Early this week, I decided to go to West Guth Park for a change. Here, a bond issue was passed a couple of years ago for improvement, and I tell you, anyone that has a typical stride while walking can easily get the cardiologist preferred 10,000 steps. And it's hilly so a good workout at the same time. The sky couldn't make up its mind to clear off or remain cloudy. So, I looked up a lot to check what lay in store for weather, while I was accumulating my step count. Before I got a good start with my walk, the high school that is nearby, up one of the hills, was just beginning their day. Over the intercom [heard outdoors also] I was pledging allegiance along with the students. Then, out came the track and field team, working out with their gym clothes on.
Looking up...I watched the clouds, yes, and the sunrise, but I also became fixated with the tree silhouettes while finding many different species of birds to photograph. I apologize right now for so many tree branches. LOL----
Among the branches, I spotted, shrikes, doves, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, cardinals, starlings, flycatchers. On the pond, ducks, shovelers, egrets and seagulls. And then around the bend on one of the trails...
Monk Parakeets:
and the menacing, mean-looking, cowbirds [the males are black with bright, evil-looking, red eyes!].
As for flowers, mostly weeds [dandelions and this red blossom out in the middle of nowhere]. If you happened to notice the pine cones in the previous series...did you know that pine trees are in ALL fifty states of the U. S.? I just read that. lol
Love the pictures of the trees against the sky. I did notice the pinecones and I didn't know they are in all states. I know I like them though
ReplyDeleteI like 'em too.
DeleteHello, pretty sunrise! I love the pine cones and the palm trees. Neat capture of the parakeet. Great series. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen. I could hear the parakeets before I even got close. They're building their condos now.
DeleteSuch great shots of a beautiful place. I love all the different sky views. I don't like cowbirds either. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey're sinister looking.
DeleteWhat a beautiful way to begin your day Anni!
ReplyDeleteI love that you could share in The Pledge of Allegiance along with the students.
Love these lovely photos.
Nice to know that you get your steps...good for you ☕
I try. Thanks
DeleteSince I was born and raised in East Texas, pine cones everywhere. Wish I had your energy. I do better in the summer. Just cannot get it together in the winter. Keep it up as you are doing a good thing health wise.
ReplyDeleteI used to pick them up & decorate the house during Christmas.
DeleteI don't think there is any view that pleases me more than tress against a beautiful sky. these are awesome. we can't see the highschool from here, but it is 8 blocks away and I have often marched around the pool deck to the drum beat of the marching band practicing.
ReplyDeleteWe have a high school nearby too. During football season we have band practice too.
DeleteOh how beautiful - glad to go day trippin with you - do I get the 10,000 steps too? That is so wonderful - exercise and beauty at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYou came along with me..
DeleteThat gives you a 10k step count! Lol
My favorites are your beautiful pictures of the sun. The first one is my favorite, really spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a dramatic sunrise with all the darkness.
DeleteI love all those tree branches. There is something striking about the branches against the sky.
ReplyDeleteI thought I over-did it with the photos....maybe not!
DeleteEnjoyed the bare branches. Natures fingers.
ReplyDeleteCan't warm up to cowbirds. Their habits of laying eggs in another bird's nest angers me. How lazy can you get? Then how the hatchlings treat the rightful babies is just too much. Grr.
I just KNEW there's a reason I don't like 'em.
DeleteNo apology needed regarding the tree branches. I think they are fascinating and take many pictures of them myself. Twisted trees and branches are nature's art at its finest. I had to really look hard to see the Monk Parakeet who blends in perfectly.
ReplyDeleteNature's camouflage is perfect in most cases. Birds blend in well with their surroundings (at times)
DeleteI love bare branches, especially when there's a bird or two hiding among them.
ReplyDeleteSame for me!
DeleteNo apologies needed for the tree branches...LOVE those first two a lot.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked 'em Rose.
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