In mostly black & white

*Note: Clicking on any image will open that image in a new window, full size.

*Note 2: I don’t normally do black & white photography, but today’s weather just seemed to beg for that treatment.

Since the first of the year the weather here in East Texas has been anything but cheery. In fact, it has been downright drab and depressing. I made a promise to myself that I was going to break that chain, and even if the weather wasn’t beautiful, I was going to get outside if for no other reason than to get some exercise.

So, I log out of work a couple of hours early, clearing with my boss to log a couple of hours of vacation time of course, and head outside. Sure enough, it is still dreary and even a little misty. I grab my trusty Canon 1DX-II body, 70-200mm lens, and head outside…after bundling up a bit that is. After all, it’s not even 60 degrees out there, and I live in Texas. LOL

As I began my walk, the first thing I noticed was how moist the air was. I was thankful for the weather sealing that Canon has provided for my camera and lens. At least I don’t have to worry about my equipment.

The first place I go is the creek that borders my property. I have had quite a bit of erosion over the past few years due to flash-floods and I wanted to make sure that everything is still holding.

Things seem to be holding, at least for now. Who knows what will happen when the spring rains come this year?

Climbing up out of the creek, I see a fallen log which has a fungus growing on it. Life passes, and gives life. The circle of life in nature.

As I walk around the property, I check on my bluebird boxes and clean them out for the coming year. It looks like 4 of the 7 boxes had a happy nest in them this past year. That explains all the bluebirds I noticed all summer long. I hope even more will be used this year.

And speaking of critters that live in holes, I stop and ponder for a moment who has been taking up residence in this old tree. Perhaps someday I will find out.

I continue walking past the boundary of my property and into my neighbor’s forest. He allows me excursions into the woods with my cameras. It’s great to have friendly Texas neighbors.

Living in East Texas, it is not uncommon to find relics of the oil boom that took place here many years ago. In fact, not far from my property is the location of the Daisy-Bradford #3 well which began the boom here in East Texas. This abandoned pipeline has been lost back to nature.

Looking through the brush shows the gauge that used to measure the pressure of the valuable substance flowing through the pipes, now dormant, sitting peacefully at zero.

Continuing my trek on this drab and dismal day, a single bit of color catches my eye. The pine trees have provided a carpet for the forest floor, and some other tree has provided a pop of color. This helps me remember that even on a day like today there are still things for which to be thankful to almighty God.

A bit farther I come to the power line easement that crosses so many properties. As I look down the line I can see the mist which is starting to roll in across the pasture. I’m strangely overcome with a sense of peace at the scene.

As I’m walking I realize that for the first time in several months, I’m outside and active, breathing the fresh air and making my body move. It feels good. I’ve been so tired of being tired all the time, and it’s no one’s fault but my own.

I come to a small pond of water that was uncovered during the recent tree harvest on my neighbor’s property. I sit down on a stump to rest and to just listen. Hoping to hear the sounds of nature, all I really hear is silence, which is very calming. It seems I wasn’t the only one affected by this weather. All the critters appear to be hunkered down.

Then I notice the branches of a small pine tree which had fallen near the pond with the little seeds of life still clinging to the branches. Once more, death giving way to new life.

As I head back to my own property I notice a lone, crooked tree standing in a field where all the others had been harvested. For some strange reason it made me think about how it felt to be the one left out when teams were being picked in grade school. This poor guy didn’t get picked. But in this case being picked meant going to the lumber mill, not a sports team. I wonder if it knows how lucky it was for being so malformed? I wonder if it will green up again in the spring? Or is this just another example of the cycle.

From here I head back and finish checking the bluebird houses on my own property. Now they are all nice and clean for the next generation of bluebirds this spring.

Now, what can I do next to get myself off the couch, my body moving, and shoot with my camera? We’ll see.

Until next time,
Michael

FYI: The tree harvesting on my neighbors’ property will enter the next phase this year with planting of new trees. Once more, the cycle of life in nature, of a renewable resource.

All words and photos copyright 2020 MHampton Photography
Equipment used: Canon 1DX II and Canon 70-200IS/USM/L lens