On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse was visible in North America for the first time since 2017. According to the prediction by NASA, the best viewing areas were in Bandera, Fredricksburg, Eagle Pass, Killeen, and Waco at the time of totality expected. Austin was close to the right edge of the path of the eclipse and our city Bastrop was farther, about 40 miles East out of it. On April 8, 2024, we were excited and watched the eclipse from our house, knowing that we would not be able to see the totality. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and overcast most of the time, but a few times the clouds opened a little bit, and we were able to see the solar eclipse. At the time of the 95% totality in our area, dark storm clouds covered the sky… I took a few pictures with my telephoto lens equipped with a solar filter from the eclipse and were happy to see as much as we saw.

The next solar eclipse will not be visible in the contiguous U.S. until 2044 according to NASA.

We had a good time and enjoyed the hikes on the wildflower-covered scenic areas at Guadalupe River and South Llano River State Parks, TX, end of March 2024. Enjoy a few of my B&W images taken with my large format film camera.

We were invited to explore our younger son Gergo and his wife Emily’s new, 77-acre land, called “OutWest”, close to the Devil’s River State Natural Area on Dolan Creek Road. All of us enjoyed the hikes on their beautiful land and the Devil’s River State Natural Area.

Laszlo and Lexi were invited speakers at the Birds and Blooms Retreat at Camp Allen Conference and Retreat Center, 18800 FM 362, Novasota, TX77868, on March 8-10, 2024.

We had a great time during the Retreat, learned from excellent presentations, hiked, and enjoyed nature’s gifts together.

Laszlo and Lexi presented their slide show programs with music on March 9, 2024, from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the Lakeside Meeting Center. All participants enjoyed it. Title: 1.”Birding with the Artists” and 2.”Scouting the Southwest” Travel adventure.