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!

Birds, Birds, Birds & a Boy

I have been trying for a couple of weeks to identify these birds by getting a photo and today I managed a half way decent photo...and NO they are not sparrows but Pine Siskin's and they like to hang around with the American Goldfinches down here in the winter time...Cool!

Today we decided or should I say - I decided it was time to get out of the house...So we took off on a little trip...Grammy loves quilting and we know there is a nice little quilt shop in Rockport...So I decided to take her over there...Of course I had other motives...See I took my camera, lol...The Rockport Marina is just across the road...So I thought while Grammy shops Michael and I would go for a walk...I bribed Michael and told him there was a park...but the park I was talking about didn't have toys but benches to sit and watch the birds, lol...Michael wasn't too pleased...But he found a shovel and had fun digging and watching the Pelicans feeding...Every time one hit the water I would go Kerplunk and Michael thought that was hilarious...Young ones are so easy to please, sometimes ;o)

This Blue Heron was sitting on the back of a houseboat and was soo close I couldn't NOT try for a photo...

Pelican cruising along....


KERPLUNK!!!

These are red heads, notice the grey beaks (Thank you John for correcting me)...I really had a hard time getting a decent photo with the telephoto...but loved this one of the female stretching her wings...

White Pelican grooming himself with a Cormorant drying his wings out in the background.

Female Canvas Backs...Not sure? Oh John W. help me out with these, lol.

(Yea, John said these are probably female Canvas Backs)...

Pintails snoozing...

These were some of my better photos from the day...you can see more at my flickr site:

Click here

I had fun and was plum tuckered out...I think Grammy had fun shopping without two bored individuals disrupting her concentration, lol....

Dissection of a Christmas Cactus Bloom

I was a bit bored this afternoon and my Christmas Cactus is in full bloom so I thought it was time for some photos...

Christmas Cactus bloom

Pistil with Stamen loaded with pollen grains.

Different view of the Pistil

Petals...I noticed they look like they have streaks of silver in them.

The Rim, I loved the pinkish/red line on the rim.

Closer view of the Stamen and Pollen granule's.

Well that is my photo dissection of a Christmas Cactus. My patience ran out, lol...

I was actually attempting photos of birds today as it was beautiful outside but as I was patiently sitting and waiting for the birds to come into the feeders an American Kestrel (sparrow hawk) kept flying by and the song birds were having none of that...Can't say as I blame them...So I moved inside for photos!

Our day and evening in a nutshell...

Today we had a Feral Hog in the trap....Mom had never seen one up close so we took her down with us when we went to load it in the trailer...Thank goodness it was a good little Piggy and got right in the trailer...lol...It wasn't a very big one but one less to tear up the property.

Tonight once again I had 2 deer in the smaller hog trap, you would think they would learn if you go in, the door is going to shut...I have to say out of all my years dealing with animals, deer seem to be the dumbest animal...

NEWS FLASH!

We also went out to eat with Fred's Sister (Diana) and her Husband (Larry) and most of their family...We found out our nephew John is going to get married next autumn...Valerie, his soon to be wife, is really nice and I think her and John will do well together. She keeps John in line, lol!

Valerie is like me and loves dogs. So I had them stop by the house so she could meet Jake. She had to try out Michael's tractor and her and Michael had a blast!!

Vrrooom...Vrrooom.......

Uh Oh....

As I was sitting here doing our Christmas blog posts...

I heard a Scream from the kitchen.....

SNAKE!! SNAKE in the KITCHEN!!

UH OH!!

I honestly didn't think Grammy was serious but hmmm...Guess what?

Yep there sure was a snake in the Kitchen...Ekkk...

The one thing Grammy isn't to fond of and it decides to pay us a visit...YIKES!!

Sorry no photos...no time, lol...Fred opened the door and I swept it outside...

Now I bet Grammy doesn't go walking around the house without looking for critters...lol...

It was a Texas brown snake and not much larger than a pencil!! I went out on the porch to get a photo of it but it was gone...I did find a toad out there though!!

Christmas Morning 2008

Santa was here and he sure left a lot of goodies!!

Michael checking out his stocking!

No more using Momma's robe, he has his own!!

Fred earned some brownie points with his Mother in Law and Wife...he surprised us both with sterling silver bracelets from James Avery...AWESOME job Babe!

Michael helping Grammy with her stocking!

Michael received a Kaleidoscope from Santa...Momma had to try placing it on her lens for a cool photo of the tree....expect more experiments with this, lol...

Daddy checking out his stocking and once again Michael is right there checking it out!!

Santa left this beaut under the tree for Grammy, Fred and Michael...SWEET!!

Oh Goodness...Next year I will recommend that Santa not bring Michael 3 Lego kits...Ekkk...Momma spent most of Christmas day putting them together...

Mom's bracelet has roses all around...

Throughout the centuries, people have had a deep romance with the rose. No other flower speaks so eloquently of the emotions of the heart. In Christian tradition, the rose grew thorns only after the fall of man. Another legend states that a little shepherd girl presented a white rose as a gift to the Christ Child; when he smiled with pleasure, the rose turned pink.

My bracelet has fishing swivels...I originally wanted this bracelet before I got the Macro lens...When I decided I wanted the Macro lens I told Fred forget the bracelet...lol...He's such a sweetheart and I was just tickled!!

Here is the meaning behind the James Avery bracelet:

Fishers of Men Bracelet
Jesus' first apostles were Peter, James, John and Andrew, all commercial fishermen by trade. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus promises them that they will be "fishers of men" if they will follow Him. Jesus' promise to the apostles is one of a life full of richness and worth in service to God.

Wendy, Fred and Michael

Grammy, Wendy and Michael

We are so Happy that Grammy came to spend time with us...We had a GREAT Christmas!

Thank you Hancock Family!!

We received a package around the 1st of December from Australia but as it was too early and I wanted to wait until Christmas to open it, so under the tree it went...

Aussie Helen didn't like that one bit but I love driving her crazy, he he he...

It was well worth the wait...and actually while we waited for Grammy's delayed flight at the house on Christmas eve I told Michael lets open the package from Australia...we were all there (Fred, Michael and Me)...

Coasters with Aboriginal artwork on them...tooo sweet!! We love them!!

Ahh...Captain Underpants, LOL...thanks a lot...it was read on the way to the airport and on the way home (so much for listening to Christmas music)...Michael loves Captain Underpants and honestly they are a bit funny!!

The Australian 12 days of Christmas was a hit...A great book, CD and Activity book...Helen you always do such a great job of finding these books and we love them!!! Good reading and some sweet activities and ideas!!

And Hey an Australia Shirt, Awesome!! I'll wear it with PRIDE!!
I also received a beautiful writing pen with Aboriginal artwork on it, I hid it, lol...It's mine, all Mine!! Fred received a boomerang key fob but it was put up as the boys had it flying around the house, Yikes....Thank you so very MUCH...Helen, Den, Hugh and Katie we loved it all!!