Ducks #3

If you don't like ducks, tune back in next week because I think I'm going to do a duck series this week. They're so cool and I couldn't decide which shots I loved best so I will share some this week.

This is the same pair I photographed in the first photo -- that's the oak tree they seem to like to hang out in at Second Baptist Church. Here are two observations and wonderings:

1. How in the world do the ducks not slip off the trees and the tip of the church roof? I notice their webbed feet do not form and cling to the surfaces. Interesting.
2. That cool hole in the tree that one of the ducks is standing in has also been home to an opossum, a snake (unconfirmed but that's the story) and who knows what else. I am curious to see how deep that thing goes down. But I'd need a ladder in order to get to it.

I want to share with you all how much I have enjoyed being a part of this photo blogging community. I learn so much photograpy, blogging and other cities. Thank you for all your support, visits and comments!

Ducky

I got some nice shots of the ducks so I decided to dedicate this week to them since they are so active around town it seems. I think they are very handsome birds. Anyone know what they are?

This was shot last Saturday, same batch as yesterday's post. The ducks were standing on the roof of Second Baptist Church on Guadalupe.

Ducks at Second Baptist

We were at church over the weekend and these pretty ducks kept flying by us. They come back by the church every year I am told. It's so funny because I have never seen them on land. They are either flying or they are perched on a building or tree. I'll find a close-up shot so you all can help me identify them.

These two hung out all morning Saturday. They stuck together even though there were several other ducks hanging out across the street behind the church. Walnut Creek runs behind there and it seemed the majority of the ducks were by the creek. I shot this standing on the ground, looking up at the church roof. I liked the sky a lot that day.

The Tractor

Got in late last night but still had enough left in the tank to watch the Spurs go up 3-0 in the series with the Suns. It makes for a nice welcome home. We also had a good storm with lightening and thunder. I love a good storm. The yard looks amazing and I enjoyed checking on things today. The garden is coming along fine; the tomatoes grew about 5-6 inches in my absence, it seems. They look wonderful.

The lawn also looks great; Mark had gotten the mower out. When it's dry, we like to use this sprinkler. You put it on a long, long hose and it does a great job pulling itself along the hose and it covers a pretty big area without you having to go out and move it here and there. Who needs an expensive sprinkler system. This classic, heavy-duty (and plain ol' heavy in general) tractor costs about $50 and will last for a very, very long time.

Redbud, Mark & the Bees

I love technology. I can sit in SC but online chat with Mark who is back in Seguin. It makes traveling not as bad as when you couldn't keep in constant contact. :) He was on his way out to the yard to check on the bees this morning. Last week he got a second package of bees and new queens. He wants to make sure the new queens are doing well. I'll do a post of the beautiful golden bees we got recently. They're still getting settled in.

We're almost done here and will catch a flight home this evening. Woo hoo!

Tomatoes - Week 3

Here are the plants at about 3 weeks. We have been very pleased with their progress. :)

A note from SC: We have had a blast but we're tired and missing home for sure. Looking forward to our trip home tomorrow!

Fiesty Bluejays

The bluejays have been flying all over the neighborhood lately. I know they are not so friendly and often swoop down on poor little Smokey, but they sure are pretty to look at.

Cranking up the grill

Since Mark is home more now, we are back to doing some things we really enjoy...like grilling! He makes great ribs and the barbeque chicken is pretty yummy.

We put in the Crepe Myrtle you see in the picture a few years ago and we've been amazed how fast it has grown! I love the arching branches of this particular white myrtle (don't know the official name) and the way it partly shields the grill. I wanted to provide a bit of shade since the summer sun is so strong here. And yes, it has been warm enough for lots of grilling.

Mega-Moth

Bees are not the only flying creatures in our backyard. Last week I ran across this little guy on our step up to the deck. He was very big in my book of moths. I didn't take a measurement and I wish I had put my hand up there so you can see the scale but trust me, he was B-I-G. Stopped me in my tracks. And reminds me of that Richard Gere movie. The name escapes me and I'm tired so I won't Google it right now.

Note from SC:
We actually had no delay in Atlanta this time, unlike the last 4 times I went through there a few weeks ago. I am really enjoying traveling with 3 other ladies from work. I do fine going solo but when you are sharing laughs with friends, it's even nicer. The weather is great and after a great dinner (I love eating in Columbia, SC) and some prepping for training tomorrow, we got in a workout and now it's time to relax. I'm off to my David Baldacci book. Good night everyone.

State Chili Championship

Bet you thought you'd see a bowl of chili here! Before we drove to San Antonio yesterday (Spurs game, it was amazing!), I asked Mark if we could cruise by the Pecan Bottom at Max Starcke Park in order to see what the crowd was like this weekend. Seguin was the site of the 38th Annual Ladies State Chili Championship and there were a lot of fancy campers out there. We did not have time to walk around and watch the action this year, but maybe next time.

Several other people like ourselves cruised by. I was snapping some shots when this very nice car passed by and I liked it so I decided to include it here. The only thing about unplanned shots is that it's not always exactly as you would like. It would have been nice to get the entire car length in. :)

I'm off traveling again all week but I'll try and post from out of state. Have a great week everyone!

Pink Primrose

Primroses in the backyard. The lack of rain meant a not so great wildflower spring. :(

Ladybug

Hello everyone. What a busy week. Went to work early and worked late so I could enjoy the weekend with Mark before another business trip takes me back to SC. Tomorrow's a big day! We got a date to the Spurs Game 1 against the Suns. Should be a nasty one since they are still sore about losing last year. :)

The latest count on our tomatoes in the tub: 25! Mark and I check on the bees and the garden every day and I really enjoy it. Today, as we checked on the the tomatoes, I realized how wonderfully fragrant the plants are. It's been a while since we kept a garden so I had forgotten about the scent. Very nice...I could feel my stress from the week melt off.

Made a trip to the library to pick up a novel for the plane ride. That reminds me I have been meaning to snap a photo of the library. I will do that soon. Now I am off to find some knitting to take with me before movie time. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Where's that lotto ticket?

This past week, we got some very exciting news! Apparently one of two winning lottery tickets was sold here in our very own little City of Seguin. No word yet on who it was that bought one of the winning tickets. I believe their share is about $3 million, according to news reports. Very exciting stuff!

Back in September 2006, I posted a shot of the fuel price sign in front of Frankie's. It's sad our gas price has gone up so much since that time. It's not $3.39 in town (average).

Moon over Seguin

This was shot late afternoon this past weekend. I love the moon and enjoy looking at it when it's out, esp. during daylight. It's beautiful to me.

I'm about to head to work and it's been hectic so sorry about no post yesterday. Hope everyone has a super Thursday!

Perched and watchful

The mockingbirds are active and though they are often harrassing poor Smokey, they haven't really minded us too much. This one has the nest in our front yard, as I posted the other day. How can you tell if it is a male or female, by the way?

More signs of spring

Another gorgeous day and another sign of our spring. The pecan trees are starting to put out their leaves and these catkins (I believe that's what these are called). After work, we went outside to water the garden, watch the hawks soaring way up high in the big, clear, blue sky and, of course, to collect pollen from the hive. It's a nice way to wind down from a busy day. I wish this weather would stay for a long while.

Celebrate with $2 bills

A couple of Thursdays ago, employees at CMC Steel Texas received part of our pay in these cool $2 bills. For years, the company has chosen to celebrate Texas Business & Industry Week during the first week of every April. This occasion highlights the role businesses and industries have in our local economy.

We are encouraged to use our bills locally as "visible reminders of the importance CMC Steel Texas and industry have to Seguin economy." Pretty neat and I think it's funny when people do a double take when you give them a $2 bill. It's not easy to find these bills, especially around Lunar New Year time, when I want something cool to stuff in the little red envelopes.

Perfect day to be outside

Today was so beautiful that we just had to spend as much time outside as possible! I wish we could enjoy days like this all the way through May but that's wishful thinking. :) It was in the 70s today with low humidity and nothing but sunshine. Gorgeous.

We did some gardening today -- check on tomatoes, thin out some green beans and cumcumbers and put in some more okra to replace the ones that never came up. We think the first packet we bought sprouted plants that don't look like okra at all. It was very odd. Also got more seeds to replace yellow squash that some pesky bugs keep eating up. So far, we have counted about seven little tomatoes on our plants so we're excited to see some progress.

Also had time to have a lovely picnic with Mark at Landa Park in nearby New Braunfels. It was so nice and we had such a wonderful and relaxing time. Hope everyone had a great Saturday today!

Mockingbird Nest

Hi everyone, I'm back. It's been a blur since Monday and I didn't get a chance to post much this week. Traveling is great because you get to meet interesting people and see different parts of the country. Unfortunately, my coworker and I spent more time in airports and on airplanes than in one location. It was pretty tiring so I'm glad to be home and to have the weekend to catch my breathe!

Here's a shot of the new nest that the mockingbirds have rebuilt in our crepe myrtle this year and I'm so happy to see them back! Typically, when they are done for the year and their little babies have flown off, the nest remains. Last year, however, a wild wind storm blew the crepe myrtle way over and there was nothing left of their nest. They are back now and have been busy getting their home ready. We see them regularly and they watch us every time we get in the car, which is parked rather near to them. They seem pretty use to us and don't seem to mind us too much.

Pollen Trap

Hello folks. I don't even know which day it is anymore. We're on the South Carolina leg of our trip and we get to go home tomorrow. It's been lots of time spent in airports but it's been fun and definitely a great learning experience.

Here is a shot of some beekeeping activity. Mark put a pollen trap on the hive and I recall the bees were not too happy about being disturbed that day. They found a way under Mark's veil and he got 6 or 7 stings. Of course he dealt with it much better than I would have. I think I got one bee sting a few weeks ago and that really slowed me down. :) Guess that's why he the professional beekeeper of the family!

The pollen trap is what is sliding out of the bottom of the hive. I have never seen one in action so I enjoyed learning about this. As the bees enter the hive, the trap does its job and keeps some of the pollen. Poor busy bees. Some people take pollen treatments in order to help with local allergies. It's worth a try! You can buy these pollen pellets in stores but it can be pricey.