A new life...

A friend and co-worker of Fred's has a new Granddaughter. Her name is Madison and she is precious! We went to visit the new parents and the sweet baby today!

Congratulations to All!

Rubens 1st Birthday...

Our Great Nephew Ruben celebrated his 1st Birthday today...

He's a sweetie

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Happy Boy!! A whole cake and it's all his!

It took him a little bit to realize it was okay for him to dive in...I find it funny we spend so much time telling them No and keeping them out of cakes and then on their first birthday we do everything we can to get them to dive into a cake, lol...

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The Party and People...
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I loved this photo...he spotted me and the camera through all those people!

Cake face!
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Andy (Dad), Ruben and Rubina (Mom)

I think Ruben had fun it was a great party!

Did you know...

That wasps are a good thing, they use spiders to feed their young!

They paralyze the spider and then take them to where their young are, the young feast on the spider. My husband hates spiders and wasps but over the years I have taught him to leave the wasps alone, they are the good of the good, bad and the ugly! He hates spiders worse than wasps so he leaves the wasp alone now...But still screams like a baby when he sees a spider, lol...Shh don't tell him I told you!

Lydia on a fish adventure...

I was outside and noticed Julie wanted a drink but every time she got near the trough she'd snort and back off...So I walked over there to see what the problem was...Ants! There were fire ants all over it and Julie must have laid her head on the concrete of the trough and they got her, poor thing! And then here comes Ms. Lydia...

The fire ants didn't seem to bother her, she was busy watching the fish!

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Lydia was dying to get to them but not brave or perhaps not dumb enough to jump in to get them...Never a dull moment with Lydia around! Guess I need to sprinkle some Ant poison around the trough so Julie can get a drink without getting bitten!

The wind finally died down but I did some twisting with a rock and managed a graceful fall. At least Michael said it was very graceful! I've been sitting here with my leg up waiting for the inflammation in my ankle and knee to go down, sigh! No fun and so missing being out doors with my camera!

Tomorrow we have a Great Nephew who is having his first birthday party and I hope to get some photos to share, he's a cutie!

Hogs and Frogs...

Yesterday evening I decided it was time to put what was left of the Tadpoles and Frogs back in the Tank/Pond. I've been cleaning and taking care of these Eggs/Tadpoles/Frogs since January and lets just say I'd reached the end of my rope...I think they'll be much happier in a bigger body of water with all their cousins (If they don't get ate)...

Michael and I walked down to the tank and released them. I put one of the little frogs up on the bank and we were sitting and watching him. (I was taking photos). Bye little guy, good luck and watch yourself...

Then I heard something in the brush off to the North. I told Michael to be quiet and still. I could see the brush moving but couldn't quiet make out what it was...Then I spotted them, ugh! A herd of Wild Hogs, ekk. I took 2 photos and then yelled and clapped my hands! I didn't want them getting to close as there were baby hogs and Momma hogs. Momma hogs can get a big protective and I was worried with Michael with me...

It's kind of like a where's waldo picture but if you look you can see the lead hog in the brush! I actually spotted this group the other morning down a gas pipeline cut in the brush. There are 3 sows and about 20 babies, so NOT good! Well they ran off and it sounded like a herd of elephants running through the brush...and Michael and I headed home!

What's happening outside my window...

A little Bark chewing...

I love watching the deer when they don't know they are being watched, they are pretty comical at times! I managed to catch these two this morning going from tree to tree chewing on bark, while the other deer were running around kicking up their heels. They love this cooler weather!

Ugh!

Fred just sent me this photo on his cellphone!

Poor snake got run over on the road! I know they're looking for warmth but wish they'd stay out of the road. I do not believe in killing snakes unless they are up by houses and are where people are working, it's senseless even if they are poisonous like this rattle snake. They do a lot of good in keeping mice and rats under control. This one was out in the middle of no where and causing no one any harm!

Photo is kind of gruesome, sorry! but it was a beautiful snake at one time!

I asked Fred why he killed it and he said because he was a Man and could do it but then he came back and said it had been run over before he ever came across it...

Have you ever...

Looked a Dragonfly in the eye?

A cold Macro evening...

We were over to Mom and Dad's ranch tonight and Michael pointed out this Dragonfly hugging a flower...I think he was cold and hanging on for dear life because of the wind...

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I filled Mom and Dad's Hummingbird feeders Sunday and this is what was buzzing around tonight (monday)...

A fluffed up cold Berylline Hummingbird...


Actually there were two males and they were fighting over the same feeder. Come on guys there are 3 feeders be nice!
(used the flash, Canon 100mm lens and had the ISO set at 800)

Lilly

Zinnia's from the Science Fair...

I don't know if y'all remember but way back in February Michael did a project for his school's science fair. He didn't place but he did learn from his experiment, which was to grow Zinnia seeds in water, fertilized water and salt water. After the Science fair only one plant continued to grow, and it was in the fertilized group. Actually it came up after all the others had died and we just used plain water on it instead of fertilized water...well this past week it has bloomed!

Michael loves to grow things and is just tickled that he now has a Zinnia bloom!!

Way to go Michael, I'm proud of you and your Zinnia bloom is gorgeous!

If you'd like to see his display board regarding his science project click here!

We learned a lot about the do's and do not's regarding the Science fair project and hopefully next year we can do a better job!

The rest of our day in photos...

Poor Michael had no idea what I was up too when I told Dad I'd feed the cows and he came with me...photos in the thistles but once again the wind did me in, sigh! I did manage a few photos, sure wish the wind would die down so I could get the Macro out and the tripod. Michael waited patiently in the mule while I went on my photo shoot. I told him he could come with me but he wasn't too thrilled with the cows and bull being right there and stayed put!

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Michael and I drove to the back of the pasture and I spotted this sign and started laughing...It's on the fence row and pointing toward the neighbors deer blind, why? I don't have a clue I just hope the deer can't read as they are going to know where the blind is at! You can pretty much see the blind too, I should have taken a photo of the blind...I just keep reminding myself it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round!
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After Fred and Dad finished packing bearings we headed over to Fred's sister and brother in laws house. Seems my Brother in law tried to play mechanic and messed up his back hoe, sigh! Franky, (Hands in the face man), Fred's other brother and Mom and Dad went with us.

Franky giving me and the camera the evil eye...Love you Franky!!

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Mom and Michael watering Teresa's plants

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My Brother in law use to have a beautiful herd of Black Angus now he has the herd above and I'm not sure why? It's a scraggly bunch. I've also been told that Brahma cows don't do well at market either, where as Angus sell well and get better prices! But then my Brother in law is a Houstanian and not a rancher and someone made the comment that some people just go by looks and Black Angus pretty much look alike and aren't real pretty. I hope they keep an eye on that bull, he seemed a bit aggressive and I'd hate for someone to get hurt.

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Dad on a mission...

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Filling the fuel filter and fix'in to try and get the backhoe primed!

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I was attempting to show y'all just how bad the wind was whipping the Mesquite trees, hmmm seems to be I need to work on that or possibly take video next time?

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See her ear it's blowing in the wind, lol.......Whoosh....Not really but I thought it was funny!

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I have to admit Brahmas are kind of cute with those big floppy ears!

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Fred and Franky and I love this photo!

They are brothers and they work well together and I love that...It's a discussion but not a heated one.

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Mom and Michael...

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There he is!! Hands in his face Man!!

Hey "Hands in your face Man" your thumb is dirty!!
LOL poor Franky hates having his photo taken and I love the challenge. The challenge of getting a photo of his face...he's got a nice smile!

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Is this good advertisement for the U.S.S. Lexington and Coca Cola or what?

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And while waiting on the boys to fix the backhoe I turned around and spotted this little guy in the grass...Cool! It's a whiptail lizard. He was on the move and he was FAST!

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Hope y'all had a good weekend!

It's a girl...

We were over to Mom and Dad's this morning when Michael and I went to feed the cattle. I was excited as I was told Momma cow was finally bringing the new baby up. She, yep it's a little Heifer, is adorable and looks just like her Mom!

Isn't she cute! She definitely knows who Momma is...Pssst! I love you Mom!

I love the little ones, they are so in AWE of everything, even me!

Beautiful little calf

Nap time!

Investigating new things takes a lot out of you!