Psssstt~ Have you Heard that Hunting season is now open?
Gonna have your work cut out, if you plan on sneaking up on this one~
“Better to HEAR you with… my deer (dear) 
September is quickly approaching~ and with it I bring you two new FREE calendars.. I have uploaded them a bid differently this time.. so don’t forget to click on the small icon to make your choice..
September Brings the mournful call of the rutting elk.. it brings snow to the high country and cool mountain breezes..
To download either or both of these FREE desktop calendars
(Remember there are little icon below the main photo~ make your choice there)
I totally forgot about taking this photograph earlier this spring.. but it cracks me up.. and after spending the summer in motel rooms.. I can SO relate~
Happy 41st Birthday to my Husband today~
I love you Hawk
Now that I am home and settled I am hoping to find more time to update and organize this web page.. (Christmas is coming fast after all 
)
So rather than Wyoming Wednesday~ I will share Texas Tuesday as I still have a file full of fantastic memoris from the south~
~Alligators~
I would have to say that my favorite creature from Texas were the Alligators. Giant prehistoric lizards that have the ability to eat you.! I was raised with a deep respect for all creatures, but there is just a different level of respect reserved for fellow predators~ cold blooded or not.
I had a great time watching and studying the alligators at a couple different locations.. from the ones that show no fear or respect for humans in the local state parks, to a few living in the wild that we encountered along the way~ The different behaviors was quite astounding to me.
The American Alligator breeds in the Spring. The females build nest and the sun incubates her eggs ~ the temperatures determine the sex of the hatch-lings.. so I am going to guess that since this was on of the hottest summers on record for Texas that there are a whole slew of new “male” baby alligators hatching about now.
Knowing that there are alligators in the area, and that if they are not swimming they can stay submerged under water for hours (20 min swimming or hunting), brought a whole new dimension to fishing the muddy waters of Texas. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend near these magnificent reptiles.. the photos and videos. I enjoyed learning about them and look forward to more adventures in their world .. I got to touch a baby gator.. watched a few of them slip silently into the water leaving not a ripple, and sat with our son trying to guess where and when they would silently reappear. From across a swamp we heard the splash as a large gator caught a bird for it’s dinner.. saw the death roll and watched it swim away to enjoy its meal in peace. Studied the tracks and slides~ I heard them hiss, and even had one growl at us..
Next time, maybe I can witness the “water dance” ~ or hear the chirp of newly hatched babies.. For us the adventures and quest for more continues.
Photographed a couple uncooperative mule deer last night~ and editing the photos this morning, I remembered the series of posts I did on here a few years ago.. about New perspectives..
Life is what you make it.. many times things are beyond our control.. but how we interpret each situation, and what we take from them.. IS in our control..
Our oldest son left home “officially” yesterday. I thought I was completely ok with his going, after all it’s not like I will never get to see him again.. He is 18 years old, has a great job.. and it is the natural order of things.. I am excited for him and wish him success and happiness in this new chapter in his life~ so many new and exciting opportunities lie before him~
Having said that, it does not mean that I will not miss him, or worry about him each and every moment.. that too is the natural order of things~ It was harder for me to watch him drive out the driveway than I ever imagined it would be.. but that too is ok.. I Love you Tyler~ drive safe and have fun…. o- and don’t forget to call your mother!! 
Well, I have finally returned home from my gypsy adventure~ Met some wonderful people this summer, saw some beautiful country and enjoyed experiences that we would never get to do here in the Mountains.. But for me… there is no place like home!
I have returned to my life of solitude and wild creatures.. I spent the whole day here at home yesterday, and I never saw another human (except for our children.. and I sometimes wonder if they qualify) Never heard the sound of an automobile… left my doors open and the cool mountain breeze blowing through the house..
Woke this morning to the call of the chukar (plural) not sure what my neighbors were arguing over this morning, but at least they waited until the sun was up to have thier little spat.. Had I not spent the summer being woken with the sound of people, and televisions in the next room.. sirens, and 1000′s of cars on the highway outside the blackout curtains of our motel room.. I may have had to invite some of these little birds for supper~but instead, I was glad to hear them.. I missed their little voices…and am very grateful to be HOME~
Kind of puts life into perspective doesn’t it?
Spending time on the computer today.. trying to catch up on editing.. I feel like I am knee deep and way behind, but in reality.. I am probably only up to my ankles ..
It is fun going back over all the pictures that I have captured this summer.. For the most Part birds.. but some wonderful memories all the same..
Traveling from motel to motel has made keeping up to date on the daily photos a challenge.. but I will be returning home in a week, I am ready to be home!
But come February.. I am sure I will be missing the laughing gulls.. and the warm sands ~ and salty air
