a few flowers and a seed…

This little seed went floating by while I was watching birds in my backyard.  

It would not stay put for me to photograph.  A touch of water did the trick. 

what a mess

With the recent drought, then rain, in Texas.  Dead trees were washed down the Brazos River out into the gulf…then on to the beach.

 

busy little birds…

Mom is busy making another nest.

Three Titmouse babies and their friend the chickadee

Baby Cardinal News…

Today has been an exciting day around my house.  As I drank my morning coffee on the patio, I noticed the baby cardinal standing on the edge of its nest.  I could see the baby cardinal without binoculars!  It has grown, after all it is nine days old now.  I managed to get a few pictures early in the morning.  I am glad I did, because around 10am, he decided to fly out of the nest.  Baby didn’t go far, just into the rose bushes near the lemon tree his/her nest has been in.  Baby fluttered around for a few hours in the rose-bush while Mom and Dad feed him/her.  Mom and Dad have been by its side all day.  As I type baby is on the roof, sitting under an oak tree, while Mom and Dad are chirping away in the tree above.

The pictures are from today, nine days old.  Two of baby, one of baby and Dad, and two of squirrels, they are siblings.  I have never seen squirrels lie this way, it’s a bit strange and humorous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conflict of interest….

Cats vs. Birds (and squirrels)

Don’t get me wrong, I love having cats…BUT… cats and birds just don’t mix.  For the past month or so I have been spending a large part of my day in the back yard (I think I mentioned this before ;) watching birds.  It has been quite an education. I have witnessed communication, nesting habits, feeding habits, mating habits, territorial fighting… oh, and let’s not forget playing habits!  Birds have such personalities, it has been fun to watch.

Below are some pictures that have been taken over the past few weeks.  Enjoy:

This was taken before the Cardinals baby was born, they would sit on the lounge chair with me and watch the birds too.

This is Heidi, she’s more interested in napping that chasing birds.

Mom Cardinal coming for dinner.

Mom, after her bath.

Mom, shaking out the water after the bath.

Bath time for Dad.

Dad, still bathing.

One baby Cardinal, two days old.

Four days old.

Six days old.

Mom was watching me take the picture on day six.

Dad is usually close by too. (Actually, he stays closer than Mom)

Dad in defense mode.  There has been another male Cardinal coming around for the past three days, Dad chases him for hours…I mean hours!  I noticed he holds his wings slightly away from his body when he feels threatened.

Meow, please let me out :(

On the shore of the Gulf of Mexico

My sweet husband took me to the beach today. I haven’t been out much lately, but today has been great, he has made it a very comfortable day. I packed a few snacks and he actually packed our loungers (the ones from our patio).
I always bring a book, a magazine, a notebook to write… And seldom do I take them out of my bag. There is so much to see! Birds, waves, people, fish, my husband acting like a 12 year old collecting stuff…
I am posting an iPhone photo, but will post other pictures later.

To be a bird

If you could be an animal, what would you be? Well, you guessed it… I would be a bird. The idea of soaring through the sky, feeling the breeze on your… what… face? feathers?, having the freedom to travel great distances… who wouldn’t want to do that? I know, I know, it’s not always such a glamorous life for birds. And let’s not talk about what they eat! I would of course be a vegetarian bird, finding a nice old lady (not unlike myself) that fills the bird feeders and supplies plenty of fresh water in the bird bath for me and my friends. One more things, this sweet old lady would not have cats (very much unlike myself).

Lately I have been a bit under the weather and I find myself outside, sitting on my lounger. It has been cool (81 degrees for the high) and not very humid, great bird watching weather- even if it is just in my backyard. In fact, as I type this I am sitting on my lounger and I am not alone. My two cats are on the lounger too, sleeping soundly. I can also hear baby birds in my neighbor’s yard chirping for their dinner and a Woodpecker pecking a tree.

Several happenings go on in the backyard.

• One, the Mockingbird eats the blossoms off our olive tree. He does this every year.
• Two, the Cardinals sing to each other. This usually takes place in the morning. One male will perch high in a tree and there are two others (that I can hear) he sings to and they sing back. I have seen as many as five Cardinals flitting about in the yard at one time.
• Three, Chickadees and Titmouse visit the feeder everyday. They hang out in an acorn tree (not sure what the real name of the tree is) in the side yard. Four to six can be found flying back and forth between feeder and tree daily.
• Four, recently there have been a few Purple Martins flying overhead. Sometimes two, sometimes five… they fly in large circles over the house. Pretty amazing site.
• Five, the house Wrens. These little birds have been very busy this Spring. They have already made one nest on our back porch and abandoned it and are now finishing up a new nest in our shed. They work quickly and very much as a team. It’s been fun to witness. This morning I watched as one snagged a butterfly! I had kept our cats in during the first building process, but then let them out after I realized the Wrens abandoned their nest, now that they are back.. in they go again.

Although I am stopping at five, there are more birds that visit, but not each day as the others do.

The cardinals must know I am writing about them! The male and female are both in the tree directly overhead, chirping. And they are off, first the female, then the male to follow.

 

Our Wrens

The Thistle Flower

Having made several trips to Austin in the past two months, I can tell you wildflowers in central Texas are in full bloom.  With each passing trip we would see more and more, and then rain!  Well, needless to say- there are some happy flowers in Texas… and happy bees, butterflies, birds…

Last weekend as we were making our way home, we counted 27 different wildflower varieties.  I was drawn to the thistle flower, as were butterflies.  Besides being a beautiful flower, thistles remind me of my Mom.  I have memories of taking walks with her in Hemmoor, Germany (where she grew up) and her pointing out the thistle flowers to me.  She would point out other flowers as well, but the thistle seemed to make an impression on her (and me too).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thistle info.:

• National emblem of Scotland
• Symbol of nobility of character as well as of birth
• The name chardonnay, the french grape, is believed to have its origin from the word Thistle (in a round about way)

 

A bit of history, my history that is.

Where to begin.  History: significant events of the past.  Well, I don’t know about you, but my list is a long one.  Even when I just focus on one piece/event, many are intertwined within.  I will start with the pictures below. 1. They are of the Austin State Hospital 2. My Grandparents worked there (mid 50′s-70′s) 3. Location: Austin, Texas.

First…my Grandparents (yes, I realize I am going out of order).  They immigrated after WWII from Hungary.   As a child I remember visiting them in Austin.  Their first home was on the grounds of the Austin State Hospital, as my Grandfather was the Director.  Eventually they did move off the grounds, about five minutes away.   Hungarian was the language of choice, next German, then English.  Of course my Mother did not speak Hungarian, so she didn’t understand most (did I say most? I meant any) of the conversation…but, it did give my sister and I someone to talk to besides each other.  Then there was German, my Grandmother did not speak that and let me tell you, she did not like it when my Dad, Grandfather and Mother would have their secret German conversations (not that they were secret conversations, it’s just what she thought).  English came in last place around the dinner table, but I didn’t mind.

Second…Austin State Hospital (ASH).  The original building, built in 1857, serves as the administration building today.  It is also home to memorabilia (photos, medical equipment, books…), mostly from the early 1900′s.  Originally the facility was named the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, but it was renamed in 1925.  My Grandfather was a Doctor (pathologist) there, not only did he treat patients early in his career, but he also performed autopsies.  The most famous case was Charles Whitman, on August 1, 1966 he killed 16 people on the University of Texas’s campus.  At first my Grandfathers diagnosis was believed to be incorrect, but as time passed all where in agreement with him. My Grandmother worked with him at ASH.  She was a bit strange, but a very sweet woman.  Her love for us (my sister and I) was very apparent.  I could write pages and pages including stories about my Grandparents journeys, both difficult and wonderful.

That leaves Austin…my home.  It’s not actually my home, I grew up in Houston and now live south of Houston, but since the year I was born Austin has always been consistent in my life.  My Grandparents lived there, my parents retired there, my sister went to college there, I lived there, I met my husband there…and now I am fortunate enough to spend many weeks there each year.

Enough about me ;).  The pictures:

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The original building.  Built in 1857.

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The old glass windows created such interesting reflections.

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The Fountain:  ISO 200  f/3.8  1/3200

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Studio Lighting…kit? continuous? strobe? Advice please :)

It’s that time to invest in some studio lights.  I have been researching, but I am still not sure.  I would love to hear your suggestions.

At the moment I am thinking of umbrellas (shoot through) instead of soft boxes because they seem easier to handle and do produce a similar effect.  I am also considering continuous lighting (it seems easier…am I coping out?).  I do have two (cordless) Nikon flash units- should I use those (not sure how exactly, the TTL, iTTL, guide numbers… confuse me. I could learn)?  Will strobes be better than continuous and/or my flash units? What wattage is best? What about Kelvin- 5500? Which brand is good, without breaking the bank.  Help. :)  I welcome any comments on the matter.

One more thing.  I don’t think I have ever posted a post (is that right?) without a picture.  So, I include an image of a little squirrel that comes with his friends everyday to enjoy a few (who am I kidding, they eat a lot!) sunflower seeds.

 

 

signs of spring

Rain.  A word that had almost disappeared from many of our vocabularies in Texas and other parts of the US.  I am happy to report, we are using that word again!  Yes, it has been raining…often.  In fact, with our warmer temperatures and new-found rain, plant are beginning to show signs of spring.

The pictures below are of plants in my back yard.  Photoshop & PhotoFrames definitely played a part in their processing.

 

 

 

 

It’s that time again.

Every year the American Goldfinch invade my bird feeders.  They come by the dozens and empty the feeders rather quickly.  Today there were only 15 or so that flew from feeder to tree, perhaps the rain was responsible for the low numbers.

Below are a few pictures I took (through the kitchen window) of these cute little birds.

Mardi Gras…Krewe Ball

A new experience for us (my husband and myself), and what a fun one it was!

We were invited to attend a Mardi Gras Ball, given by the crew that runs one of the Mardi Gras parades.  What a production it was!

The evening started with the King and Queen on their float, being shuttled through the crowd- throwing beads, light up rings, moon pies, doubloons and other various items.  Once the King and Queen made it to the main stage (this one in the center of the room), it was time for their court to appear on stage (this, the stage on the side of the room) – two at a time, and each pair was shuttled through the crowd on a float designed just for them (matching their costumes, of course) taking them to their King & Queen on the main stage. Once the court was introduced, the band began to play and the dancing began (after the main center stage was carried away).  I will confess here, I love disco music ;).  And disco music is what the band played!!! FUN FUN!

Below are some images from the night (except Pelican Elvis).  I did not bring my camera, all these were taken with my iphone.  The quality is not the best, but I imagine you will get the idea of what the night was like.

Pelican Elvis: Taken at a local breakfast diner.

Each group was responsible for decorating their own table (which we discovered that morning). I think we did a pretty good job with what we could find.

This table was the one next to us.  They used their liquor buckets as decorations.  The shoes are a nice touch.  You may also notice the voodoo doll in the center of the table, since the theme was ‘Voodoo’ each table was given one to start their set up.

Here come the King & Queen.

King tossing beads.

Even though you can’t see the Queen tossing beads very well, I like the interesting light pattern in the picture.

King & Queen approaching the main stage.

The Dragon Float.  Amazing detail.

Two other floats I remember, not pictured,  the Rainbow Float with leprechauns tossing beads and a huge Moon Float (red moon on one side, white on the other) with a Good and Evil Witch as passengers.

Laser lights on the stage (don’t forget the fog machines ;)

Friends dancing into the wee hours of the night…….

New Orleans, after Katrina

While in New Orleans we visited the Lower 9th Ward.  Almost six years later the impact of Katrina is visible all around. Neighborhoods are no longer lined with homes side by side, today vacant lots stand between the homes that do remain.  Streets located closest to the levee (there were 53 breaches throughout greater New Orleans) are now empty fields of grass and weeds.  It was estimated that water covered 80% of New Orleans, and was up to 20 feet deep in some areas. A few blocks into the neighborhood there are houses sprinkled throughout.  Of the homes remaining, perhaps 40% are livable.  Some of the homes that do not appear to be livable show signs of tenants.  Many homes have demolition orders taped to their doors.

Although there was so much devastation, there was hope.  People walking the streets, sitting on porches and repairing their homes- saying hello and smiling all the while.  Perhaps feeling a bit safer than they ever have before in their own neighborhood.

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Below are a few pictures I took that day.

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I retrieved this from www.nola.com, just a bit of info. about population changes.

Waiting on a barge to pass before driving over the canal into the 9th Ward.

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Vacant

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The upper part is a someones name and contact info. Below that seems to be two names, both of which were lost in Iraq.

‘We want our country to love us as much as we love our country.

The strength of our country belongs to all of us.

Mr. Bush rebuild New Orleans, the Lower 9th Ward, cross the canal, Tennessee Street.

NOT IRAQ.

Tell your Senators, your Congressman.”

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Vacant

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Not Vacant

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The X-code (or Katrina Cross as refereed to by locals) used by Urban Search and Rescue teams for identification purposes.

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Fireplace and facade, still standing.

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The Good :)  http://www.makeitrightnola.org/

This is a neighborhood being rebuilt with the help of Brad Pitt an his ‘Make It Right’ foundation. Shown above is just one of the many homes that have been built.

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More from New Orleans

A few more images from our trip to Louisiana.

The first image is from the French Quarter, so many shops!  So many people too!  I decided it’s not really my cup of tea, I would rather go to town that’s off the map.  Rick Steves has written several travel books, my favorite (one that we followed many times) is Europe Through the Back Door, excellent.   I’m not saying I didn’t have a great time, I did, but I am learning I prefer more low-key places.

The next two images came from the trip back to Lafayette that night, I decided to take some pictures of car/truck lights on the road, it was actually quite fun.  I was sitting in the back seat with my friend (husbands in the front) who had her camera in tow too, so we both took several shots.

The last two are a few more from the cemetery visit.  There is something about the little angel that draws me to her.  Partly the serene look on her face, and partly the beads and gold tinsel (see yesterdays post) wrapped around her base.  I aged her image for today’s post, it seemed appropriate.

 

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Louisiana weekend

Recently we took a trip, to Louisiana.  First stop, Lafayette.  Shortly after we arrived we went out to dinner, to a local restaurant that does not rush anyone!  It was so nice to eat and drink and eat and drink and… well, you get the picture.  We had a nice beginning to our visit with our friends.  Next day, off to New Orleans.   The pictures below are from New Orleans, all from a local cemetery.  I still feel a bit strange posting pictures from a cemetery, but there was something so peaceful about that day.  Not just the cemetery, but we drove around the 9th Ward (where the levee broke during hurricane Katrina) and saw some very, well- depressing sites.  BUT (it’s nice to have a but here :), every person we saw, whether walking down the street, sitting on their porch, working on a house or passing us in a car waved at us! Some even said hello.

We also went to a Mardi Gras Ball… more on that later ( quite the educational weekend).

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Two bicycles built for one, each.

Can’t you just picture it, little white lights wrapped around a tree, multicolored lights lining the roof tops, snowflakes hanging from the trees…. this list could go on and on.  Some people can be very creative when it comes to displaying their holiday cheer.

Viewing holiday lights it a tradition for us.  This year, we learned a new way to do it.  My husband and I decided that when you drive in a car to look at lights it goes by a little to fast, when you walk- it’s a little to slow, but riding a bike- that is just right.  Not only is it just right, it’s a lot of fun. We bundled up, although here in Texas there wasn’t much to the bundling, grabbed our wine (yes, that’s right, wine in a plastic cup), and off we went.

Keep on the look out, we will be doing that again soon!  Happy Holidays everyone  :)