Mayfield Park with the cousins

Alex spent the morning visiting the peahens and peacocks at Mayfield Park with his cousins.  I had no idea they hang out so high up in the trees (the peacocks, not the kids)!

We spotted a lot of damsel flies and one really big lizard while out on the trail.  There's nothing this kid loves more than a morning out in nature.

River Place Nature Trail, Austin

This might just be my favorite nature trail in Austin, but it is not for the faint-of-heart in 100 degree Texas heat.  For a little boy and his dog, no problem.

In case you can't tell from the picture, that is a hill of steps...and there are many more!

No time for pictures!

Taking a break

Meesha loves to walk right beside Alex

Yes, even in Austin we have hills big enough that you have to watch out for falling rocks!

Hunting for frogs (and other creatures) at Walnut Creek

Mom of a "future zoologist" boy

How do you know you're the mom of a boy who wants to grow up to be a zoologist?  You come home from a nature walk with a picture of this:

Yes, it is animal poop.  With seeds.  And "of course it must be from a black bear", said the budding zoologist, who followed every nature sign he could find in hopes of trailing the elusive black bear that may live in our neighborhood.  It was with great disappointment that he returned home without a bear-sighting. However, the very next day he headed out to search again.

Snake Night at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center