Under the Canopy of Oaks and Gums

Black and White, Countryscape, Edgewood, Fine art photography, Nature, Photography, Upper East Texas

My second issue of photo essay periodicals is published! It is called “Under the Canopy of Oaks and Gums – Portrait of a County Road”, in the format of a 40-page magazine with premium papers fit to showcase photography works. They are currently available at 211 Art Gallery and will also be brought to the Edgewood Heritage Festival on November 11, 2017.

Excerpt

Broadening the way of seeing is exactly what this photography work sets out to do. Subjects found along a typical county road in East Texas were portrayed in “spotlights”.

Preview and purchase

Book details

Size US Letter, 8.5×11 in, 22×28 cm, 40 Pages, premium paper
ISBN: Softcover – 9781389545351

To see all issues go to: BOOKS

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

©Ine Burke | inegaleri.com

Spring in Van Zandt County, Texas

Canton, Countryscape, Edgewood, Fruitvale, Grand Saline, Heritage Park, Nature, Redland, Spring, Travel, Upper East Texas, Wills Point

Spring sightings from various places in Van Zandt County, Texas – March/April 2016

Pear blossom and contented cows – Edgewood, Tx

A bird perching on a blossoming sassafras tree – Edgewood, Tx

Red bud trees by the railway – Fruitvale, Tx

Grand Saline Library – Grand Saline, Tx

Peach blossoms at a Peach Farm and Old Fashioned Ice Cream – Hwy 19, Edgewood, Tx

Hickenbach Texas a.k.a Jones Junction – US 80 & TX 19, Edgewood, Tx

Scott Cabin at the Heritage Park Museum of East Texas – Edgewood, Tx

A field of purple and gold by Side Pea Farm – Canton, Tx

Blooming azaleas – Canton, Tx

Canton Lake – Canton, Tx

Picnic Area on Hwy 64 – Canton, Tx

Indian Paintbrush and Crimson Clover on Hwy 64 – Redland, Tx

Crimson Clover – Redland, Tx

Indian paintbrush across the Tawakoni Spillway – Wills Point, Tx

Tawakoni Spillway Levee – Wills Point, Tx

Roses by the 1848 Will’s Cabin – Wills Point, Tx

The Canvas of East Texas Summer

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Summer

Summer
Some say that Texas is unbearable in summer;
but I say, that one must offer some small sacrifice to the Sun Gods,
in order to bear witness to the beauty of the season.
Red and yellow and bronze and gold,
all have their place on this summer palette so bold,
that even the fiercest of Ra’s demons
could not dispel the radiance that emanates from the Artist’s brush.
As the emerald canvas fades to brown,
the days will mercifully grow shorter, and cooler,
until once again God’s festive palette bursts forth with the shades of Autumn.
Some say that Texas is unbearable in summer;
but I say, grab a glass of sweet tea
and sit in the shade of your favorite tree,
and bear witness to what may be,
the most wonderful season of the year.
Summer.

by Harold Burke, 2013

Embracing the 107F (41C) day today and triple-digit day in the fourteen days to come –not to mention triple-digit day in the past 9 days– I ponder upon a poem that my husband wrote in summer 2013.

The Forlorn Boat – A breezy morning by the creek, 2015

A view of the pond in a steamy-hot and still August evening

The poem was published in County Line Magazine, July/August 2013 issue, accompanied by my photograph, The Forlorn Boat

The Forlorn Boat – Golden Sunset, 2013

August 2015 observation and forecast for Edgewood, Texas

The beauty of August in East Texas.

Hay Season

Countryscape, Edgewood, Summer

White herons attracted by critters discovered by the mowing tractor. They fled as soon as the curious pet dog arrived.

The mower left behind a clump of Black Eyed Susan. Freshly mowed hay left to dry under the heat of summer.

Rolls and rolls of hay awaiting the cattlemen to haul them off and save them for the cold season to come. The beauty of August in East Texas.

“Clouds, clouds, are you mocking us?” say the trees

Black and White, Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Summer

It has been so alive and active up there, lately. Cold front from the North and warm air wave from the South were fighting for a place here in East Texas. It brought few scattered thunderstorms, cool temperature one day and very warm the next. But the best thing was these spreads of playful clouds on the skyscape. One cool-ish afternoon, close to the end of June, the clouds decided to mock the shape of the tree lines – at least according to my eyesight.

Blue Bonnet Trails in Ennis, Texas

Countryscape, Ennis, Nature, Photography, Spring

“Ennis was designated by the 1997 State Legislature as the home of the “Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail” and was designated the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas.” From April 1-30, Ennis showcases over 40 miles of mapped driving Bluebonnet Trails sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club.” Read more at their official website: http://www.visitennis.org/bluebonnet.htm

These photos were taken on April 20th, 2015, on the way to and along the trails.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Fourth Week of Spring – Wildflowers of Texas

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Second Week of Spring – Iris & Wisteria

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Still in the second week of spring, irises decorates the ground, road side, and highway’s median. Wisterias climb up the fence and wire, and form walls or even tower of purple (and some white) along the road. They are fragrant, too. ~ See all my spring coverage at https://inegaleri.com/category/spring/

Second week of Spring – Native Tree Blossoms

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Not as punchy as red bud blossoms, but these white – with slight pink shade- blossoms from the native trees are not less attractive.

Sassafras tree with its lime-yellow blossoms looks so light and airy.

Young leaves on the tree and weeds catching light in an early windy evening.

Second Week of Spring – Red Bud Blossoms

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Native red bud blossoms appearing from among limbs and branches in surrounding woods. They get bolder and bolder each day. The yellowish sprouting tree leaves and big blue sky only add contrast to the pink-magenta blossoms. ~ Edgewood, Texas

The Beginning of Spring

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Spring

Daffodils and jonquils have passed the relay baton to fruit trees and ground cover. Pear, plum, and peach trees are blossoming, along with the red buds. Patches of white, yellow, and purple flowers of the wild ground cover catch the dew in a foggy morning. New young cones of the pines reflect the yellow sun rays. Bees are buzzing high and low. So is the lawn mower. Welcome, spring!

White, Gold, and Blue

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

Sleet and snow hit the area hours before dawn, blessing the beholders with a glorious white, gold, and blue in the morning. The gold reflection on the creek is gone as soon as the sun climbs higher. The white takes it easy and lingers until noon. The sky is blue all day long. ~ Snow scene on March 3, 2015, in Edgewood, Texas.

A Squirrel in the Snow

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

On a nook of a black walnut tree, a juvenile squirrel chewing a nut away in a rare snowy morning in East Texas.

Possumhaw Berries – 2

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

Haven’t stopped to amaze, the berries catching the last light of the day.

The bridge over the Mill Creek between Edgewood and Fruitvale is seen here at the background.

Altocumulus in Morning

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Winter

Patches of white and grey puffy clouds spread all over the blue canvas of sky two mornings ago. From east to west, north to south. On the east, gleams of brilliant warmth reflected on the edge of the altocumulus where the sun tried to peek through. It was one-of-a-kind morning.

My Small World

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

This is not Point Reyes, nor is it Sumburu Wildlife Park. This is my small world where the dog watches the sun and moon face to face in mornings. This is the land where the pruned grapevines bask in the sun, with possibilities of getting freeze the next day or so. This is a warm February morning in East Texas.

A Hidden World of Mill Creek

Black and White, Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

A hidden world under tangled branches, vines, and limbs in a nook of Mill Creek as it meanders along in Van Zandt County, Texas. These two pieces will be part of Going Green Show at the 211 Art Gallery in Athens, Texas, from today through April 18, 2015. The printed dimension for both are 11″ x 17″ print, 18″ x 24″ with frame.

Possumhaw Berries

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Winter

Mill Creek, Van Zandt County, Texas. At this time of year, Possumhaw berries offer red bright color to nature.

A 7 a.m. view from the front porch

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Winter

A January , 7 a.m., morning view from the front porch. These subjects with the same point of view have been photographed over and over in different lights, time, and season. Just can’t get enough of them.

Cypress in Winter

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Still, Winter

Triptych of a cypress tree in winter in East Texas.

The Moon last Night

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Upper East Texas, Winter

The moon last night as it was rising through the tree line.

Winter on the Edge of the Piney Woods

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Upper East Texas, Winter

A triptych (3 panels) approach is used to present this common scenery of branches and limbs in a winter in East Texas. Old wet plate and eroded film look were applied. Just another play on “On the Edge of the Piney Woods” photo series.© 2015 Ine Burke | inegaleri.com

“No-Mean Feet” – Wine bottle label design for Crooked Creek Vineyards

Countryscape, Edgewood, My Graphic Work, MySpread, Upper East Texas

Wine bottle label design for Crooked Creek Vineyards‘ “No-Mean Feet” 2013 Lenoir.

The background is a cut-out rendition from photograph of pine trees that grow by a pond within the property of the vineyard.

Here’s how they look on the bottles (with the vineyard at the background):

Texas Vintage Bunny Collection – NOTECARDS

Canton, Countryscape, Edgewood, Family Affair, My Graphic Work, Photography, Trading

Spring / Easter 2014

A set of 8 images of vintage handmade bunnies from the late 1980s, photographed by Ine Burke, are now available in the form of note cards. The bunnies were handmade by “The Tailor of Gloucester in Texas” who used to have a booth at the First Monday Trade Days, in Canton, Texas. The notecards are 5″x7″, matte finish, blank inside, comes with white envelope. Sold in set only. Email to inegaleri@gmail.com to order and / or inquire about the wholesale.

Sample of the back side of the card:

Fiery Sunrise on the Edge of the Piney Woods

Countryscape, Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Upper East Texas, Winter

I’ve been observing and preserving the beauty of East Texas sky since I moved here, in Edgewood, in 2006. In 2012, I self-published my photography book, On the Edge of the Piney Woods, compiling the photographs of ever-changing Texas sky and the land’s natural beauty in four seasons. The sky and the land don’t stop amaze me with their ever-changing beauty and surprises, so I keep taking photographs of the same subjects. Like these views of one fiery sunrise in early winter in December 2013. The ray of golden sunlight caught my eyes through the kitchen window, as always, notifying me that a glorious scene was going to play out there in a few seconds. Without delay, I grabbed my camera and got out there in a crisp morning to capture it.

Blurb Preview of the book, On the Edge of the Piney Woods:

On the Edge of the Piney Woods by Ine Burke

Hay Tracks

Black and White, Countryscape, Edgewood, Photography, Summer

Edgewood, Texas

Freshly mowed hay leaving tracks that portray the land’s contour and perimeter

Panorama

Countryscape, Photography, Spring

Each of these panorama pictures consist of at least three shots taken with Leica M9 that were stitched together to make one panorama photo.

This year hay were baled early and they are abundant | Emory, Tx

-0-

Salt flat behind Morton Salt Mine, Grand Saline

A friend of ours who works for the county and has been working on reconstructing the road by our farm told us about salt flat near the salt mine, so here it is

Grand Saline, Tx

-0-

Crooked Creek Vineyards, Edgewood

A vineyard right by the Crooked Creek in Edgewood looks pretty after being manicured | Edgewood, Tx

-0-

Van Zandt County Balloon Festival, Edgewood & Canton

The participants of Balloon Festival were getting ready for the balloon glows | Tailwind Airpark, Edgewood, near Canton, Tx

-0-

Salt flat behind Morton Salt Mine, Grand Saline

Van Zandt County Balloon Festival, Edgewood & Canton

Crooked Creek Vineyards, Edgewood

Hay bales, Emory

Tara’s Seating

Athens, Black and White, Countryscape, Photography

Our recent trip to Athens brought us to Tara Vineyard and Winery, not too far from downtown Athens. Sitting on the foreground of the vineyard is the historic Murchison home, built in 1880; and the winery is seated high on a hill overlooking the whole scene.

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 6

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 1

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 2

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 3

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 4

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 5

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 6

Tara Vineyard & Winery website, click here.

Alafair’s Horses

Countryscape, Edgewood, Photography

They are named after the characters in The Beverly Hillbillies, a TV series broadcasted on CBS in 1962 to 1971. The gelding is Jethro, the filly -the one with white mark on her forehead- Elly May. The donkey is, of course, Eeyore.