LOVE CREEK CENSUS

Today was a good time to visit Love Creek Preserve.  Yesterday there were several group tours going around, but Sunday all is quiet and I have it to my self.  Lots of birds on my final list - 47 species.  I also added a new butterfly species to the preserve - Nysa Roadside-Skipper. 

Nysa on Milkweed

Nysa on Trail



Although not a new species, this False Duskywing on a Pincussion Daisy was worth a shot.

 

This warbler gave me a lot of trouble, but after many e-mail discussions it was decided it was a B&W Warbler
 



Lots of Golden-cheeked Warblers singing and this one gave me a quick look
 

Lace Cacti is in full bloom



SLOW MIGRATION

This year has really been slow.  A few migrants and only 1-2 Painted Bunting that didn't show up until April 17th.  2 days later than usual; and only one today was singing.  Also we still have lots of White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows plus a couple of Spotted Towhees.  A Lazuli Bunting (1st year male) has been around for several days.  Hummingbirds are eating me out of sugar water daily.

Lazuli Bunting

Painted Bunting

White-eyed Vireo

American and Lesser Goldfinch in adult plummage

Four Nashville Warblers came in to bath, three stayed long enough for a picture.

My first small skipper for spring - Dun Skipper


 

NEW RANCH BUTTERFLY

I saw this butterfly from my office and dashed outside with my camera knowing it was a new species for the ranch - some sort of Longtail. After relocating it I got several great shots and this bug is a Zilpa Longtail.  The Zilpa Longtail is a specialty of the RGV, but distribution maps show it can extend its range up as far as the Hill Country.

I will submit it to BAMONA.  It's not a county record, but a lifer for me and a new ranch species.

DIANNE'S BIRTHDAY

Dianne returned home on April 10 after her one day Viticulture class.  I drove her to the air port early so I could get back and work the Master Gardener plant sale move day.  Called her on April 12 to wish her a happy birthday and see if she liked the fancy hummingbird feeder we gave her.  Sherry is still in Illinois with her sister Shirley packing and taking care of necessary items after her father passed away.

SHERRY'S FATHER PASSES AWAY

Sherry called today telling me her father had quietly passed away in the afternoon of April 9 while she sat by his side. This is the same day General Robert E Lee Surrendered to Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox to end the Civil War 150 years ago..  Sherry and I had at one time planned to be there, but decided we already had too much going on in 2015.

Richard Charles Lawyer 
February 17, 1925 - April 9, 2015

MACOMB - Richard Charles Lawyer, 90, of Macomb passed away at 4:08 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Wesley Village Healthcare Center. Cremation has been accorded. There will be no local services. Full military services will be accorded at Fort Sam Houston National Military Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, at a later date.

DIANNE MAKES A VITICULTURE VISIT & I DO SOME NASCAR WHEELING

Dianne flew in to attend part of her on-going class of Viticulture in Fredericksburg.   On the way to pick her up at the airport I was run off I10 just before Fair Oaks Ranch Road exit by a dump truck pulling a trailer.  He never saw me as I was passing him at 75 miles per hour.  All four Acura  wheels off into the high grass and cutting wildflowers almost hitting the TxDOT cable while I did my NASCAR thing maintaining control back onto the road with cars behind me scattering...All I could think of was Dianne was at the airport waiting on me and Sherry was with her father who was expected to die in the next few days.   God was on my side and doing the steering because it all happened in 2-3 second miracle....

SPRING BREAK VISIT

Dianne and Mauricio drove down from Albuquerque with Marcelo and Emilia for their Spring Break.  Mauricio flew back home the same day.  Of course the kids wanted to drive the golf cart, feed the fish, go hunting for Neo-Indian(1000 to 7000BC) spear points, play with the Little People and fly kites.

Unfortunately the trip was interrupted  when Sherry had to rush back to Illinois. She had just returned from being with her father who had apparently had a heart attack, but was doing better.  Two of her sisters had relieved her when his condition turned worse again and Sherry had to leave.

The kids and I had a great time until the last few hours of the last day when we were flying kites down along the ranch road and Marcelo got too far off the mowed area and ran into a large Prickly Pear Cactus.  His leg, hand and rear got a good dose of thorns.  While Dianne and I were trying to remove them, poor Emilia was having a serious emotional reaction  and continued walking in circles around Dianne and me crying her little heart out over her brother.  Actually it turned out to not be too serious and by the time we got them back to the ranch house we were able to calm Emilia and finish removing the thorns.




Emilia said this was a Little People Parade

 



Their favorite part of the trip - my special Ice Cream Shake made the old fashion way
 

 





Trent had a birthday on April 2, so Marcelo and Emilia made him a birthday day card

PI = 3.14 Tee-Shirts



Watch out Marcelo - you're heading for the cactus!!!!