Life in South Texas: 12/8/13

Thursday, December 12, 2013

American Robin

The state that I grew up in, Michigan, has the American Robin as it's State bird. We were always told when the Robins turned up in the spring of the year, winter was over. We always looked forward to seeing them in the spring. (I've been told by family members that now there are Robins all year long in Michigan).

Now I see them when they migrate through Texas to warmer climates. This morning I was watching deer when I heard the little pitter patter of feet on the roof of the jeep. Next thing I know there is a Robin on the hood of the jeep and there are at least a 100 or more in the pasture and trees surrounding me. Wow! Normally I see this migration in the Spring when they are headed back North so I was a bit shocked. I guess the arctic fronts brought them together and pushed them South, I felt blessed to sit back and watch the show.

Hello Mr. Robin, nice to see you!

(I had the 300mm lens on the camera and I'm glad as I got some nice close ups but wished that I had one of the other lenses with me. Would loved to have shown you part of the flock out in the pasture, instead of individual photos. Seeing over 100 Robins is really cool)

These birds flew in with the Robins. I think they are American Pipits. They spend the summer on the arctic tundra and fly South for the winter. I could not get a closer view and then a Robin chased them off. Still pretty neat to see.

I could have spent all morning down there watching them but I had things to do and people to see...So glad I got a few photos and was able to enjoy the flock coming in...

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Got one...

I finally got a buck the other evening! I know some of you may find this photo gruesome or the idea of us hunting awful but it is part of our life here in South Texas. We need the meat, it helps with the grocery bill. It is a lot of work though. I spent yesterday and today cutting the meat up and today I canned it. If you have never had canned venison it is really good. I can't wait to make Fred some Carne guisada with it. My girlfriend was telling me she makes pulled bbq sandwiches with canned venison, sounds yummy!!

Michael was with me when I went to feed and after I fed I was doing some things around the well house when I heard Michael whisper to me that two bucks came in to eat. We have 18 does and fawns that come in to feed almost every day but seldom do the bucks come in during daylight hours. I grabbed the binoculars and checked them out. One was legal the other one was not. I grabbed the gun and waited for the deer to settle back down and I got my shot. Michael was pretty excited and gave me a high five when he saw I nailed it. He wanted to run right out there but I told him to wait. 5 minutes later a vulture flew in and landed and I was like "I don't think so"...Goofy vultures were not going to eat my deer!! I went out and made sure the buck was down and Michael kept the vultures at bay while I got the tractor. Thank goodness Fred came home at about that time and I had help cleaning it and quartering it up...

Michael was a little disappointed as he wanted venison sausage, not canned venison. I told him if we get another one we'll have it made into sausage. So he's hoping we get another one before the season is over with. Fred got two does on a hunting trip to Bandera and we got some sausage from them but Michael says it isn't enough, lol...That boys loves his venison sausage!

I am just thankful we have venison in the freezer, what a blessing!