Inspired by...: bluebonnets

Showing posts with label bluebonnets. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 19:52

I got myself off schedule last week, posting Friday's post on Monday. Then I missed posting this on Wednesday, so here we are on Friday again. I should be posting on Psalm 133, instead I'll be showing you pretty pictures from last week's jaunt to Lake Buchanan.

I realize that my 'self-imposed' schedule likely goes unnoticed by you dear readers. But I'm one of those who tends toward schedule making, list making, eating the same thing off the menu every time . . . you get the idea. Anyway, I'll get this show back on the track soon, but for now here's a sampling from last week's lens-life . . .

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Our pup, Sandy, had a tumor removed a couple of weeks ago. She's pretty much back to her old self. Digging holes to China, and then hiding in them. Does anyone else's pup do this???

The hole is deeper now, I can't even see her when she's inside. Crazy girl!

Our spring wildflowers are mostly faded, and we're seeing summer blooms here now. The Dreamer and I ventured north last week and WOW, what a show!

Prickly Pear Cactus, Firewheel (sometimes called Indian Blanket), Purple Horsemint

Prickly Pear Cactus Blossom

The firewheel (Indian Blanket - Gaillardia pulchella) will literally take your breath, but the purple horsemint is a favorite of mine. Such a neat flower.

Purple Horsemint in motion

Did I mention that the entire time I was standing beside the road taking these pictures, the wind was blowing about 18mph+ and my hair was in my face. I must have looked like a stick figure version of Cousin Itt from the Addams Family. {smile}

Further down the road I was pleasantly surprised to find bluebonnets still blooming!

Bitterweed and Bluebonnets

Bluebonnets and bitterweed

I love it when I download a picture and find friends I didn't know where there.

Bitterweed

This is an odd picture, but I'm including it because it was interesting to me how many different focal points were in focus. It's probably a good example of what not to do in photography! However, when you're doing your Cousin Itt impersonation, it's difficult to see what you're focusing on!

Finally, we found some sweet mallards on the lake shore.

I was hoping to see more shore birds, but where we were was a pretty active place. They probably stick to quieter coves. Our daughter just bought some property near the lake, so we'll be visiting again soon!

What are you seeing through

your lens this week?

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 15:52

I finally have some Texas wildflowers to share with you this week - those dazzling Indian paintbrushes - - and a somewhat different approach to the buddy system.

The Texas Hill Country is carpeted with wildflowers. She puts on one of the best shows around!

Texas Wildflowers

Indian Paintbrush

Common Buck-eye Butterfly on Bluebonnet

The buddy system is used for everything from workplace safety to children's field trips. But nature has her ways, too. The Cattle Egret shows us, once again, that man is not the Author of original thought.

Originally from North Africa, the Cattle Egret will buddy up with pretty much any large roving object. Camels, ostriches, rhinos, and tortoises. Or, more likely in this country, cows and tractors.

Although they do help some animals by removing ticks and small insects, in most cases, the Egrets are getting the better end of the bargain. They following along beside their "buddy", whether it be animal or machine, and eat the small insects that are stirred up from the ground.

After arriving in South America in the late 1800's, they were found nesting in the US by the 1950's and are now one of the most abundant of the North American herons.

I guess Longhorns like Indian Paintbrush, too.

That's probably more than you ever wanted to know

about Cattle Egrets. Incidentally, these are in their breeding plumage.
So if you see one, they may not be so buff.

What are you seeing through

your lens this week?

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 14:52

I enJOY sharing these weekly views with all of you. Thank you, Lisa & Mersad, for hosting the fun link ups that motivate me!

The wildflowers are out in full force. I've been glad to see more bluebonnets than ever on our property this year. That means they are re seeding and spreading - yay!

You don't often see pictures of the bluebonnet's leaves. They are quite good at collecting water droplets.

There are some lessons that I just can't seem to learn. Taking my camera with me AT ALL TIMES, is one of them. During one of my walks last week I spotted a little ball of red sitting atop a dead stalk of common mullein. His quick flight, hover, and return told me it was likely the coveted vermilion flycatcher! By the time I walked to the house and back, I figured he'd be long gone. After taking some pics of the bluebonnets, I mulled around under the trees for a bit - and then - a quick flash -

Who was that masked bird?

They are so small, these little flycatchers. And like most small birds, they're big on personality! I was thrilled to finally see, and capture one! I hope he stays around!

We've had a lot of froggy mornings this week. Since I don't have to drive in it, I don't mind waking up to a bit of fog. It leaves everything fresh and new once the sun burns through.

Besides the vermilion, which was definitely the highlight of my week, my scissor-tailed flycatchers are back! So far, I've only seen two, but I'm hoping they stick around and have a family like they have done the last two years.

And then, on Friday, we had this:

Hail, which pretty much decapitated my poor geraniums.

I know many of you can relate to the crazy weather this spring. Sometimes odd weather patterns can impact migratory birds, as well, and you might be seeing some unusual birds in your neighborhood.

I need some id help with this pair. They came to visit me while I was planting my seedlings this past week. After the hail storm, thankfully.

At first, I thought they were my Phoebe pair. But when I downloaded my pictures, and looked again, I realize they are noticeably larger than the Phoebes. Definitely some type of flycatcher. My best guess is the Great Crested Flycatcher, but I'd love some help with this one!

What are you seeing

through your lens

this week?

Blessings,

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 13:52

We've had some beautiful, sunny days this past week. But a strong north wind, 30mph gusts at times, has made it uncomfortable to be out-of-doors. Early mornings and early evenings, when the wind is calmer, have been best.

We have more bluebonnets on the property this year - and I'm thrilled to see that they are reseeding and spreading out! I'm doing a wildflower series on my instagram, if you want to follow me there.

The black-chinned hummingbirds are back. So far I have two males and a female. If anyone has an angry bird meme, this little guy would win the prize!

Defending "his" territory, no doubt! Of course, the female is as sweet as can be.

The neighbor's horses were back this week. Looking longingly at our green pastures.

I planted some geraniums, very early, Easter morning. And then played with the camera for a bit as the sun was breaking through the clouds.

It was a beautiful, blessed morning.

I like to play with light and focus, and just see how the camera responds - - what it captures. These are new leaves on one of my rose bushes.

As I mentioned, it's been very windy. A few days ago I noticed two large birds soaring high over the property. They were quite far away, but I could tell they weren't vultures. It's unusual to see hawks together, so I think they might be a breeding pair. By zooming in on a couple of the other shots, I think they are red-tailed hawks. I can't be 100% sure, but that is a likely bet.

I've really been enjoying the female gold-fronted woodpecker. As I mentioned in a previous post, this is the first year the female has been around. So my little male has finally found a mate! I'm hoping they nest nearby and I can report baby bird sightings soon!

I like this picture because you can see how she uses her beak to forage down under the bark for bugs.

The wildflowers are peaking early this year and there are tons of butterflies around! No complaints here! These common buckeye butterflies are especially fun to stalk and capture. With my camera, of course!

So, what are you seeing

through your lens

this week?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Friday, April 10, 2015

Inspired by . . . red, white and bluebonnets

As I write this, the heavens are rumbling, the sky is flashing and the clouds are sending down their sweet nectar to water our earth. Processing these images to share with you has been a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dreary day.

The sweetest man in the world and I took a quick trip over to Brady, Texas last week and what an adventure it was! My senses are still reeling from the experience. I’m thinking about getting a sign for the back of our truck that reads, “I break for EVERYTHING!”

Seriously, I was like a kid in the candy store, times ten! Texas is really putting on a show this year! {and yes, I am that person laying on her belly in a field of wildflowers!}

All that rain we had {and complained about} this winter - well, we are reaping the blessing, friends!

Bluebonnets

Texas Paintbrush

I wrote about bluebonnets here last year, and if you’re interested in learning about the different varieties of the Texas state flower you can find the post and my pictures here.

This photo isn’t great. The fires burning in Mexico were really affecting our air quality that day. But I wanted to show you what our roadsides look like right now. It’s just a carpet of color.

Breathtaking.