§ December Day Trippin'

I bought a laptop! Now, it's getting used to a new-fangled keyboard, etc. Bud and I disconnected our cable altogether, and I'm now using a whole new way of connecting to the internet. After over 20 years of desktop computers, this will take time...like teaching an old dog new tricks. For one thing the 'ctrl' button is not in the same area as a desktop keyboard, and I have no mouse [which I don't want], and only the touchpad - - but I continue, for now, reaching for the mouse and it's not there. Not to mention the delete key is misplaced!! lol

Here are more photos from last week during the Christmas break:

Adult Llama

Llama calf

Erik at the Ponds

A flock of Sandhill Cranes at Chapman Ranch

Fungi

Horns cut!!  Sad...

Above the fence line...in front of the tree outcropping...Sandhill Cranes

...zooming in on the Cranes!

§ Eeee-eye, Eeee-eye, Eeee-eye Oh....

NATURE NOTES and WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY

links to these are found on my sidebar

We found quite a few diversified critters this week besides birds. Most of the birds we spotted are more commonly found here year 'round. Too few migrants so far. We went to Bazemore Park in Calallen, Texas this week. Along with stopping other days at our local city parks, and one between Calallen and Corpus, Hilltop Community Trail. I'll just share some of the photos taken along the way, in no random order:

What you're viewing is as follows, from the top left: Golden Fronted Woodpecker [I heard this one long before I finally found it!!] - a Scissortailed Flycatcher - Northern Cardinal  - two Leopard Frogs - Llamas [two photos...the difference between llamas and alpacas is mainly size and ear shape...llamas have banana shape ears while alpacas have pointed ears] - the Coypu [aka Nutria ---once hunted for their pelts] - and the White Peacock Butterfly.

HODGEPODGE

If you'd like to answer Joyce's questions...then, the link to this week's Spook Spectacular is found on my sidebar listed under memes.  Copy her questions, answer them on your blog, and then link up on  Wednesday!!


1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky? A tough question right off the bat Joyce. My goodness. Eating too much...that's tricky...health-wise, as in weight gain. Right?

2. What's your treat of choice? So many...but this time of year it would be caramel apples or rice krispie treats.

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why? We have the artificial jack-o-lanterns [two of them, one very large one, and a smaller one]...Jack Sparrow would be nice to at least be on the same block he is, but I wouldn't have to MEET him.   But I sure would make use of my zoom lens; just like the paparazzi, I'd be.   By the way, HE WAS very close to us this summer, and I didn't know about it 'til I read in the news that he was deep sea fishing in Rockport, Texas. That's about as close as I'll ever be...Rockport is about 30 miles from us. If'n I'd only known. Bummer. And you ask why? Eye candy.
photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle

4. In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language? Puss comes to mind right now. But the combination of spoon/fork...a spork...sounds grossly evil!!

5. When did your heart last skip a beat? Daily...literally.

6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune? I like the soundtrack from "V for Vendetta" Especially the creepy "Evey's Story"---the quiet drum beats in the background, if the timing is right and the night is dark and spooky with the wind howling....it could be chilling!!

7. It was a dark and stormy night when [fill in the blank] a faint, distant knock at the door was heard---or was I imagining all this? The door hinges creaked as it slowly swung open with a dead, hollow, thud, against the wall, sending chills along my spine...the form of a cloaked, black figure,  was seen as the lightning flashed.......

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm expecting a package to be delivered today!! According to the tracking device online, it's here in town, being processed and delivery is "appoximately the 29th". Excited to get it and open it. If it DOES come to our doorstep today sometime, I will post about it on my Friday blog. :o)