Friday, May 30, 2014

May Birds and Blooms Vol. II

Enjoy our logging of the second half of the month of May, one filled with an abundance of color and life!

 The early morning light found this Red-shouldered Hawk high over the pond watching for some breakfast.

But his morning was not peaceful, as the Bluejay was not happy with his presence.

The hawk was not flustered, but did flinch noticeably when the Bluejay buzzed.

 Later that day, same hawk, different detractor; a mockingbird. 

The Painted Bunting seemed fine with sharing the feeder with a sparrow.

Colorful little bird on a wire.

 Female Painted Bunting

 A sprinkler running in the late afternoon will always boost up the photo shoot. Female Northern Cardinal.

The Carolina Wren was enjoying my water dish just off the porch.

 At the office deck, comin' in for a landing.



 The Lesser Goldfinches demand equal time, but rarely get it.

We've been enjoying the return of the Scrub Jays. They even poke around on the deck from time to time.


This House Finch was confused, but that's o.k.


 A couple of male Lesser Goldfinches.

Male Black-chinned hummer at the office feeder.

 The Yellow-crowned Night Herons have been regulars on the pond this spring.


 And they can do a little side-step!

Green Heron seems intent on something else, but he's interested in whatever the Night Heron is hunting.

Some evenings there are two.


 Female Painted Bunting

My favorite summer visitor, the Painted Bunting.

 Female Black-chinned hummer posing with the knock-out roses.

 Proud of this capture of the Black-chinned in the early light on my porch.

 And the female as well.

Our Red-shouldered Hawk has been quite active around the pond, and seems to be as much a fisherman as the herons.

 A rare moment of stillness.

And yes, she's givin' me the stink-eye!

 Cardinal in the early light off my porch.

And on the wing.

 You know those beautiful black swallowtail butterflies? Yep, this is how they start! Chowin' down on our parsley.

 We'll close out May with a promise of a song in the air, as daddy Bewick's Wren is feeding mama in the church house on our porch. They are my favorite song bird!






Sunday, May 4, 2014

Heidi Is Here!

We are so thankful that our Heidi has arrived, already spent some time in Texas, and is safely back in her home in Hays, Kansas. Enjoy this photo journal of the whirlwind events of her early life, as well as a few others!

 Evangeline welcomes Heidi with a kiss.

 Sisters!

Mercedes seems to look natural at that!

 Soon after Heidi's arrival on April 5th, I traveled to Hays, Kansas to help out Kate and her family. Mercedes appears to be tired already!

 Heidi Christiana Hopkins decked out in fluorescent pink!

 Mercedes and Evangeline in their 'prairie girl' dress-up bonnets.

 Mercedes and Evangeline getting some quality time with dad Ryan.

We traveled to Texas in time for the girls to serve as flower girls in their Aunt Bethany's wedding. Papa Wes was really glad to see me, and everything I brought with me!

 Mercedes and Evangeline really got into their roles as flower girls. And Mercedes provided a cameo role, twirling in the wedding video.

 At the reception, Papa Wes enjoying every moment with Heidi.

 It was a beautiful setting for the wedding, at Camp Buckner near Kingsland.

Such a blessing to get to be with the Ryan Hopkins family!

 On her way back from an Easter weekend in Dallas, we grabbed some 'Mawmaw' time at the Monument Cafe in Georgetown, so Mawmaw could get some 'Heidi' time!

 Finally, I got someone to take a picture of ME with Heidi!

 Heidi with her sis Mercedes, great aunt Bridgette, and great grandma, Sylvia.

 Heidi is not impressed with the 'generations' shot. Great granny Sylvia, grand dad Wesley, mom Kathryn Rose Hopkins, and sisters Mercedes and Evangeline.

Blessed once again to be with this crew, so Mawmaw Sylvia could see her 14th great-grand.

 The girls getting some porch time at the house, workin' the play-dough.


 I painted Mercedes nails and toes, and she was excited!

 Yes, they do still play hopscotch, if ya just show 'em how!

 A visit to Liberty Hill just wouldn't be complete for Kate if we didn't get a little Dahlia Cafe!
Heidi had heard so much about it, she insisted we go!

 And then there is Pacific Star, one of the family faves from way back.

Papa Wes so pleased and proud as punch! He still has the touch!

 I couldn't let that Easter egg hunt get away from us. So, better late than never! The girls still enjoyed it so much, we repeated the process a number of times, eventually running out of goodies for the eggs.

Evangeline exclaimed with each discovery, "Where my egg, GG, where my egg!!"

 Just prior to Kate returning to Kansas, Mawmaw came to travel with us to a memorial in Dallas for her dear friend, Fran Brogren Kennon and her husband I.G. Kennon.

 Mawmaw enjoyed her bonus visit with Kate and the girls.

 Yes, she loves it!

And you can see I do as well! Why, look at the stare of admiration from my granddaughter Heidi!

 Following the memorial service, we visited with the family of Fran and I.G. This is Mawmaw with Beth Duval, their youngest daughter.

 Sylvia had not seen Nita, I.G.'s sister, for probably 50 years.

 Sylvia with all the Kennon kids, Kent, Chris, Kathy and Beth.

And we close this installment with a family shot from David and Bridgette's, our home away from home in Ft. Worth lately, as they have put us up a number of times. We are blessed with a great family!