Skies Over New Mexico

Abby took some really pretty photos of the New Mexico skies on our way home from Las Cruces this last weekend. Nice pictures, Abby!

Wordless Wednesday: Summer Flowers

Birds and Blooms

We tried last year without success to attract gold finches to our yard. I got so excited when I saw them on our thistle sock this week!

Red rose

Pink rose

Spring Favorites

Desert Marigold

Dandelions

Seeds from a sycamore tree

Great Backyard Bird Count 2011

I have been neglecting my birds this winter because of the business of life. I'm glad to report that I finally have time to relax and think about them again! They bring me such joy to watch them poking around in the snow for seed. The little juncos are so cute to watch as they kick up the snow with their feet patiently digging a hole to the grass where they can get at some seed.

I was also inspired by Barb's post about getting ready for the count and making a list of birds seen in one's yard throughout the month. The Great Backyard Bird count will be held February 18-21. Another one of my favorite parts of the bird count website is the photo contest winners from the previous year. Check it out for some great bird photos!

Wood Duck

"God did a good job on that one!" (Chloe quote)

Fall Day at the Zoo

Flamingos--One of Chloe's favorites

Komodo Dragon--all thought he was "cool"

We were fascinated by this Macaw.

Allison enjoyed feeding the ducks as they would eat right out of her hand.

These tigers had just been given a treat as we walked up to see them.

The zoo keeper said they like to tear open boxes for something to do.

This fellow was smelling some meat inside as well.

Tiger number two finally brought its treat out in the open where we could watch it enjoy its treat too.

The zoo keeper also told us about this treat for these lions. They were supposed to have eaten their treat the night before, so that zoo guests wouldn't be upset by the sight.

However, they didn't choose to eat the poor goat until the next day when guests arrived at the zoo to watch. The zoo keeper said the goat was a real treat for these lions. I tried not to think about it too much. :)

Quote of the Day: Chloe: "You can see the most amazing things at the zoo!"

Anyone Need a Quill Pen?

Just look at all the feathers!

While in the kitchen cooking dinner tonight, I heard a "wham!" against the side of our house. I looked out our back sliding glass door just in time to see a shower of feathers raining down all over our backyard and porch. When the feathers cleared, I noticed a HUGE bird sitting in the yard. I was so stunned that I just kept looking at that bird, which I quickly realized must be a hawk. He had a dove in his claws and was contemplating his next move.

Two of my kids came around to the back gate and scared the hawk and his dinner up over the fence. Just like that he was gone! I could just kick myself for not grabbing my camera and trying to get a picture of what I later figured out was a red-tailed hawk! All I have left of the incident is sprinkled all over my back porch. Abby looked out and said, "Anyone need a quill pen?"

Birds: Lots of Activity This Fall

Sunflowers in Bloom

Taller than last week!

Jemez Mountains

A little over a year ago, Kyle took Grant to the Jemez river to do some fishing. The rest of the family finally got see the Jemez mountains and river this week when we took Gigi and Poppa with us while they were visiting.

We saw lots of red dirt on the way up.

We braved the trail up to the waterfall where they kids played.

We had a picnic among beauty.

And, the kids played more in the river.

I followed this loud squawking stellar jay trying to get his picture, but he didn't like me following him. You can kind of see the crest on his head here, ...

...and a little of of his striking blue color here.

Sunflower Growth Check

Our sunflowers are finally about to bloom!

They've definitely grown taller this week!

Saguaro Cactus Study

We've been enjoying a few books on the Saguaro cactus since we took our trip to Phoenix, AZ. The Sonoran desert is full of them!




We discovered in our reading that all kinds of animals live in holes in the Saguaro cactus. Our favorite is the Elf owl. The Elf owl is only 5 inches tall! Chloe ranks him high on the cuteness meter.

Click on this link and scroll to the bottom until you find a picture of a Saguaro cactus with a hole in the middle. If you click on the picture, you will be able to see the cutest little Elf owl sitting inside the hole!

Weekly Sunflower Growth Check

The kids are home, but fortunately the sunflowers are the only ones that grew mightily in one week!

Petrified Forest National Park

Although we were more amazed by the Painted Desert on our way home from Phoenix a couple of weeks ago, we also found beauty and wonder in Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified wood gets its name from the Greek word "petra" which means rock. Petrified wood is literally wood that has been turned into rock.

The wood from trees has been preserved through the process of petrification.

Petrification occurs when the wood gets buried under lots of sediment and is deprived of oxygen. When water containing minerals then flows over the sediment, minerals get deposited into the plant taking the place of decaying plant cells. A stone mold then takes its place. The colors found in petrified wood come from elements, like iron and copper, that are in the water and mud during the process.

The Petrified Forest is mostly comprised of badlands, or areas of scrub brush and rock formations. The area is very hot and dry, but we thought it was beautiful as well.