Change of Pace

Not a bird and no pun intended. He was literally pacing back and forth along a top rail of our deck. I like the colors in the image.

Prolific

The female House Sparrows are out in great numbers. They are about the only bird that I have been able to photograph.

A Rarity

Not the House Sparrow as such. They are prolific. But, this is a male one. And, it is a male regardless of the fact that his mouth is open.

The Whole Family

Airbrushed ceramic ornaments personalized for a family. They were airbrushed with fired ceramic color.

The Doves

Sometimes it seems like the doves are taking over our feeders. They are better than the grackles, though. At first we were not too pleased. But, after watching them for awhile, we have decided they are really quite fun.

Very Small

I don't know what this little flower is. It is very small. The entire pink head is only slightly larger than a large kitchen match.

After the rain

Since we have received some rain, a few wildflowers, at least the very small ones, are starting to peak out again. This is a Day Flower. It measures about 1" across from the outside of one blue petal to the outside of the other.

The same bird

After the heron left the gift shop, he made his way over to a small pond. Someone told me he looked angry. I think it was because the gift shop wasn't opened yet.

Open...open...open

This heron was walking around the porch at the Japanese Garden's gift shop. He reminds me of a TV commercial for a department store. The one where a woman was standing outside the door long before opening time saying, "Open...open...open".

Green

What can I say? It's green. But, very peaceful.

Cute!

This fish has got the cutest face I think I have ever seen on a fish. He looks like he is just waiting to pull a practical joke on someone. I really wanted to see it blow up into a ball.

Another Odd Creature

Another taken at the Dallas World Aquarium. Strange but beautiful.

Mayan Dancers

Mayan Dancers performed at the Dallas World Aquarium. These Scarlet Macaws were absolutely gorgeous as was the dancer.

That Fateful Day

Windows on the World was an elegant and popular restaurant located at 1 World Trade Center. On that beautiful, clear morning breakfast was already being served. All present at the time American Airlines Flight 11 impacted the North Tower were killed including 73 of the 400 very close-knit employees of the restaurant.
She was 52 years old. They say that she was a sweet, caring woman who liked to sew. A woman who brought a ray of sunshine into everyone’s lives. She had a beautiful smile. She worked at Windows On the World. Such a bare handful of facts. How do we pay tribute to someone that we did not know, can never hope to meet...now...because of that fateful day? What can I say about this woman that will bring her alive to you, just briefly, so you know that Clara Victorine Hinds lived and hoped and dreamed like we all do?

All I can tell you is that she was my fellow American. She had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. She had the right to grow old alongside us, to watch the sunrise, to share laughter and love. She had the right to live beyond September 11th, 2001.

So, while I cannot tell you much, I can tell you everything. She was our fellow American and she was killed by our enemy. And, we will not forget.

Odd Creature

Even though the Leafy Seadragon is an odd looking creature, it is beautiful. I really enjoyed watching them swim at the Dallas World Aquarium. They were so graceful and laid back, moving very slowly around the tank.

Posing

Check out that profile.

It's amazing

how nature takes care of it own. This "unknown species" was hard to spot because it blended so well with the background....our brick.

And another

Population Explosion

We have some new members in our bird families.

It seems

that the first thing that everyone with a new camera does is to take a picture of (enter favorite animal here).

Finally

I have a new camera....a dslr. It was waiting on my doorstep when we returned home from vacation. I have not had an opportunity to really use it yet. I had so much to get caught up on after being gone. Then, a new version of my internet security software really, really messed up my computer.  All of that has now been fixed. YEAH!

I still haven't had a chance to do much more than snap a few shots to test the camera.
These little guys are everywhere around the house. They certainly aren't attractive but do have very pretty eyes.

Back in Texas

we were stopped at a train crossing next to some grain elevators. I thought the lighting and subtle colors on the elevators were interesting.

What a difference

a day makes. We had left Taos, New Mexico and just crossed over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This is the view across the high desert towards the Sangre de Christo Mountains. There are several earthship homes built in this area.

The Last Day

we got up really early to explore as much as we could before we headed home. As a result, we were able to watch as the sun came up over the mountains. Magnificent!!

A Colorado Favorite

are the streams that flow down the mountainsides, especially in the spring and summer.

Exploring

the countryside, you could always find a critter or two. This chipmunk was really enjoying his dinner.

Potpourri

While the color and variety of the flowers was not as diverse as I had hoped, there were so many of them that the air smell like a bowl of potpopurri.

And we found some

This was outside Crested Butte starting toward Kebler Pass.

To find the flowers

We headed to Crested Butte.

We went for the flowers

But, there were not many around Silverton. These were on top of Molas Pass.

Added bonus

The wildflowers along the side of the road was an attraction to the butterflies.

The Next Morning

We spent the first night in New Mexico. The next morning we were up bright and early going into Colorado over our first pass.

Capulin Volcano

We went on vacation...to Colorado!! I'm not sure that was a wise decision. We had been in the fall for the colors and I wanted to go back for the flowers. Don't get me wrong. It was wonderful and the temperatures were just perfect for me. Unfortunately, we had to come back home to the heat. Having been fabulously cool for a week, the heat is harder to take.

This picture was taken in New Mexico. I have been up to the top of Capulin Volcano many times. Not this time though. This was taken from a moving car as we were speeding by.

60,000 years ago 4 lava flows formed the volcano. It's almost a perfectly shaped cone that rises to an elevation of 8,182 feet above sea level. It is extinct. You can drive a winding 2 mile road to the top. If you are continuing on to the mountains of Colorado, it will give you a taste of what's to come. Paved trails lead down into the 400 ft. deep crater. If you are lucky, you might see a deer, wild turkey, or black bear amongst the pine forest that covers the volcano.

The Obligatory Windmill

I like windmills. This is just outside of Big Bend National Park.

Nature's Oxymoron?

Each flower head is actually composed of thousands of small ray flowers. Each yellow petal-like structure is a different flower which eventually turns into a large gossamer seed ball. Many parts of the plant can be eaten, made into a drink such as coffee or wine, or used as a medicine. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to the plant and in numerous places it is so prolific that it is seriously interferring with agriculture. As a result, its beauty can be antithetical to its benefit.

I'm bored....

I am waiting for the camera store to deliver my new camera. In the meantime, I am killing time by processing some older photos.
Although I am not particulary fond of cactus, I thought the color in these was striking.

Backroad revisited...

Upon request, we took the backroad home after picking up the girls. The road is very hilly and we often pretend like the car is having difficulty getting up the hills. The girls help by pushing and pulling in their car seats. It works...ok.

We always get up the hill, but you would have to be there to understand fully the extent of their help. There is one seemingly difficult stretch were we have to turn a corner and immediately start up a steep hill. The girls applied their muscle and, as usual, we made it. Always helpful, the youngest explained why it appeared to be a rather easy task. "It's because we are strong-willed gals".

And that wins the prize for understatement of the day.

The Hunters

Strike Fighter Squadron 201....The Hunters...F18's returning to base after a magnificient flyover. Amazing....

Inspiring

Sgt. First Class (ret), Dana Bowman was injured in a jumping accident in 1994. He was a member of the elite US Army Golden Knights parachute team. He collided in mid-air with his jumping partner. His partner was killed and Dana lost both legs at the knees, a result of colliding with his partner's outstretched arm. He returned to the army as the first double amputee to ever reenlist.

Folds of the Flag

This past Sunday I attended The Wounded Warriors Fallen Heroes ceremony in Benbrook Texas. The program is a tribute to the servicemen and women from all branches of the Military who risk their lives everyday to protect our freedoms. Many of them die; others return home to face life-altering and eternal challenges due to injuries attained while fighting for us. It was a moving experience and one I would recommend to all patriots and supporters of our great U.S. Military.

Message to President Bush from the crowd, "Stay the course!!"

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, is the law of the land regarding handling and displaying the American flag. It does not include anything regarding the significance or meaning of each flag fold. There is, however, a flag folding ceremony that does just that. No one seems to know when or where the symbols for the folds of the flag originated or who wrote it. Perhaps it was a chaplain who attached the mostly Judeo-Christian religious meanings to the folds for a burial ceremony. Folding the Flag.

A Summer's Evening

I pass by this scene on most Fridays. It is on an alternate route that my granddaughters like to take when returning home from taking my daughter to work. The "hill way" or the "mamma llama" way. I don't mind at all. It is a very pleasant and peaceful ride through areas that still have not been, and hopefully won't be, overly developed.

I'm not sure why

This faucet fascinates me. I think it is because of all the different textures and colors.

Unknown Species

This beautiful butterfly was flitting around all over the place. Unfortunately, it was so windy it was difficult to photograph.

Meanwhile...Back at the Park

Although we have seen wild turkey and a multitude of small animals and birds in the park, this is the first time we have seen the deer.

Survival of the Fittest

Texas Longhorn cattle are the end result of "survival of the fittest". Shaped by a combination of natural selection and adaptation to the environment, the Texas Longhorn is the only cattle breed which is truly adapted to America. Had there been any aid or interference by man they would not have been what they were.

By 1900, crossbreeding had nearly erased the true Longhorn. Beginning in 1927, the US Government started preserving the breed. With further help from the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association and some concerned small ranchers, the Texas Longhorn as been rescued from extinction.

Hook 'em horns.

Oliver Loving

This Loving's valley ranch was settled by Oliver Loving, the famous cattleman and trail drive pioneer. His friend, Charles Goodnight...inventor of the "chuck" wagon, and Loving's family helped rope, brand, and hold wild longhorn cattle here.

In 1860, Loving drove 15,000 cattle up a treacherous trail from here to Denver. The trail was later to be known as the Goodnight-Loving Trail.

Loving was wounded by Indians and died up the trail in 1867. Granting his last request and at great hardship, Goodnight returned his friend's body to Weatherford Texas for burial. The novel and movie "Lonesome Dove" were based upon that legend.

The Other Direction

The river widens out after it goes under the bridge.

Brazos River

The Brazos River runs 840 miles across Texas to it's mouth on the Gulf of Mexico.

Parts of the Brazos are absolutely beautiful and many people enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and rafting it. This stretch is great for beginners. If you fall out of the boat....STAND UP.

Still Trying

I have a mental list of things of which I would like to get a good photograph.
A dragonfly is on that list.

Well, I am still working on it. I did get this shot of a dragonfly. Not there yet. But I figure the more I take the greater my chances.

Last one of the season!

Memorial Day weekend is the last time we go camping in Texas until the fall.

We have not had ideal camping weather this spring to say the least. Everytime we have gone it has reached record breaking or near record breaking temperatures.

As I have said before, I don't do hot gracefully. However, these guys seemed to be enjoying it immensely.