Ground Skink...

Lydia was playing with something yesterday evening and I went outside to investigate...I found his tail first as most lizards will drop their tails to divert a predator. But Lydia knew better and she wanted the skink, not the tail. I put her in the house and got our little critter keeper to put the skink in so Michael could show his class today. Of course I could see a photo opportunity too...After school today we'll let it go back to the wild and far from Lydia's little paws.

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Click here for more information on Ground skinks.

Monday evening walk...

We had another gorgeous evening and I suggested a walk and Michael was agreeable. He also wanted to take Jake with us...Because of the Feral dogs and Coyotes in the area I told Michael to put the leash on Jake...

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Julie bathed in warm light...shedding her winter coat too!
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~ Sunset~

Michael posing with Jake...
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Homeward bound

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Michael working with Jake, sit - Jake - sit!

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Jake listens to me but then I did 3 obedience classes with him. Normally he listens to Michael but tonight Jake was more interested in me than Michael. (Maybe because I made Jake chicken and rice for dinner as I forgot to order his dog food last week, one spoiled dog.) So I suggested Michael give Jake a refresher course and he did.
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Good dog - Jake - Good dog
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See Mom he's listening to me...heal - Jake - heal.

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One happy boy!

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For you...

New Track...

Michael's elementary school has a new track and this morning they did a dedication. I wasn't aware of this until I took him to school. So I came back home grabbed the camera and put some decent clothes on...and off I went.

The PTO through the years was able to raise enough money for the track, yeah!

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The whole school was outside for the dedication!
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And then they all tried out the new track!
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Michael with his friend L.J.
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Michael hamming it up for the camera, with his classmates.
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I didn't feel to great but glad I went. So glad they got a new track, the old one was like taking a walk through a sand dune at the beach!

Bees and Peach Blossoms!

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Taken at Mom and Dad's ranch this morning!
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February 19 2011, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge...

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Michael and I decided to head over to ANWR Saturday morning, we hadn't been there in sometime...Michael loves to go but dreads the drive, 1 hour 15 minutes. I, personally, think it's always worth the drive as we always see something interesting...

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Meeting us at the gate were wild turkeys...Full breeding plumage!

And before I could get a decent shot they ran off, ekk!
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Common Moorhen
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American Coot
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Bull Frog,

hard to believe our little tadpoles might be this big someday!
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Northern Pintails, and to far out in the bay for me to get a decent shot.

There were hundreds of them too.
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We spotted this baby Alligator (lasts years baby) near the walkway at Jones Lake.
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Then Michael told me he saw something across the lake and he didn't think it was a turtle. Definitely NOT a turtle but a Huge Alligator. When he came ashore I was stunned, he was probably at least 13 foot long, yikes!
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Saw a lot of these..."Greater Scaups"
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We were watching a bullfrog when a gentleman spoke up and said look down at that log...Cool another baby alligator! And only a few feet from us, as always we need to pay better attention!

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Headed to the observation deck above the canopy!

Hmm, I think someone needs to wear a belt!

I should have made him wear one, he spent 90% of the time pulling his pants up, oops!
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Eastern Phobe!
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View from the Observation deck.
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Michael playing with the viewer...
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Looking out over the canopy of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge!

When we left home it was drizzly and foggy but as the day evolved it cleared off and got hot and humid.
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Cormorant at Hog Lake.
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Grebe's
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Uh Oh...A male Grebe chasing off a rival...love the little feet skimming across the water!
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Greater Scaup with his woman!
Love is in the air....
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Grebe, it was swimming right next to the observation deck and Michael and I were laughing and trying to guess when it ducked under the water where it was going to surface!
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Momma there are hogs over there, yes there were! And she was headed for the big gator lying on the bank too...Hmm this could be interesting? She did spot the gator before she reached the waters edge and ran off with her babies.
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Greater Scaup getting a little closer...
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Egret at Hog lake.
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More Scaups...
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Ahhh Love....Mommy and Daddy Alligator basking in the sun!

The Hog was headed towards these two until she spotted them. These photos were taken at Hog lake.

Michael running from a group of boyscouts, lol...He wanted to go to the end of the boardwalk and I told him to go. I was sick and had had enough and was going to wait in the shade for him. He made it to the end but then turned around and ran right back...There was a troop of boyscouts down there and he didn't feel comfortable with all of them there.
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Michael whined when we first arrived but then once we started seeing the critters he enjoyed himself. He was so proud when he spotted that HUGE alligator at Jones lake.

I'd say we had a pretty good morning and saw lots and lots of critters! Even a few mosquitos to boot!

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They did have my favorite spot, Dagger Point, closed. It's a deck/overlook over the bay. I am hoping they will get it fixed soon, missed it on our visit!
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Evening Birds...

I had some meat scraps from dinner so I threw them out in the pasture...I think it took 30 minutes and the scavengers found them...

Turkey Vulture enjoying his dinner!

Nothing goes to waste here in Texas...

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As I was watching the scavengers I had a chipping sparrow serenading me up in the tree...I actually think he was hoping I'd fill the bird feeder up for him. The wind blew the yard gate open today and Julie (the horse) got in the yard and emptied it, little darl'in.

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Then I spotted this American Kestrel on the electric wires...
he was too far for a great photo but I tried.
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Then Mr. Crested Cara Cara showed up for dinner. He ran off the vulture and enjoyed what was left of the scraps!

They're normally pretty shy but I think he might have been hungry because he didn't seem too upset with me taking photos...I didn't want to throw the scraps out because of the coyotes and feral dogs in the area so I was glad to see the Vulture and Cara Cara show up and finish them up.

It was a beautiful evening!