Poths in the surf at Myrtle Beach

Here are Lex, Kristi, and Katelyn at the edge of the surf. This was Katelyn's first experience of splashing in the salt water. What a treat is was for us to spend time with them. Thanks, Kristi and Lex.

Protein Feeder Traffic

Attached are some of the pictures I downloaded today.

My favorite cactus flower picture

This picture that I took several years ago remains one of my favorites. Rarely do you ever see a prickly pear cactus with a bloom this color. It has been my computer background picture for years. Most of the blooms are shades of yellow. Some are shades of orange. Very rarely do you see a red bloom.

Laying in the sun...

Redwing Blackbird

Bullfrog

I spotted this bullfrog hiding under this log at the edge of the stock tank. Now I need to talk Sandra into carrying the sack and us go frog gigging some night.

Indigo Bunting

Before I retired I never seemed to take time to notice some things like this pretty little bird. I had to go to the bird book and look this one up. I think it is an Indigo Bunting. When everyday seems like "Saturday" things slow down and you have time to notice neat things.

Female Painted Bunting

Here is the female painted bunting. I had to look this one up. These birds seem to come migrating through and are here for about a month.

Siete Colores.... Painted Bunting

I think this bird rates right on up there as the prettiest bird in Texas. Siete Colores translates to '7 colors' and it is obvious that this little rainbow has at least that many colors happening. I was just discussing this bird with cousin Tom Poth just this weekend. I had told him that my thinking was that they migrate through this area of Texas at the end of May. Well, I spotted this bird today. Maybe he is a scout or the birds are migrating earlier because of the dry weather.

Cactus Flowers

The drought is getting severe but even in tough times there is beauty.

Katelyn's Tree

Pictured is the tree I planted for Katelyn, our grandaughter. I chose a spot where I could occasionally water it. It was planted not long after she was born. Hopefully it will grow as she does.

New Growth

This is the result of my controlled burn that I posted a couple of weeks ago. What an improvement, don't you think?

Alert for all the hardcore Jam and Jelly makers...

The agarita berries will be completely ripe next week. If you are in to making exotic wild jam, jelly, or even wine, it is time.

Taking Flight

I'm not sure if this hen is doing a dance or taking flight.

It is that time of the year...

Prickly Pear Cactus is all abloom. Bees are busy working these and catclaw brush blooms.

They don't all make it...

There is no way of knowing what caused this buck fawn's death. Most likely it was coyotes.

More Senderos....

Cleared and root plowed

Can you see the Bulldozer down at the far right of the sendero on the right?

This is one of five new spots for future blinds.

This is looking back across the entry road.

A new place to hunt a trophy.

Rattlesnake

I'm told this is mating time for rattlesnakes. I really didn't think I would see any today as it was cool this morning. It was sixty-two degrees when I came upon this one.

Finding shed antlers reminds me of hunting for Easter eggs as a child

Pictured is the left side of "Macho's" antlers. He is four and one half years old now and I'm expecting big things from him next year.

Burning, a tool in deer management

Every year I try to pick out an area and do a controlled burn. It does a good job of removing dead grasses and limbs. It also promotes new growth of forbs as well as grasses.

Some sure signs of spring...

The alligators are out of hibernation and the yuccas are blooming..

Antler shedding has begun...

Pictured here is the first buck I've seen that has already dropped his antlers. If you look closely, you will see the bases where the antlers were attached on the top of his head. It seems to me that this one is early this year since they usually tend to begin the shedding about the twentieth of March. Who knows why this one is early? I have also noticed that the bucks have begun to get back into groops. If you see one, you will likely see four, five, or more.

Javelinas

My javelina herd seems to be doing well. I've got an ongoing experiment working. We seem to have less and less of these hardy little creatures in the wild these days. There was a time before the feral hogs showed up and starting taking over that we had plenty. I've heard people blame their reduction on disease and such. I think more of their demise is due to hunters shooting them as a bother to their deer hunting. Too, I know since folks have been trapping feral hogs once a javelina gets trapped they will just back up in a corner and pop their teeth. They can't see well and they are all about defense. All you really have to do is open the trap door carefully and leave. They will soon find their way out.