Deb's Photo Blog

Feeding The Ducks At The Park

2012-10-08T09:58:00.000-05:00

A couple of Sundays ago, I thought we should go somewhere as a family and have some fun. I didn't want to go to any of our usual places. My daughter had attended a birthday party at a park last spring and asked if we could go there. Bingo!!! Perfect idea.

The park has a playground next to some water where there are a lot of ducks and geese. There are paths all around the water and areas to feed them. We had a wonderful time. Best of all is that we didn't even have to spend any money, just some stale bread.

Wishing On A Rainbow

2012-10-04T21:59:00.003-05:00

It rained almost all of last weekend, but after the rains left there was a beautiful rainbow. My daughter came running in the house all excited yelling, "Mama come quick and see the rainbow!" So I just grabbed my iPod real quick and snapped a couple pictures.

Rainbow is now fading away.

After the rainbow was gone, the sky had this cool pinkish color.

Surrounded By Nature

2012-09-01T04:08:00.000-05:00

These are just some random nature shots I've taken. I love all the different nature I get to see living here in Texas.

Deer in the backyard at a friend's house in San Antonio.

Walking Sticks are so interesting looking.

Finally caught three turtles swimming at the Mustang Island Jetties. I always try to snap a picture of them when they surface, but I usually miss them.

This is the dove that crash landed on my patio from a tree after almost being a cat's dinner.

I am not sure what kind of bird this is. It was on the golf course and couldn't be but a few hours old. His feathers were still wet and looked patchy.

Beach Sunsets

2012-07-31T20:59:00.002-05:00

Some beach sunset pictures I took at Padre Island, Texas.

Beware of Man O' Wars On Your Beach

2012-07-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

The main reason I moved from the midwest to south Texas is the weather and the beaches. My family and I try to go to the beach every chance we get. I love to walk along the water's edge and see what treasures I can find washing up.

One of the first things I was taught about the beach is to watch where you are walking. You don't want to step on a sharp shell, a piece of broken glass, a crab or other miscellaneous items that may have washed up. The #1 thing I am always scanning the beach for is those pretty blue balloon looking creatures.

The Portuguese Man O' War wash up near the surf of our Texas beaches quite often. Step on one and you will be in a lot of pain. I always thought the man o' war was a jellyfish, but it is not. First of all, the man o' war is not a it at all, but in fact a they. The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. Man o' wars are also known as bluebottles for their purple-blue color.

The tentacles average about 30 feet in length and are covered in venom used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. Even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting.

To treat a man o' war sting, apply salt water. Freshwater will just make it worse. Then apply hot water which eases the pain. Also do not use vinegar.

So when you see one of these lying on the beach, do not touch it, poke it or go near it. It is much easier to walk around it.

I snapped a picture of a man o' war on my beach along with a few other pictures. Enjoy the beach, have fun and be safe.

Texas Sand Fest

2012-04-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Every year Port Aransas, Texas is host to the Texas Sand Fest. I love to see all the different sand sculptures, so we took a nice beach cruise to check it out. These artists put a lot of time, patience and skill into their sand creations. It's a talent I do not possess even a hint of.

This is the 16th year for the event and people come from all over to either participate or just enjoy. There are several judging categories for children, adults, amateurs and professionals.

Here are a few of my favorites of the day. Please comment below which ones you like.

The Beautiful Budweiser Clydesdales

2012-04-24T02:26:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we went shoe shopping for my daughter. We were on our way home when it was decided to hit the McDonalds drive thru. As we were turning around, we noticed these large red Budweiser semi trucks in the mall parking lot and had to go see what was happening. It was our lucky day. The world renowned famous Budweiser Clydesdales were in town just for the weekend.

My daughter and I were so excited as horses are our favorite animal. You don't realize how massive these animals are until you are right next to one. I just think they are amazing and beautiful.

I only had my phone with me, so did the best I could with the pictures.

Surfer Boy!

2012-04-06T01:42:00.001-05:00


Surfer Boy

I love watching the surfers around Bob Hall Pier on Padre Island. I always try to get some action shots. I really try to catch them when they stand up on the board. As usual I missed it on this one, but I still liked the shot anyway.

Walking Along Ocean Drive

2012-03-20T02:22:00.001-05:00

Last week was Spring Break here in Corpus Christi, Texas and tourists everywhere. The beaches were packed and traffic was backed up for miles. So we decided to go downtown by the bay instead. We parked on Ocean Dr. and took a walk along the water and seawall. These are some great views we saw during our stroll.

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On The Way To The Island

2012-03-06T07:30:00.000-06:00

I took this photo as we were driving across the JFK Causeway from Corpus Christi to Padre Island. We were headed for the beach to load up the pickup with driftwood. For some reason there was tons of wood that had just washed up on the beach. One of the reasons I moved here from Illinois, is the wonderful weather and the beach. Well, I guess that's two reasons. The big bonus is that you can drive down our beaches for miles and miles. Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. It is one of my favorite things to do. I love to see what I can find that has washed up, experience the different wildlife and just relax and enjoy nature.

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Palms In The Wind

2012-02-28T00:41:00.000-06:00

It was a pretty windy day, which is not unusual here on the Gulf coast, so I clicked the picture of the palm trees blowing. I wish I could have taken a clearer shot, but not bad for just my ipod touch. The sky was also a gorgeous blue this day:)

Corpus Christi Bay

2012-02-18T02:33:00.000-06:00

This was taken downtown on the bay at the t-heads. We love to walk around and look at the beautiful sailboats and other boats.

This picture was also taken at the t-heads of a local shrimp boat that regularly docks here.

Texas Rain

2012-02-09T08:38:00.000-06:00

We finally got some much needed rain here in south Texas. It was quite a good down pour. I stepped outside and took an Instagram picture with my ipod touch.

Black And White Photos

2012-02-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Plants and Flowers

2012-01-28T09:30:00.000-06:00

My Patio Wildlife

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

Beautiful Water Landscapes

2012-01-19T23:28:00.000-06:00

All Day I Hear the Noise of Waters

by James Joyce

All day I hear the noise of waters
Making moan,
Sad as the sea-bird is when, going
Forth alone,
He hears the winds cry to the water's
Monotone.

The grey winds, the cold winds are blowing
Where I go.
I hear the noise of many waters
Far below.
All day, all night, I hear them flowing
To and fro.

Wildlife Photography Tutorial

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

Wildlife photography is very popular and I am a fan myself. I came across this video tutorial for taking wildlife photos. Chris McLennan is an international wildlife photographer and in this video he shares his experiences and gives hints and tips.

Oui, Oui, Paris

2012-01-08T21:02:00.000-06:00


Louvre by night (lemex.deviantart.com)


Paris

Let It Snow!

2011-12-22T17:55:00.000-06:00

I no longer live where I can experience snow, as I moved from Illinois to south Texas. I still think it's beautiful, but glad I no longer have to drive in it. I do want my daughter to experience snow as a child and don't want her to miss out on that fun. So guess we'll have to travel to Illinois in the winter months.

Will you be having a white Christmas?

I wish everyone a very merry and blessed holiday season!

Texas Gulf Coast Seagulls

2011-12-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

The Great Blue Heron

2011-12-13T09:32:00.001-06:00

Beautiful Snow Scene

2011-12-07T03:32:00.001-06:00

Locust and Injured Turtle

2011-11-30T05:28:00.001-06:00


Locust


Poor Injured Turtle

Beach Rainbow

2011-11-28T00:56:00.001-06:00


My friend gets the best beach shots. Can you see the double rainbow?

RAINBOWS

If I could catch a rainbow
I would do it just for you.
And share with you it's beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.
If I could build a mountain
You could call your very own.
A place to find serenity
A place to be alone.
If I could take your troubles
I would toss them in the sea.
But all these things I'm finding
are impossible for me,
I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be...what I know best,
a friend that's always there.

~Khahlil Gibran~