A New Beginning in Hartley

      Dabbling again recently in infrared, I converted this color image to black and white, raised the reds and blues, and saved it. In truth, I misjudged the look of the nifty Wayne Bennett Smoky Vision polarizer from Sing Ray and disliked the look when I opened it in Photoshop. Initially, I intended to bring out my infrared filters, but felt that I did not have enough time to work on any good images. 

In post processing, though, I found comfort in converting to black and white. 

     The headquarters compound under a deck of clouds. The nifty Wayne Bennett Smoky Vision polarizer added some interest to the view. The grasses in the foreground reflect the overgrazing and the effects of the past drought. The new cattle rancher believes in living "in sync with nature," and he feels sure (with his methods and some rain) that he can develop the ranch to a better rangeland. 

     The road leading to the headquarters compound. The clouds sure do look as if they will provide a gorgeous sunset. (I wish I could have remained there to see it.)

At the headquarters, a gate behind the house leads into the Whitetail pasture.

Sunrise at a Neighbor's House

Driving south from Pampa, I had to stop (safely) to record this beautiful image. 

I lay my Fujifilm XH-1 on the hood of the Willys 

and with the 100-400mm lens composed, holding my breath for a sharp shot.

Caliche Pits, Rangeland, and Cotton Bales in Gray County

 I feel fascinated (endlessly) by the geology of the south west. 

Here we see some of the sedimentary layers of the caliche pit. 

The layer of clouds in the morning provided me with some color for my photographs. 

In my photography, I prefer to defer to the subject and leave the gorgeous sunrises in the background.

Sometimes, though, I look for a composition the will bring more light to the subject.

Except on those days when I feel too wussy to trek into the stubby cotton field. 

My Willys parked by the side of the cotton field. 

When possible, I feature my Willys in my photographic stories. 

Tumbleweeds (non-native Russian thistle) roll around the area.

This gate leads into the road that runs along the second playa.

Lovely colors with the pink clouds in the background and the yellow cotton bale packaging.

Charles' cattle munch on the corn stubs while birds fly around them.

Good ranch management includes the extraction and control of mesquite plants. 

Charles spent several hours on his tractor pulling the plants from the bulb. 

He designed the claw himself. 

Tall and healthy grass.

Snow-covered Evergreen

Hamilton Park.

Snowy Alma Mater

"Sunwatcher," by Jack Stevens.

Across the pond from MSU Texas Museum of Art stands a lovely willow in the snow.

Preflighting Grumman with Wave Clouds Above

Cormorants and Gulls on the Pond Along Highway 82

     Along the highway, near Holiday, some of the land from which they borrowed to build the highway expansion have filled up and remained filled since the drought broke in 2015. Cormorants and other shore birds frequent the ponds, and have made the rock island their roosting spot. Since they became accustomed to vehicles (my little Willys) lurking along the shoulder of the highway, they carry on as they would without my presence, and so I have the happy opportunity to watch them.

Water Collection System in Mankins

     On the location of a Texas Historical Marker commemorating the D S Dudly circus winter location, there sit several buildings made of stone and petrified wood. A barn stands nearby with the water collection tank shown above. Oftentimes, I drive by it feeling intrigued by the thought of who lived there. Before the expansion of Highway 82, I glimpsed the statues of gargoyles sitting on top of the stairwells that lead to the bedrooms on some of the buildings. 

Beacon and Sunset at CWC

Grumman Parked at the End of the Line

Preflighting at Alliance Airport

FAA's Fleet of King Airs at Alliance Airport

Sunrise at Kickapoo While Mr Meek Works the Line

    Under the tree one can spot Mr Meek as he walks toward the door of the FBO.

Moonrise Over Lake Wichita

Foggy Taxiway

The Red River and a Yellow Sky Above It

The Red River and a Pink Sky Above It

1973 Grumman Ag Cat

Little Cessna Shadow at KSPS and the Terminal in the Background

Highways into Wichita Falls