Young Love

Stretch is his name. The day we went to the zoo he was only 2 weeks old. This was his second day out for viewing.

The Reason

One of them anyway. She had four. It almost looks like he/she might be trying to mimic Mom. I'm quite certain, on it's own, it would not have had Mom's success. I think it will have to wait until it grows to fit it's feet.

Not Happy

Boy, were we in for a surprise. This past week was our oldest granddaughter's spring break from school. We(I) decided we would pick up the girls early and go to the zoo. Add in the fact that it was half price day and it truly was a zoo.

We later found out that half price day during spring break is the busiest day of the year. This year they broke their previous attendance record by more than 2000 people. There was over 16,000 that one day.

Nevertheless, we had a great time. We saw everything we wanted to see. It just took us longer.

There were some unpleasant moments, mostly instigated by parents, but this one was provoked by a group of kids taunting the lion. She was protecting her cubs and did not appreciate their antics. At one point she lunged at them growling loudly and barring her teeth. She bounded from one side of her enclosure to the other in a blink of an eye. I don't know why she did not jump over the ravine circling the enclosure. I am sure she was more than capable. It worked though. The kids screamed and ran away in fright. YES!

Early morning

is the best time of the day.

We finally received some much needed rain but it also turned much cooler and gloomier. Fog is not a frequent occurance around here but we had two days where it was fairly heavy. I got up early one morning grabbed my camera and was out shooting before sunrise. When the sun started to rise, I was able to get this shot.

Ok, one more

There really is nothing more to say. Just fun....

I was having such a good time...

watching and photographing these "busy bees".

January???

We have a peach tree whose variety was obviously mis-marked by the nursery. It always blooms too early in the season for our area.

It is blooming exceptionally early this year. The buzz of the bees was so loud it sounded like they were swarming but they were just busy at work.

A warm towel...

Can do wonders for anyone's disposition.

It rained again!

But not everyone was happy. It rained on Sunday. It's not nearly enough but MOST of us were glad to see it.

An Oldie

We went to Minnesota a couple of years ago for our vacation. We arrived just in time to see these caterpillars at their peak. They were everywhere.

They eat the foliage of trees and ravage them unmercifully. They can do great damage even to the point of killing them.

They were so thick that in some places they crunched under your feet when you walked and crunched under the wheels of the car on the road. (Beats windshield bugs, I guess, but the road can get slippery)

Truthfully, they didn't bother me so much except when we went hiking and they got in my hair...shudder. But, hey, they are kind of pretty.

They just love those peanuts

They first fly into the tree. When they are sure it is safe, they head straight for the peanuts. I've learned to focus on the the feeder and await their arrival.

Here she is....

The female cardinals are abundant as well. At times there are a dozen or more males on the tree. From a distance it looks like it might be flowering. Up close you can see the females in there too.

YEA!! It rained this morning....

About 10 drops. At least that is all I counted.

I don't know if the dry weather is contributing to the increased number of birds around the house because we are feeding and watering them or if they are just here because we are feeding and watering them. It doesn't matter because I am really enjoying them.

The cardinals, both male and female, are prolific. The blue jays and mockingbirds are running a close second. The little birds, sparrows, chickadees, finches and wrens are also around alot but they are hard to photograph because they are quicker than I am.

There is one red-bellied woodpecker, but his presence is intermittent at best and although I have seen him many times, I have not gotten a photo YET!

Porcelain Rose Vase

This design was painted from a photograph I took of a friend's rose. It is painted with acrylics utilizing watercolor techniques.

Texas Burns

There have been a lot of prairie fires around us in the past few weeks.

Yesterday you could see and smell the smoke although I don't know where the fire was. This photo was taken about 4:00 in the afternoon.

Yearly Excursion

Every year when my daughter-in-law and son go to the out of town Texas UT football games we get to watch the girls.

Ever since they have been old enough, we have taken them to a local lake to feed bread to the fish. It is something they seem to really enjoy. We stop at the day-old bread store on the way to stock up. This year was an "8 loaf" year.

Hook "em!

When it gets too hot!

Even the birds need to cool off.

Mockingbird

I'm glad we made a watering hole for the birds. They seem to enjoy it and come to drink often.

Last of the Season

The morning glories are hanging in...but barely!

Coming into town

Driving into town just as the storm was clearing.