True colors

Cactus Wren
West Odessa, Texas

A fluffed-up cactus wren, sunning, letting his true colors shine through.

Tumbleweed Time

"Tumbleweed Time" 1, 2, 3, 4 (Click on any to see larger)
All over West Texas

These views are especially for those that grew up in West Texas, moved away, and follow my blog nostalgically. You know who you are ;)

A Little Night Music

"A Little Night Music" 1, 2, 3, 4
December 6, 2008
Driving home from Lubbock, Texas

I'm compulsive. I can't stop seeing things to take photos of, even at night, even while sitting in the passenger seat, going 70 mph. These were from a night about a year ago. You might even recognize a couple in a digital collage seen here before.

The State of the Leaves Address

"The State of the Leaves Address" 1, 2, 3, 4
December 21, 2009
Time Machine Master Gardener's Compost Garden, Odessa, Texas

What did they say in their address to me? "We are not all brown, are not all gone, are not all the same."

Tree Man, Robot Man, Joker Man, Marathon Man

Tree man, robot man, joker man, marathon man...that's Joseph, man!
Joseph Garner
Penwell, Texas

A bit of outtake fun.

Joseph Garner

Joseph Garner 1, 2, 3, 4 (Click any for larger view)
Penwell, Texas

I had a blast doing this portrait shoot. Joseph, you da man!

Walk and Talk with Me

Walk and Talk with Me, 1, 2, 3, 4 December 14, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

West Odessa is served by a volunteer fire department. The WOVFD station (their mascot is a wolf) is just a block from my home, the sound of sirens so common I hardly notice it. But since adopting my dog Ansel, I have become much more aware again. His breed is 'siren howler.'	The gray cardinal, or pyrrhuloxia, is another common resident, another contributor to the ongoing soundtrack of life "Out West." Although you know I adore taking photos of flowers in the warm months, winter has distinct benefits, like bare branches.
Most windmills are in operation in West Texas, pumping underground water for livestock and landscaping. My place has a well and I would love to put a windmill on it, using the water for my orchard. Note to self: One day I'd like to plant fruit trees for an orchard, too.	Not much to say except that I liked the contrast of the deteriorating pink porch and the shiny decoration. And that I do get bolder and bolder. My photo philosophy has boiled down to "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission." I'm sure there are gaping holes in that philosophy.

Hark!

"Hark!" Kit's Christmas Program, 1, 2, 3, 4 December 10,2009
Odessa, Texas

My granddaughter, the angel.

Lovely light in the church, but it sure makes it hard to get photos of 5 year olds.

Western Soapberry Studies

Western Soapberry Study 1, 2, 3, 4 (Click any for larger view)
West Odessa, Texas

Another winter case of profound plant love.

Virgin Bower Studies

Virgin Bower Study 1, 2, 3, 4 (Click to view larger)
West Odessa, Texas

I love this plant. And I love this plant most especially this time of year.



Read a bit more about Clematis drummondi on my nature blog, Leaves of Eve.

Beep Beep

Roadrunner
West Odessa, Texas

I spent some time this morning chasing a roadrunner with my camera. Just call me Wile E. Coyote.

Street Rumble

Motorcycle Club "Cossex?" 1, 2, 3, 4
Zion Church of God, West Odessa, Texas

Sunday's afternoon was enlivened by the sound of a hundred motorbikes on my normally quiet residential street. No fear — they were meeting at the church to drop off gifts for a Christmas Toy Drive!

Alley Troves

"Alley Trove"
October 8, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

One of the places I like to take photos is down alleys. I can stop any time I like. I cause less alarm pointing my camera at back fences. Plus there are always plenty of weeds, which you know I like.

Morning Glory Shadows

Morning glory vine shadows
December 10, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

'Tis the season. Not just for holidays, shopping, and eggnog, but also for seeing that which I missed before.

Bookcover Designing is Fun!

Books by Brian Montgomery

A friend, Brian Montgomery, is a writer and about to publish on Amazon. Today I played with creating some bookcovers based on photos of mine he chose. I was surprised at how well they could go with his work. I would never have guessed that.

18 Journeys is a collection of short stories, 5 Blondes is about a detective chasing serial killers, and The Confession of Alan Evans is about an archbishop who confesses a secret to the same detective from 5 Blondes, a sort of sequel-prequel. They all sound intriguing to me! When they are available, I'll let you know and update this post with links.

P.S. My brother's surgery went very well and he is now home recovering. Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.