Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 18:52

Last week my Dreamer and I took some time to meander through some of the smaller town in Texas. We spent some time in Granbury. It's a lovely town with a beautiful town square. Lot's of fun shopping and delicious shrimp tacos!

We actually had a tornado warning while we were there and so we were keeping our eyes on the sky!

God put on quite a show and, thankfully, the worst of the weather went around us. 

Many of Texas' small towns boast impressive courthouses and Granbury is no exception.

The clocktower is impressive in its own right.

The next stop was Hico, Texas (pronounced HY-koh) where we found this gem of a back street awaiting us.

Hico, Texas

I love their town motto: "Where everybody is somebody!"

Then on to Hamilton County and another impressive courthouse.

Road trips are fun but I'm always glad to get home! where my sweet little hummers await!

Black-chinned Hummingbird and Mexican Bush Sage

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Our Gray Fox was back the other night and I was able to get some better pictures to share with you. Isn't he gorgeous!

I know there are a lot of pictures this week, but hopefully, you're still with me! 

As I was working at my desk the other day I kept hearing this sweet song outside my window. When I finally went to investigate I was thrilled to see an immature male Summer Tanager in the tree top!

These beauties are very hard to spot as they typically stay high in the canopy. They are bee and wasp specialists, catching the insects in midair and then killing them by beating them against a tree branch. Before eating a bee the Tanager will rub them against a branch to remove the stinger! Texas and the south-eastern states are a summer breeding ground for these neat birds.

Nest Update:
I didn't realize how short the Carolina Wren nesting period was - only 10-16 days! Needless to say, these wee ones grew fast and fledged before I had a chance to get more nest pictures.

Carolina Wren Fledgling

This is one of the two fledglings - almost as big as his parents already! But don't worry, another pair of wrens has started a nest in one of my birdhouses and I'll be sharing those pictures next week!

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled day,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 33:52

Around here, bright yellow buses coincide with tall stalks of Snow-on-the-mountain to herald the end of the dog days of summer.

Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-mountain) 

August has been a blaze of sunshine but the recent rain and cooler temperatures have helped to set our minds toward Fall. This month, tucked in the middle of the year's third quarter, has always felt more like an ending than a middle. This year, as we pack our belongings with dreams of where we might be when we unearth them again, the ending is sharper - more pronounced. September holds hope. August is a frail goodbye.

In the midst of all of this, God gently reminds me what He is all about and what He wants for my life.

Mockingbird babies with their mother.

He is about Life.

New beginnings.

Normally, when you think about babies you think Spring. But God has orchestrated these late bloomers just for me. Maybe for you, too?

Mockingbird babies

To remind us that every ending births a new beginning. The baby birds leave their nest behind . . . and learn to fly. It can be scary. Especially when you're the last one in the nest.

Mockingbird baby - the last one to fledge!

But like the mamma Cardinal, who continues to care for her young long after they've flown, God doesn't abandon us when we spread our wings.

Female Northern Cardinal (left) and first year male Cardinal (right)

Female Northern Cardinal

Rather, He is the wind beneath our wings as we fly.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:30-31)

***

What are you seeing

through your lens this week?

Blessings,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 32:52

The Mockingbirds have built another nest. They built in the same tree last year, but the nest was destroyed during a storm. I was excited to see the second nest because I'd missed fledge day from their previous nest in the cottonwood tree. So I've been keeping an eye out, checking the nest a couple of times a day, from the ground.

Once I started to hear little peeps, I decided to climb up and get a closer look. Following correct nest-watching procedure, I waited until momma had flown away. Unlike other species who don't seem too interested, Mockingbirds do not like you messing with their babies!

Momma was back in a flash and let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I had gotten too close.

Note the motion in this picture, yeah, she is talking to me! I retreated and she calmed down.

We both decided to call it a night.

But I was back the next day, with my zoom. See the little orange beak on the left, under the leaf?

Now they're getting excited about dinner!

I think there are at least three, but I haven't been able to get close enough to confirm.

These were taken late last week and I noticed this morning that they are getting their feathers already. So I need to take more pictures for you! Last year only one chick fledged from the nest in my front yard. So I'm really pleased to see at least three of these little guys this year! Stay tuned!

We had a new visitor to the yard this week! I've had three sightings so far. But the elusive Painted Bunting has been a bit camera shy. This photo was taken through my kitchen window and he was pretty far away. Not the best shot, but you can still get a glimpse at their amazing coloring! This bird is aptly named!

In honor of the stellar Olympic performances this week by Team USA, I leave you with some bathing beauties! {Go USA!}

Lesser Goldfinch

What are you seeing

through your lens this week?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Little Things Thursdays,
Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,
Our World Tuesday, Community Global, Photo Friday

Inspired by . . . fledge day!

Monday was a big day for the Mockingbird family, and for me, too! It was little MB’s first flight, and my first time witnessing a baby fledge the nest!

The lighting wasn’t the best, I put in a request that next time they fledge during the golden hour, but I think you’ll enjoy seeing little MB’s first big adventure.

The day began like every other day . . .

 

 

Life on the edge feels good, I think I’ll sit here awhile . . .

 

Out on a limb . . .

 

A little wobbly . . .

 

 

Once MB left the nest, the parents kept coming back with food in their beak, but they wouldn’t feed him. They would come close, and then fly away.

 

 

I think they were trying to get him to follow them.

 

 

Once MB flew out of the tree, he stayed on the ground, hopping around. That made me nervous, but I knew I couldn’t intervene.

 

 

Still trying to get mama to feed him. I think she obliged him this time.

 

 

My final shot. MB hopped across the driveway and disappeared into the tall grasses with his parents. I haven’t seen him since, but trying to find a baby bird around here is like trying to find a needle in a haystack! I hope to have some time this weekend to follow his parents around and see if I can catch a glimpse of him.

So, MB is off on his great adventure! He has a lot to live up to, being the Texas state bird and all, but I think he’ll do just fine!

 

Have a wonder-filled week!

 

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