The Wall

I was looking for a different angle to capture the Alamo from when on a photowalk at #ImagingUSA in San Antonio earlier this week. This majestic oak caught my eye with it's limbs sweepeing out across the garrison wall at the Alamo.. Makes me wonder if it was alive when the Battle of the Alamo was fought over 180 years ago. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Crockett Hotel

Happy 181st Birthday Texas! I wonder if Davy ever thought he'd have a hotel behind the Alamo? Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Boo Hotel

I wonder if they'll keep the light on for you? Certainly not my first choice of accommodations if I was just passing through. One of the derelict buildings that make up the Manor Ghost Town. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Light the Way

One of the shots I made during our March visit to Mission Concepcion in San Antonio. I just liked the play of different light on the scene. The candlelight lamp was barely enough to light the room and I could imagine what it was like in the room in the days before electricity when a small candle would be your only light. The afternoon sun bounced off the white walls and back into the room providing additional lighting. Nice that the missions in San Antonio are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exploring them on this nice Spring day was a great way to spend an afternoon. Photo by Steve Coyle Photography (www.stevecoylephotography.com)

Texas Independence

Celebrating Texas Independence Day! The Goliad Massacre played a huge role in Texas' fight for independence from Mexico in 1836. This is the sight of the mass grave for Colonel Fannin and his troops that gave rise to the shout "Remember Goliad". You can read more about this important part of Texas history at https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qeg02.

Bahia Sunset

Happy New Year! Inside the walls at Presidio La Bahia as the sun is setting. We visited this site a couple of years ago during Christmas and I posted a black and white version of the shot I took at that time. Thought I'd start of 2015 in color with another shot of the Presidio. For more information on the Presidio and it's history, check out their website at http://www.presidiolabahia.org.

The Quarters

I was outside the Quarters at Presidio La Bahia in Goliad taking photos of the exterior when a lady asked me if I’d like to photograph the inside. They were staying there the night and had not moved their things in yet. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to have a look inside. I made this shot inside the living room of the Quarters. Per the Presidio’s website, after the restoration of Presidio La Bahia in the mid-1960's, the area now known as The Quarters was used by priests as housing. The Quarters is part of what used to be the officer's quarters, along the west wall of the presidio. For more information on the Quarters and how you can book your own stay in these historic accommodations, check out their website at http://www.presidiolabahia.org/quarters.htm.

Sunset Cross

To me, Sundays are a good time to reflect and be thankful for what we have. We passed this graveyard on our walk in Georgetown on Thanksgiving Day. My wife noted that the graves with crosses were sites they had identified had someone buried there, but the grave marker that was there (if there ever was one) had eroded away. Reminds me that life is not forever and neither are our attempts to mark our last resting places.

Baptizing Christ

Good Sunday morning to you! This was one of the statues we saw inside St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Montana. I really liked how the light coming in through the windows of the church seemed to make this statue glow. Seemed to be fitting for the scene it was depicting.

Sunday Schooling

Another historic church from Medina County for your Sunday morning enjoyment. Young in comparison with churches in other parts of the world, but old for the area this church is in, the historic New Fountain United Methodist Church in New Fountain, Texas is over 150 years old. The original structure in the left side of this shot was built by German immigrants in the 1870s and has over 400 members in it's congregation today. Complete information on the church can be found at http://www.newfountainumc.org/AboutUs1176136.

Quihi Century

When I went out to capture the sunflower shot I posted a few days ago, I decided to take advantage of the evening light and run over to Quihi to capture a shot of this historic church. The Quihi Bethlehem Lutheran Church building is celebrating it's 100th anniversary this year and the historical marker in front of the building provides the following info about the congregation and building. "BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH The Rev Christian Oefinger, serving as pastor of the Castroville Lutheran Church, led in founding this congregation in March 1852. The first church building was dedicated in 1854, coincidental with a synod convention held in Castroville. Bethlehem Lutheran Church hosted synod meetings in 1869, 1875, and 1894. The present brick structure, dedicated in 1914, was built largely by parishioners, St John's Lutheran Church of New Fountain. Founded in the late 1850s by the Rev A. Kitterer and served by Bethlehem's pastors, merged with the congregation in 1949."

Independence Dog-Trot

Last spring we made a road trip to check out the wildflowers in Washington County. On our outing we ventured by Independence where I captured this shot of one of the early homes in Independence. It's also right next to the original location of Baylor University, which is what I'm guessing the gentleman on the front porch is looking at. Sure would like to be on that porch now. :-)

Breezy Lincoln

Inside the breezeway in one of the museums in Lincoln, New Mexico. For more on this shot, check out my blog at http://www.stevecoylephotography.com/Blog/Exploring-the-World.

Texas Capitol

The state capitol in Austin, Texas on a late fall afternoon.

Veteran's Memorial

Happy Veteran's Day! This is the monument that was put up in Cedar Park Veteran's Memorial Park to honor all those that have served. The skies were perfect to really add drama to nice memorial.

Remembering

It's been a dozen years since the events of 9/11 changed the world. Taking time to remember those who have given so much for our freedom.

Stonewall's Trinity

The Trinity Lutheran Church congregation traces its history to 1902, when it was organized in the Albert schoolhouse. A sanctuary built here in 1902 was replaced in 1904 and this structure was erected in 1928. Worship services were conducted in the German language until 1950. A fine example of the Gothic revival style of architecture, the church features fine details in its arched window and door openings, Gothic steeple, and original pressed metal siding. Recorded Texas Histoic Landmark - 1989 -historical marker

Llano County Courthouse

Llano County Courthouse in the spring.

The Austonian, Austin's tallest building, with SIX Lounge, the bar created in honor of Lance Armstrong's 6th Tour de France victory, in it's shadow.

Even Darth needs a coffee pick me up at Halcyon before a long night on the back of a pedicab.

HDRtist HDR - http://www.ohanaware.com/hdrtist/

Days Gone By

Looking across San Francisco at St. Ignatius Church. I took this shot several years ago on a trip to the Bay Area. Decided to have a little fun with it and give it an older feel of days gone by. You can read more about the church at http://stignatiussf.org.

Early morning looking across one of the reflecting pools at Jefferson Memorial with the cherry blossoms beginning to bloom.