A Little Privacy, Please?

A hawk lives in Long Hollow. 

I recognize his call 

and every so often even catch a glimpse of him soaring above the creek

 or perched high on a telephone pole, watching for prey. 

This is not that hawk.

I've tried time and again without success to capture a photo of him. 

It never occurred to me that the best spot for photographing a hawk wasn't out along our dirt road, 

but rather just inside the sliding glass door looking out into my parents' suburban back yard.

Specifically at their bird bath.

Go figure.

But I'm not complaining.

And I don't think he cared about my paparazzi-ism, either, 

considering how long he stayed in that bath, splishing and splashing, 

despite me blatantly snapping away.

Other than obviously dirty, I don't know what kind of hawk this is... 

perhaps a Cooper's? 

Anyone know?

Linking up with..


focus52
The Creative Exchange

A Weekend at Flat Creek Estates

I brought my camera along with me to work this weekend 

so you could see what I see during a day or two on the job.

Wine glasses and grapevines, of course.

Do vineyards outside of Texas use barbed wire? 

Just curious.

Trooper, king of the castle, or, er, estate...

Snack time...

He's got Chef well-trained, you can see...

Guests...

(Her name is Kona)

Lots of food and wine action...

Lemon Sole Almondine

Toasted Almonds and Chive Brown Butter

served with Potato Rösti and Seared Spinach

Crème Bruleé

Not a bad place to spend a weekend, is it?

Stop by some time.

I've linked this post to




and

She draped herself in glittering gold...

For some reason that line popped into my head when I spotted this vine-covered tree yesterday morning. 

I miss the wildflowers lining my dirt road, 

so I've been on a quest, 

in search of some color other than green and brown in the Hollow. 

This isn't exactly what I was looking for, but I thought the dying vine possessed a graceful beauty.

Here are some other splashes of color - or at least blossoms - I've found, 

all spotted in now-dry ponds.

(I just wonder how long they'll last without rain.)

Prairie Verbena... the first I've seen in a while. Just this one little plant...

Not sure what this is, but there are fields of it growing in pond beds...

It's not very colorful, but I think it's beautiful.

Is this some type of milkweed? It doesn't matter - I love this splash of purple.

Huisache Daisy ... the last of the yellows

Buttonbush - one of my new favorites!

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; 

they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.

~Luther Burbank, American botanist and horticulturalist, 19th century

iPhonography and Jill's Photo Parties!

I've seen some fabulous iPhone photos.

Unfortunately, they're not coming from my iPhone!

These from the Flat Creek Estate Bistro where I work aren't too bad...

(Not bad views, are they?)

But I discovered baby deer are much harder to capture.

Sigh.

Please share your tips and advice on iPhonography with me! 

Thank you!

But before you do that, hop over to Jillsy's Studio - she's been partying all month! 

And she even awarded me two "Life of the Party" awards, for this...

and this...

Thank you, Jill!

(Click on the badge below to see more Party Pics!)