Rio Grande Delta

flickr

2009-04-27T16:44:00.002-05:00

I've finally setup a gallery, visit my flickr here!

http://flickr.com/spatterd/

Star Trails

2009-01-24T01:34:00.003-06:00

The stars have really been shining through recently. This is a 5 hour exposure of the night sky from 12:45am to 5:45am near Rio Grande City.

Wall of Shame

2009-01-20T03:00:00.000-06:00

the WALL - continued

2009-01-16T15:12:00.000-06:00

Backyard Border

2009-01-14T19:04:00.002-06:00

Took a stroll through the backyard with my dad this evening, the property line ends right at the river.

the WALL

2009-01-12T02:55:00.003-06:00

Azúcar Caliente

2009-01-12T02:52:00.001-06:00

Misty River

2009-01-12T02:44:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night...

2008-12-25T23:19:00.003-06:00

Pitter-Patter of the Caterpillar

2008-11-13T13:54:00.004-06:00

With the Valley so green it's a great time for caterpillars, here are a few I've photographed the last few days.

Gulf Fritillary

Rustic Sphinx?

Julia Heliconian

Harris Hawks

2008-11-04T12:18:00.002-06:00

I recently found a nest of Harris Hawks and have been working them for a few mornings now. Here is a shot from today.

Zoinks!

2008-11-03T23:20:00.005-06:00

As if that last post didn't have enough images, here are some random shots I've taken recently as well.

A Breath of Fresh Air

2008-11-03T23:04:00.003-06:00

Finally have gotten a chance to pull my nose from the computer screen and breath deeply the crisp cool air we've been blessed with these last few weeks. Some shots from today.

To Kill Yah!

2008-10-16T20:30:00.002-05:00

Well it's that time of year again at the Gorgas Science Foundation, we're having our 2nd annual tasting. Last year we had Whiskey, this year it's Tequila and like last year, the tasting is the opening for one of our exhibitions: Viva La Revolución! Of course this means lots of work and I've been busy doing graphics design for various invitations, posters, etc... so no photography. But, here is an Ad I just did for the tasting, hope to see you there!

Not-So-Ruby Throated

2008-10-02T21:27:00.002-05:00

Young Ruby Throated male making its way South for the winter.

Crossing Starr County

2008-09-26T17:29:00.004-05:00

I accompanied Dr. Paull, Dr. Wilson, and students on a field trip across Starr County yesterday. While it was officially a "Geology" and "Cultural Geography" trip, I think the focus leaned more heavily on apertures and focal lengths. The Doctors are both shutter bugs and well, you know me, so it was a fun trip.

We started out at the Los Ebanos Ferry, which is the last hand-drawn ferry on the Rio Grande, and then moved west to the Santa Cruz Cross in Rio Grande City. After lunch at Caro's we continued westward to Roma, first at the bluffs and then town square. While it was a lazy day in Roma, Mexico was quick to scramble a helicopter after seeing our group aiming big lenses on tripods at the city of Miguel Aleman. They circled several times as Dr. Paull obliviously framed his shots, luckily no confrontations were had.

From Roma we continued upriver to the Santa Margarita Ranch for its stunning view and on to Salineno for the cool shade and river access.

For now here is one picture I took of the Ferry, more to come later (maybe!).

Creepy Crawly Valley

2008-09-19T12:23:00.002-05:00

Sunset on the Bahia

2008-09-14T17:35:00.002-05:00

Ike-a-rumba!

2008-09-14T16:29:00.004-05:00

Hurricane Ike swept across the gulf this weekend making landfall along the upper coast of Texas. Remarkably little impact was felt here in the Valley, little to no rain and insignificant winds. The one thing that we did get was storm surge, which in its own respect was very impressive. Several people found their vehicles stranded on the beach Thursday night as Ike pushed the gulf waters right up to them. By Friday morning the Gulf was flowing freely across the North end of the Island and into the bay at all of our "beach access points." It really makes you appreciate a continuous line of sand dunes, keeping the inner island--our homes--safe from the rising waters.

Of course, with heavy surf, comes surfers!

Birds, Butterflies, and Bulls

2008-09-01T14:19:00.002-05:00

Ran up to the Western end of the Valley this weekend to photograph the only (blood-less) Bull Fighting ring in the states. On the way I shot some flutter-bys and some birdies too... here are a few shots, I'll (hopefully) post more later.

Jabiru

2008-08-21T23:12:00.002-05:00

I'm sure by now everyone is aware of the dinosaur roaming through the still-flooded fields outside of Raymondville, here are some photographs I took earlier today.

I Toad You!

2008-07-26T19:26:00.002-05:00

Well, Hurricane Dolly has come and gone and left plenty of destruction in her path, some of which I've photographed and will post at a later date. For now, here are a couple shots from last night.

Mexican Burrowing Toad

Sheep Frog

Some little Scarab Beetle floating on a log in the pond.

Outer Bands

2008-07-23T00:16:00.002-05:00

Got some okay shots today, but after 10am or so the sky went gray and the light was bland so I went boogie boarding with my aunt! For sunset I rushed out to the beach to try and catch some shots of the first major bands from Hurricane Dolly moving in.

Calm Before the Storm

2008-07-22T09:52:00.003-05:00

Went out to photograph the sunrise this morning, a sort of calm before the storm if you will. It's looking awfully dark to the South-east right now... here comes Dolly!

Shoot the Moon

2008-07-19T04:17:00.002-05:00

Tried photographing the moon the other night, amazing how fast it can move out of frame.