This tree has several names, but the one I like best is simply, “The Tree.” It’s an oak that is believed to be at least 1000 years old located in Goose Island State Park. It’s survived hundreds of hurricanes, at least one fire (caused by shelling from the Union Navy), diseases, and lots of unknown troubles. It has its scars, bearing testimony to having lived. But it’s still standing, though with some help, still doing what trees do.

That’s what life does to living things. Even us.

Eloise and I were sitting in a park on the beach at Port Lavoca eating lunch, and watching the gulls – huddled in the shade. We couldn’t complain since we were sitting in the air conditioned car instead of out on the beach because, you guessed it, it was too hot!

Nikon D90 with Nikon 70-200 and 2X telextender.

Eloise hates these birds, mostly because they’re everywhere and they’re loud.

But I think they have at least one redeeming quality — their bright yellow eyes. This guy was sitting on a picnic table under a cover, and it makes his eye look pretty much like the out-of-focus grass in the bright sunshine behind him.

And I just like the minimalist but colorful nature of this shot.

Nikon D90, Nikon 70-200 VRII with 2x telextender (600 mm 35mm equiv), f8, 1/800 sec

We’re blessed by having plenty of Mockingbirds who are pretty sure they own our back yard. They sing to us, entertain us with their antics, and sometimes remind us that attitude is enough. So anytime I take a photo of a Mockingbird, I’m looking to capture a little something of that attitude, and while it’s subtle in this shot, I still see it.

Nikon D90, Nikon 70-200 VRII with TC-20E II.

It was fun just to watch, but also to catch a few shots. It’s almost like he’s backlit, and the light colors of his underbody just shine.

Nikon D90, Nikon 70-200 VR II with TC-20EII.

Last Night's Sunset on Galveston's West Beach

God really is at work all around us all the time.

Sometimes we don’t see it because we’re not paying attention. I can miss perfectly obvious demonstrations of His work just because I’m not paying attention, not seeing the obvious, or not noting the source of what’s happening. One of the things that’s helping me these days to pay more attention is reading Terry Rush’s blog — because he writes all the time about what God is doing in his life.

Sometimes I fear it may be that I, like Pharaoh during the plagues, harden my heart because I don’t like the way God is working. I was reading that passage from the Bible this morning, and two things jumped out. First, God said that He was sending the plagues so that the people would believe that He was God and worship Him. Second, to his own peril, Pharaoh kept hardening his heart against recognizing and worshiping God. Just because I don’t like where things are headed doesn’t mean God’s not at work. In fact it may be just the opposite! “God is God, I am not,” rolls off the tongue a lot easier than it’s lived.

Here’s hoping that you and I both are paying attention to and open to what God’s doing today!

Yesterday I mentioned that changes are occurring at one of my favorite sunset shooting locations. Well, here’s the proof. Earth movers, resting for the night, front and center. During the days, they’re busy installing the underground utilities where the streets and then the houses will be built.

When I first drove up to take sunset photos, I was a little dismayed that they were there. But I also like big machines, so I spent most of the shooting time including them in the frames. Just think of it as a sunset portrait. But instead of the subject being a person, the subject is change.

So, this photo serves as a graphic reminder. When we encounter change, if we incorporate the change rather than fighting it, sometimes we get a good result.

But it’s still okay to wish there wasn’t so much change that comes so fast isn’t it?