The rough bark of a tree, the smooth surface of a pond in early morning, a display of soft bird feathers—the surfaces in our world offer a variety of visual and physical textures. From childhood we are told to look and not touch; but these offerings make us wish we could do both.
Cyril Fernandes, Pedernales EC: “Peacocks achieve their stunning plumage display through structural coloration called iridescence.”
Kelton Carver, South Plains EC: “This is my show steer for 4-H and FFA activities. His hair is velvety smooth! His wrinkles depict his inquisitive personality.”
Dora Caffey, Taylor EC: “A Rio Grande turkey shown in his finest ruffles.”
Tessa Kolodny, Bandera EC: “The Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend National Park. The textured wall above the tinaja is a combination of a wavy bedding of limestones, shales and volcanic ash beds.”
Tommie Calfee, Pedernales EC: “Bright red dianthus flowers glisten in the sunlight after a fresh spring rain on Onion Creek in Manchaca.”
Stephanie Holland, Pedernales EC: “A wasp nest with a lone circular chamber.”
Koro Currie, San Bernard EC: “The glowing embers of a dying fire.”
Rick Kieffer, Bluebonnet EC: “Varigated bolete: There is always something to see on a walk through the forest.”
Don Bickham, Bandera EC: “Wall of rock located at Ernst Tinaja in Big Bend National Park.”
Chelsey Chiesl, Trinity Valley EC: Found at Frogleg Ranch in Henderson County, this lichen, fungi and moss all live together on one tree.
Leslie Kraich, Tri-County EC, Oklahoma: A road covered in caliche.
Lori Sanders, Sam Houston EC: “An abandoned snakeskin I found on my porch.”
Jacob Saunders, Pedernales EC: A red admiral butterfly perches on a tree at an Austin park.
Richard Todd, CoServ: Detail of a wingtip on a cedar waxwing.
Gayle Waak, San Bernard EC: “We raise miniature horses on Bellville Ranch. Their manes are thick and wild with incredible textures.”
Susanna Wooten, Taylor EC: “Winter weeds can exhibit beauty, just as that of a spring bloom—especially when they meet the morning frost.”
