Lens-Artists Challenge #351: Books Reading is essential and can put the world at your fingertips. It will bring mental stimulation and cognitive enhancement, not to mention knowledge acquisition and an expanded worldview. The photo above features a set of favorite books … Read More

A common perennial shrub in Texas, the Texas Sage or Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) is known by many names, including Purple Sage, Silverleaf, Texas Ranger, and the most unusual name, Barometer Bush. That last name comes from the fact the bush … Read More

Walking around Austin can often result in finding hidden gems in the cityscape. The opportunities are varied and revealing, with many buildings using mirror exteriors. The image above reflects old power plant stacks opposite the Austin Public Library building. Below, … Read More

Bluebonnets are the official State of Texas flower. However, there is not a shortage of beautiful wildflowers in the state. Since early spring, we can admire the beauty that covers our fields. Indian Paintbrushes, Indian Blankets (Firewheels), Halberd-Leaved Rose Mallows, … Read More

Lens-Artists Challenge #346: Cinematic “From the shadows, it emerges – the ultimate crime-fighting machine.” [End of scene] When Sofia set this week’s challenge to Cinematic, I wasn’t sure what I would do. I thought about using photos from movie sets. … Read More

After seeing this nature trail many times on my way to a grocery store, I decided to visit it one day. Wow, what I’d been missing! The Copperfield Nature Trail is a small trail (about 4 miles or 6.5 km … Read More

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let there be green all around. In addition to being associated with luck, prosperity, and money, the color green is also associated with calmness, balance, nature, life, growth, health, well-being, hope, optimism, safety, and permission. More … Read More

Last night, on the way to dinner, we noticed intense and dark clouds on the horizon along the freeway. We knew it was Saharan dust as we sometimes get in the spring. We thought it was West Texas dust, but … Read More

Lens-Artists Challenge #340 – Portraits As with most photography genres, capturing story-telling portraits is not always easy. Several elements come into play when a photographer wants to create captivating portraits. When you see the American Goldfinch I featured above, does … Read More

A few years ago, the Blanton Museum of Art (on the University of Texas at Austin campus) held an exhibition about modern art in Latin America. One section was dedicated to iconic Brazilian chair designers. Although the featured chair above … Read More