Photo Challenge ~ Negative Space

We went to the Park today and I had a model, Jordan.

Jordan is my buddy and he loves to help me take photos, today he was my subject and we had fun!!

Of course I took other photos too and this is what I came up with today for negative space.

Hopefully I'll try some more before the challenge week is over!

The other park photos are on my flickr site as Quinton, Kaden, Jordan and Michael were all at the park together!!

July 15 slideshow of Michaels photos AWR

Here are some of Michaels photos from our July 15th trip to Aransas Wildlife Refuge. Oh and one photo he took of Dacey this past weekend.

Rebels first trip to Arnasas Wildlife Refuge

After Michael's dentist appt. I decided to head over to Aransas Wildlife Refuge in Austwell Texas. Michael loves looking for Alligators and other wildlife and I wanted to see what the Rebel could do...we arrived at about 4:30pm, the lighting was still a bit harsh but with a 4 yr old you aren't able to sit around and wait for long...So I took photos knowing that most were not going to turn out...I think possibly a morning at the refuge sounds like a better idea! It was also very Hot and very Muggy, not my favorite kind of weather!

I was also a bit shocked as to how dry everything was at the refuge. Our favorite places to visit are Jones and Hog lake but they were almost dried up and instead of lakes large mud pits.

Dagger Point, at one time there used to be a house out here.

Yellow Lotus at Jones Lake.

Button Bush Bloom at Jones Lake

The view from the observation deck. We could see a lot of wild hogs, racoons, and birds but again just to far for my camera and lens to get a decent photo.

This is a juvenile Egret or Heron I am not sure what type as the photo was not the greatest. At this point I was a little disgusted with my son. We were walking out onto the boardwalk and there were tons of birds and Michael started running and yelling...well kiss all the birds goodbye! Michael is normally so good about being quiet but NOT this time! He is forgiven though as I was still proud of him about his dental check up, lol.

Whistling ducks in the muddy water at Hog lake.

At Hog lake we finally saw Alligators. The lake itself is pretty much dried up but there is still a little swale hole by the boardwalk. Michael was whining and caring on when an 8 to 9 ft alligator came swimming up...That got Michael to hush up pretty quick, especially when it swam right up to the deck.

Then an even bigger gator came up behind the boardwalk, 10 to 12 footer. I think it was dinnertime and they were looking for a free meal. We also saw a baby alligator and it was chased by the 8 footer. Not sure if it was going to be dinner or what? There wasn't a lot of water there and I am sure not enough room for everyone. The 8 footer finally turned and started stalking the whistling ducks. We left soon after so not sure if the gator had duck for dinner or not.

This is a new boardwalk/pier they put out over the San Antonio Bay. Michael wanted to stop and get bird photos for Momma as Momma wasn't able to get many herself. I decided to switch from wildlife photos to Michael photos at this point.

Black Vulture sitting in some Grape vines. Not one of my favorite birds but it is a bird, lol.

This is the whitetail deer up near the front office and homes of the conservation officers. Every evening they come out and surround the area.

There were wild turkeys out too...

And more deer...Small buck with fawn.

This was the same buck above and he was being chased by one of the does...soon after this photo he jumped the fence (blurry photo for me) and ran away...Not sure what he said to that doe but she was not Happy and didn't want him there, lol...

We saw quiet a bit of wildlife but with the wind, heat and humidity I wasn't having to much fun with the camera...ahh well there is always another day and time.

VERY PROUD MOMMA!!

That Photo above makes my HEART smile!!

My son had a dentist appt. today to get his teeth cleaned and checked.

He climbed in the chair with out hesitation and let Robert the hygienist scrap and clean his teeth and NOT one complaint or movement...He did Fantastic and I am so darn PROUD of him!

NOT ONE CAVITY!!

Wow he is 4 soon to be 5 and I am beaming from ear to ear!

Last year he was a bit hesitant and we decided to go with sedation...He had 5 cavities that needed to be filled and they cleaned his teeth while he was out...This year no sedation and no cavities, YES!!

I am one PROUD Mamma!!

They took the photo above and are adding it to their July wall of fame in the office!! They gave me a copy and I was so tickled...Yes I was more excited than my son but if you knew the hell I went through when I was his age you would understand my excitement...lets just say I had a dentist from the old school and he was not kind!! I also did not like to brush my teeth, hated toothpaste and had (I think) 12 cavities the first time, ugh! NOT fun!

I am so glad times have changed and they have dentist that specialize in children and they do an exceptional job...Oh and now a days that have flavored toothpaste, lol...

Bye - Bye

Dawn, Dacey and Trey left this morning. It was a bit of a stressful weekend for us all as everyone's routine was scattered to the wind...but I did enjoy the company and just love being entertained by Trey continuously, lol...He is such a Ham!

Dacey made the drawing below and the weekend was worth it all just for this peice of artwork! None of my photos from the weekend compare to this and I will treasure it always.

Dawn, Dacey and Trey!

Photo Challenge ~ Fill the Frame

This week at our Photo challenge blog the challenge is Fill the Frame.

I've have company here most of the weekend and really haven't had chance to work on taking photos for the challenge so I chose photos from the ones I've taken throughout the weekend.

~ A trip to the Texas Zoo ~

Dawn and I decided to take the children to the Texas Zoo on Sunday. It is a small zoo but the munchkin's enjoyed see the small variety of animals.

Blue-billed duck. They have a small bird sanctuary where the birds run around freely and you can take photos without looking through netting or mesh. I love this!

Woodduck

Rosetta Spoonbill

Great Horned Owl

Alligators

No it's not an animal but a Soda machine...and they are enthralled! Yikes!!

Feeding the goats ( I hate goats!)

Badger

SandHill Crane

Red fox

Bobcat

Anole Lizard

Dawn and Trey looking at the tiger. You know those harness's work pretty good! LOL...

I had to throw one YUCKY one on here...yes a snake and as you can see he is getting ready to shed...the eyes have dried membrane around them.

We had a good time and I was able to take plenty of photos as you can see :o)