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Scarecrow

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I was walking around the property the other day looking for interesting subjects to photograph when I ran across a stack of cedar logs and this one stuck out. It looked to me like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of OZ. I even like how the bark has created straw-like “hairs” around the perimeter. Maybe it’s more like a Halloween Pumpkin carving. Either way, I thought it was very interesting how this log deteriorated and formed this face. I wish I could take credit for “carving” it but this one is all nature.

Cedar trees (actually Ashe Junipers but we call them cedars) are abundant in this part of Texas and they are disliked by many people. The cedars in this area are one of the most prolifically pollinating plants in North America. They release incredible amounts of pollen during windy days. Anything outdoors will turn a shade of yellow/green. This also causes an annual phenomenon we call “Cedar Fever”. Many people who move into this area have never experienced allergies until they move here. Welcome to Central Texas!

In addition, these cedars are invaders. They invade just about every type of terrain, including rocky soil and hardened limestone surfaces. They will literally grow out of a crack in a rock.  It is also a terrible water hog. There is little to no nutritional value so cattle and other animals don’t touch it. Lastly, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of.  There are a couple of positives though. The tree is green all year and they make great privacy fences by blocking the views of neighboring properties.

Joe Nick Patoski from Texas Monthly wrote a good article titled “The War on Cedar” back in December of 1997. There are a lot more interesting facts about our lovely cedars in that article.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow

This image was taken with my Canon EOS 5DS using my Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 Lens set on 105 mm. The camera was set on Aperture Priority mode with the aperture set at f/10, shutter speed at 1/5th of a second and the ISO set at 100.

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