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.