Spinning his wheels

I didn't get a chance to post this photo a couple weeks back.  In the center is our son, Charlie (Chuck), racing a Ironman event (I think it was a quarter Ironman) in a race in Baytown, TX. That's the I-10 behind them as they race into the transition zone to dismount and go into the foot race part of the event.   The service road turned out to be a pretty descent route, despite the roar of the I-10 in the background.
Oh, by the way, he placed second in his division.
--steve buser

Ironman, Texas

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Heron homework

This juvenile Tri-colored Heron (at the heronry on the I-10 by the Trinity River) was off on his/her own this day practicing his stealth techniques.  When there is no shoreline, the fish swim right up to the trunk of the tree. 

The secret for the hunter is to keep his feet out of the water so as not to tip off the prey.  Then she must stand perfectly still and become the tree.   Lastly, use those sharp eyes to follow anything that moves.  Lastly, you have a sharp beak to quickly penetrate the water without giving your prey and alert.   This young one was rewarded with several tasty catches. 
--steve buser

Heron, bird, Tri-colored Heron

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Leg up on the competition

When you live in a marsh, you look for any vantage point you can get for a lookout stand.   Being the first mover, often makes the difference between eating and being hungry.   This egret, down in the coastal plain of Louisiana, just across the causeway bridge from Texas, stands in front of the new Sabine Pass Liquified Natural Gas facility.
--steve buser

Egrets, Sabine Pass, Sabine Pass LNG

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Gliding the metaphor

Hey, the change in seasons is making me feel a little light and airy. Whistling wind outside tonight. Thought a gliding gull might be the perfect metaphor.
--steve buser

Gull, birds, Texas

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A mazed

Our granddauther Sophie looks a little bewildered inside the maze that is the play fort at the Port Neches' park. The wood banisters provided plenty of cover for me to get the shot unnoticed. She got her bearings together pretty quickly and was zipping around adeptly in just minutes.
--steve buser

kids, playground

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Summer sprays away

She wandered alone through the show at the Play and Spray in Port Neches. I think it is a fitting photo for the finish of summer (the autumnal equinox having slipped passed) - the days of baking suns gives way to milder days. Gone is the carefree-ness of summer, the days of seeking out cool anywhere you can find it. Gone are the playdays, splashdays, the excitement-seeking pursuits, the fun with friends frolicking freely awaiting backyard barbeques.

Fall grips the weather. Winter lurks.
There is the time of clock and the time of seasons. Do you know what time it is?
--steve buser

Kids, splash, Port Neches

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Stormy struggle

It was hot, humid and sweaty, this time last year after Hurricane Ike huff and puffed through. This was the aid tent in Bridge City, TX. One day you are living in comfort and the next you are struggling to make it a day at a time.
C'est la vie.
--steve buser

Hurricane, Ike, Texas, Bridge City

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Bird doing dooty

I didn't get the focus very good, but I thought this picture had it's own merits.

Checkout the bird on the left, she is not only helping stand lookout, but taking care of other basic callings, too.
--steve buser

Birds, Louisiana, Cameron Parish

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Get your shine on

This fellow is doing his very best to get attention. He didn't have a lot of say in where he grew up. Nor, does he have much say in how much light he gets, or doesn't get. All he can do is try to be as radiant as he can to attract bees and other critters.
--steve buser

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