So Long, Old Man Winter (Sound!)

“Time is a game played beautifully by children.” ~ Heraclitus

♥

Spring Break — Cousin Camp 2016

Every other year, we get to enjoy a week with no kids thanks to my brother and his wife. Last week was our turn, so with two cousins added to the  mix for the week, there was no shortage of fun and activity for a six pack of kids (and one mom).

For starters, a day at the beach in early March was warm and sunny for a change! San Luis Pass is never too crowded; for a good while, we thought we might have the sand dunes all to ourselves. Throughout the other days, building a ‘tree house’ (complete with lights), playing and making video games, and going to Aunt Laura’s farm — horses, donkeys and dogs — all kept things from getting too boring (for kids and Mom). Mostly, they just hung out and enjoyed each others’ company, split into three girls and three boys.

It doesn’t take much to keep kids happy while minimizing messes and saving $$.

Frisbee!

The OK Corral

A Selfie Working on a Tan

Digging

John Walks on Water

Scott Conquers Fear of Falling
‘Gravity’ at The Main Event

Scooping Poop is…Fun?

Bonding

Love At First Sight

Back To Work, Back To Birds!

The cousins have since returned to their parents and life here is slowly returning back to normal. A state test for a few of the kids is only next week, so we each plug back into our desks to get caught up with whatever was put off the week before. Got to hit it hard tomorrow; play-time is over.

Our last birding outing to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge — whose post was begun nearly three weeks ago — still lumbers in the draft folder. I hope to have it finished in the next day or so, and I promise you will not be disappointed! (Spoiler: Burrowing Owl.) Until such time, here are a few feathered beauties from around our house.

Notably, the Hooded Merganser — four distinct couples no less — graced us for just a few rainy days at the end of February, then moved on just as quickly as they came. They were the first of their kind reported in our county this year which was special in itself, but it was also our first sighting of them on our property since 2006. That’s 10 years!

They all keep us entertained as we work. This place is paradise, I tell ya, even on the rainiest ho-hum days.

Surprise!
Hooded Merganser

Rufous Hummingbird (Juvie Male)

The ‘Molting Crane Pose’
Black Vulture

The Hoss of the Woods
Pileated Woodpecker

Our usual birdie suspects are all busy at work attracting mates and setting up territories around the house. My favorite of them this year has been the Ruby-crowned Kinglet who greets me every morning as I walk the property, hot beverage in hand.

He’s the size of a hiccup and normally very quiet as he flits in and out of bushes, gleaning insects, never staying still. Now that it’s spring, he’s content with branch above my head to sing the prettiest little chitty-chatty song, barely heard over the regular din of a Carolina Wren. He is completely oblivious to me underneath him in the Ligustrum trees that line the driveway, intent upon finding a mate.

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Showing the crown
for which he gets his name.

♣

Spring is here! It’s hard to not to shout it
from the rooftops.