Happy Belated Friday Photos and St. Patty's Day

Happy Saturday...and belated St. Patrick's Day! We were busy all day yesterday with some company from out of town, so I didn't have a chance to write anything. But I know you are all waiting with baited breath to find out about our Sand Hill Crane Family...

Well, just as I figured...the baby cranes, "Colts" both hatched yesterday on St. Patrick's Day!

First there was one making a timid appearance:

Welcome to the world, little "St. Patrick"

And the proud parents doted on him throughout the morning hours:

And then a little later in the day egg #2 hatched, and I named him (or her?) St. Valentine, because we first saw the eggs on the nest on Valentine's Day:

As the day progressed you could see them both toddling around on the nest, with Mom and Day standing close by, showing them what to do and where to eat...

It seems like they grew bigger and stronger throughout the day:

And by nightfall they were all tuckered out and went to sleep up under mother's wings for the night.  This morning they've been actively walking around and eating, but it's kind of cloudy and threatening to rain and I can't really get a good picture. But I have a feeling there will be many more photos coming in the future!  

Meanwhile, the Bluebirds have been quite busy feeding their hungry brood in the birdhouse. No sign of them fledging the nest just yet, but I think it will be soon:

Yummy juicy grasshoppers!

Amazing little baby birds can eat that whole thing!

Mama and Daddy patiently waiting for me to quit taking pictures so they can go back and check on their babies:

Meanwhile this Red Bellied Woodpecker is pecking his way up and down the trees in search of a good juicy bug...

I wonder what he found?

Always a lot of activity around here on Still Waters Pond!

Our company left this morning after a nice breakfast at our church community breakfast that we have once a month, but here's a few pictures taken yesterday while we were out and about showing them the town and surrounding area:

Of course we visited Dixie Cottage

And then we took a ride up to one of our favorite places, Lake Swan Camp, which I've written about before HERE and HERE.  We played a little miniature golf game, and we girls beat the boys, of course!

These are very dear friends that we've known for over 40 years.   We all served in the ministry in the same area and denomination for quite a few years, and spent a lot of time together at church conferences, etc.  They are the kind of friends that you can just relax and be yourself with and know that you are loved.  

Then we went to lunch at another favorite place, Hog Wild Cafe'.  I didn't get pictures of us dining, but I did take some pictures of the decor:

I don't think I'd want to run into this "hornet's nest" while out in the wild...

Or this one either:

Not even this old wringer washer could wash away the pain of those kinds of stings:

And I found this sign in the Ladie's Room:

And I think I will leave it at that for today!

So be happy!

Make them wonder what you're up to!

Today is also our son Scott's birthday, and he will be coming home a little later to celebrate. So I am baking a cake and cooking some ribs in the crock pot.  It would be a wonderful day. Our other kids will be coming over for supper as well.  So the joy continues on.

"See you later alligator!

After while crocodile!"