Mushroom Tree

A couple weeks ago I was driving to Pleasanton to spend some time with Pat after she had surgery and I saw this tree, which looks much like a big mushroom. I wanted to stop right then to take a picture, but it was raining. A few days later when Pat felt like getting away from the house for a while, she and I drove back to where I had seen the tree and I was able to get this picture. Looks like a big mushroom, right? On closer examination I think the tree is growing up through an old cistern, but was unable to get close enough to make sure. I had hoped I would be able to determine that fact when I uploaded the picture, but it is too dark under there to see detail. There was a barbed wire fence between me and the tree, so I felt like the land owner really didn't want anyone over there. So, even though I am almost certain that is not the trunk of the tree, it is still my mushroom tree!

Hummingbird Moth

Did I ever feel lucky earlier this summer when I saw a Hummingbird Moth feeding from the periwinkles in my back yard! I felt even luckier that I was able to come into the house, get my camera, go back out and actually find the moth again. They are called Hummingbird Moth because they fly like a hummingbird and feed like a hummingbird, and look pretty much like one, only smaller. This summer is the first time I have seen these moths in West Texas. I have seen them in Western Colorado around the cabin we used to stay in while vacationing there.

I have since learned (from reading a dear friend's blog - yes, Debi - you) that their real name is Sphinx Moth, although I kinda of like the name "Hummingbird" Moth, and will probably continue to call them that. It's good to know the real name, though; now if I can only remember it!

Guest Post by Debi

..
Nelda and Wind Turbines

Back in January of this year, Nelda and I took a photo trip to Big Spring and back. She told me how the size of the new wind turbines popping up everywhere here in West Texas fascinated her. When we saw a new field of wind turbines going up near Stanton, we jumped at the chance to get a closer look before they went into operation. The cute little purple figure is Nelda. How's that for giving you a feel for the size of these things?

She convinced me. Wind turbines' size is endlessly fascinating. I found a couple of videos on Youtube you might enjoy.

Here's a less than 4 minute video inside a wind turbine -- the first 30 seconds is of a traditional water windmill in Europe for comparison.

And here's a 10 minute video of installing a wind turbine on the St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Another awe inspiring take.

And lastly, here's some quick facts about the size of wind turbines found on the US Department of Energy web site:

The largest machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes.

I'm glad Nelda introduced me to the awe and respect of these non-polluting giants.