Wordy Wednesday {3 Chartreuse Buzzards....}

Three chartreuse buzzards.
Sitting in a dead tree.
One flew away, what a shame. How many are left?

Two chartreuse buzzards,
....

~ partial lyrics from an old camp song ~

Actually, these are turkey vultures. I looked out the back window and was shocked to see them sitting on some old fence posts. They looked like little old ladies gossiping.

This was the only picture I managed to snap before they flew away. As a result, it is not the greatest picture I could have taken because I did not take the time to set the camera up properly.

Feathered Friday {Hummer}

All taken back in August 2015.

I am anxiously awaiting their return this spring.

Feathered Friday {Loggerhead Shrike}

Loggerhead Shrike
January 24, 2016

I was out observing the land and the cats when I spied something white huddling among the dormant grape bush vines along the fence. I grabbed the binoculars and yelled for Dan once I realized what it was I was seeing. I then grabbed my camera.

This one was not shy at all. He allowed me to approach slowly. I managed to get approximately 25 feet away before he finally flew off. I felt blessed because I was able to hear him which is very unusual for me with birds (due to the fact I am profoundly deaf).

Feathered Friday: Scissortails

A flock of Scissortails came through in the afternoon of April 9, 2015. They always make me so happy whenever I spy one. They are noisy which I had not realized with my old hearing aid. I grabbed my camera (with long lens) and shot quite a few pictures hoping to get at least one decent picture. I ended up with two. Enjoy.

{To see a larger image, go here.}

Woodpeckers at Garner, June 1 - 2, 2015

I felt like these guys were channeling Woody Woodpecker. They often showed up at the campgrounds late mornings and early afternoons. I had my camera constantly with me ready to shoot. I felt like they were silently laughing at me. They drove me nuts and I had a hard time capturing decent pictures.

Note: All of these shots are of Golden-fronted woodpeckers.

The pictures below were shot on June 1, 2015

The pictures below were shot on June 2, 2015

This one (above) is most likely a juvenile.

A Pair! The one that blends in with the tree is most likely a juvenile.

Chipping Sparrow (at Garner State Park)

{To see a larger image, go here.}

I think this is an amazing shot considering these birds are extremely flighty.

Feathered Friday

Cardinal; 1/20/2015

House Finch; 1/21/2015

And yes, that platform feeder is hanging crooked.

A Pair of Loggerhead Shrikes; 1/25/2015

I was outside one day and noticed a bird that looked like a Mockingbird; but, something about the bird puzzled me. I looked through my binoculars and knew immediately that it most likely was not a Mockingbird. When I spied it again while Dan was home, I made him take a look and sure enough, after some research through his phone, Dan discovered it was a Loggerhead Shrike. When our nephew and niece-in-law, who are also birding enthusiasts, came to visit, they confirmed what we had concluded.

Nowadays, when I spy the elusive bird, I immediately know it for what it is. I am unable to explain it; they just have a different behavioral aspect or whatnot that distinguishes them from the Mockingbirds and it only takes a look through the binoculars to confirm my identification.

Meadowlark; 1/27/2015

Note: There are two species of Meadowlarks: Eastern and Western. We are unable to determine which species this (and the others) is. The only way is through their song and I am deaf.

Galveston Island, Texas

We spent a little time in Galveston on October 30, 2014. We finally just went to Houston to take care of some personal business along with my wanting to go to the Houston International Quilt Festival and visiting Galveston Island. I grew up in the Houston area and Galveston will always be my first love. However, this most likely will be the last time we go to Galveston as Padre Island is closer to where we live.

Anyway, here are a few pictures I took while wandering a bit on the beach. By the way, the first picture is of the Historic Pleasure Pier.

Feathered Friday {Raptors}

11/14/2014

Turkey Vultures are a common sight around here. But lately, for some odd reason, I’ve spotted other raptors hanging around. I have not seen a raptor, other than Turkey Vultures, near our land until recently.

12/19/2014

I spotted this one flying around and managed to hold myself steady to shoot this picture with my long lens. He/She was miles and miles away though and I was unable to identify what kind of raptor it was.

I believe this is an American Kestrel which is also known as a Sparrow Hawk.

Shot through a window with long lens on 1/9/2014.

Abby Gail spotted this bird roosting on the corner of our roof. It was an extremely cold morning (below 32* Fahrenheit). Abby was frozen with front paws on the windowsill. You could see the definition of her muscles in her hind legs. She was ready (and wanted) to leap through the window and go after the bird.

Dream on little girl, dream on.

Camera {Picture} Dump III

Camera {Picture} Dump I

Camera {Picture} Dump II

Abby Gail, April 1, 2014

Roadrunner, June 4, 2014

We arrived home to discover this roadrunner calmly walking along our driveway. He/she ended up going into our backyard and disappearing into our neighbor’s land.

Abby Gail, June 12, 2014

Abby Gail, June 15, 2014

This creature loves to bury underneath the blankets on cold nights while we are sleeping. She often crawls down to below my knees and settles herself down to sleep. She appeared cold and was actually shivering while I was watching TV; so, I laid a small towel I had on hand on top of her and she actually relaxed and went to sleep.

Abby Gail, June 15, 2014

Dan with Lucan, July 5, 2014

First attempt in putting on fancy nails by Jamberry Nails. July 8, 2014

By the way, one of my nieces is now a consultant for Jamberry Nails.

Baby Cardinal, July 30, 2014

I was trying to track the progress of these babies daily and it was a tad too difficult. They did grow rather fast!

Chessie, August 8, 2014

I could not find Chessie for the longest time and then while in the closet, her tail moved. I discovered she had been hiding on a shelf on Dan’s side of the closet.

Abby Gail, August 21, 2014

She needed a harness as she outgrew her old one. I put on Gracie’s harness and snapped a picture of her wearing it for the first time and sent it to Dan. I am not a fan of this particular coloring or pattern on her; but, I am too cheap to buy a new one for her especially since Gracie no longer wears one.

Wagon, September 15, 2014

I bought this wagon to transport big bags of kitty litter and cat food from vehicle to house and this was the first time I used the wagon. The HEB bags were packed full and extremely heavy! We are going to have to paint the wooden rails considering it is stored on our patio by our farmhouse table.

Shirt, October 4, 2014

I was out shopping and spied this shirt for sale at Hallmark. I immediately thought of a horse fanatic, snapped this picture and sent it to the mother of the horse fanatic. And yes, the girl does have a horse they adopted from a rescue organization.

Scratching Post we Built for Abby Gail, October 17, 2014

This was a success and we are planning to build more for our wild cat (Abby Gail).

The View From Here (Galveston), October 30, 2014

The organized Mob, October 30, 2014

I am near the beginning of lines at the Houston International Quilt Show and in spite of it looking like a mob, it was actually a line snaking back and forth and an officer was controlling the chaos by getting quilters and quilt enthusiasts to join at the end of the line.