This is a continuation of photography in my local area during the Texas spring wildflower season. I photographed handholding my camera with the usual Texas wind moving the flowers around. I tried to use a sufficiently high shutter speed to freeze the wind induced motion and my hand shake, shooting in burst mode, hoping to get useable images. This resulted in many images to sort through and many that I had to pass over. Even so, some of the images that I elected to process and present publicly, are not entirely satisfactory.
When I was a very young, my playmates and I smashed these “Buttercups” into each others noses, covering them with yellow pollen. It is fortunate, none of us had severe allergies.
Texas is famous for its spring wildflower season. It starts in the south in March and progresses northward as the weather warms. Here in northeastern Texas, the season usually arrives in April with flowers peaking around the middle of April.
This spring has been warmer than normal (if normal is even a thing anymore, due to climate change) and the wildflowers began to show up in late March and peaked well before the middle of April.
Some years, my schedule causes me to miss the best portion of the wildflower season here, but this year, I took time to get out on several occasions to view and photograph the wildflowers.
The Bluebonnet is the Texas state wildflower and these abound in the spring in fields and along highway medians and borders. There are many other wildflower varieties, with the Indian Paintbrush, being maybe the second most prevalent in many locations. I’m more partial to the paintbrush for its color and shape. So even in masses of bluebonnets, I am drawn to the paintbrush.
The mass of tall yellow wildflowers (mostly cropped out of this image) at the top of the image above is an invasive Mediterranean species that is threatening to crowd out native wildflowers.
The last leg of my homeward bound journey from the Grand Canyon North Rim began in Palo Duro Canyon. I chose not to take the fastest route, which would have been north then east to US 287 at Claude, Texas; but rather to go south on I-27 to Tulia, Texas, then east on US 86, back through Quitaque and Turkey, since I wanted to get a few more photos along that route.
Abandoned House in the Texas Panhandle
I had driven past this interesting looking abandoned house on my way to Arizona, but had not taken time to stop. I actually passed it up again, then decided to turn back and photograph it.
Abandoned House, Texas Panhandle
This appears to have been a substantial home for someone at one time.
Old Mobil Gasoline Pump, Quitaque, Texas
I stopped again in Quitaque, Texas to capture a few more images of the old Mobil gasoline station on the main route through this small Texas town.
Karol’s Korner, Quitaque, Texas
This original Mobil station is now an antique store. I had planned to look into this store again at a item I was thinking of purchasing as a gift for my wife, but the store was closed for a funeral. I back tracked a short distance, planning on killing some time at an interesting looking coffee shop/restaurant in downtown, but it was also closed. So after waiting around for awhile and no one returning to the store a while after the time shown on the sign in the window, I decided I had to get back on the road.
An early Phillips 66 station, Turkey, Texas
A few miles down the highway, I stopped to get a few photos in Turkey, Texas. This early Phillips 66 station is, as proclaimed by a plaque nearby, the first in Texas and appears to be well maintained. This image was chosen for Flickr’s Explore page. (Hey, Flickr, I’ve got much better photographs. If only Flickr would respond like Alexa).
Phillips 66 pumps and Bob Wills’ Tour Bus, Turkey, Texas
Next to the Phillips 66 station is an old tour bus that was used by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. Turkey claims to be the birthplace of Bob Wills.
Phillips 66, Turkey, Texas
Looks like there might still be air service for automobile tires at this old station, unless that hose is just for show.
Bob Wills Tour Bus, Turkey, TexasFaded Love, Turkey, TexasBob Wills’ Tour Bus in Turkey, TexasOld and New, Turkey, TexasBullet Holes?
I’m guessing that these holes are recent and not indicative of Bob Wills’ fans.
Bob Wills Monument, Turkey, Texas
This monument in Turkey, Texas has granite panels with information about Bob Wills on each panel.
Bob Wills Monument Panel, Turkey, Texas
This panel depiction of Bob Wills appears to be a good likeness to this early country swing musician.
As Bob would say, Ah Hah, and this wraps up my July photo excursion.
As sunset approached, I hiked back into the area around my campsite with my DSLR for a sunset shoot. As usual, I went out earlier than I thought necessary. Even so, my timing was off. Some of the features that I had anticipated shooting, were already in shadow, well before sunset. So I had to give up on some of the preplanned shot locations.
Golden Hour, Palo Duro Canyon
My first stop was at this vey tilted rock or hoodoo nearest to the campground. It was in full late day sunlight and I could see that there were already shadows on the big hillside in the distance.
Cacti and Red Hill, Palo Duro Canyon
I found this batch of prickly pear cacti that were still getting some late day rays, with the red hill behind them mostly in shadow.
Tiny Desert Tree and Red Hill, Palo Duro Canyon
Even though the light was much less than I had planned to see, I like this composition with the small, weakly lit tree and the big red hill in the background.
Late Day Deep in Palo Duro Canyon
I like the sinuous leading line formed by this drainage with green grass contrasting with the red earth and the change in lighting from the right side to the left of this image
Boulders and Red Hills, Palo Duro CanyonMoon over Tilted Hoodoo, Palo Duro CanyonDesert Evening
I converted this final image, made from the top of the hill from which I had photographed during my scouting hike, to black and white, to get a more dramatic late day image.
I tried capturing more images of the moon over this hilltop, shooting from a location on the side of the hill with tilted rocks pointing at the moon, but I could not get a good image with the lens I had chosen to use today.
On my return trip from the Grand Canyon North Rim, my first overnight stay was near Gallup, New Mexico at Red Rocks Park. There were large red rock formations around the park and I thought this would be a good place to check out. It was not a bad place to stay for one night, but much less interesting than I had anticipated. At least the weather was mild, due to overcast and rain during the day, just before I arrived at the park, then a booming thunderstorm at night.
My second overnight was at Texas’s Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo. I had been through the park many years ago, but never spent much time here. My campsite was deep into the canyon. Even though it was late July, the weather was only mildly hot in the day and cooled down nicely at night.
After settling in, I walked around the area to scout potential locations for sunset and possibly sunrise photography. All of the scouting images in this post were made with my iPhone.
The Sportsmobile in Palo Duro Canyon Campsite.Small Cacti in Palo Duro Canyon
As in most western US deserts or arid places, cacti abound and one needs to watch where one steps.
Dinosaur Grafiti, Palo Duro Canyon
Visitors to this area have a penchant for carving into the rocks, which I assume must not be very hard rocks. I found this image of a dinosaur in a narrow space between large boulders.
Rock Grafitti, Palo Duro Canyon
Many of the boulders near the campsite had graffiti, initials, names and/or other scratched in symbols.
Rock Signings, Palo Duro CanyonBoulders and Hillside, Palo Duro CanyonBoulders, Palo Duro Canyon
I captured images, testing compositions and to use as reminders, at locations that I thought might be good to return to with my DSLR at sunset.
Palo Duro Canyon ScenePalo Duro Canyon TopagraphyLife on a Rock, Palo Duro CanyonCacti and Red Hill, Palo Duro CanyonCacti and Red Hills, Palo Duro CanyonScrubby Vegetation and Red Hills, Palo Duro CanyonTilted Hoodoo, Palo Duro CanyonTilted Hoodoo Palo Duro CanyonHilltop view near campsite, Palo Duro CanyonPalo Duro Canyon Pano
I posted this panoramic image to Flickr, not because I thought it was a great image, but to share with others that may want to know what the area looks like and because I intended to use it in my blog and wanted to have a link to a larger image. Much to my surprise, this image was chosen for Flickr’s Explore page and is now my most viewed and faved image on Flickr. Maybe I’m just physically abusing myself carrying around that heavy DSLR camera and other gear, when a simple iPhone image garners this much attention.
Rock Registry, Palo Duro Canyon
Apparently, lots of people have scrambled up the steep slope to the top of this hill, since the boulders there all had some initials, names and dates carved into them.
I just realized that I had overlooked a few items that I wanted to get into a post, after I already have a number of post scheduled. So to keep with the chronological order that I prefer for my posts, I’m slipping in an additional post this week, rather than rework my scheduled post dates.
Pontiac
In route to the Grand Canyon North Rim, I spotted a couple of old, rusting away automobiles that I took time to shoot. This Pontiac was located such that I could not get good, isolated images without including distracting items in the photos. This cropped image is the best that I could get.
Rusty Ford Automobile
Parked in front of a church, as if waiting for AAA, to replace a tire, is this rusty, early Ford.
Crank ReadyEarly Ford Automobile
Looks like this old Ford has been here a long time.
As I approached the previously mentioned ranch fence line that was decorated with boots and bicycles, I noted a police officer’s vehicle with the police officer chatting with someone in another vehicle. It appeared to be a friendly meeting and not a traffic stop. I pulled over onto the broad shoulder of the roadway near the corner of the fence line, maybe twenty yards or so, from the two. As I got out of my vehicle, and noted the police officer watching me, I waved and he began walking towards me, so I approached him. My friendly wave had apparently made the police officer think I needed to speak to him or had a problem. I explained that I wanted to photograph the fence line, but did not want to do anything forbidden. He assured me it was ok to photograph the fence decor and told me a little about the local ranch and their penchant for the fence decor.
So I retrieved my camera from my vehicle and began to walk along the fence shooting photos.
Bicycles and BootsBicycles and Boots
I wanted to show the fence in its entirety with its allure, but I found it impossible to get a good overall view with my camera. So I began to isolate smaller aspects of the decor.
Bicycles and BootsBicycles and Boots
I was soon joined at the fence by a ranch dog that vociferously objected to my presence.
Bicycle and Ranch Dog
This dog followed me along the fence line, maybe to make sure I did not cross over into his territory.
Bicycles and Boots
Soon a second ranch dog showed up.
Ranch Dogs
The second dog did not bark and seemed to have a calming effect upon the first. Thereafter, they seemed friendlier and just curious about me.
Ranch DogTexas Ranch Fence LineFence DecorBicycle and Stuffed Animal along a fence lineBoots on a fenceBicycles and Boots
Satisfied that I had sufficient photographs to illustrate this uniquely decorated fence line, I bade farewell to the ranch dogs and continued on my way.
Before continuing my journey towards the Grand Canyon North Rim, I took time to drive to the end of the road in Caprock Canyon State Park, stopping at a few locations to get iPhone shots.
Caprock Canyon PanoramaRed Dirt
The fine, red clay soil seems to permeate everything here.
Gypsum Crystals
There were gypsum crystals frequently exposed on the surface of this mostly desert like environment.
Desert Green
The effect of the recent rains were clearly visible in the greenness of the scrubby vegetation.
Caprock Canyon State Park, Texas
At the end of the park road was a tent campground and a trailhead into the canyon. I’m thinking this might be the most interesting hike in this park. If I stop here again and have time, I will plan to hike this trail.
After encountering a rattlesnake on my previous days hike, I was much more wary while strolling about today. I did not see another rattlesnake while walking about, but I did see a small one crossing the paved roadway as I arrived back at the camping area. There was also a bison standing at the trailhead of the hike I had taken the previous day.
Ready to Hike
I do not know why this big fella was hanging out by the sign, but it was still here, after I made a loop through the campground, before heading out on the next leg of my journey. Maybe it was waiting for a hiking companion.
I’ve driven past a sign for Caprock Canyon State Park on US 287 in northwestern Texas numerous times on my way to some western destination. So when planning my July, 2021 trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim, I decided to make this my first stop over along a different route than I would normally take.
I departed US 287 in the tiny town of Estelline, Texas heading west on Texas Route 86, traveling through an unfamiliar part of rural Texas. I noted that the countryside looked exceptionally green with lots of thick, green grass along the edge of the roadway, green pastures and farm fields with water filled low areas. Evidently, there had been more than the normal rainfall in this area recently.
Even though I had mapped out my route, the drive on this narrow, backroad route was slower and seemed longer than I had anticipated. There was little traffic, but the speed limit was much lower than the 75mph on the more substantial routes.
I passed through a number of very small towns and/or rural communities, stopping in Turkey, Texas to top off my tank at the only filling station in town, since I did not know when I would see another convenient filling station.
As I came into Turkey, I noted a prominent sign proclaiming Turkey to be the birthplace of Bob Wills, a famous and early Country and Western performer, with the group “Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys”. Bob Wills was one of the featured performers in the Ken Burn’s “Country Music” documentary on PBS. I had heard some of his music on radio in my early childhood.
Continuing on my way, I soon came into Quitaque, Texas. I had to look up the proper way to pronounce the name of this town. The locals pronounce it “Kitty Quay” and there is even this pronunciation indicated on signs on either side of the route through the town. The name reportedly comes from a Native American word meaning “end of the trail”, which is fitting for this portion of my journey.
Quitaque is a picturesque little Texas town and I noted several items of interest on my way through town and on the short stretch of roadway from town to the entrance to Caprock Canyon State Park. I did not take time to stop on my way to the park, but I was determined to take time for photographs the next day, before I continued my journey. More on this in the next post, but here are teasers:
Mobil Gas PegasusBicycles and Boots decorate a Texas ranch fence line
I had checked into my campsite online, but I stopped in the park headquarters on my way in just to be sure I did not need to do anything else. The park ranger, warned me to keep my distance from the Bison and that they were free roaming and might wander into my campsite.
As I left the headquarters on my way to my campsite, I noted quite a few bison, but I did not stop to photograph them, thinking I would have plenty of opportunity for that later and I’ve seen plenty of bison previously. There are even bison ranches in this part of Texas, but the herd here is the only free roaming herd in Texas.
In the campground there is a prairie dog town near the restroom facility. The prairie dogs would bark a warning, whenever anyone walked along the walkway towards the restroom, most would scamper into their underground dens, while one seemed to keep watch.
The restroom facilities here are old and in great need of updating. This seems to be a popular park, as there were many RVs in the campground. So it seems to me that upgrading the park facilities would be a priority. I’ve since written e-mails to the Texas State Representative and Senator for this area, pointing out the need to put forth a better image for such a popular state park.
A recent Texas state ballot issue was approved to address the lack of funding for state parks. A previously targeted method for funding Texas Parks and Wildlife existed, but the state found other ways to use that money, rather than use it for its intended purpose. It remains to be seen, if the recent effort will result in much needed maintenance and updating of Texas State Park facilities or if our elected state officials will divert those funds, maybe to use in totally useless audits of the previous federal election in some districts or to sue school districts that want to require students and employees to wear masks during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a hiking trail originating from my campground, so I decided to head out late in the day, hoping to find some photographic opportunities. I hiked for some distance along the trail, eventually going down a steep slope into a canyon, but I did not find anything I considered photo worthy. I did not even see a bison, although there were plenty of indications that they had been in this area. There were also many irritating flying insects, mostly large biting flies and I had not even thought to put on insect repellant or bring any in my day pack, since there were few insects buzzing around the campground and mosquitoes are seldom a problem in this part of Texas.
I eventually decided there was no compelling reason to hike any further along this trail, so I turned back, taking a different branch back towards the campground.
There were some wildflowers scattered around and as I walked along scanning the area, often looking at the near trail wildflowers, I heard a very distinct sound that immediately increased my heart rate.
Trail Hazard
I stopped in my tracks and looked up. A few feet in front of me a rattlesnake was stretched across the trail issuing a warning. For all the times that I’ve hiked in wild areas, this is the first time I’ve encountered a rattlesnake. My camera was strapped to my backpack, so I tried to pull my iPhone from my pocket to get a shot, as the snake moved to the side of the trail and kept an eye on me for a few moments. By the time I got my phone out, it had already begun to disappear into the vegetation along the trail. So the image above is all I managed to get.
After this encounter, I was much more vigilant for the rest of my hike.
There is a small Texas town that I drive by on my trips westward and each time I go through it, I think I should someday take time to get off the highway and see what is in this old Texas town. Finally, on one of my homeward bound trips, I did just that.
This is not a ghost town, there are still residents, businesses, a post office, city hall, and some modern improvements, but I found numerous abandoned businesses in and around the downtown area and even an older, abandoned city hall.
I shot numerous photos, but many of the settings and the mid-day light were not conducive to getting interesting shots, so I’ve greatly culled the images to present in this post and I had to do some creative editing to add interest to these images.
Auto Sales
There is a crumbling building that was an auto sales business long ago.
Auto Sales
Given the smallness of this Texas town, I was surprised to find the remnants of an auto sales place here. This one appears to have been abandoned many years ago.
Barred Window
The back side of one of the downtown area’s abandoned business had a couple of windows, one of which had concrete rebar installed for security.
Flower and Window
The adjacent window had no bars and the lower glass pane was missing.
Wildflowers and WindowsBack Door
A street corner building had an interesting looking backside. The image above is cropped from a wider view to remove distracting items. The monochrome conversion seems more fitting for this subject than the original color version.
