Cattle, Cowboys & Cops!

The big event of the day was the Longhorn Cattle Drive to celebrate the start of the 78th Woodward Elks Rodeo, which runs for the rest of this week.

This is a huge tradition in the area and these beautiful Longhorn Cattle live on a ranch a few miles out of town. We believe they are the largest remaining herd in the USA and their owner Wes Sanders (that's him in the pink above) travels all over the country with them. But their home rodeo is this one and they always play a big part in the weeks events, starting with the drive in from the ranch, down Main Street and out to the rodeo arena.

Driving cattle is an unpredictable business so we had quite a wait in the heat of the day, but it was SO WORTH IT! Both my mum and I were just in utter awe of this huge spectacle, the beauty of the animals and the whole Wild West feel of it all.

Not only were the Longhorn Cattle stunning to look at, but incredibly docile and well-behaved as they moved within touching distance.

But we also had 'real' cowboys thrown in trotting alongside the Cop cars for good measure, whip cracking skills (see below) and all. Plus alot of other outriders and some beautiful horses and cowboy attire to admire.

We also got quite a kick out of this mom on her cellphone and then texting, technology is truly everywhere, and with her own special little cowboy on his pony! Get a load of his cute little red chaps and cowboy hat.

We have tickets to the rodeo on Friday night and this will be my mum's first rodeo experience and after today she can't wait. I have loved rodeo's since the first time I visited here and got to go to one, they are just as good as you have ever imagined they would be from 'across the pond'.

Personally I think this beauty above is the 'Heidi Klum' of the Longhorn world and a real 'supermodel'! Even the Hubster was mightily impressed by this stunning specimen!

I am really delighted my mum was here to experience today and will also get to see the big show later in the week. Today was a stunning and rare photo opportunity, so if you would like to see more then pop over to my photography blog here for more pictures.

And finally here's a cute baby for you all to oooh and argh over ;-)

A toad with a sense of humour!

What'cha doing mum?

"Experimenting with my camera Bonnie Blue -SMILE!"

Roy - 89 years young....

...and still willing and able to help a damsel in distress!

Barn Swallow Babies

And in the meantime......

I will leave you with a few shots from my re-awakening May garden, whilst I have a post Pre-K late start tomorrow....see y'all after my Friday snooze fest!

Caption Competition....avec Prize!

When I captured these photographs of my friendly neighbourhood Blue Jay, I was laughing out loud….talk about a bird in confusion! I was waiting for him to literally scratch his head next.

I could come up with a few captions for these piccies, but I thought it would be more fun to open it up for a prize. So get your thinking caps on folks and give us the best you’ve got, we love a good laugh!

The prize is the summertime #1 bestseller from The Body Shop - Coconut Body Butter and a matching Lip Butter . Ladies this is a wonderful treat for your skin, from the British company who produced the first ever Body Butter. It will give your skin amazing moisturisation, beautiful day long sheen and the classic summer fragrance of coconut. Gentlemen, this would be a much appreciated gift for the lady in your life.

The Hubster and I will select our favourite caption after 8pm (cet) on Thursday 1st May and I will publish the result on Friday.

This competition is open to US residents only and no limit on # of entries per person

Be careful what you wish for!

So some of you might have noticed that I commented on the Red Cardinal post, that I was hoping for a Blue Jay next....well "Bob's your uncle" guess what showed up last night! LOL

He even brought along a couple of 'wannabe' groupies, just to make himself really look like a bird world celebrity!

And if I looked this good from behind, I'd also be 'shaking my tail feather' alot more often! ;-)

So after my comment and then his immediate appearance, don't expect any comments from moi about wanting to see anything long and slithery in my garden - that's a shot I'll pass on!

Quite the day for birdspotting!

This stunning Red Cardinal dropped by our garden late afternoon and proceeded to try to keep his balance on this wildly swaying cable in 40mph wind gusts. He eventually lost the battle and was blown away on the breeze, but not before I managed to sneak this shot.

Nature at her finest....

Since Wednesday night we have been getting visits from a variety of Hummingbirds at our feeder, but this was the first opportunity I had to capture this wonderful and for me, still awe inspiring sight :-)

Here comes summer...

Last night at about 10:45pm summer officially arrived in our little corner of nw Okieland. Yep I had to turn on the Air-Con when it was still 78 degrees in the house and I was beginning to slowly steam!

Right now it is in the mid' 80's as you can see, with the hottest time of day not due until 5pm. So we have now officially made the switch from heat to air-con in our house.

But this is Oklahoma and it needs to keep us on our toes at all times....so tomorrow's predicted high is 50 - almost a forty degree drop overnight. Then we are bouncing right back up into the 70's on Friday and then back into the 80's over the weekend! I tell you the weather around here is totally POTTY!

Whilst I was out in the garden I also snapped a piccie of our Lilac Bush which is now in full blom and looking gorgeous. Now I am off to spray the darned hen-bit which is taking over large area's, re-pot my tomato plants and finally paint my toes....as sandal season is here!