Cats, birds, turtles, and chicks!

Front yard feral "Pretty Boy"

Pretty Boy lying on Hay in front

Fluffy young Feral that hangs around Pretty

As you know, we have feral cats in our neighborhood. Occasionally some hang around more than others. These two, Pretty and Fluffy (not very original names) stay pretty close to our house. They occasionally wander... but not for long. Sometimes they bring friends home. We have had as many as 6 sleeping together in the catbed on the front porch when it was below freezing outside (I made a new flannel lining for it recently).

Now for the back yard : 

woodpecker

I've been trying to catch this woodpecker on my camera for a while. He sees me and flits off very quickly. But I finally succeeded!

And here are a few others that are not as finicky about having their pics taken:

As you can see, they love the catfood in the dishes out back. Their bird feeders are full... but generally the squirrel is in there. He is a fat little brown squirrel and very often has 2 crows chasing him around. But the way he flits his tail at the crows and the cats makes it seem like he enjoys the game. Our birdfeeder hangs from the tree by a chain and he looks so funny shimmying up and down that chain. I haven't caught him on camera yet, but I will.

Also I've been playing around with my clay a bit. Am in the process of making more chickens and branched out a bit to make this little pastel turtle as well as this chick in the egg idea. You can see the chick through the holes in the egg... but since this was a new idea, I've learned that I probably need to make a few more holes. By the time summer comes and I get back into class, I may have quite a few things ready for the kiln. Can't fire anything at home.... no kiln and no wheel for throwing.

The egg shell fits over the chicken and will be inseparable... once fired. These have only been underglazed, they still need firing and blackbirding to give them that shaded antique look.


By the way, thanks for all the responses to my back pain question on the last post. I really appreciate the input. The pillow between the knees seems to be the best help at the moment...

Flight...

I believe this is a Blue Heron... took this at the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge.

I have always been fascinated with *flight*.  I especially like to watch seagulls fly and the angles of their wings as they land.  Oh... also entranced by hawks soaring!  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that?  Just glide through the air  like that? I guess the closest we come is with small planes or sky kites that are pulled behind boats or sky divers.  I have flown... in planes and without (in my dreams).  Both are wonderful! In a plane I'm nervous about the take-off and landing, but once in the air, I'm euphoric... and grateful of the opportunity to experience this magic. And in my dreams, well... it's the epitome of freedom. That's all I can say.

When I was young, I dreamed of sky-diving. But like so many youthful dreams, it got pushed to the wayside. Now I've let that dream go... (and I know that I could still do it, but am happy to do it vicariously through DJan ).  But I continue to enjoy watching the flight of birds and trying to capture it both  in photographs and in sketches. I'm not compulsive or obsessive about it (probably not compulsive or obsessive about anything or I'd be better at it).

Anyway, here are a few of my attempts...

and a few more bird photos:

These are Turkey Vultures at the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge.

"Pie fixes everything" dish towel

I found this dish towel in Fredericksburg, Texas when a friend and I were there visiting a few weeks ago.  Loved it!  Says exactly what my hubby believes.  Out of the blue when we are either sitting around watching TV or doing something around the house... he will say, "I need pie!"  It has become a mantra as has "Have you pilled Jack?" (another story, another time).  Told him that I plan to write these on our tomb stones: "I need pie" on his and "Have you pilled Jack?" on mine.

The tomatoes on the Aga are from my friend's garden.  Tomatoes are apparently doing well this summer. My daughter brought some up from her garden in the hill country and my friend brought these last week from just north of Dallas. Luckily for us, we like tomatoes. I especially like them broiled with a little seasoned breadcrumbs and butter on top. They can't compare to the creole tomatoes grown down in Louisiana, but they'll do.  I did miss those when we first moved to Texas... as well as creole cream cheese, pickled meat, and other delicasies that can't be found here.

We also picked the first figs from one of our trees yesterday. There's a trick to getting any figs from our trees. They produce a lot... but between the birds, squirrels, and box turtles... we have to be quick if we want even a few.  Of course we plant the fig tree for the little beasts, so we really can't complain if they take them all.  Our yard is a certified wildlife sanctuary... and we like it that way.

Hubby just brought me some fresh made sweet tea, so I've got to go for today.  I like my new made tea warm and fresh from the brew.