Monday, April 18, 2011

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

Saturday morning we awoke to a gorgeous day! I got up and began refilling all the bird feeders, noticing that the bag of nuts left on the patio the night before had been clawed into on the side. I hoped and prayed it was a squirrel and not a rat.

I went inside to wash my hands then grabbed a cup of coffee that hubby had waiting for me. As I looked out the kitchen window my little nut thief made himself known. I quickly put my camera up to the window and took this shot.

I knew then and there it was going to be a good day for photography. :)
Who me?
I had planned a trip to Ennis over a month ago with a new friend from church. She has a DSLR she's been wanting to learn how to use. I thought it would be a great way to get to know her and she thought it would be a good way to learn some tips from me. As plans slowly evolved to include people I didn't know, I politely bowed out. I guess I have some sort of social anxiety problem that causes me to miss out on a lot of fun things, but only with people I don't know; if I know you, different story. Anyway, I tried to make myself go, but in the end, chickened out. 

Earlier in the week I received a sweet call from my youngest son. "Mom! I saw a huge field of bluebonnets right by my house and I thought of you! Wanna come take pictures this weekend?" Never one to miss an opportunity to spend time with my children, we quickly set up a time.

I ask you, how great is it that I came to my child's mind via a field of flowers? I can now die in peace knowing that I will be thought of in this way.

There was a good reason after all to miss the trip to Ennis! Knowing how disappointed I was to miss the trip, hubby suggested a stop at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve before meeting my son. 

What a blessing the whole day was! Look!! There were bluebonnets and so much more.



Clouded Sulphur
The hiking/biking trail is amazing! It was so cool inside under the trees it was like walking into an air conditioned room. We ended up getting lost in the maze of trails.
The primroses were in abundance!
Carpenter bee with "pollen feet"



Skipper with proboscis inserted inside a bluebonnet
Skipper on Indian Blanket Flower
I don't know who these children are, but there were several photographers with different families taking photos. I couldn't resist a few for myself. 




Jessica & Michael
Michael's dog, Leo, with his new haircut
What did you do this weekend? Anything fun, interesting, amazing? Inquiring minds want to know!

18 comments:

Kittie Howard said...

Your little nut thief truly smiled on you. What a handsome dude! My mouth fell open when I got to the pic with the two kids. All your photos are gorgeous, but this one has a little something extra. And that empty bench, OMG!

Yes, you're truly blessed...to be associated with flowers in the mind...beautiful!

Lisa Gordon said...

These are wonderful Gail! The photographs of the children are extra beautiful! This weekend was kind of a wash-out here, as we got the remnants of all those horrible tornadoes that hit the south. Hopefully a bit more sun this week!! :-)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous photos! What a fantastic place and a wonderful day. I love that your son thought of you when he saw the flowers. I mostly had a 'play catch-up' weekend, but did go to a friend's 50th birthday party Sat. night, too. A nice work/play balance!

septembermom said...

So very BEAUTIFUL!!!! The squirrel made me smile instantly. The color and sharpness of your photographs are amazing.

I love the pictures of the kids.

hootnonny said...

Gail, you've done it again! These are all amazing! The squirrel cracked me up. First glance it looked like he was hiding his privates!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, the page loaded & I saw the squirrel there as if he was greeting me to your blog... that's so funny, I LoL! =)

Then, your son calling you to photograph a field of flowers... brought tears to eyes... That's sooo like me!

The flowers are so beautiful & I love the bee w/ "pollen feet"... too cute! =)

Whoever the children were... they're very photogenic! Great pics of them & the bench in a field of blue bonnets!

Autumn said...

Yay, awesome photos! I love the one of Michael and Jess. And all the butterflies and bees are gorgeous!

Starla said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous photos!!

Ghost Writer said...

Belle, I am constantly amazed at your ability to take such consistently beautiful pictures. I can take a good one evey now and then, but you always have so many just marvelous pictures. What a wonderful natural eye you have.

GW

Unknown said...

It so summery there,I want to run and lay down to that flower field. I have be scared squirrels so many times in my backyard. I scream before I get visual is a rat or squirrel and always it is squirrel but if it just goes in a corner of your eyes you won't know. That shot is great and so funny. Looks like you had very beautiful day, love every shot.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
You sure have had a wonderful day! How cute is that squirrel sitting there as bold as you please. LOL
How do you keep the rats away though. We used to feed the birds, but my husband went out to get a glass of water and looked outside under the feeders and there were several HUGE rats. That was the end of our feeding the birds. We do have a bunch of shrubs with berries that the birds really enjoy.
Your photos today are amazing...each one a work of art. God is blessing you abundantly. How about that lady bug?

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,

I forgot to say that you are so lucky to have a son who would think of you and the field of blue bonnets...what a sweetheart! And I am jealous that we don't have blue bonnets here in GA.

Anonymous said...

Appreaciate for the work you have done into the article, it helps clear up a few questions I had.

Attila the Mom said...

What fantastic photos! It was almost like being there!

Linda said...

These are so beautiful!!!!!!!!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Gail, Gail, gail, thanks for taking me on your trip! Your photography is speculator. Your children are adorable. How wonderful that you are capturing them in this beautiful way. No "say cheese" for you! I love it!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

All of then are wonderful, Gail. You have such a thoughtful son. We don't have bluebonets here, but I've seen a lot of photogs taking portraits in the fields. How fun is that! Have a great Easter weekend.

Anonymous said...

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