turning 30

Ladd turned the big 3-0 this March.

I planned a fun weekend in Denver for his birthday.

His folks barely missed the snow and ice storm that swept through Kansas that day and drove all the way to Denver to spend some time with their son, the "baby" of the family.
I also arranged for a couple of his friends to arrive in Denver Saturday night and surprise him at dinner. It went smoothly (short Devin being stuck in Kansas due to the ice - WE MISSED YOU SO!!!) and ladd was pleasantly surprised! Bueno!
We toured a microbrewery, drank and ate at a brewpub, knocked another Hard Rock Cafe off the list (no list, actually) and visited with family, friends and locals.

GOOD. TIMES.

Oh, yeah! How could I forget!?!?! Ladd requested a cheesecake for his birthday. I have never made one. needless to say, it turned out WAY better than I expected, for my first try. NO CRACKS!!! However, the edges crumbled a bit due to not enough buttering of the pan. It tasted maaaaa-velous!!!

love you baby!

 

new toy

So I finally decided on a new camera.

So far i am happy with it. Quite a bit, actually.

I do realize i have A TON to learn about it, though. It came with a big instruction manual as well as a CD. I intend to educate myself of its abilities.... eventually. I despise reading instruction manuals.

L.O.A.T.H. I.T.

Until i muster up the discipline to get educated on my new toy, i will be snapping photos with blissful ignorance!

Here are a few samples from the first couple days I had the camera. I played a lot with the lighting and focus. This baby has a crazy long zoom for a point and shoot and I have some practicing to do, but it was one of the features that helped me choose it.

As I said, i am aware that I have a lot to learn about this camera before I get the best pictures from it.

 

wildlife management week 3

week three was bird lab

we practiced foot braces and wing wraps and blood draws on pidgeons. They were remarkably fantastic patients!!
We then drew blood from the resident red tail hawk. She too was well mannered.
We ended with taking some blood samples from a rescued and rehabilitated golden eagle. We then got to participate in her release to the wild.
pretty cool.

 

hehehehe