The Early Evidence of Fall’s Approach
This week we started seeing evidence that our two-week Texas Autumn season is just around the corner.
Week 16 – Old Mineral Wells Rams Stadium
I stopped by the now retired Rams Stadium of Mineral Wells where the high school football team played for may decades before their modern stadium was completed several years ago. Anyone would agree that the new stadium with its modern spacious press box, improved and expanded seating and perfect location is better in every way. But this old stadium was full of charm and everyone who played, coached or officiated at the stadium will share fond memories about the its uniqueness and charm. When a field goal or PAT was kicked during night games the ball would disappear from view in the thick oak trees that encroached in and over the field right at the goal posts. You can see this in some of the images below.
The facility is used today by a semi-pro team and recreational soccer and the grass field still looks great.
Week 15 – A Reminder of Earlier Times
I found this old abandoned farm-house in southwestern Palo Pinto County as a gentle rain storm was rolling in. No doubt there are memories attached to this place.
Week 12
The New Uncovers The Old
As road crews prepare to connect the new Weatherford loop to US HWY 180 they uncovered the old brick surface from the original HWY 180 between Mineral Wells and Weatherford Texas. The brick highway was opened in 1936. According to an article on the “The Portal to Texas History”, the bricks were hand-laid by two strong [African-American] men ( http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20465/ ). That is quite remarkable especially considering that the divided highway covers roughly 18 miles.
Week 11
My results are better this week than last. I spent some time in Palo Pinto County out in the brush and hill country. There were many potential subjects that caught my eye. Here are a few. All shot with my Nikon D700 and Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8 lens hand-held.
Barrel Cactus in Palo Pinto County Texas
Barrel Cactus
Cactus Landscape
Palo Pinto County, Nature Stone Outcroppings
Natural Stone Monuments
Lichen Covered Stones in the Palo Pinto Hills
The Sky Comes Alive With Color at Dusk
Display of Colors at Dusk
Week 10
This week was a bust. I didn’t have much time to shoot but Saturday evening during a rain storm I headed to Harberger Hill overlooking Weatherford to see if there was something to capture. I am not proud of the results but here is a panoramic view of Weatherford from Harberger Hill shot at sunset during a light rain. I brought out a lot of light in processing and it is very grainy. Shooting through the rain makes it even more grainy in appearance.
This is an image of the sun setting behind the north side of Weatherford. You can see the steeple of North Main Church of God down below to the left. Again, not a good image but it is what I got this past week.
Week 9
1940′s-era Native Stone Ranch House Several Miles West of Weatherford
According to the owner of the place this house was built for a grandmother on the family ranch back in the 1940s but unknowingly it was built in a flood plain. The river is about a 1/4 of a mile away and not visible from this location, but it has flooded three or four times over the decades where the water was waist-high in the house. It was understandably abandoned as a dwelling.
Native Stone Farm House
More Fall Color
We are seeing some nice fall colors this week. We are seeing lots of yellow, orange and some red as different trees are turning and shedding leaves. Here are a few images from my back yard and down our path. All these were shot with my Nikon D700 and a Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8
These images were taken while it was lightly raining. The clouds and overcast skies muted the light, and the dampness helped bring out the color.
This first image is in our back yard. I really liked the yellow contrasting with the wet, dark tree trunks. The green clover to the lower right really likes this cool wet weather.
The tall green oak is a huge, old red oak that Peggy really likes. It should begin turning any day. But for now I like the green alongside the others which are already turning yellow and orange.
Thanks for looking
David Ferrie Photography
Life Of Brian
The Vital Church
Wade Burleson
With All I Am
