Month: May 2019

La Lomita Chapel – Mission, Texas

Photography, Uncategorized

A few days ago I posted about a trip we took to South Texas for my wife’s Catholic Daughter Convention. One of my goals while we were there was to photograph the La Lomita Chapel before the border wall possibly destroys the area. I succeeded although it was overcast, but the naturally filtered light from the clouds were both a blessing and a curse.

I was there a little too late to meet Father Roy. He was on the way out and with some other folks. I didn’t want to intrude so I didn’t get a chance to speak with him.

I did accomplish my photo outing without incident. I had been informed that there may be some suspicious activity at times around the area. A Border Patrol agent was patrolling on the levee just outside the mission so I felt safe. I stopped and thanked them as I was leaving the property.

This is a really cool old church built in 1865.

This little Church is less than a mile or so from Mexico and in the middle of the controversy with the proposed border wall. At the time of this writing, it is still at risk of being behind the wall, moved, or even torn down.

I said a prayer of thankfulness and peace to this place before I left. I felt blessed to visit and photograph this historic place.

Trip to South Texas

Photography, Uncategorized

My Wife’s Catholic Daughter group had a State Convention May 2nd through May 5th in McAllen Texas. Neither one of us had been there in a while. I have been appointed (Actually I volunteer) as the Court #2100 Photographer so naturally I went as well.

The first stop was the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle – National Shrine. It is a beautiful Church and has a great history. We have been there a few times but it has been a while ago.

While we were in South Texas, I wanted to go to see the La Lomita Chapel before something happens like a “border wall”. This is a beautiful old church built in 1865 and is still standing today. Unfortunately for me, the day was a little overcast but that makes for some nice filtered light.

I went in search of the Border Wall and didn’t see much. I did see some structures in which a nice Border Patrol Agent suggested “I did not need to be there” so I promptly left. Hidalgo is right on the border of Mexico. It was really busy there with a lot of cars, trucks and people walking to and from the port. I really wanted to take some more pictures but I decided to leave well enough alone.

I also got to go to Bentsen State Park which is part of the World Birding Center. Of course this is not the time of the year to see many birds as most have already migrated north. I did see more White Winged Dove that I have ever seen in my life. They were everywhere. I also saw some very noisy birds named Chachalaca.

Zebadiah and Adriana got to go as well taking their first plane ride. Of course they didn’t get to see much while in my camera bag but they did get to see some things.

I am not sure I would specifically make a trip back down there but if something comes up, I would go again. I would be cool to go in the fall to see all the migratory birds and butterflies.