Hurricane Harvey Hurricane Harvey dumped 27 trillion gallons of water on Texas and Louisiana damaging or destroying at least 185,149 homes and taking at least 50 lives. Just minutes away from Little Piney dozens of homes flooded in Smithville. Whole neighborhoods were devastated thirty miles east in La Grange. In spite of 18 inchesContinue reading
Category Archives: Lost Pines Life
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Dragonfly Pond Renewed
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Reflections: Spirits in Nature
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Reflections: Spirits in Nature This project began with a late afternoon canoe trip. As the light changed and the breeze died, the surface of the creek grew smooth and reflective, and I directed my camera to the mirror images of the shore and its reflection. That night when I downloaded the pictures, glowing eyesContinue reading
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Adventures with Arthropods and Photo Reflections
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Our heavy canoe is tied to a large pine tree right down by the lake so it’s always available but it can’t float away when the creek rises. The oars are shelved on a branch above. Saturday, we walked down to the lake with late afternoon canoeing in mind. However, when Ken flipped the canoe over, up poppedContinue reading
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So Much Has Happened: Time to Reconnect with Nature
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A month has passed since I last sat down to write about life at Little Piney. So much has happened this spring and summer that I haven’t had time to absorb the changes. My youngest daughter and her fiancé, David, were married in May after months of planning and preparation. She was a beautiful bride,Continue reading
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Piney Creek, Bastrop, TX–Part I
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Piney Creek A thick line of pines and oaks marks the steep bank of Piney Creek; below lies the running stream in its sandy bed shaded by giant cottonwoods and old pines. Bird songs mingle with the burble of water flowing over shining stones. Dagonflies and mayflies catch the dappled light and sparkle while tadpolesContinue reading
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Another Spring at Little Piney Bastrop TX
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So much happens so fast in the Spring at Little Piney Bastrop TX. Trees seem to leaf out overnight. Wildflowers bloom and fade and make way for different wildflowers. Favorite summer birds return. Butterflies, bees, and dragonflies flutter and zoom about in flashes of color. Bird songs resonate throughout the woods and fields trailingContinue reading
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Lost Pines Texas Master Naturalists at Little Piney
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Lost Pines Texas Master Naturalists Texas Master Naturalists are certified citizen scientists who spend a year training, studying, and volunteering in an intensive program to earn their title. Once certified, they commit much of their time to volunteer for parks, education, and nature projects. I recently learned through the Lost Pines Chapter newsletter thatContinue reading
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Winter to Early Spring at Little Piney
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Cedar Waxwing Finale As we slip from winter to early spring at Little Piney, there are a few surprises. The Cedar Waxwings are usually gone before the trees leaf out, so I am accustomed to seeing their saucy forms silhouetted with bare branches. But not this year! This morning a small flock fed and preening inContinue reading
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Seven Things I Love About Winter in Bastrop TX
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Early Spring We’re having an early spring! As thrilled as I am to see the Bluebonnets, I am sad that winter is over. Here are seven things I love about winter in Bastrop TX. Cedar Waxwings These stunning birds drop like a cloud into the bare trees preening and chattering. They make striking silhouettes withContinue reading
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Some Days Are Just Strange
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Full of Surprises Life in the country is full of surprises, and some days are just strange. You never know what you will see or hear. My friend Lisa and I were walking on Saturday morning and heard–as Lisa put it–“something being murdered” in the creek bed. Screeches and squawks went on for a goodContinue reading