Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

We were lucky to be in the backyard at just the right time to observe this beauty as it flitted around our  Chaste bush gathering nectar. The Tiger Swallowtail is the largest butterfly species in North America with wingspan up to 6 inches

 

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Extracting Honey

 Uncapping  honeycombs with electric hot knife is a tedious job but necessary to open the honeycomb cells so the honey will flow out of the cells when spun in the extractor (centrifuge). When doing this job you have to accept that there will be a few bees buzzing around you and your hands are going to get sticky. 

The capping wax being cut off by the knife is dried and will be melted down in a later process to make candles. 

 

Galveston Bay Fishing

 Fun morning fishing with grand kids and Kurt near Galveston causeway. Everyone was catching fish but not many keepers. Species list included sand trout, speckled trout, black drum, croaker, bonnet head shark, stingray, hardhead catfish and gafftop. Luca was the champion fisherman today. 

 

 

Native American Artifact

This native American artifact found near Plum Creek in Caldwell County is referred to as a "boat stone" due to it"s shape. The primary use of a boat stone was as a balancing weight on an atlatl (spear thrower). 

Photos #1 and #2 are of the Plum Creek boat stone. Photo #3 is a photo of two boat stones from another collection. Photo #4 shows how the boat stone was attached to the atlatl. Attaching the stone in just the right position would increase the throwing distance and speed of the spear.

Thanks Reagan Ploetz for helping with identification. 

 

 

 

 

Gator bellowing at Brazos Bend

 I especially wanted to share share this video that I took at Brazos Bend this morning. This was my first time encounter with a bellowing gator at close range where I could watch the body movements. Turn up your volume and listen to this male declare his territory.

 

 

Garner State Park - Enjoying the Frio

 Memorial Day outing with family and friends on the Frio river at Garner State Park. Spent lots of time sitting in the river and staying hydrated. The family photo is missing Lucy, Brayden and Grace but they reported in with photos of their activity.

 

Hi from Garner Park!

la famille

 

Trailhead for Crystal Cave hike

Entrance to Crystal Cave
 

Shadowy world of Crystal Cave
 

Jake and Gabriel sharing the paddleboard with strangers!

Girls celebrating Memorial Day in style.

 

Luca caught several channel catfish.

 

This is mostly our group hanging out at the rope swing.

 

Cora's birthday fell on Memorial Day this year! The twins are Rosie and Josie.... they wanted to be in the photo with the big girls!

 

Grace didn't make it to frio as she had to start her summer job. She is having friend time in Pearland. 

Brayden and Lucy didn't make it to the Frio this year as they were on their way to Utah with a stop in Lubbock. 

 

Lucy's Graduation from Baylor University