This is another of my favorite places in Texas. Just 30 miles east of Austin, Lost Pines (Bastrop State Park) is another of those ecological surprises one encounters in Texas. It is perfect for hiking in the summer because it is so shady. And it is very lovely - a lost pine forest, indeed.

Today I was particularly taken by the variety of mushrooms at the park. No surprise, I guess, given the rainfall in Texas this year.

These “golden” mushrooms were by far the coolest, though. They reminded me imediately of my mytho-poet friend, Ric Williams. I can imagine he has written more than one “golden mushroom” poem. If not, he can now…

But, as always, there were other stars of the day. A few good shots of butterflies and dragonflies - but the real star was this gorgeous water spider, spread out in all his glory, just waiting for me to shoot.

It is nice to get back out into the wild…

I am working with an ancient version of WordPress, I know, but I will soon upgrade and get my images on Flickr.

I the meantime:

Here is a better link to my Gallery.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a place I go to seek new beginnings. So it makes sense that I would spend this New Years Eve there.

It seems a large enough accomplishment for most people to just make it to the top of this 430 foot high, 640 acre, big, pink granite rock, let alone take the time to really look at it.

Once at the top, it seems natural to look up - up to the expanse of an endless blue sky - the closest place in Texas to the gods there is. And then, to look out - out to the rolling, green hills of the Texas Hill Country - yes there are rolling, green hills in Texas.

It does not, however, seem natural to look down - after all, we just came from “down.” But down is truly where the beauty is.

I can’t help but think of systems when I look closely at the lichens-covered granite rock that make up this rare paradise: the whole system, the systems that make up the whole, the systems that make up the systems that make up the whole, and, of course, the system that is made up of the wholes…
I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the system called Enchanted Rock. (Click on an image above to see all of the photos.)

Have a happy and prosperous 2007, and don’t forget to look down once in a while!
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