Happy 100th Birthday

I couldn't let the Summer of 2011 go by without posting a note about my amazing dad.  On July 26th of this year he reached the century mark in his life.  His terrific attitude and wonderful sense of humor keeps us all on our toes.  Happy birthday, Dad, and may there be many more.

Dad said to us that he would try to live another 100 years but he feels we (his children) would all be too old to enjoy the second-century celebration with him.  I do believe he is right!

Transylvania County, North Carolina

High Falls, DuPont State Forest

 Triple Falls, DuPont State Forest

Upper Fall of Triple Falls, DuPont State Forest

Great Smokey Mountains of NC

 View of Lake Lure from atop Chimney Rock.  Incidentally, the elevator is out of order.  WHEW!

Chimney Rock.

Homosassa Wildlife Preserve

Our second trip to the Wildlife Preserve at Homosassa, Florida, was just as exciting as the first visit we enjoyed in 2010.

 This is the first time I've seen baby Pelicans--cute, but they still have a face only a mother can love.

         There were beautiful flamingos--extremely colorful at this time of year.

 As we cruised up the river toward the preserve, we noticed this Great Blue Heron watching over his territory.

 Since the area is a preserve and all animals are protected, alligators are plentiful.  I think this one needs an orthodontist.

This fledgling hawk was curious about the camera shutter clicking away.

I took dozens of images, and these represent only a few of the birds.  There were also reptiles, wolves, bobcats, Bald Eagles, Spoonbills, Owls, and I could go on and on.  If you're in the area, don't miss this attraction.

Just another beautiful day in Sunny Florida!

Rainbow Springs State Park, Headsprings

We headed over to the Headsprings this morning with Winston for a walk in the park.  The park is beautiful, as always, although we missed the blooming of the azaleas this year.

This Barred Owl was resting near the swimming hole during our visit.  I just think he is too beautiful.

Beautiful day in Dunnellon, Florida.

Welcome to Rainbow Springs State Park

Shortly after we backed into our site at the campground, this nice fellow rushed over to welcome us

He stayed around for a while, scratching and pecking through the gravel.

Then he perked up and was watching for something

that we soon realized was a female, at which point he became the guardian of the site.

I quickly snapped this shot as he was protesting some friends who stopped by to chat.  Evidently, the chatter and laughter bothered him.  He squawked as though to say:  Go Home, People!

Horses, the main event at North Star Acres

 Roberta has many beautiful and gentle horses, many of which she uses for working horses when she guides visitors on the trails through the Goethe Forest.

This painted horse is the youngest in her family, and I think he is particularly interesting because of these unusual markings on his shoulder that look like an indian in headdress studying something in his hands.

An Evening at North Star Acres, Dunnellon FL

We spent the evening with Roberta Cogswell on her beautiful farm located in the countryside of Levy County.  It was peaceful, quiet and awesome terrain and animals, all of whom are more pets than working animals.  Although, Roberta does use her horses for trail adventures through the Goethe State Forest that adjoins her property.  It was truly a awesome experience.

I don't know what kind of rooster this is but he is the most beautiful guy I've seen (and his cock-a-doodle-do is equally charming).

This is the young Llama who was actually born here on the farm.  His parents are on-site and Larry (Dad) and I actually took a walk together.

and this is Jack who kept a pretty close eye on us when we first arrived; he also has a partner named Jill--get it?  Jack and Jill.

just another sunset

The sunsets in Louisiana aren't real shabby either!

South Texas Botanical Gardens

This is the "Gator Pond" at the gardens.  We didn't see any wildlife except for a few ducks and occasionally an egret.  Most of the area is pretty typical Texas with lots of grasses, scrub trees, and cacti.

 There is a house of orchids and many of them are in bloom.  This one caught my eye--like a Lady Slipper in green velvet.

 And my fav:  a bed of poppies and larkspur--so colorful and pretty.  It reminds me of the wildflower field on the Nature Trail at Hilton Head Island.

 Pete and I were talking about the birds in this aviary and this little guy just popped his head out of the nest as though to say, "Who's there?"

Another of my favorites were the little wild crocus that were plentiful in the gardens.

Goats and Lambs and Chickens and Pigs and Cows, Oh My!

 I think this goat looks like a hound dog.  He is real sweet and would love to have nibbled at my shirt except for that pesky muzzle.

                                                           

                                                 In this case, the tail says it all.

     

    We have our lambs leashed and ready for a stroll around the park.  Check out the cool haircuts

  This is my chicken and she loves me.

              I'll take you for a walk so you won't be nervous prior to your time on stage.

Ah - a shopping bag within reach.  He was happily chewing away and Pete took it away from him.  Meany. 

Edinburg, Texas

When we headed for the Municipal Park in Edinburg, our plan was to visit the birding center, but we saw the crowds gathering in another area of the park and decided to check out the FFA and 4H Clubs of Hidalgo County Livestock Show.  We thoroughly enjoyed watching the young people groom their animals and even leash them and walk them through the park--just as we walk Winston. 

have you hugged your bull today?

Edinburg, Texas

One place we had not yet visited is Edinburg, Texas, so off we went to see what we could find.  We enjoyed walking through the Municipal Park where the wetlands are located and saw many, many waterfowl. 

While we wait...

Little ones have small appetites and short patience waiting for adults to finish eating.  We'll sit on the patio and wait for the others.

Roasting Corn and Selling Fruit

As we were investigating the area toward Rio Grande City we spotted this street vendor getting her corn on the grill and preparing to sell it and oranges.  Roasted corn is a favorite of many here (including me) and is often sold by street-side vendors along with their other wares.

Kiss the Cook

We really enjoy the food, the people and especially the colors of this part of the country.  (El Patio Restaurant, Mission, TX)

Bridge over Taneycomo

There is something mysterious about the mist rising off the lake as the sun rises.  The Lake Taneycomo Bridge is one of my favorite structures and, of many photographs I shot from different positions, I think this is the only one that does it justice.  (Branson, MO)

Great Blue Heron

...and he looks pretty regal down at South Padre Island

Dance with me

Snowy Egret thinks his reflection is his dancing partner.

Mirror, Mirror

We were out on a dock at St Marys, Georgia, and this snowy egret danced and watched his reflection as though he was looking into a mirror.

Angels Trumpet

There is an angel's trumpet that grows beside our community pool deck back home.  It is beautiful as you approach the pool, but is especially beautiful up close and personal.

Fungi

Sometimes you look up, as with sunrises, sunsets and stars, sometimes you look around for birds, animals and landscapes, and sometimes you can just look down and find really interesting things.

Sandhill Cranes

While we were visiting Bushnell, Florida, we had a pair of Sandhill Cranes who entertained us almost daily.  They would squawk and dance and just stroll around the campground.  One even came up the our motorhome door and acted as though he wanted to come in for a visit.

They are beautiful and interesting birds.

When we returned to Sumter Oaks in 2012, the cranes were still there and came by our site to greet us.