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

Lens-Artists Challenge #386: What Astonishes You? Beth (of Wandering Dawgs) sets the theme for this week’s challenge. She wrote: “What have you seen or experienced that has astonished you? The challenge is to include photos about things that astonish you … Read More

The Travis Audubon Society has just named the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) its 2026 Bird of the Year. This small and mighty backyard bird, weighing barely as much as two small, empty soda cans, shows a rich cinnamon plumage. Its … Read More

You cannot miss these scarlet hibiscus flowers as you enter the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. There is a large bush right by the well in the center of the entrance, next to the restrooms and gift shop. The Halberd-leaf … Read More

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

Lens-Artists Challenge #372: Ephemeral What a wonderful challenge Tina gave us this week: Ephemeral. Here’s her prompt: “I will start this week’s challenge with the dictionary’s short and simple definition of the word ephemeral – ‘lasting for a very short … Read More

Every time I volunteer for the Fauna Project at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, I am often distracted by the beautiful flora that surrounds me. So, it’s no wonder I end up with many flower photos from each visit. … Read More

The use of backlight in photography offers many advantages to make your photos pop. For example, the featured image above, captured at Mills Pond, highlights the strength of form and texture. Backlighting separates the subject from the background and creates … Read More

Every spring, Texans have a routine: they go out and look for the wildflowers that are blooming each week. City streets, highways, and parks exhibit a notable presence of various wildflowers. Spring 2025 was a bit odd. There were not … Read More

While walking the grounds of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center a few years ago, I witnessed several pollinators doing their job of carrying pollen from flower to flower. However, little did I know that I was going to have … Read More