Hof ter Saksen cafe

Gallery

Did 2 24x30cm prints today and matted and mounted them at 40x50cm before framing them. they are now hanging in the Hof ter Saksen Cafe. I also printed and matted my Artist Statement/Warranty/Prices on 2 18x24cm mounted prints and hung those too. I also printed 10 copies of the material about butterflies and dragonflies to go into the Menus at the Cafe as well as the two sheets which duplicate the smaller prints above. I will be using these materials in the sale/show in two weeks time.

Garden

The Apples and Crab-Apples in themain back garden are now in blossom. they seem to be better than in previous years so lets hope we have a good crop. I'm still concerned about the apparent lack of bees. Maybe this is nornal though and I'm being paranoid.



Still good displays from the tulips and the Iberis is now flowering well. In the background everything seems to be growing apace.

There goes my wallet

General

Discovered that my wallet has gone missing. Between here and a shop called Gamma. About 500m away. I cycled down to pick up a bag of mulch. It's now cost me about 250 Euros. Plus I have to get on the case and replace all my cards etc etc. Depressing. Tosser!

Gallery

Printed a lot of stationery items for the sale today. Price Lists, Special Offers, Artist Statement, Warranties, Gift certificates, Sold sign, Reserved sign ... all that kind of nonsense.

Had a mail from the Matte suppliers saying they were on the way. They gave me a FedEx tracking number that doesn't work. Nice.

Sunrise at Enchanted Rock

This Time Last year

I get up really early and hike up Enchanted rock in the dark for the sunrise. It's worth it too. spectacular scenes. Great shots. On the way down I cross a herd of deer. no shots of these though - ay least no decent ones.



I'm back in camp by 8am. I get everything packed and then read until Debs and sacha arrive about 11am. We go for a hike up to frog Pond amd Turkey Pass before returning via Sandy Creek. Very pleasant. We have a picnic lunch under the trees before driving back to Austin. On the way we drop into Hamilton Pond but it has a "no dogs" policy so we move on.



My log is petering out now as I've come to the end of my camping trips in the Texas Hill Country.

Roadrunner at Enchanted Rock

This Time Last year

Slept late in my damp tent and got up just before 9am, Luckily it's a fine and sunny morning so I get everything out to dry in the sun. I spend all morning doing this.



Go for a walk in the afternoon up to Frog Pond and spend sometime shooting dragonflies. Try to take some in-flight shots too. Tricky. I continue the walk through Turkey Pass and back through Echo Canyon. I see a Roadrunner! Then I return to camp and read for the rest of the afternoon.



In the evening I again go for a sunset walk. The light is a bit better tonight. I shoot some rock shapes and hoodoos.

Back at camp at 8.30pm for dinner and drinks.

Rain infiltrates the tent

Gallery

I take my materials up to Hof ter Saksen but no one is around.

Garden

Do some weeding. Notice that both the cherries are beginning to blossom. Many of the tulips are beginning to show too.

This Time Last year

Up at 8am but it's cloudy and drizzly. I start a walk just after 10am and go up to Frog Pond. I shoot a couple of new butterflies; Phaon Crescent and a Bordered Patch. The wind makes it hard to photograph the dragonflies though.



I spend the afternoon reading again and then go out to a look-out point for a sunset walk. Again the light is disappointing. I do get a couple of shots of the weird rocks shapes (Hoodies!) when the sun does break through.



I return to the camp via Moss Pond and past a rock with a hole. I go to bed just as a storm comes over and I watch lightning flash over the rock. It rains in the night and I wake up at 3.30am as I can feel the ground sheet getting wet beneath me. I make the best of it and after making sure everything was packed away I try to sleep as best I can

Crescent Moon over Enchanted Rock

Gallery

Finish doing the 45x45cm prints and the material for the menu too.

This Time Last Year

I'm up early but it's a cloudy morning so I don't start my walk until 10am. I walk the whole loop trail including the Walnut Springs part. When I get around to Sandy Creek I follow the small stream and get some damselfly shots. Some new ones too.



I'm back for lunch and I spend the afternoon reading.



At 6.30pm I go for a walk up the Enchanted Rock itself. The sunset is disappointing but I do get some shots of the Vernal Ponds up there. These only have water in the spring and autumn. I meet Neil and Scott from the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, which is based in Missoula, Montana.

I have supper by the fire and watch a beautiful crescent moon before retiring.

Meteor over Guadeloupe River State Park

Gallery

Yesterday I was asked by the Hof ter Saksen staff to prepare 6 45x45cm prints of Butterflies to be made into puzzles. They are having a kids event towards the end of May. I also prepared 7 sheets which I hope can be inserted into the menu at the Hof ter Saksen Cafe. Five of these describe the Butterflies and Dragonflies that can be found there and two are advertising for my prints. Sounds fair to me.

Garden

Everything is coming on fine. The Almond and Blackthorn are in blossom and the Plum and Peach will soon follow. Still a good show of Daffodils and the Tulips are almost ready. Also plenty of Hyacinth and Grape Hyacinth.

This Time Last Year

Wake up to drizzle and get everything packed in time for Debs arrival about 10am.

We drive into Bourne and find a place for a pancake breakfast. We then drive through Fredericksberg to Enchanted Rock State Park and get checked in after some difficulty with the computer. I set upvcamp and then we go for a walk on one of the trails in the park. We go on the "Loop Trail" past Moss Lake, where Sacha has a swim, and back through Echo Canyon.



We then drove back to Fredericksberg to get some supplies and for a drink at the Silver Creek. Back at camp we have dinner and wine before Debs leaves about 8pm. I sit under the stars until I retire.

This Time Last Year Yesterday

Up early and on the road by 6am. I sneak into Honey Creek State Natural area ... you are only supposed to go in with a Ranger! I arrive before the sun has reached the creek itself. I watch a raccoon bathe itself, but it's too far away for a shot. As the light comes I take plenty of shots.



I then sneak back out to the entrance and join Craig's Birdwatching Group at 8.20am. We do see a few birds including a Sapsucker and a White-cheeked Vireole. I also shoot a few dragonflies. The Ranger also lets us leave the trail to take shots - also not allowed.



Back at camp I have a quick sandwich and then a shower before relaxing and reading all afternoon.



Build a fire and BBQ later and finish off the wine. Whilst watching the embers die I see a meteor fall across the clear night sky. Seems to land fairly close too. Amazing.