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.

Whoa Momma!

I was walking along our back fence one morning at the same time a momma 'possum with two babies on her back was walking along the other side.

I don't know who was more startled.

I was so fascinated with them I forgot to take their picture until momma was scurrying away. By the time I got the shot, one baby had fallen off and was trying desperately to get back on. The other was well on it's way to falling off. That's OK. Sometimes it is more fun to just watch.

Out of the Dark into the Light

I have been to many National Military Parks but none have affected me as much as this one, Shiloh National Military Park. I can't explain it. It just did.

Chapel Entrance

The morning light gave it a warm and inviting feeling.

The Other One

This is the other waterlily that I found in bloom. I understand that a lot of flowers are not blooming well this year because of the excessive dry weather that we had. It appears the drought may have broken in typical Texas style but may be too late for wild spring flowers.

More Clark Gardens

In past visits there have been a profusion of blooming waterlilies. This year only a few had started to come out. But those few were gorgeous.

Clark Gardens

We went camping this past weekend. The park, Lake Mineral Wells State Park, where we stayed is a small park but is perfect to just get away and relax. We had a great time even though it was a lot hotter than I had expected. A lot hotter than it normally is this time of year....breaking records hot! I don't do hot gracefully.

The granddaughters enjoyed it because it was warm enough for them to swim in the lake.

A surprise local attraction is a botanical garden Clark Gardens in the middle of nowhere. It is beautifully maintained and has grown considerably since I first started going. It was a little too early in the season for a lot of blooming plants. I plan on going back soon.

Old German Homestead

Oil on canvas. This is a 100 year old German homestead in the Texas Hill Country.

My original photo was taken in early spring just as the trees were leafing out and a few varities of wildflowers were starting to bloom.

The Newest

In bathroom decor. Or...how to recyle creatively. We had a visit from a couple of budding home decorators. I am not sure which one came up with this idea although I have my suspicions. But hey...it works for me. I think they can give Hildy and Doug a run for their money.

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.

I prefer this!

Winter is not far away.

Before we left, the trees on this mountainside had lost a lot of their leaves. More and more snow was accumulating on the taller mountain tops. It was raining more often. Thankfully the temperature warmed during the rain...but for how long? We did not know. Not wanting to get caught in a large snowfall, we came home. HOT! I prefer this.

Crisp and Clearing

We went to Silverton Colorado for our vacation.

This morning it had been raining. Just as we started on the downside of the pass the rain cleared up and presented us with this magnificent sight.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Wise spiders will weave webs wonderfully well. I wonder if that is a yellow jacket? One can only hope.

Dragon of the Insect World

so called because they are such fierce hunters. This one rode into my computer room on my purse. What I want to know is, if it is so ferocious, why didn't it eat the yellow jacket.