§ Some of the Marvelous...

Aristotle once said: "In All Things of Nature There is Something of the Marvelous"

Today, just a bit of eclectic images from around town. From a beautiful sunrise to fog settling in on the city's North Bay. Perhaps you may agree that all things in nature are marvelous. The tempest, the beauty, the extreme, the simple, the hues, the serene...you name it. For each, there is a purpose---

SUNRISE FROM OUR YARD

Fog Drifting into the North Shore

Mama Cardinal

Parasite - Mistletoe in Bloom

Marigolds by a Tree Stump

Fungus Taking on the 'Look' of Bark

Papa Cardinal

Orange Crowned Warbler

Golden Fronted Woodpecker

Brown - Green Anoles on a Park Fence

Then, some eclectic thoughts for the day:
each tidbit is linked for the full coverage story...

Did you know that the NFL [National Football League] is TAX EXEMPT? Ya, that threw me for a loop too. But, I had to go out to Google to clarify this for myself. I was flabbergasted to read the tax exempt when I knew all too well that the teams rake in billions of dollars each year. How can an outfit like this that makes a profit be free of paying taxes when we common folk are taxed to death? Okay...thing is, the NFL has been tax exempt since 1942!! But it isn't the individual franchises....the teams...it only pertains to the promoting offices of the league...the office only, which is considered a non-profit organization. Still, it was a mind boggler!!

Speaking of mind boggling!!---Did you know this piece of gossip? Bruce Jenner, transitioning into a woman?  I guess, to each his own.  Or IOW - different strokes for different folks!! Okay, okay....I can't help myself...forgive me, but, I gotta state this thought that's been swirling in my brain: "From Bruce Jenner to Jenny Bruce"...kinda a nice ring to it don't you think? [No offense Jenny! errr, um, Bruce?] Whatever. As long as he/she is happy. Another whatever!!!!

Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman - I'm nearly finished with the book. It's very good. While reading this piece of work, I find myself reminded of two books actually. There is a flair of Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear and Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth. I'm anxious to come to the conclusion. Even tho it's based of a factual event in Biblical times, and historians know the outcome, this book will leave the reader with either an urge to check the real history of the event, or be a bit naive with the fictional version Ms. Hoffman created. I do recommend the book. I do look forward to the mini series that will be aired in March on CBS. But, I can't give it a five star rating. All because it's a work of fiction and doubts will linger as to the research she supposedly did for the final [published] draft.

A holiday tradition [ya, I know it's nearing Valentine's Day but...] in a local Houston Starbucks that my son frequents daily for coffee and chit-chat.  He has been a donor AND a recipient of a gift of a charitable car rental when his own car was totaled...so he could get to classes where he teaches, then by the week's end he could get his own car.  It just warms my heart.  And I plan on becoming one who 'pays it forward' this season by sending Erik some cash to donate in his name!!!

Last but not least...this is self explanatory!!!

§ In Our Yard & 'Round Town...

...CRITTERS on GOOD FENCES

Bird images are 'mouse-over captioned'...place your computer mouse over each image, and pause!!

linking to Good Fences - Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

...SKYWATCH

Near the TAMU-CC [Texas A&M University] there is a winding paved bike/hike trail along the bay. This past Sunday morning we parked by the campus church and walked the entire distance and back along the bay waters. It was a beautiful morning, tho even with the sea breeze gently blowing, it was scorching by the time we did the two way hike. Glad I took along a cold bottle of water. As we neared the car to leave, the church spires and blue sky captured my attention. [in the back of this church, an open water bay was gorgeous, sparkling in the sunlight, dappled here and there with waterfowl like Egrets, Sandpipers, Spoonbills, Pelicans and more...]

linking to:  Skywatch Friday

SOME RANDOMS...

1] If you live in Texas, I'm sure you know all about H E B Grocers. Every other month recently [used to be every month but nothing new about cutting costs in this day and age]...there is an 'in-store' published magazine called "My Texas Life". Most times it's chocked full of cooking ideas,  health, vacations within the state, sometimes a bit of state history, coupons, etc. etc., and what I like most of all, the recipes!! In the August issue one recipe caught my eye. [I look for simple; easy to prepare]

ALMOND BUTTER JELLY BARS

3 TBS almond butter

3 TBS coconut oil

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups flour [reserving 1/3 cup]

3/4 cup NO SUGAR added preserves [any flavor]

1/2 cup low fat granola

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine almond butter and coconut oil in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, until soft and fluffy.

Add sugars and salt and mix until well combined.

Gradually add flour [reserving 1/3 cup] and mix until a dough ball forms.

Press dough into the bottom of 8x8 basking dish.

BAKE 15 minutes

Remove pan from oven and spread preserves over the crust.

Combine reserved flour with granola and sprinkle over preserves.

BAKE an additional 20 minutes. Cool and cut into 12 equally sized bars.

...the nutrition info on the page

Calories per bar 150

Fat 6g

Sodium 60g

Carbohydrates 26g

Fiber 1g

Protein 3g

I made 'em this morning but haven't tried 'em yet. I used the no sugar Black Raspberry-Blackberry Preserves.

If you can't copy this, look for the August 2014 issue on H E B website...page 36  [it will take a week or two for the August issue to be published online.  In the meantime you can view for free the past issues]

2] A most recent event for our city and for us bird enthusiasts!!! A rare, never recorded in Texas history, bird from the UK is[was] here in one of our bays. Photographers were everywhere in the small park!

3] HOW HOT IS IT?

It's so hot...

...I saw a dog chasing a cat, they were both walking!

...I didn't realize that asphalt has a liquid state!

...I've stopped associating bridges with rivers.

...There are four stages of Summer in South Texas ---tolerable, hot, hotter and ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

...I've even experienced condensation on my butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl!!!

4] This time of year, I really miss EEGEES slushies!!! Each month they have a 'special' flavor...mine  was ....Cherry Cider. I swear I went there during that time...nearly every day.  Since moving to Texas I even wrote them and asked about consideration for opening a franchise here in Corpus....no go. They want it ONLY in Arizona. I think that's mighty selfish of them, don't you think? Marie? Are you listening to me? Have one for me, willya? [get the lime and add a bit of tequila...that'll work!]

5] I don't want to jinx this, but....

so far it's been a very quiet hurricane season out in the Atlantic. In the Pacific it's been a bit different. TWO...count 'em...TWO just last week were heading toward the Hawaiian Islands, and a third this week, Karina is boiling up!!

§ From Birds on a Fence and Dragons in the sky....

I'm pretty sure this is a white morph reddish egret because of the beak coloring, and just minutes prior to it landing on the fence line, it was doing its 'crazy, erratic hunting behavior' that reddish egrets do - If you are a birder and have seen reddish egrets feeding/hunting you'll know what I mean. If not, here is a link of a one minute video showing the REDDISH EGRET dining. This image is for good fences...but if you will, embiggen the image and notice the large rusty nail [spike] jutting up from the post on the right of the bird ---just above the two "oo's" in my watermark....

linking to Good Fences



1] I once saw a book on the book shelf at Half Price Books here in town, by an author choosing to be "Anonymous", entitled A WOMAN IN BERLIN. I didn't buy it at the time, and kicked myself once I decided I'd like to read it only upon return to the store, it was gone. This past weekend, it was back on the shelf, and I snapped it up! Behind the scenes of the diary, there was quite a bit of controversy as to the content and truthfulness.   Political Scientists of the era ostracized it because of the malicious account at the armed forces of Germany and Russia.  After the writer's death, her identity was revealed and the published documentary was authenticated by several literary experts. Very good read so far.

2] ...and on that note, ostracizing, movie critics around the globe ..."Spectacular"  "Epic"   "If you liked Titanic, you'll love this movie"...then, others are bashing it. I'm one of those 'bashers'.   Remember this is MY opinion only...We were anxious to see this Biblical saga. And we waited to see it on its DVD release instead of doling out big bucks for theater tickets plus our usual popcorn and soda. All I can say is: OMG. What a waste!! It's more like a Science Fiction Thriller.   First off, according to King James version, God created the firmament on the 2nd day, right?  Then, why oh why do we see nothing but our world as a moonscape...gray, drab, no trees, weird animals; an extraterrestrial atmospheric world void of anything but the fruit tree?   Then, the "Watchers" were comparable to something from Star Wars. Sure... Given that we did not live back at the beginning of time, I guess anything is possible in the theatrical venue...When NOAH envisions the task ahead of him, anyone would think the poor man was on LSD or something.  Or at least the writers/producers/director!!!   No...don't spend good hard earned money on this people!!! If ever there was such a thing as rating this 1 out of 10 for excellence. I'd give it a... MINUS 10.  Perhaps If I had ten thumbs, they'd all be pointed downward!!

3]  Am I dreaming or has the humidity dropped a whole lot in South Texas?  We had a 'cool' down where the temp in the mornings were in the mid seventies....and it felt like Fall with the air quite a bit more dried out!!  I'm sure it'll get hot again before Autumn really takes 'hold.

4]  Mexican Cuisine.  I cannot not turn away from it.  I had the best Chicken Chimichanga the other day.  Thing is, they're deep fat fried burritos.  And boy are they ever heavy on the gut.  Especially when y'all order it with sour cream sauce instead of picante.  But my  oh my was it ever tasty, tender chicken, and fried to perfection!! And refried beans are always a great side dish with Mexican food. At 990 calories....well, the lunch portion is better than the dinner portion at 1300. I tried to compensate for the delicious lunch with having a huge salad without dressing for my evening meal. Too late...the pounds lost last week were found!!

5] I have two men in my life beginning college courses this month. My son, on his way to receiving a PhD in Political Science and my grandson who begins attending a Christian College for a law degree!!

linking to: Willy Nilly Friday 5


Tuesday Morning...
...a dragon cloud!!


linking to:  Skywatch Friday

...after sunrise we ventured to the islands to see what birds we could spot. Most of the usual kind at our favorite area, egrets, green herons, coots, moorhens, Boots the alligator [which he silently made his way through the reed grasses with his head held high out of the water...as he caught his breakfast!! You shoulda heard the jaws snap shut!! It literally echoed through the area...like a clap of thunder after the sharp grasp. Powerful jaws!!!]. Also there were sandpipers, black bellied whistling ducks, and sparrows and grackles. I spent most of my time watching the several young green herons. I got a couple of GREAT action photos of one flying right toward me, face on!! I'll post that on my bird photo blog someday soon! As I was watching them, FIVE magnificent frigatebirds came soaring into the area...I've seen two together before, but never five at one time...what a treat. As we walked out of the area on the boardwalk, to leave, a brown anole bid us adieu....

linking to:  Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

§ Another day...another Dollar

Yes, the sand dollar is an animal!! Actually what you see washed ashore and lying on the beach is the exoskeleton of a sea urchin relative. Once exposed to air they die off and become stiffened. In water, alive, they are quite different looking. The star on the back side is often invisible and usually covered in dark purplish spines. See HERE. They use these spines to capture food by use of the spines directing the food to their mouth on the central, back side. Most times, in close-by shore waters where the sea is calm, the sand dollar urchin 'stands' upright...on its edge. In rough waters they burrow below the sand or lie flat. Scientists can age a sand dollar by counting the growth rings on the plates of the exoskeleton. Sand dollars usually live six to 10 years.

While we were walking around the Marine Science Institute a few weeks past, Bud spotted this perfect sand dollar exoskeleton on an ant hill!! Did I pick it up?! Nope, left it there. Didn't want any nasty fire ant bites.

Sand Dollar Exoskeleton

linking to:  Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

Think about this:

1. A penny saved is a government oversight.

2. The Roman Numerals for 40 is XL.

3. If you can smile when things go wrong, you already have someone to blame.

4. There's a lot to be thankful for. For instance: be thankful wrinkles don't hurt!!

5. Put these two together and what do you get? "The" and "IRS"....it's THEIRS.

6. You know when you're getting old when things either dry up or leak!!

linking to: Willy Nilly Friday 5
cartoon source: Google image search

I've found these in our Senior newspaper and on the 'net. There is no evidence or concrete truth to any...just a fun read:

1. Centuries ago, the floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor."

2. In the state of drug withdrawal the addict's blood is directed to the internal organs, leaving the skin white and with goose bumps. Hence, quitting "cold turkey".  [which makes me add:  and of course the term goosebumps is that flesh resembles goose skin]

3. In Old England, long ago, burial grounds were limited. Often coffins were dug up and the bones stored in a bone house. When reopening those coffins, 1 out of 25 were found to have scratch marks on the inside! Realizing some were being buried alive, they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin lid up to ground level and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit in the graveyard all night listening for the bell....Hence "the graveyard shift". AND someone could be "saved by the bell".

4. Bread was divided according to status. The workers would get the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family would get the middle and guests would get the top. Hence the "upper crust".

§ Here, There, All 'Round Town...

I haven't had much time lately to get any real super images of different fences, so this'll have to be it for this week. It's found behind the main library in the downtown area...

linking to Good Fences

...a few weeks past to get up close and personal to the Brown Booby Bird, I took this photo from the boat looking toward the high rise buildings and the painted sky along the seawall; reflecting off the mirror-like bay water.

linking to:  Weekly Top Shot - Weekend Reflections - Skywatch Friday

These are different squirrels, on different days while we're out birding. I loved watching the comical antics of the one in particular in the mulberry tree. Notice his stuffed cheeks in the larger image. And then, the notched ear in the very last image in the series of photos.

linking to:  Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

§ ...all Well and GOOD

linking to Good Fences

The moody skies of the late afternoon threatens our sunny day. In hopes of some much needed rainfall, mother nature doesn't hear our calls! Tho, with the darkened clouds, heavy with moisture and thunder heard in the far reaches of the county and beyond...the roiling clouds do nothing for us! In no time, those mischief blankets of promises of moisture all too soon disappear and the heat is on!! Last month, with everything so pretty and green for the first of Spring I was hoping against hope that we may have a normal season. Doesn't look so now. Everything, once again as for the past 4-5 years, is drying up to a golden yellow and the earth is cracking with the lack of rain!! Still, it is mighty pretty...those clouds!

linking to:  Skywatch Friday

On another day, as we walked along listening to the bird calls and trying to identify them by sound only, one buzzed just near my ear!! I thought, by the whirring sound it may have been a small hummingbird. I searched and searched the thin tree branches nearby to no avail. No hummingbird. But!!! What caught my attention is the likes of something I've never seen before. And I was positive this is the little 'buzzer' that was so near my ear. It was really an odd one to say the least. I stood and watched it for some time as it made its way up the branch, and then did a 180 and crawled DOWN the branch. The more I watched it, the more focused I became on it and then, I noticed the big "EYES". I crept up through the wildflowers, closer, closer, and was able to set the camera on macro and did a quick click on the shutter button! Truly, this was some alien creature from Mars! It had to be...

...I guess Texas is a suburb of Mars then? Oh well, I was close!! In all actuality it is a member of the Click Beetle family. If truth be told, this species is the Eyed Click Beetle. The fake eyes on its pronotum [the dorsal plate, or the foremost area of the body's thorax] is the defining ID marking. And the behavior of being on its back and rolling out to full length, making a clicking sound...hence, the click beetles their name.

linking to: Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

Read more about the Click Beetle...

Moving to another area, leaving the beetle to its ways, I spotted this pretty scene. No, the photo is NOT upside down. It's the reflection of a young palm tree in the brook that meanders through the park...


linking to:  Weekly Top Shot - Weekend Reflections

§ 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

§ Wecome to my World...

...Won't you come on in? As Eddy Arnold used to sing...where there is an abundance of wildlife; from coyotes, rabbits, opossum, the dreaded snakes, birds that are permanent residents and migrating, lizards and anoles, turtles, insects from the nasty fire ants to the more beautiful butterflies year 'round, and more...

Along some of our foot travels, here are some we meet.

[and no, the two tortoise images that show red shell...it's NOT naturally red!! ---it's the glow from the heat lamp [at the Botanical Gardens] ...

...added thought: finally, after a long three year drought of no Spring or Summer rains, this year it's getting back to the normal foggy morning, misty days, and rains of Spring once again. And that all makes for some wonderful colors around the city!! Spring rains bring wildflowers abundant!! I love the dew drops from the morning mist on the rose blossoms!! And the field of Texas State Flower, the bluebonnets, I just had to get out of the car and make use of the cellphone's camera showing you the multitude of blue in town. Bud stopped to get gas for our lawn mower and while he was pumping gas, I walked a few feet from the station to the field that is adjacent to a Stripes convenience/gas corner store----

---of course, birds. A favorite of mine is the Northern Cardinal! Lately, I've only spotted the male. Guess the female may be nesting? Dunno for sure what's up with her absence, I know they both build the nest. But she has been elusive here of late!!!

linking to: Camera Critters - Saturday Critters - SUNLIT SUNDAY - WEEKLY TOP SHOT - PHOTO HUNT