Arizona to Texas (Lakehills, TX)

I have quite a few photos to share.  I have missed being in the southwest desert and being able to view Mother Nature in action.  Don't get me wrong.  I love the northwest, but the foliage is so thick that it is hard to see even a bird sitting in the tree above me!  

Before we left Benson, AZ, we had a couple of visits from Ma and Pa Quail with their brew of chicks.

I counted nine of them one evening.  Ma and Pa were funny about getting our attention away from the little ones by running back and forth while making sounds.  I used my 500 mm lens so they would feel comfortable enough to move their little ones from one bush to another.

The cats?  They would watch, but for the most part found it too hot to chase after the birds.

On one of my morning walks, I noticed a Roadrunner (RR) standing at the edge of this site.  From this angle, you cannot see the owner of the Minnie talking to his cat.  The cat was ready to go in and was sitting on the step waiting for the door to be opened which the owner was taking his sweet time doing (according to the cat).  

In the meantime, RR was slowly moving closer towards the two.  He seemed quite curious and managed to get within a couple of feet when the door opened for the cat to enter.  The cat's owner said that usually there are two roadrunners following his cat around.  Both birds seem very curious about his cat, but never get too close.

We spent one afternoon walking the trails in Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.  We haven't been there since our camp hosting days in 2013.  The place looks great.  They have added new artwork around the office area.  The hummingbird thought this was an excellent idea to have artwork near the feeder.

The improved wider trails had new signs making it easier to follow along with plant info and history.  The new manager has done an excellent job and I would recommend stopping by if you are in the area.  A great place to view wildlife and bird sightings.  Although, we did not have much luck since it was later in the spring for wildlife migrations.

We left Benson a couple of weeks ago.  It took us five days to get to the Thousand Trails RV Resort on Lake Medina.

Dusty was happy to hear we were settled in for the next three weeks.  He was tired of being used as a pillow during our travels.

We spent one day walking around Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World.  

I love visiting the old Bandera General Store.  It is a small store packed full of unique gift ideas, salsas, jams, and used boots.  Plus, they have an old-fashion soda fountain. 

gently used boots in all sizes

I also visited Gone Quiltin' in Bandera.  It doesn't look like much from the outside, so I was surprised to see how big it was on the inside.  Filled with a wide variety of fabrics, notions, and books complete with a longarm room and a classroom.  I'm not sure how I missed this great gem of a quilt shop the last two times we were here!  You can bet that I will not forget the next time I am in the area!

shells on the table from Lake Medina

The first time we were here, this lake was nothing more than a stream at the bottom of a steep valley.  We even saw cattle grazing in it.  It certainly is nice to see it filled, but the water is noticeably going down due to usage and hot weather.  I would not be surprised to see this lake drained by the time we come back through the next.

Doe eyes

Okay, a few more photos of the deer in the campground.  The deer do not fear the people since we are allowed to feed them corn bought at the campground's office.

Twins!

Even the fawns are not as shy as most wildlife.  Mama came up begging for food while the little ones watched from a distance.

I look forward to my morning walks with hopes of seeing a fawn.  I have had quite a few sightings.

On The Cutting Board

Since the afternoons are too hot and muggy, I have been spending quite a bit of time indoors with my sewing.  I finished four Happy Campers and....

 applquéd another quilt top.  I think I will call this one Baby Sweet Pea's Garden.

Well, I am in the middle of appliquéing the vine on another quilt top, so I better get back to it.

Happy Quilting!