CHILE BIRDING TOUR



Well we just returned from a 21 day adventure in Chile - birds, mammals, and earthquakes.  Chile has 450 species of birds, there were about 252 species we did not have on our list.  At the end of the tour we had seen 157 species of those 252, not bad as our target was 150 species based on the past trip lists.
We had a fairly good mammal list too and an earthquake that measured 6.8 at about 4:30am on our first couple of days in country.  We fly on 4 different internal flights, road on 4 different boats/ferries and several thousand kilometers on various tour busses.  There were 12 participants and two leaders.  Our primary leader, Peter Burke drew about half of the color plates in our Chile field guide.  He autographed it and drew a picture of one of the birds she liked on the same page.

Highlights, other than the earthquake, were 3 life species of each of the following - Flamingoes, Penguins, and Albatrosses.   Plus one of the rarest hummingbirds in the world and one of the most difficult Plovers to reach in the world.



ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL

Just returned from a week long visit with daughter Dianne and several days of enjoying the Balloon Festival including chasing a few balloons and helping them to settle and re-pack.

40 DAYS OF ZERO MOISTURE BROKEN

After 40 days on no moisture hitting the ground, we just had 4 days in a row of rain totally about 2 inches.  Plants are greening up - still got to get out there and mow more fire breaks.  My DR Trimmer has several issues, a couple are being solved as soon as my replacement parts get here - all covered by the warranty I bought.

POSSIBLE ALBINO HUMMER

Had this unusual hummer show up and got these two quick shots.

55th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

We had a nice crowd at Earl Able's for our reunion.  I was asked to put together a video for Will Rogers and his wife Happy.  Maybe one on the harder tasks I've had to do knowing that Will may only live a few more days.  To preserve the moment I have attached the link to YouTube Video I did for him..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89GtWROADeg

ROSEANNE MAKES A VISIT TO TOWN

Several of us Northside HS classmates met at Mimi's Restaurant to share a lunch with Roseanne Fritz Foley. 

Richard, me, Loraine, Roseanne and JoAnne.

TRIP TO MACOMB ILLINOIS TO CLEAN FAMILY HOME FOR SALE

This was a long week with a difficult drive leaving right after the memorial and days of cleaning, painting, sorting, selling and saving a few family antiques and memories. 



Kathy, Shirley and Sherry after days of hard work - ready to go home

LAWYER MEMORIAL AT FORT SAM HOUSTON

Sherry and her sisters joined up to have a Military Burial Ceremony at Fort Sam Houston.

OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Dianne and Greg worked hard (mostly Dianne) to put together a wonderful 50th Anniversary party for us.

Just before we left for the party

 

 

Yes - these are our original wedding cloths - except for the white shirt (had to borrow one from Greg)

 

 

The Bride and Groom on the cake are original as is the wedding cake knife (engraved with our names and dates) and server.

Greg gave a nice story about us...we love you Greg

 

Dianne lost it when she tried to speak about us...we love her...



Our anniversary song - "Unchained Melody"









Friends and classmates

Chris Schaffer between Sherry and me is the reason we met - long story

Family picture

 

 

 

LUCY GRADUATION - SALUTATORIAN

Soon after the Love Creek count we were off to Richardson for Lucy's Graduation.  Of course we have always been very proud of her and now that she is officially the Salutatorian we are even more proud.

Lucy made a wonderful speech

 

 

Two beautiful ladies - Lucy next stop Aggieland

LOVE CREEK 2015 NABA

This was an amazing year as our total species count was 76 species including one new county record and a discovery of a new species that has just been recently identified - Western Giant Swallowtail.  Our previous high count was 61 species.

Sickle-winged Skipper - photo by Varlack

 

Comparison of the two Giant Swallowtails (rumiko is the new Western race or species depending on the Lepidopterist)