Southern Focus
Blanco River, Texas
Photographer Kenny Braun captures the Texas Hill Country

photo: Kenny Braun
Deer Crossing, 2016.
Just south of his home in Austin, in the Hill Country near Kyle, Texas, the photographer Kenny Braun captured these four deer crossing the shallows of the winding Blanco River shortly after sunrise. Braun shares this image and more natural beauty in his newly released book of photography, As Far As You Can See: Picturing Texas (University of Texas Press), a retrospective of his work that spans twenty-three years and the mountains, rivers, prairies, lakes, beaches, plains, deserts, and swamps of the Lone Star State. “It was serendipity that led me to this spot,” Braun says. He had set out with a different location in mind, “but when I got there, the river had no access due to construction. I frantically drove around until I saw a park that had river access. As the sun came up, I could see fog rising from the water, and it was beautifully backlit. On cue, as I was setting up the shot, deer started swimming across. Luck plays a role in many of the best photographs, whether the photographer admits it or not.”
Related Stories:

Music
My Wild Ride with Jimmy Buffett
How a chance career opportunity turned into an enduring friendship that ended too soon

Arts & Culture
The Bold and Generous Spirit of Lee Smith
No one has tapped into Southern truths quite like the Virginia-raised author, whose fifteen novels span Appalachia to the Florida Keys. Just ask the legion of writers who praise Smith for guiding their own stories

Arts & Culture
Step into the World of the Carolina Shag
For almost a century, one dance has captured the spirit of the coast and beyond. Follow along with three generations of the Free family as they pivot, belly roll, and boogie walk to keep the tradition alive
Trending Stories:

Books
The Lasting Power of Larry McMurtry’s Not-So-Secret Texas Truths
In a new book, writers pay homage to his words. Read an exclusive excerpt here

Food & Drink
Six Grilling Tips from Rodney Scott and Bryan Furman
The Southern pitmasters share a few rules of thumb

Arts & Culture
Meet Blackmon Huckabee Jr., Clemson’s Viral TikTok Crooner
A Tiger wide receiver scores big on SportsCenter—with his singing voice