009 by pikachukka on Flickr.

Texas sabal (Sabal mexicana) provides dense cover via numerous living and dead leaves surrounding the plant. Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are the tallest trees here (barring the less common cottonwoods). These are wild trees, producing nuts less than half the size of cultivated varieties, and growing much larger. It’s not unusual to find trees that have split and fallen away from their bases without separating completely. The trees often survive for years afterwards, and the section of trunk closest to the split becomes hollowed, creating refuge for wildlife.

it was quite a hike to get here and i almost dropped my camera twice

_DSC7039 by frangher on Flickr.

©sydburon - July ‘15