New Years Day at my In-laws Ranch...

We spent today over at Fred's parents Ranch...Lots of good food and great company!!

After dinner I left the ladies to go on a nature walk and take some photos (the guys were target shooting and I wasn't invited, sigh)...I was having a hard-time deciding which lens to use...Macro or (crappy) Telephoto? I ended up switching back and forth quiet a bit as I was seeing birds and butterflies...

I saw flocks of American Robins but couldn't get a decent photo...I saw Green Jays but again no decent photos...Saw Warblers and many other birds too but just couldn't get close enough for a decent photo, very frustrating....I was also shocked that the Robins were here...Spring is coming early as the Robins don't normally migrate through here to go back North until the end of January...Good News for you Northerners! The Robins are on their way...

I saw several butterflies and this is one I just happen to get a photo of...it is a Variegated Fritillary...really sweet as I haven't seen one before...(Telephoto)

One of the bird photos I took...you can see the color distortion on the tree branches from the lens....I knew this might be an Oriole but not sure which one until I was able to get home and adjust the photo and look in the bird book...it is a Audubon's Oriole...I am thinking I may have to go back over to my In-laws Ranch this weekend and try my luck with the birds again...there were just soo many flying about....


Lattice Leaf work...(Macro)

An ant getting some sugar...(Macro)

Baaaaa.....kid goat! The cutest one of the bunch! (Macro)

Another little one...They're cute and then they grow UP!! (Macro)

After my walk I came back up to the house and found Grandpocka had hooked Michael up with a...hmmm....well not sure what it is...a cut up fence post tied to his tractor...ahh yes a drag!!

As you can see Michael is taking his job very seriously.... (Macro)

Texas Dandelion Fluff...(Macro)

My favorite photo of the day...I found this itty bitty guy in the flower bed at the ranch house and had to go get my Ring flash and remote shutter release...he was just too pretty! Not sure what he is as he isn't in my bug/spider book...(If you click on the photo you can get a closer view)

This critter was once again telling stories, lol....he's always telling stories!

I happened to get a quick shot of Michael with Grandpocka and Grandma Criste...Michael was NOT cooperating...(Macro)


We had a really good day and it was nice to get outside in the woods for some nature photo therapy...Hopefully my nieces won't be there riding the 4 wheel mule this weekend and I might be able to get some better bird photos...

Happy New Year to Y'all!