I arrived home late last night after a long but satisfying day at the family farm.  Despite the grueling six hours of driving (three hours in both directions) and the piercing exhaustion that always follows such arduous trips, I feel quite pleased with the day.  It was productive, hectic yet relaxing, delightful, and undeniably potent.

Being in that place, in the middle of dense woodlands whose very heart is cleaved in twain by the bayou, I felt at peace.  It was as though I had come home, had finally stepped through the door of belonging.  The city lay three hours and 160 miles (260 kilometers) behind me, a long forgotten realm of concrete and repetitive, insipid absence.  In place of human throngs vying to get ahead at the expense of others, I bathed in natural wonder so profound as to be divine.

Crisp air brushed my cheek in greeting.  Skyscrapers were replaced with ligneous giants who waved infinite foliage on gentle breezes.  The only natural lake in the whole of Texas lapped its shores with calm waves.  What was once the waterway to the Mississippi meandered lazily across the landscape surrounded by lush vegetation.  A plethora of wildlife carried on with its business sans too much interference by humans.

Ultimately, and without a second thought, I had the confirmation I needed.  Leaving metropolitan areas behind and relocating to rurality is the right thing for me.

Then I came home.  After unpacking the car and dragging myself inside, I spent the first hour making up lost time with The Kids.  It had been almost 17 hours since I’d last seen them.  They had no intention of allowing me to forget that fact!

Once feline needs were tended and lonely egos raised to new heights with ample attention, I set about going through the many photos I had taken during my trip.  I think you’ll be quite pleased with what I have to share with you.  I made some discoveries, captured many new images to add to my growing wildlife photo collection, bathed in profound beauty only the morning can provide, and came away with memories painted on a digital canvas that can be shared with everyone.

It will take some time for me to post all of the images.  There’s simply too much to share in a short amount of time.