The Desert Cardinal: A Hidden Gem of the Chihuahuan Desert
There’s something magical about the Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus)—often called the “Desert Cardinal”—that makes encountering one feel like discovering a well-kept secret of the American Southwest. For me, this was the first time seeing one. With the right camera settings, I … Read More
A “Morning Glory” Kind of Morning
There is a specific kind of magic that only exists before the rest of the world hits the “snooze” button. I call it the Morning Glory—not just because of the flowers that bloom with the sun, but because of that … Read More
Where Canyons Touch the Sky
Lens-Artists Challenge #388: Your Journey in 5-10 Images Anne-Christine asked us to consider these questions for this week’s challenge about a trip we took: “What were the highlights, what are the memories that will stay with me forever? Maybe the big … Read More
The Desert’s Crimson Crown: Spring Awakenings at Big Bend Ranch State Park
There is a specific kind of magic that happens in the high desert of Big Bend Ranch State Park when winter’s grip begins to loosen. It’s a landscape defined by its “hardness”—rugged volcanic rock, heat-shimmering horizons, and plants that have … Read More
Emerald Wings in Golden Water
There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when the sun hits the water at just the right angle, turning a river into a basin of liquid gold. It’s in these quiet, shimmering moments that the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) … Read More
Busy Bee: A Midsummer Pollinator Story
This shot captures the “flame” in Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii). Before the pollinators arrive, the plant stands out with its architectural, fire-colored blooms. The narrow, tubular shape of these flowers is a neon sign for hummingbirds and long-tongued … Read More
Shadows and Silhouettes of Big Bend Ranch
Lens-Artists Challenge #387: Shadowed Instead of diving into my archives for John’s creative Shadowed challenge, I am using photos I captured just last week while visiting Big Bend Ranch State Park (not to be confused with Big Bend National Park). … Read More
Age Before Beauty? In Lisbon, You Get Both.
Lens-Artists Challenge #386: The Power of Juxtaposition Portugal is a place where time doesn’t move in a straight line; it stacks and juxtaposes. In the streets of Lisbon and along the Tagus’s riverbanks, the 16th century doesn’t just haunt the … Read More
Cute as a Button
The saying may not come from this perennial shrub, but I can certainly see that it would apply to a Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) shrub. Even though this shrub may look a bit like a weed for some people, the round … Read More
Seeing Differently
Lens-Artists Challenge #385: Unusual Crop Photography rules can help create a balanced photo. However, the old saying that rules are written to be broken should be kept in mind if a photographer wants to blur the lines and show creativity. … Read More
