It rained...

this evening briefly, but it rained!

I was fix'in to head to the pool when I heard something strange and opened the front door to a downpour...So my pool time got put off for about 30 minutes. I do love the rain and I'm really glad we are getting some, the grass is starting to grow. But I have a gripe, with the rain comes the bugs and the Feral hogs....The bugs swarm when you're outside at night and I've only seen one mosquito so far but I am sure they're coming...The Feral Hogs have turned the pasture here at the house into a battle field. They've been out there every night since we had over an inch of rain last week. The new hog trap is not working properly and the old hog trap needs some work. I've taken pot shots at them with a 22 rifle but I have to be really careful. There are cows and a horse out there and I would absolutely hate to hit one. I've been really careful and scour the pasture with the spotlight to see where everyone is at, and yes the hogs stay put when I put the spot light on them. They aren't are afraid of too much, which is kind of scary. It's frustrating in the light of day to see the damage that has been done over night. So in ways the rain is good and in other ways it's bad...I know a lot of the ranchers would tell me to hush up and bring on the rain, lol...

First there were 4....

Then there was 3....

and now there are only 2.

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These domestic ducks showed up at the old bridge this summer. There were 4 of them at first, then 3 and now only 2...I think the coyotes might be enjoying a snack now and then? Not sure if someone dropped them off down there, thinking they'd survive? Or if they possibly just paddled down the creek from somewhere else and decided to stay...I wonder what they will do or where they will go once the removal of the old bridge is started and the construction of the new bridge begins?

Great Crested Flycatcher and then some...

I do love the birds but I also realize I just don't have the equipment to capture good photos of the birds from a distance, so normally I just watch. Tonight at the pool I was watching the deer when I saw a yellow flicker in the trees nearest the pool...I glanced over and saw it was a flycatcher and then I saw her mate, too cool. They were catching bugs and they were making me laugh with their antics. I had the Canon 28-105 mm lens on the Rebel and decided I'd try to see if I could get a decent photo, they were only about 30 feet from me...

This is the female Great Crested Flycatcher, beautiful....

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and here is her mate. They were catching bugs left and right and I loved the entertainment. Don't get me wrong I love watching the deer but sometimes it's nice to have something else to watch for awhile ;o)
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And then the Navy flew over....sigh...I would love to be up there flying!
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On my way up the drive-way to the house I spotted the 4 Pt. Buck that Michael likes to see and managed to get a photo of him. Michael was tickled, maybe I'll print the photo out for him?

Sunset

and looking East...

Sometimes the sunset is gorgeous and sometimes you just have to look around and behind you as there might just be a prettier photo!

Splashway last day of season 2011

I had no intentions of taking Michael to Splashway today, but when a friend said her and her family were going and I knew it was the last day of the season for Splashway and we had season passes, I thought why not!!

Michael had no clue I was on the bridge looking down at him taking photos, lol. He actually took off on me and I was looking for him...I found him!!

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He was not in picture mode but I still took them, lol...


Playing in the fountains...he's crazy!!
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Come here Mom...I have a surprise for you!! He actually thinks I'm stupid? Not happening Michael I know your foot is over the top of a fountain...Ha!!
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Kelly fix'in to give Kyle a little push down the slide and her son Sean standing behind her...
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Michael and Colby...they've been friends since they were 2 (I think?) and I love seeing them together, always smiling!

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Kelly and I managed to get all the boys on a floating lobster, yeah!!! Love it!!
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We had a great day and I'm glad we went!!

Hummingbirds and friends...

Not sure if the hummers consider Lydia a friend but she'd like to be their friend! Maybe a bit too friendly...I shooed her away so I could get some photos, naughty cat!

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Hummingbirds in mass...Ruby-throats.
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I'm being watched in mid-flight, too cool!
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Fluffed up youngster on the fence!
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Black vulture checking us out!
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My favorite photo of the day! Love it!

Rain, Rain and more Rain...

Actually we only got a grand total of 1/2 an inch today but it was a slow steady rain on and off most of the day...a good soaking rain! Fred and I attempted to work on the project at the property in between the rain showers. Well I should say Fred worked on the project. I vacuumed the pool, swam and took photos...

Here comes the rain this morning...

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On our way down the road in the rain...
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This afternoon, the turkeys were at the property when we arrived. I tried to get a photo of them but they were just too quick and ran off into the brush...I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks, so I was really glad they're still around.
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The vultures were on their roost, trying to dry out their wings.
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Bird on a wire...actually a scissor-tail.
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I was trying to sneak up on a scissor-tail out in the pasture but I didn't have much luck. I've been seeing a family of scissor-tails at the property this week but I haven't been able to get close enough for a decent shot. I love watching them as they dart and flitter all over, not sure if they are playing or trying to catch bugs.
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Here comes some more rain. Fred was getting frustrated as he was trying to get some work done and had to keep stopping because it would start thundering and lightening out.
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And this evening as the clouds started breaking up the sun broke through...