Whazzzup?

...well, I'll tellya what's up! This:

This fence line is at a birding area on Mustang Island....the parks department, lately, has been working on improving the area, and adding a bit of color here and there along with new viewing areas along the path...this is a new trumpet vine addition...

linking to Good Fences

1] The FOS - in birder lingo this means First of the Season - a single, female ruby throated hummingbird showed up at our feeder. That means ol' Anni needs to get busy and fill the other three feeders for our yard/sanctuary in anticipation that dozens will begin to show up throughout April and into early summer!! I know last year I was filling all four of our small feeders every morning!! And they'd be empty the following day. Only time will tell as to how many will be here this Spring.

2] Speaking of last week...we had one freakishly hot day...the temperature soared up to the mid 90s [ya, you read that right!!] Early in the morning, misty and hazy sky...we expected a scorcher!! The power went off shortly after 5PM that very day. I'm sure it was the influx of workers arriving home and turning on the A/C. Too much sourcing all at the same time. A power surge!! It did cool back down to the more 'normal' temperatures by nightfall tho, and remained in the normal range for the remaining days of the week. I hope this isn't something that will occur often. At least until June...with Summer temperatures, not in late March. We could use more rain too!! Bring it on.

linking to: Skywatch Friday

3] In my last post I mentioned the generosity of city residents from long ago who donated land to the city; making them wildlife preserves for us to enjoy today. In the middle of downtown, the Blucher Park is one. I also mentioned that one of the Blucher Family historical homes is now a Nature Conservatory. I've walked into the back yard a few times in hopes of seeing some chimney swifts soaring and diving around their man-made chimney that is on the property. Anyway, this house, now the conservatory, stands directly across from the Blucher Park where Bud and I go birding a lot during the Spring Migration, and it's nestled between two other historical homes from the Blucher family....one on the corner lot, now a bed and breakfast, and on the other side of the conservatory is a law firm - also a renovated historical home of the Blucher family heritage.  The park itself and Bed and Breakfast of the patriarchial Blucher is on the Texas register of historic value.  The following is of the conservatory:

...and the back yard is also like a park in its own right. Here there are bricked walkways, benches under massive oak trees, native plants and flowers along with a man made chimney for chimney swifts that are on the endangered list. Plus a koi pond with gigantic koi [fish] and small trickling, relaxing waterfall, and water lilies...

...read more on the Blucher Immigants of the 1800s here

linking to: Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

4] Baseball Season began this week!! Sadly, for me, my favorite player, Derek Jeter, will call it quits at the end of this year. He announced many weeks ago that he plans to retire. And the Yankees opening game for 2014 was with Houston Astros, IN HOUSTON...and I didn't get tickets. Of course, I hate driving in Houston...even to a ball game. Nothing lost --but it would be nice to see him play in person. Oh well. By the way, Astros kicked Yankees butt in the opening game. Whooohooo!

5] Irene texted me a photo of my youngest grandson. In his tuxedo!!! In preparation of the Senior Prom. My goodness. Some days it's just way too difficult to picture him that age already. Why, I can remember Irene's prom photos like it was just yesterday!!  And on top of that....the doorway is just behind him...those are 7 foot openings!!!  And he's just inches below....I still have him pictured a newborn...and now look, he's grown into a full-grown adult!  Does this make me ancient, or what?!!!  Good grief.

linking to:  Saturday Photo Hunt -"Family" - Weekly Top Shot