Fishing and Bonding

This has been a pretty good summer. Many days have been spent fishing with my dad, enjoying each other's company and getting a good tan in the process. After fishing we always stop by Sonic so Daddy can get a large caramel malt.

Around the middle of August I caught a 5 lb. bass, reeling him in all by myself. I may have mentioned it in another post; if so, sorry to repeat myself. The last three times we've been fishing we haven't caught anything worth bragging about. Daddy suggested the next time to get out to the fishing hole by daybreak on a cool morning. I told him to test out his theory first and if it works, then I'm in.

It's so hard not to have my big girl camera by my side, but I want to concentrate on bonding with my dad and fishing without the distraction of photography. Now I can't totally eliminate photography, being in such beautiful surroundings, so this is where my trusty iPhone takes up the slack.

This is my dad. The foggy morning was beautiful. In Lightroom I chose the Creamtone preset.

Five horses came galloping up to us at one point. The one closest in the frame was their ringleader, apparently.
Anyway, I tried to make friends with him and remain calm, but he had crazy eyes and wouldn't stop hovering and snorting.
He was all up in my face. I don't know much about horses and was afraid of getting kicked, so I hightailed it to the other side of the pond.

The pole from the bird house looks like it's holding up this horse's head. Haha

I don't know what kind of horse this is, but I love that blonde mane.

Isn't he cute?

Wishing everyone a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Sharing with the wonderful Tex at

And also sweet Eileen at

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Socks

Meet Socks. In 2011 I decided to take horseback riding lessons, something I've always wanted to do. It was my 50th year of life and I needed some excitement, I guess. My husband has a client that owns a ranch near Denton, Texas, so set up was easy peasy. What was NOT easy peasy was learning to ride. The instructor was very particular on how he wanted me to sit, along with a number of other rules he was very strict about. Trying to be perfect while learning something new makes me extremely nervous. During my second lesson, the horse (not Socks) started going way too fast. Branches were hitting me in the face and I felt like I was going to fall off any moment and break every bone in my body. I was on a living, breathing roller coaster. The end.

So, that was my brief foray into horseback riding. I had more fun taking photos of the horses than riding them.

Please visit the Good Fences meme and see interesting fences from around the world.

Horses and miscellany

It's been so hot and windy here lately that I haven't photographed anything worthy to share. I've been wanting to show you my agapanthus, but the wind is wreaking havoc with their portraits. The heat really zaps me. I wilt like a piece of lettuce over a pot of hot water. Perhaps my trip to Portland will inspire me. I'm leaving Thursday, so this will likely be my only post this week. I have a lot left to do to get ready, plus dealing with some family drama, so I'll try to catch up with y'all next week. Be good and stay safe. My heart is heavy for those affected by the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and the Midwest. :(

Below are some shots from the archives.

Look at those crazy eyes. I felt sorry for this horse as I hate to see animals cooped up in stalls or cages.
You can see where he's chewed the front of his stall. 

Different horse, same stables, April

South Baton Rouge along River Road, April (iPhone)

Wild berries, Bluebonnet Swamp, April

Baby starling, early May

Baby downy woodpecker having trouble negotiating the fence.
Mama Cardinal seemed to be saying "Where's your mama?"

American robin, Baton Rouge State Capitol, April

Bridles, Blooms, Bayous and Birds

Happy Monday! Our weekend was jam packed and fun for a change. It began Friday when I was finally able to see my high school friend for a much-needed girls day. I watched her take a riding lesson on Carson, an American Saddlebred once owned by Carson Kressley (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). Afterwards we went to lunch, then drove down River Road, stopping along the way for photographs. Saturday was spent at my aunt and uncle's new camp on Bayou Manchac, then later that night we joined my cousin and his wife to listen to their friends' band play at a local establishment. Sunday was spent birding at Bluebonnet swamp where I saw THREE rose-breasted grosbeaks, numerous indigo buntings, and Mississippi kites flying overhead. A wonderful, fabulous three days. Now back to reality and on with the show!

Michelle and Carson, 4/19/13
She is doing so well riding him and looks so sophisticated.

First ever sighting of an Orchard Oriole, female.
The male is deep orange and black, but my pics of him were blurry.
Near State Capitol, 4/19/13

A walking iris (neomarica gracilis) in Michelle's garden, 4/19/13

Gator sculpture that came with my aunt's camp, Bayou Manchac, 4/20/13

To get to the camp we were ferried across on a pontoon boat.
Uncle Bubba was our capable captain. :)

Indigo bunting at Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13

Rose-breasted grosbeak posing nicely on a limb, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13

Male rose-breasted grosbeaks, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13 

PARAKEET UPDATE: Thank you ALL for the wonderful advice on the parakeet that found its way into my yard. Before receiving your advice I kept thinking of the line by Shelby in the movie Steel Magnolias: "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special." However, many of you swayed me with the argument that since "Charlie" was domesticated he was ill-equipped to truly fend for himself. Despite my initial misgivings, I posted his photo on our HOA Facebook page and scoured the internet for "lost parakeet Baton Rouge" and came up empty handed. The parakeet's fate is unknown at this time since he has not returned to my yard. :( I wanted to respond to you all individually since many of you had taken the time to articulate such detailed (and respectful) arguments, but time got away from me and now I feel overwhelmed. So please know how much your comments meant to me.

I will catch up on blogs later today! Wishing you all a wonderful week, praying it's better than last week.

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Horses and heat

My friend and I went to visit the horses as planned this past weekend. She called beforehand and suggested I wear boots because of all the recent rain. I showered, styled my hair, put my make-up on, and dressed sensibly. I and my camera gear were ready!

As we entered the first set of stalls, my hair and make-up quickly bid adios. Why did I even bother? Within 15 minutes I was soaked to the bone. Rubber boots + camera + tripod + camera accessories = HORROR. As in: I looked a fright! I don't know what's worse: 110° and 20% humidity or 95° and 95% humidity. One's a furnace and one's a sauna. Both make for very unpleasant conditions, bringing me to my knees, begging for fall to hurry and get here. If there was a way to bribe fall into an earlier appearance, I'd gladly pay.

See all the bugs swirling about? Ugh.

We had a really good time. My friend is so funny and fun to be with. I wish my photos had been better, but I was too wiped out by the heat to worry much about it.

BMW update: The cam shaft sensor (whatever the heck that is!) is faulty. My service guy is going to see what he can do to lower the $503 price tag. Cha-ching!

A HUGE belated thanks to Hilary at The Smitten Image for choosing my Censored post as a Post of the Week! I am honored.