sjfphotography: *fine art images *natural light portraits *greeting cards


Sunday, September 30, 2012

changing colors of fall
 
Farmers are in the process of harvesting grain sorghum, which may be planted after a failed cotton crop.  Fields of grain turning from green to auburn are signs of autumn on the High Plains.
 
Lubbock County, Texas

Saturday, September 29, 2012

yellow door
 
The Ouachita River divides the cities of Monroe and West Monroe.  During the heyday of steamboats, the Ouachita was a highway of commerce for Louisiana.  Today the riverfront area is a target of redevelopment with a cultural district touting restaurants, apartments, shops and even a riverwalk.  The first steamboat to cruise the Quachita - the "Monroe" of course.
 
422 Jackson Street
Monroe, Louisiana


Friday, September 28, 2012

cypress and swamp
 
The 1700 acres lake at Black Bayou Lake has cypress and tupelo trees and is surrounded by swamps that become bottomland hardwoods.  Although the preserve signs indicated much wildlife, all I saw were dragonflies and grasshoppers -- but I didn't venture far along the paths.
 
Black Bayou Lake Natural Wildlife Refuge
Monroe, Louisiana

Thursday, September 27, 2012

not just a bicycle
 
If you guessed this hanging sign denoted a bicycle shop, you would be wrong.  As the owner notes in an on-line interview, it is a "landmark" for his photography studio.  You can visit him at the link below, but be advised he lists himself as Xavier J. Peg (Xavier was evidently his father-in-law's name).  Had the photographer been in residence, I imagine an interesting conversation would have ensued.
 
Studio d'Xavier
422 DeSiard Street
Monroe, Louisiana

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

bayou desiard
 
We enjoyed the Louisiana landscape watching the sun set over the bayou,  the turtles bobbing and the graceful waterskier -- all from the comfort of the air-conditioned, bug-free dining room.
 
Bayou DeSiard
Monroe, Louisiana

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

photography imitates art
 
The Dallas Arboretum has a section "Small Houses of Great Artists."  The Monet cottage replicates "The Water-Lily Pond and Japanese Bridge."  In 1893, Monet, a passionate horticulturist, purchased land with a pond near his property in Giverny,France.  intending to build something "for the pleasure of the eye and also for motifs to paint." The result was his water-lily garden. In 1899, he began a series paintings of the wooden footbridge over his water-lily garden. 
 
Dallas Arboretum
Dallas, Texas
9-18.2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

yellow icicle tower
 
The 30-foot Yellow Icicle Tower dominates the parkscape of the Arboretum.  During the day, the sunlight glistens off the glass; during the evening, the dusk is illuminated by its yellow glow.  The crescent moon was an added highlight.
 
Chihuly at Dallas Arboretum
Dallas, Texas
9.18.2012

Sunday, September 23, 2012

carnival boat
 
The Carnival Boat, filled with fantasy glass pieces by Chihuly, floats on the infinity pool merging with White Rock Lake as the sun sets over Dallas.  The installation is in place until November 5.
 
Chihuly at Dallas Arboretum
Dallas, Texas
9.18.2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

$500.00 -- no exception's
Cemetery Signs:
Evidently, for $500.00, you may have your choice of plots - complete with headstone.  Just choose your favorite name and ask the occupant to scoot over.
Jaybird Cemetery
off Highway 199 between Azle and Springtown
Parker County, Texas
9.20.2012

Friday, September 21, 2012

shadows and stripes
 
The Studios at 5th and Avenue J
Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, September 20, 2012

red reeds
 
The Chihuly red glass reeds make strong reflections among the red water lilies in the Fogelson Fountain at the Dallas Arboretum.
 
Chihuly at Dallas Arboretum
Dallas, Texas
9.18.2012

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

float boat
 
Renowned glassblower Chihuly has installed his sculptures at the Dallas Arboretum.   The water feature in the Women's Garden has a boat filled with glass spheres based on Japanese fishing floats.
 
Chihuly at the Dallas Arboretum
Dallas, Texas
9.18/2012






Tuesday, September 18, 2012

sunrise
 
Eagle Mountain Lake
Azle, Texas

Monday, September 17, 2012

call to arms

Last weekend Olney held the 41st Annual One Arm Dove Hunt.  To be eligible one must be disabled or a dove. Wonder which has the advantage?  The two original one-armed individuals were named Jack and started the hunt in 1972 as a joke, but six one-armed men participated.  It is now a unique tradition honoring upper-body amputees.

Olney, Texas


Sunday, September 16, 2012

mirror image
 
The poet Lowell may have thought that the rare day in June was perfect -- but our fall weather, like today's, may be rare but the moderate temperature, breezeless air and blue sky was perfect.
 
David Casey Park
Lubbock, Texas

Saturday, September 15, 2012

chow's on
 
Chuckwagon Vignette
National Cowboy Symposium
Lubbock, Texas
9.08.2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

new face on broadway
 
 
New business downtown in the former Reeves Photography Studio.  They advertise  "new and recycled fashions -gently used designer, fashion-forward, and vintage clothes!"  With the mural on the side of the building, it certainly isn't Skibells, Mary Ware or Lathams.
 
 1717 Broadway.
Culture Clothing
1717 Broadway
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, September 13, 2012

pilgrimage
 
 

One of the faithful makes a stop on the way to El Sanctuario de Chimayo for blessing and "holy dirt."
 
Chimayo, New Mexico
3.10.2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

the scale house
 
The metropolis of County Line lies at the intersection of FM 179 and 597, which is the dividing boundary between Lubbock and Hale counties.  In its heyday during the first half of the century, County Line had a school, 3 grocery stores, 2 blacksmith shops, a gin and a church   Today there's only a handful of residents, abandoned buildings, the First Baptist Church (which had 8 cars in the parking lot on Sunday) and the County Line Cemetery.  The Fairbanks-Morse weighing scale, although pocked with bullet holes, still occupies the scale house by the grain elevators.
 
County Line Co-op Gin Scale House
County Line, Texas
8.09.2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

sign cemetery
 
The back lot at Garrison Brothers Signs contains defunct signs.  It's ironic that a company that has provided lasting gravestone markers since 1916 is now gone and its sign relegated to the junk heap.  Geography question - where is Silver Falls?  The first part of the century, the waterfall here was a mecca for travelers.  Today the rest stop still exists but the falls and spring are part of history - just like the motel sign.  We noticed these signs while determining the location of the Texas historical marker for the legendary Cotton Club at its original site off Southeast Drive.  The marker dedication will take place September 27 in conjunction with the induction of Tommy Hancock's induction into the West Texas Walk of Fame.
 
Garrison Brothers Signs
2523 East 50th
9.10.2012

Monday, September 10, 2012

hard times on the farm
 
The farming outlook this year resembles this old farmhouse - leaning south and ready to crash.
 
Off FM 597
North Lubbock County, Texas

Sunday, September 9, 2012

open spaces
 
The barns on the West Texas plains may lack the architectural style displayed by barns in other parts of the country but still serve a utilitarian purpose.  Unfortunately, that purpose and the need for farm barns is fading.  Abandoned structures dot the agricultural landscape.
 
Just south of FM 1264
North Lubbock County, Texas

Saturday, September 8, 2012

boots and saddle
 
National Cowboy Symposium
Lubbock, Texas
9.07.2012

Friday, September 7, 2012

steam shaping a stetson
 
If you purchase a new hat at the Cowboy Symposium, you can have it shaped on-site to complement your own sense of style.
 
26th Annual Cowboy Symposium
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, September 6, 2012

set-up shadow
 
Cowboys and chuck wagons were rolling in this evening to set up for the 24th annual National Cowboy Symposium.  This cowboy offered to share his vintage box wine with me.
 
National Cowboy Symposium
Lubbock, Texas

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

flowerpots

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Santa MarĂ­a, Madre de Dios,
ruega por nosotros
 
Santa Maria has watched over Candelaria Garro since 1918.
Magdalena Cemetery
Magdalena, New Mexico
9.1.2012

Monday, September 3, 2012

mary of magdalena
 
The village of Magdalena, also known as "Trail's End" for the railroad terminal point at the stockyards, was named for the Magdalena Peak.  A talus formation on the side of the volcanic peak is the supposed likeness of Mary Magdalena.  Likenesses of  Mary Our Blessed Lady watch over the citizens of the Magdalena Cemetery.
 
Magdalena, New Mexico
9.01.2012

Sunday, September 2, 2012

get your kicks on route 66
 
There are still glimpses of the past glamour of road travel on Route 66 to be found on Central Avenue.  The motels of the 1940s and 50s are being razed, although the signs remain - a good historic decision.  The neon sign at the El Don is one of eight in Albuquerque on the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties.  You can still stay there - close to Old Town -- and they advertise cheap daily and weekly rates.
 
El Don Motel
2222 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Saturday, September 1, 2012

iglesia casa colorado
 
Casa Colorado was a 17th century landmark along El Camino Real but didn't thrive as a village until the 1830s.  This view is eastward; westward is the green of the Rio Grande valley lush with alfalfa fields.
 
Casa Colorado
Valencia County, New Mexico