Wander and Ponder
One of the things I am most grateful for in my life, is the opportunities I have to wander around all by myself. Our family has two rural properties, so when I walk around on one of them, it’s not like being in a park — I don’t have to stick to a trail, I don’t have to keep up with anyone who is trying to get to some rock formation or waterfall, I don’t have to get out of anyone’s way. I can just sit on a rock for half an hour if I want to. And yet, as I am on a small piece of ground, if I were to twist an ankle or something, someone would know where to look for me!
And when I go back inside and look at the photos I took, I often notice brand new details I didn’t see while on the walk.
Here are a few photos from our last trip to Central Texas, from the little hill behind our house.
View to the north.
Rocky ground.
A well-camouflaged Pallid-winged Grasshopper blends into the rock background.
Snapdragon Vine plants were attracting lots of pollinators.
Sonoran Bumblebee on Snapdragon Vine.
Sonoran Bumblebee.
Snapdragon Vine. I love the web in the background.
Black Swallowtail butterfly.
Rain clouds in the south.
Rain clouds moving in from the south had me heading back to the house after only an hour on the hill. I can’t wait to go again and see what I find next time!
Interesting that I found my first snapdragon vine near Palacios, at the head of the bay. That’s an adaptable plant! (Although as I think about it, rocky and sandy soils may be the commonality.)
The first one I ever saw was just about a month previous, at South Llano River State Park. That would be an interesting post, to see if someone remembers the first place they saw a certain plant or animal!
White prickly poppy: highway 35 outside Angleton! (Insert slammed brakes here!)
Indian Pipes: under the longleaf pine on the left just inside the Watson Rare Plant Preserve entrance.
Etc. I always remember!
Awesome!
I can remember clearly the first Pileated Woodpecker I saw, but I will have to think a little bit about plants. I know I was stopped by ocotillo and ceniza. This will give me something to think about on my next road trip!
Lovely pictures. Almost as good as walking with you.
Yay, I am glad. I think of our walk in Arizona often! You were a joy to walk with, always ready to stop and look at the little things, full of interesting conversation. (I was thinking of my husband and son-in-law when I wrote in the post about trying to keep up with someone who is on a hike mission.)