Buttonbush, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas July 2019
Apparently, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a wildlife favorite: deer browse on it, birds love the fruit, while bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds savor the nectar. Swallowtail butterflies were all over the flowers of this marsh shrub the other day, though sadly, they refused to pose for me.
Grain Sorghum Fields Near Tivoli, Texas July 2019
Drive inland from the beach a few miles and you are surrounded by fields. Interspersed between cattle pastures the main crops are cotton, corn, and grain sorghum. Of the three, grain sorghum (aka milo to the farmers) is by far the most eye appealing.
I can see why milo is a preferred crop out here, it’s drought-tolerant, cheaper to grow than cotton or GMO corn, and works as a good rotation crop (increasing future cotton yields by 26% according to a recent Texas A&M study). Milo is one of Texas’ top ten agricultural commodities and it is the 4th most produced cereal grain in the world, with the US leading in output. Sorghum is super!
I recently met Shelby at an outdoor venue where my friend’s band was playing a gig. Shelby started out looking pretty put together but as the night wore on Shelby’s do started to slip. By the end of the night she was akimbo and things were askew. Come on, fess up, we’ve all had a night like that, right?
“I watched the sun roll down in Texas,
Out on the edge of town in Texas,
I keep on hanging round in Texas,
Waiting for my lucky day.”
This Chris Isaak song really resonates with me (with a few changes). I absolutely love the entire Baja Sessions album – be sure to give it a listen. It’s smooth and mellow, the perfect soundtrack for watching the sun go down.
End of Day, Rockport Beach, Texas July 2019
Sign Outside Rock Bottom Pub, Rockport, Texas July 2019
Mural on Side of Taco Bell, Rockport, Texas July 2019
I really like this mural. Didn’t expect to find it on the side of a Taco Bell. Kudos to them!
Maserati Levante, Shiner, Texas June 2019
While I admit the unusual emblem caught my eye, the overall design of the car failed to impress me. I mean, if I’m gonna shell out over $76,000 on the base model I want the design to scream outrageous. The body of this Levante seemed kinda ho-hum to me. Though I really liked the way it reflected the clouds after a passing rain shower.
Since shark skeletons are comprised of cartilage not bone, their parts aren’t that commonly found on the beach. The one exception to that rule is shark teeth, but those are made of dentin, a calcified material which is harder than bone. (Side note: The average shark goes through over 25,000 teeth in a lifetime.)
As you can see in the first photo, the cartilage is added in layers, which creates a tree-ring-like signature that can aid in assessing the shark’s age. Some researchers are even extrapolating environmental information from the isotopes captured in each ring. Nature is so cool!
Tired Little Man, Rockport, Texas July 2019
I know Mondays are rough, especially after a long holiday weekend but seriously, don’t try this. Asphalt is hard on the knees!
Relaxing In My Hammock, Rockport, Texas July 2019
Can’t think of a better way to wrap up a busy weekend. Sunday is a day of rest, is it not?
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