Bobby Lerma's ranch near Brownsville - in pictures

Bobby Lerma, a retired judge and lawyer, says SpaceX has disrupted his tranquil life. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
Bobby Lerma, a retired judge and lawyer, says SpaceX has disrupted his tranquil life. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National
A spiderweb forms on a rusty fence on Mr Lerma's property outside of Brownsville, Texas.
A spiderweb forms on a rusty fence on Mr Lerma's property outside of Brownsville, Texas.
A statue sits on the front lawn of Mr Lerma's home.
A statue sits on the front lawn of Mr Lerma's home.
The Texas state flag hangs on the side of a barn owned by Mr Lerma.
The Texas state flag hangs on the side of a barn owned by Mr Lerma.
An old bathtub is used as a watering hole on Mr Lerma's family ranch.
An old bathtub is used as a watering hole on Mr Lerma's family ranch.
The Rio Grande, which separates the US from Mexico, runs along Mr Lerma's property.
The Rio Grande, which separates the US from Mexico, runs along Mr Lerma's property.
A stack of firewood on Mr Lerma's sprawling 485-hectare property.
A stack of firewood on Mr Lerma's sprawling 485-hectare property.
The sun rises over the Rio Grande, which passes along Mr Lerma's property near Brownsville.
The sun rises over the Rio Grande, which passes along Mr Lerma's property near Brownsville.
Mr Lerma's father build the ranch house in the 1960s.
Mr Lerma's father build the ranch house in the 1960s.
A sign welcoming visitors to Mr Lerma's ranch house.
A sign welcoming visitors to Mr Lerma's ranch house.
Mr Lerma studies a map of his family property, which has been in his family since 1861.
Mr Lerma studies a map of his family property, which has been in his family since 1861.
One of Mr Lerma's horses.
One of Mr Lerma's horses.
A cross rises above the Lerma family mausoleum on the ranch.
A cross rises above the Lerma family mausoleum on the ranch.
Mr Lerma visits the ranch's mausoleum, where three generations of his family are buried.
Mr Lerma visits the ranch's mausoleum, where three generations of his family are buried.
The family mausoleum.
The family mausoleum.
A cross marks a grave on Mr Lerma's family property.
A cross marks a grave on Mr Lerma's family property.
A view of the mausoleum.
A view of the mausoleum.
Rolls of hay on Mr Lerma's 485-hectare ranch.
Rolls of hay on Mr Lerma's 485-hectare ranch.