Butterflies at Flat Creek Winery

Jan and I took a "day trip" to Marble Falls last weekend to visit one of our favorite Hill Country wineries, Flat Creek Estates. I brought the camera in hopes of taking some good photos of the grounds and buildings, but these butterflies caught my eye. And that was that!

I am not sure of the name of the orange creature above. It looked similar to monarchs and viceroys, but on the butterfly identification websites there was nothing I could find that matched exactly. My best guess is a Queen. It was very difficult to get them to stay still long enough to get a good sharp photo!

My old friend the Pipevine Swallowtail. There were many of these around the bushes and flowers. They were constantly running others off from the flowers which was very interesting to watch.

Another view of the orange butterfly above; it had just taken off from the flower, so I was lucky this came out so good.

I hope you enjoy these "gardens with wings," as one website has called them. I hope to have more photos on the weblog very soon. Please come back and see what's new!

All the best,
Mike

Benini Sculpture Ranch near Johnson City

I apologize to all who have come to see more photos and stories. I have been busy and sick, but they are no excuse. A dear friend reminded me today that I have been over 3 months "absent." I will try to make amends now.

A few weeks ago, Jan and I had the opportunity to visit the Benini Sculpture Ranch near Johnson City TX. I don't remember now how I heard about it, but I think it was from one of Jan's sisters who had recently gone with her husband. We drove a good distance, and finally made it. They tour was by car, so most (if not all) of the photos below are from the driver's side window perspective. I have picked a few favorite sculptures, but there were dozens more.

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Gothic Cross by Rick Cunningham


Adam and Eve by David Massey


Palladin by Bettye Ann Turner


Gemini's Song by Peter Mangan


Detail from Gemini's Song


Thunderbird Monument by Rick Cunningham



Redwood by Samuel Burns


Dancers 1 by Jerry Daniel

(Not Exterior Inside, Not Exterior Outside by Eyefells is in the background)

By coincidence, there was a lecture series being presented by the Benini's free to the public. We stayed for part of one, which was very interesting, but I was anxious to get back out there and shoot! We met Mr and Mrs Benini, who were very gracious to us and invited us back any time we chose to come. We will be back for sure!

Benini is a sculptor of renown and regularly invites other sculptors to craft and show their own sculptures on his spacious ranch. It is wonderful that so many have an outlet for their work, and that so many like Jan and I can come out and enjoy it.

If you are ever out near Johnson City, TX please make an effort to see the Sculpture Ranch. You will be glad you did.

Till next time,

Mike Z

Flowers from the Austin Pond Tour 2009

The Pond Tour this year was HOT! ...in several senses of the word. There were many, many (almost too many) beautiful ponds all over Austin to see and enjoy. The pond owners were gracious and friendly, and had bottled water for the thirsty tourists which helped us all.



A night blooming water lily that was just closing up when we arrived at Mark's wonderful pond.


There were bees everywhere. I was glad to see them!

I really like the color of these lilies.

I like this photo because of the koi swimming by...


All in all there were over 30 ponds and water gardens to see and admire. We spoke to many people who had no idea there were so many ponds and bogs in Austin! The pond owners worked very hard to show off their ponds and yards. And, the Austin Pond Society folks who put the tour together deserve a special word of thanks for all their efforts to make the tour a success. Bravo!

Next I post up some animals and insects that I got to photograph on the tour, and then some of the ponds themselves. I am really saving the best for last! I hope you enjoy these, and will come back again to see the rest.

All my best to you,
Mike Z

PS-if you click on the Title of this post, you can go to my Flickr collection of flowers from the tour.

The Pond Tour is This Weekend!

This weekend Saturday and Sunday (Saturday evening, too) is the Austin Pond Society's 15th Annual Pond Tour. I am so amazed that a year has gone by so quickly.

As some readers will know, my first Pond Tour was last year around this time. I saw the event on one of the TV stations and convinced Jan to go with me Sunday afternoon to see some ponds. As you might expect I took the camera along...

I want to add a link to my favorite pond of the 2008 Pond Tour, Kathy and Rick's Pond. Their pond will not be on the tour this year, and I will miss the opportunity to see how it has changed. I hope that it will return in future years.

The video above is of Mark Akin's beautiful spring-fed pond and water garden that will be on the Sunday Tour this year. We will be there bright and early to see it in person. The video is so relaxing that I highly recommend it if you've had a stressful day.

And, last but not least, if you are in the Austin Area this weekend, PLEASE consider seeing the Pond Tour! If you'd like to spend $12.50 and see more than 30 of the most beautiful water gardens you've ever seen, go to the Austin Pond Society website, scroll down to the 2009 Tour, and click on Wristbands and Bus Tour. BTW, I am the Tour Guide for the Saturday Bus Tour, and we leave from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Saturday morning at 8:45am. Should be fun!

Glad you stopped by! Come back often. I enjoy reading your comments. You make my day!

Mike Z
PS--Bad news I think for the Bus Tour. Not very many people it seems want to spend the day in air conditioned comfort seeing ponds. I am pretty certain that the Bus Tour is cancelled. But you can still go see ponds! It really is a great weekend. I promise you'll enjoy the tour.

Fireworks in New Braunfels, 2009

We got to see the fireworks in New Braunfels TX again this year.

I tried again to get some good photos. I hope you like them!

















Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend! (This applies to those outside the US, too!)

Mike Z

PS-Thanks to Jason R for showing me how to get the "bulb" setting on my camera.

PPS-To see last year's fireworks photos go to Fireworks 2008