div align="center"> </div><div align="right">.</div>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835532789424095913.post-28099417605512094722008-12-11T11:34:00.008-06:002008-12-11T12:31:24.255-06:00Clouds Resting<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sky Watch Friday<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">The clouds were resting on the mountaintops</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br />Alternate title:<br />'Exploring', But Not Over This Bridge!<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We were 4-wheeling and exploring some old Alaskan mining roads high in the mountains when we encountered this old bridge missing most of its timbers. We were able to drive through the woods, ford the stream, and regain the road, hence bypassing the bridge. The stream was composed of glacier and snow melt and runoff from rain. It had been a steady drizzle all morning, and we weren't expecting nor concerned about flash floods. Also at this point, the valley walls were pretty steep, and it looked like the stream depth had never been more than a few feet deep.<br /><br />Click on the photo to enlarge to full page width. You will have to scroll up and down to see the full photo. Most of the sky in this photo is resting on the ground and rushing down this icy cold stream. I was so anxious to get on up the road, I forgot to shoot to the left and right so that I could stitch together a panorama. Well, this was not the first time, nor would it be the last during this trip.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Clouds Resting</span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUFTod_NkoI/AAAAAAAABcs/ZZiQECtinRc/s1600-h/Not-the-Bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SUFTod_NkoI/AAAAAAAABcs/ZZiQECtinRc/s400/Not-the-Bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278592192964563586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Where we forded the stream, it was about 40-50 feet wide and 18 inches deep. I put on my high top rubber boots and waded across checking for firmness of the stream bed and for holes. Then Martha drove across.<br /><br />There were thousands of photos that we missed because we were so stunned by the view or the experience.</span></span></span> We are explorers at heart, naturalists by choice, and photographers when we remember to capture the moment.<br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leave a comment and let us know if you like the view.</span></span><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For other SWF posts,</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">see The </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch site here</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s1600-h/swf2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257788775290907234" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5xnPWKo15Zs/SPdrCL9AKmI/AAAAAAAABSA/rFryI0ZIbfA/s400/swf2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >PS: Martha is a lot better at capturing the moment, and reminding me to get the photo, than I am.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Troy and Martha</span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span>Texas Travelershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16250697065385437368noreply@blogger.com34