Nature Walk

As I mentioned in my last post, walking the pastures, hillsides and “mountains” of the farm with friends and family is one of our greatest joys.  The last couple of weeks have given us the opportunity to enjoy our treks with my brother and sister-in-law and their daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids.  

We found some more of the beautiful lichens that grow on the many rocks on the hilltops.  In between rambles with the family, I took the dogs and did a couple of photo walks of my own.  Here are some of the images I captured.

  

I’m not a fungus or lichen expert, so I don’t know their names, but I can appreciate the intricate beauty of these delicate plants.  They’re worth climbing a tree or getting on your knees to take a closer look.  

Happy New Year!

I’m happy to report that 2023 has gotten off to a great start!  Allan and Jef and the McElhany clan came down for New Year’s Eve.  Happy hour was lively, with the TCU-Michigan Fiesta Bowl game on the radio.  We were all thrilled that TCU’s 54-45 win will put them into the college football championship game against Georgia.  We will all be watching next Monday to cheer on the Frogs.  Otherwise, New Year’s Eve was quiet, with no fireworks to alarm the dogs.  

New Year’s Day began for John and me attending Sunday school and church at FBC Cranfills Gap.  Then, Kota and her friends celebrated her 13th birthday with ice cream!  

More family fun followed in the afternoon and on Monday.  Laura, Jef, Anna and I had great walks together, and were excited to see so many bluebonnets among the clover.  

Laura photographed many of our activities and wanted especially to get some pictures of birds.  Here are some shots she took at the feeder outside my kitchen window.  

And speaking of birds, Laura was especially happy to get photos of a pair of turkey vultures (we call them buzzards) that have taken up winter residence in Bob’s old deer blind below the lower stock tank.

She also wanted pictures of the dogs, including one of all the dogs together.  It wasn’t easy, but with the promise of treats we finally got them all in one place at the same time.

She photographed the cows, too.  

Laura got some nice shots of Jamey climbing on the remains of the big old post oak we always called, “Bob’s tree,” and Zeva sniffing below,

as well as this nice one of Jamey in war paint and climbing a big cedar.

She also got many images of beautiful lichens, mosses and fungi we saw as we crossed the top of the mountain with the dogs.  

I think she has a great future if she decides to become a photographer!

And, here are some more of my photos of our time together.

Laura, Jef and Erin (with a brief appearance by Rosie)

Jamey

Grandma Jef, Anna, Laura and Tarzan (aka Jamey)

Zeva

Documenting a find

At least there's enough water for a dog swim

Rare pic of Zeva sitting still

Quiet time with a good book

Allan read Rosie to sleep

It was a great way to start 2023!