San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the United States, has a rich and diverse history and culture. The city was founded on 1 May 1718 when a Spanish expedition from Mexico established the Mission San Antonio de Valero. This mission, later called the Alamo, was one of five founded in the area and was named for Saint Anthony of Padua.
San Antonio’s character is a colorful blend of Mexican and Texan culture. It is 150 miles from the Mexican border at Laredo, on one of the most traveled routes to Mexico. Much of its population (60 percent) is of Hispanic descent, and many are Spanish speaking. It preserves much of its historical atmosphere and embraces its cultural diversity. Remains of 18th-century Spanish structures dot the city, contrasting with modern office buildings.
The Riverwalk, or Paseo del Rio, is San Antonio’s outdoor centerpiece. Winding through the downtown area, its landscaped banks are lined with shops and restaurants. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (established in 1978) preserves the Spanish Missions Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion de Acuna, San Juan Capistrano, San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, and San Fernando de la Espada. The Park is located along the Mission Trail, which begins at the Alamo and extends 9 miles southeastward along the San Antonio River. The four former Spanish Missions were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.
Museum Reach near The Historic Pearl
The domes of the Basilica of the Little Flower as seen from Woodlawn Lake Park on the westside of San Antonio.
View of the San Antonio Riverwalk where the San Antonio River and the San Pedro Creek come together near Confluence Park.
One of San Antonio’s five historic Spanish Missions built in the early 1700s along the San Antonio River.
Downtown San Antonio
Riverwalk at night with passing River Taxi
San Antonio is home to some amazing trees, such as this grand Live Oak located in the Monte Vista historical district.
The roots of this magnificent Live Oak tree are growing into the street and its branches span two lots in the Monte Vista historical district in San Antonio.
These Mexican Hats add a burst of color along the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Sunset happens every day, but some stick in your memory forever! I captured this amazing scene over Woodlawn Lake Park in San Antonio.
This pedestrian bridge is a favorite hangout spot for locals and is a great place for photo shoots and sunsets.
Sculpture under the Camden St Bridge on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Created by Donald Lipski, the cluster of 25 seven-foot-long fish of hand-painted fiberglass resin are anatomically correct models of long-eared sunfish, native to the river.
Mission San Jose on a cloudy morning
Some beautiful fall foliage frames Mission Espada in San Antonio
One of five Spanish Missions in San Antonio, Mission Concepcion is the oldest continuously operating church in the United States. Established in the early 18th century, these Missions were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.
Fall scene at Mission San Juan Capistrano
San Antonio’s Mission Concepcion shines in the morning light
Shadow play along the columns.
Amazing sunsets from San Antonio and beyond!
Dramatic sunset over Woodlawn Lake
Rich, vibrant evening light shines on the spillway wall at Woodlawn Lake
Perfect reflections in the mirror-like surface of Elmendorf Lake at sunset
Dramatic clouds are reflected in the waters of Woodlawn Lake at sunset
Magical sunset at Elmendorf Lake
Dramatic cloudscape at sunset over Elmendorf Lake
Sky drama at sunset at Elmendorf Lake
A fiery sunset over Woodlawn Lake
Dramatic sky over Elmendorf Lake after the storm comes through.
Bald Cypress trees showing their color at sunset on Woodlawn Lake
Serenity at sunset on Elmendorf Lake
A stunning sunset filters through a bald cypress tree at Elmendorf Lake Park.
A beautiful swan floats through the sunlight at Woodlawn Lake at sunset.
Looking east down Highway 290 in Stonewall, Texas.
Stonewall, Texas
Sunrise at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
My best captures of Texas hummingbirds and butterflies
Adult male black-chinned hummingbird feeding in my backyard.
Monarch butterfly being tailed by a bee as it feeds on Milkweed.
San Antonio, 2021
San Antonio, Texas spring 2022
San Antonio, Texas spring 2022
Taken in Spring 2024 in my butterfly garden.
Taken December 2023 in a late migration.
Queen Butterfly feeding on tropical milkweed in my front yard.
From December 2019, this male Monarch lined up perfectly with the setting sun behind him. Has not happened for me since.
My visit to Death Valley National Park, in January 2019, was a surreal experience. The barren landscapes were exotic and captivating, with vivid colors and unique geological patterns that you won’t find anywhere else. I came away from my short stay with a strong desire to come back as soon as possible.
The lowest spot in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level.
Badwater Basin
Death Valley National Park—Vast area of mountain-fringed sand dunes reaching 100 feet tall.
We took two separate trips to check out the mud cracks at Death Valley, the first a mid-morning trip to scout out the best locations, and then a second trip to photograph these amazing phenomena at sunrise the next day.
Trekking out to the valley before sunrise was an unnerving experience. It was cold, the terrain was full of surprises, and it seemed to take forever. The scene that unfolded once we arrived, however, was well worth the wait.
The morning sun hits the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Park as we were photographing the mud cracks.
A man stands looking out over one of the tallest dunes at Mesquite Flat in Death Valley National Park just as the sun goes down behind the Panamint Mountain Range.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset in January at Death Valley National Park.
Fiery sunset over Mesquite Flat Dunes as a lone photographer sets up to capture the scene.
The sun sets over the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Park in January.
We came to South Africa on a 7-day photo safari that we won in a silent auction. We won the trip in the spring of 2017, but didn’t get around to going until November 2018. We shouldn’t have waited so long. It was a mind-altering experience unlike any I have undertaken. We were pampered in luxury at the Zulu Nyala Safari Lodge in the northeastern part of South Africa. We went out on twice-daily safaris on the 5,000 acre Zulu Nyala game reserve, where we saw rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and a variety of other animals in their natural habitat. A photographer’s dream!
Giraffe extends its tonque in anticipation as she gets ready to feed.
A yellow weaver works on its nest at the Zulu Nyala Lodge.
Slightly larger than a hummingbird.
This female cheetah, one of two in the game preserve, rests in the afternoon shade.
The town of San Miguel de Allende, with its ornate and colorful buildings.
View from the rooftop bar at the Rosedown Hotel in San Miguel de Allende.
San Miguel most famous landmark in the middle of El Jardin in the city center.
Black and white view of the famous Cathedral on the city's main square, the Zocalo.
The home of Frida Kahlo, now an incredible museum of the famous artist.
View from the top of the Pyramid of the Moon in the ancient city of Teotijuacan.
Looking north from the Pyramid of the Sun.
Inside the National Palace in Mexico City.
Leading from the National Palace into the gardens.
Another view from the rooftop bar at the Rosedown Hotel in San Miguel de Allende.
Perfect morning light shines on central San Miguel.
The cobblestone streets of San Miguel.
San Miguel de Allende's La Pirrochia.
