Under the Bridge

This summer's severe drought has caused depth of the Alabama River to be at record low levels. This view under the Edmund Pettus Bridge reveals a sandy beach along the bank that normally isn't so prominent. The drought has also prevented a lot of boat traffic, particularly commercial barges.

Where's the Range Cubes?

"We want a handout, and that's no bull!"

These Red Simmental bulls stopped lounging in the shade and immediately headed toward the truck. They wanted a handout...range cubes to substitute for the lack of grass. This is the second consecutive summer that supplemental feed has been necessary.

Though a good two inches of rain fell the past couple of days, the drought will be around a long while...unless a tropical storm heads our way. That's about the only way a 15-inch thirst can be quenched.

The Running of the Cows

Cows race across a pasture in Dallas County, Alabama, shortly after a rain shower. Invigorated after weeks and weeks of drought, the cows took off toward the cedar-tree horizon, frolicking and mooing "Thank You!" to the great Rainmaker in the Sky.

Hunkering Down

These cattle are "hunkering down" as the first big rain shower in months pours a good half inch or more of H2O on some parched pasture near Selma. The area received a lot more rain Sunday when the chance was 20 percent than it did last week when the chance was 80 percent. But did it rain at my house and on my garden? NO! Maybe today!

Drought Along U.S. Highway 80

Though there were rain clouds ahead, this photo of U.S. Highway 80 west of Selma is a good representation of the current severe drought. Patches of green appear here and there, but notice the fields on both sides of the road. They are yellow/brown when they should be green. This picture was taken Sunday through the windshield of our truck just east of Marion Junction.