Full Circle

A little more than 30 years ago, my mom and dad brought our whole gang to Enchanted Rock between Fredericksburg and Llano, Texas to climb the granite outcropping. Now, all of these years later, here I am with my kids climbing to the top once again.

Summer Velvet

I love getting out during this time of the summer in order to catch a glimpse of whitetails in their summer coats and velvet antlers.

I saw this guy yesterday as he milled around in a grass field in the great light just before sunset.

The New Site Pt. 3

If you look at the first page you see when you go to www.russellgraves.com, that's perhaps where you'll see the most changes. Instead of simply a portal page that you jump off of to explore other parts of the site, the entry page is now a snapshot of what you can expect to find in the rest of the site.

By popular demand, you'll find a prominent slide show of images that rotate continually.

In the lower left, is the video module. Since my videos seem to get a lot of praise, I wanted to feature the latest video on the front age so you wouldn’t have to hunt for it else where.

In the middle module, is the blog update. Powered by a slick RSS feed, every time I add to the blog the front page of the site gets updated with the latest post title and a short summary about what’s in the posting. So when you visit the front page, all you have to do is glance at the module and if you see a posting that catches your eye, one click takes you to the blog. Isn't that slick???

In the lower right hand module, you'll find the place reserved for some of my latest images. While that module isn't powered by a slide show, each time you log on, a different image is featured.

The Storm

If you'll notice I haven't been blogging much lately - largely in part to the massive June 15th wind and hail storm we had here in Childress.

The storm dumped a bunch of hail on town as well as winds in excess of 90 miles per hour. My house, while it fared better than most, suffered roof damage and my backyard fence was blown down.

For a while, life here in Childress was surreal. No power and phone service for a number of hours coupled with no leaves on any tree in town made things look and feel strange.

I actually watched the storm from south of town for a while. The radio indicated that the storm had passed so I went home. Right when I got to my street, the wind started. Then when I got to my house, the power failed and the hail began.

Right at nightfall, the storm was over and the whole town was enveloped in an unfamiliar darkness.

My kids, however, loved the post-storm experience as they though it was like camping.

The New Site Pt. 2

One of the cool things about the new site design is the rustic look. I think it compliments the spirit of the website by matching the design with the content.

In fact, one of the big changes is now the design is carried throughout every page of the site and adds a bit of continuity and familiarity to every page you view.

The New Site Pt. 1

If you are reading this posting you’ve probably noticed that the site has a new look. Thanks to Jason Thompson of Cedar Hills Media and Marketing, he took russellgraves.com to a brand new level.

If you need a website, you can't go wrong with Jason because:

a. he understands the outdoors
b. he understands the outdoor marketplace
c. he knows web design and can creatively deliver a knockout project
d. he is a super nice guy.

Jason is no one trick pony, however. He does catalog design, videography, logo design and a whole host of creative services. In short, he is one talented guy.

In ensuing blog postings, I'll talk about new features of the site and how they'll increase functionality so stay tuned.

I hope you like the design of the new site but I am really excited about it.

Balmorhea State Park

This past weekend, me and the family traveled to far West Texas to once again experience one of the crown jewels in Texas - Balmorhea State Park. Balmorhea is an oasis in the desert. Where San Solomon Springs bubble from beneath the rocks, the Civilian Conservation Corp built a pool around the springs back in the 1930's.

This place is so cool as a destination to swim and just hang out in the Texas desert. The pool is full of Mexican tetra, soft-shelled turtles, catfish, and the endangered Comanche Springs Pupfish (see first image below).

Be sure to check out the pics and the video I shot. All of these images AND the video was shot with the ultra-cool Canon G9 point and shoot camera in a Canon underwater housing.

Surprising Find

Yesterday, I was passing through Ropesville, Texas when I spotted a billboard with a familiar photo. When I slowed down to take a look, I noticed it was mine.

More times than not, whenever I license an image for a billboard, I never see it. Therefore, it was neat to be able to finally see one of my pictures in action!

Original Image

WOW!

From Fort Davis, Texas...

Sign of Spring

It is so cool to roam around the Texas Rolling Plains and see bobwhite perched on a fence post singing for a prospective mate.

Over most of their range, the bobwhite quail has either disappeared or their numbers are on the steep decline. However, here in Northwest Texas, they still hang on strong.

Medicine Mounds, Texas

During the last full moon, I traveled over to Medicine Mound, Texas to photograph the cool rock buildings that still stand in the old Hardeman County ghost town. I'd been to Medicine Mound before and have even perused their cool little museum . Therefore, I put it on my list of places I had to photograph at night.

Medicine Mound has an interesting history. Here is an excerpt from the Handbook of Texas on-line:

"MEDICINE MOUND, TEXAS. Medicine Mound, on Farm Road 1167 twelve miles east of Quanah in east central Hardeman County, took its name from four local elevations, 200 to 250 feet high: these mounds were camps and ceremonial sites of the Comanches. The community moved 2½ miles north in 1908, when the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway was built. At one time Medicine Mound had a population of 500 and twenty-two businesses, including a newspaper (the Citizen). A fire in 1932 destroyed most of the business buildings, and few were rebuilt. In 1940 the town had six stores and 210 people. Its school was consolidated with that of Quanah in 1955, and the post office and gin shut down in the 1950s. The population was fifty in 1980 through 2000."

Be sure to check out the town's website at www.medicinemound.com

Only in Texas

I think this is a really cool photo of my buddy Stacy Wellborn and a tag-along horny toad.

Great American Outdoor Trails Radio Show

Take a listen to my latest appearance on the Great American Outdoor Trails radio show hosted by Jim Ferguson. This time, Jim and I talk about three important lenses for the field.

The Joys of Summer

The kids and I had a great time this past weekend. They played in the backyard while I made some delicious mesquite-grilled hamburgers.

Although hot in Texas, I love summer and all of the family time that goes along with it.

Outdoors with Luke Clayton

Luke has a great show that you have to check out at www.catfishradio.com

Here is my latest segment. This time talking about shooting images in difficult lighting situations.

Wild West Wildlife Workshop

It's time for another workshop. This time the focus is on wildlife.

For more details, check out www.russellgraves.com/wildlifeworkshop.html

Bison Fight

Spring means the bison rut and there are few things that I've ever witness that can compare to it. The guttural bellows of the big bulls combined with the loud thud of crashing skulls definitely makes my heart race.

There is even a measure of danger. The testosterone charged atmosphere of the prairie makes these guys want to fight just about everything close by.

Happy Mothers Day!

Even prairie dogs love their mothers.

West Texas Birds

I am not a big birder but each year, I am amazed at the number of grassland birds that are around here.

This morning, I saw a first for me out here - a red-headed woodpecker. In addition to the woodpeacker, I did see some other cool stuff.

It's impressive how in an area nearly devoid of big, mature trees, that these birds are cunning enough to make a living in a place that can be tough on both humans and animals.

The May 2008 russellgraves.com Newsletter is Ready!

Check out www.russellgraves.com/may08.html for all of the details.