Redbuds and Steel

Photo Information

Taken:	2 March 2008 14:03 in The Meadows at Brushy Creek
Camera:	Unidentified
Exposure:	Not encoded

Backstory

One of the things I’ve learned going back through time and putting this blog together is that most of the pictures that have special meaning to me are not very interesting to others, at least in the context of a photo blog. I mean, who cares if I installed new landscaping just before I snapped this picture? Well, someone might if I posted it on my regular blog, but it doesn’t really belong here.

Another thing I’ve discovered is that I’m really fond of the chaotic pattern of tree branches against sky. I find it comforting, soothing even. And still, part of my brain wants to find meaning in them. Are humans nothing more than machines for creating metaphor?

But back to the picture… I’m posting this picture on a very hot day in July. It helps to remember the coolness of early March, when the red buds were the first promise of returning foliage. They look warm against the cold gray sky. A cheerful thought when it’s 100°F.

—21 July 2012

A Future Counter Top?

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 12:22 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	23.2mm, 0 EV
	f/5.5
	1/800

Backstory

Ever wonder why people in Central Texas have so many granite counter tops. It’s just laying around on the ground. In fact, Enchanted Rock is one huge hunk of granite that just popped up out of the earth.

Clean it, polish it, shape it, and you have a lovely counter top.

–4 June 2012

Suna in a Tree

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 13:55 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/7.1
	1/160

Backstory

This is the last picture I’ll post from this trip to Enchanted Rock. It kicks off my portrait series, “People in Trees” with my favorite people.

–10 June 2010

Dog in the Rocks

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2005 12:36 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/7.1
	1/250

Backstory

We were still circling to the outside of the big rock when we stumbled upon this formation. The natural symmetry, the light on the rocks contrasting with the dark green of the oaks, the dog in the rocks…. Can you see the dog watching over the cactus?

I love the way the brain picks out recognizable patterns even when they don’t exist. (I won’t dwell on the philosophic or metaphysical implications of this trait here.) 

–8 June 2007

A Rock with a View

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 12:29 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	23.2mm, 0 EV
	f/5.5
	1/400

Backstory

This picture is a closer look at the rocky outcropping in the Old West Landscape. It looked so small standing behind the dead tree in that picture.

To give you a sense of scale, look for the little pinkish-red blur on top of the rock. A darker blob stands beside it just above a vertical yellow streak.

Those are people.

And this isn’t even the big rock….

–6 June 2012

The Big Rock

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 12:45 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	5.8mm, 0 EV
	f/7.1
	1/250

Backstory

This is the big rock. At this resolution, which pixels are people?

–9 June 2007

Strange Fruit

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 12:05 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	23.2mm, 0 EV
	f/5.5
	1/400

Backstory

I’m not really sure what this is. It looks like a cactus growing out of a mesquite branch. You never know what you’ll find when you look.

–29 May 2012

Old West Landscape

Photo Information

Taken:	16 December 2007 12:24 at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Camera:	Canon PowerShot A550
Exposure:	ISO 80
	9.8mm, 0 EV
	f/8
	1/200

Backstory

All we need is a vulture sitting on the barren tree to make this a stereotypical Old West picture. Look at the play of shadow on the left side of the tree.

I love the starkness of the landscape around Enchanted Rock. It’s so dry and karsty. It makes you understand the type of people who settled this land and made it support them. It makes you glad they did and you don’t have to.

–5 June 2012