Three-panel collage of wildflowers — a magenta Panicled Ticktrefoil bloom with unopened buds on a hairy green stem, a cluster of lavender-purple Queen’s Wreath flowers with dark violet centers, and two yellow Rock Flax flowers on a thin curling stem.

PQRfectly Floral

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We now reach the PQR flowers in Terri’s Flower ABC challenge. Initially, I thought it would be hard to find flowers beginning with the letter Q. I found a few in my catalog. What surprised me even more is that … Read More

Fall foliage at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, with Prairie Flameleaf Sumac in shades of red, orange, and yellow and the white, feathery plumes of Roosevelt Weed rising in the background.

Yellow Hues at Balcones Canyonlands

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Whether you go on a long hike or a short walk, the sights at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge will always please you. In the fall, you have vibrant colors from the Prairie Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata) and Roosevelt Weed … Read More

Vertical close-up of a Texas Skeleton Plant flower atop its thin, leafless stem, showing deep purple veins and curled white stamens.

Bare Bones, Bold Bloom: The Texas Skeleton Plant

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I can never seem to get enough of this flower. Whether biking or hiking, I literally stop in my tracks when I spot a Texas Skeleton Plant in bloom. I photographed these two photos on a hike at Doeskin Ranch, … Read More

Close-up of a Pretty Sneezeweed in profile, its dark, dome-shaped center crowned with yellow rays, while a smaller round bud nestles against its side like a quiet twin, all set against a softly blurred green field.

Twin Suns and the Beauty of Being Different

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“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”— Maya Angelou It is believed that diversity makes us strong. In the world of wildflowers, would we apply the same principle? Most definitely so, I think. There is beauty in a … Read More

Two Common Green Darner dragonflies (Anax junius) mating in a heart-shaped “wheel position” on a reed stem, their reflections mirrored in the still water below, at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Texas.

Lucky Shots: Caught in the Act

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Lens-Artists Challenge #393: Lucky Shot Patience is unlikely to be what one relies on for lucky shots. Rather, you need to be in the right place at the right time. All the shots here were unexpected captures. I’ll tell you … Read More

Catching Light in Filigree

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Lens-Artists Challenge #376: Wings Beth is the Lens-Artists host for this week’s challenge. In her opening paragraph, she wrote, “I am challenging you to feature anything with wings.” She offers excellent examples that will certainly help you if you’re unsure … Read More

Prairie Verbena

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A spring hike at the beautiful Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge’s Doeskin Ranch trail often leads to unexpected photo opportunities. This wildlife refuge is just outside the Austin city limits and offers a nice view of the Hill Country and … Read More

Remembering Cee Neuner

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The Scarlet leather flower (Clematis texensis) is endemic to Texas. More specifically, it is endemic to the Edwards Plateau region in Central Texas. It thrives in rocky, limestone-rich soils, which we have plenty of in this area. It prefers full … Read More

Finding Beauty in Small Native Blooms

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Lens-Artists Challenge #343 – Seen on my Last Outing I had already picked what would have been my post for this latest Lens-Artists challenge. After having had a mild flu case two weeks ago, I was ready to get out … Read More

Hummingbird moth

Hummingbird Moth

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— I can now check another item off my bucket list when it comes to wildlife. In April this year, I went for a hike at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, just 40 minutes from home in Austin, Texas. … Read More

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