Serene Scenery Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  As we told you earlier in the week, last weekend we went back to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge - and also hit Cheyenne Bottoms a bit, too.  We thought we'd share a bit of how that trip went with you today - ready to hit the road?

"Settle on in, Mags."
"Might as well, Cam!"

Yep. Might as well get comfy!  I know the drill by now!

Anyway, as I said, we hit Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area first this time. Not much exciting stuff there, but Mom did climb the observation tower and got a good look around. While up there, she shot some video; she pieced that together with other footage from her iPhone and put it together -- we'll include that later in this post. OK, so then Dad thought we'd take some of these cool back roads over to Quivira -- it's 40 miles away. Thankfully, Dad had done a good map study before we left, so there was no need to panic when the GPS did this the WHOLE TIME:

Yeah.  'Recalculating.'  As in 'Take a U-turn as soon as possible.'  Ha roo roo roo!

Thank goodness it wasn't one of Mom's hair-brained schemes, or we could still be out there!

The roads were a bit ... dusty.

As I said, Dad did a superb job beforehand, studying the maps, and we got there just like he planned. It was very scenic and got us to Quivira in good time.

Here are some of the bird highlights!

American White Pelicans, up close and personal.

Those guys got SUPER close to Mom!

Immature Black-Crowned Night Heron

I'm not sure why Mom calls him "immature".  Maybe he tells goofy jokes or somethi---oh.  Yeah.  Never mind.

Greater Yellowlegs

The equally great Great Blue Heron

These next two Great Blues put on quite a show; you've heard of Swan Lake?  How about Heron Marsh?

"Twirl!  C'mon!  Just like we practiced!" 

Something like that, anyway.

There were more than a few geese there:

Greater White Fronted Geese, Snow Geese, and Sandhill Cranes.
Oh.  And Cows.

We also saw our first Bald Eagles of the season!!

Juvenile Bald Eagle!

Compared to all the tiny shorebirds Mom has been photographing, they seemed huge!  Sadly, they were about 1/2 a mile away, but she gave it her best to get them.

An adult Bald Eagle, pausing to give thanks before his meal

And chowing down!

Here's another, more cooperative raptor:

Northern Harrier

It came way closer than the Eagles!

We also drove over to a lookout point we hadn't previously gone to - it allowed us to look out over the Big Salt Marsh from the south.  As Mom scanned with her telephoto lens, she saw two large white birds.  At first she thought they were Pelicans, but they were upright ... and huge.  Then it hit her:

WHOOPING CRANES!

The sort of rusty blob on the left is an immature one; the one on the right is an adult.  Isn't that cool?!?!  Their time here in Kansas is drawing very short, so that may be the last time we see them this Fall - the cold front that came through may have sent them on their way.  We're not sure, but guess what?  We're going back today to check!

As I said, Mom shot some short video clips and put them together.  She didn't think it was windy until she downloaded everything, so we apologize for the noise.  It's Kansas, what can we say?  Anyway, this will give you an idea of what Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira are like!

If that doesn't play, please click here to view on YouTube.

We hope you enjoyed looking around.  We'll take our traditional rest stop ...

"Oooh, it's that super-grainy whole wheat bread!""And peanut butter!  Look into my eyes ..."

Mom shared.  Of course.  Who could say no?  Oh.  And yeah, yeah, yeah, she brings snacks specifically for us, too, but ... it's PEANUT BUTTER!  You know?

Let's get buckled back into the HR-V and head home!

"Keep it serene, everyone!"

Have a great Sunday!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

PS:  For more photos from that trip, please click here for our FlickR album.

Security Detail

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie.  When Maggie and I are out walking Mom in the morning, Mom says there is one way she can tell there's something amiss behind us.

"Halt!  Who goes there?!?"
"Ooooh, leaves!  Cam, there are leaves blowing up there!"
"What is it, Cam?!?"

That's right. I'm Mom's Security Detail.  I always alert to people I spot out on the trail - no one can mess with my mom while I'm on the job!  Besides ... what if it's someone who wants to rub my ears and tell me how pretty I am?!?

Cammie!

He's THERE!

Hello, everyone.  It's me, Cammie!  Maggie and I had a great time on our walk with Mom the other morning!  It started out like many of our walks ...

"We're getting a later start today!"
"I'll bet we run into different people this way."

Seriously.  If we walk at the same time (or just about) every day, we run into the same people and everything.  It's good to mix it up a bit.

We got onto the Hudson Trail and went our favorite way - toward our friend Murphy's house!  We hadn't seen him in quite a while, but since we were walking at a different time, you just never know!

"I hope he's out there!"
"Me, too!  I really like him!"

We kept going, and when we got closer ...

"I think I see him, Mags!"
"Murphy?!!?  Ha roo?!?!"

Maggie got a wee bit excited.  As I said, we hadn't seen him in a while!

"Ha roo, Murphy!"
"Hello, Murphy!"
"Hi, girls!"

What a nice surprise!

"It was GREAT seeing Murphy!"
"He's a very nice boy, isn't he?"

After that, we got to walk down my favorite hill to go up.  What a fantastic walk!

Do you have favorite friends you like to run into on your walks?

Cammie!

That's Super!

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie!  Did everyone enjoy the Super Moon a couple nights ago?  Mom took some night shots like this one:

Super Moon, 14 November 2016

For some reason, she didn't ask for Maggie or me to help her. I know.  I don't get that, either. Anyway, we DID set out the morning after the Super Moon to help her get some moon setting shots!  I thought we should head uphill -- you know, so we'd be closer to the moon.

"Oh, yeah.  Good thinking, Cam!"
"We're lots closer this way!"

I know.  I'm not sure what Mom would do without our help!

Just near the top of that hill, Mom really wished she had remembered to bring a camera instead of just the iPhone.

Moon set, Flint Hills, Red-Tailed Hawk

There's a rumor going around that she's still kicking herself over the lack of camera.

Anyway, we paused so Mom could get us in front of the setting moon:

The moon, Mags, and me!

On the way back home, we also enjoyed sunrise:

"I can't see a thing!"
"We should have brought our sunglasses!"

I'm sure it was very pretty anyway.

When we got home, Mom grabbed Dad's camera, went out on the deck, and took this shot:

Moon set over Manhattan

How about a close-up?

Super Moon at moon set

We hope you enjoyed our moon shots!  Aren't they ... super?  😉

Cammie!

Wordless Wednesday

Cammie!

When We DO Pull...

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie!  According to our mom, Maggie and I walk very nicely on our leads - especially given that we are Siberian Huskies.  You know, as in "bred to pull sleds", etc.  In fact, I very seldom pull at all - it's just not my style.  But when we DO pull ... well ... please watch this short vid from a walk we took last week:

To view on YouTube, please click here.

Yes. When we DO pull, we really pull. Like sled dogs. Imagine that.  Ha roo woo roo.

Mom is thankful for strong gear!

Cammie!

PS:  If you look quickly at the very start of the video, you can see Mr. Deer run down the path!  And of course, Mom has to spot birds along the way.  Sigh.

Last Weekend

Hello, everyone!  It's me, Cammie!  Maggie and I had a great time with Mom and Dad yesterday - we went to both Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira to do some birding.  Mom hasn't even begun to process through her photos, but eventually we'll share some of them with you.  And it hit us -- we shared last weekend's trip down to Quivira with you, and the sandwich highlight (yes, we got some!), but we haven't shared the birdie-type photos from last weekend with you yet!  Would you like to take a look at some of the highlights?  Let's hit the road!

Mom really liked how this Kansas-y photo came out:

Kansas-scape

No birds, but it gives you an idea what the grassy parts of Quivira are like! And do you know who likes to hang out in those grassy areas?  White-Tailed Deer!

"Uh oh!"

Don't worry, Bambi!  Mom wouldn't dream of hurting you!

Moving on to birdie shots ... here are a couple of our favorites:

American Avocet

Greater Yellowlegs

Mom was stalking a Great Blue Heron when she spotted this next guy hiding out in the reeds. She waited him out, and eventually he came out into the open where Mom could get a few nice shots of him:

White-Faced Ibis

We were looking for the migrating Whooping Cranes, of course! They are usually at Quivira until mid-to-late November. We didn't see any Whoopers, but we did see these:

Sandhill Cranes!

Here is a female of Mom's favorite duck species:

Female Northern Shoveler

Not as colorful as the males, but the same expression on her face!  They look like they're laughing inside, or are up to something!  What great ducks!

Mom was able to get closer to Dowitchers than she's ever gotten:

Long-Billed Dowitchers

One final shot from last weekend. Mom was thrilled to get this one!

Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, and Northern Shovelers!

Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs are the ultimate "me and mini-me" birds -- the only way to differentiate between them is their size.  The Lesser stands about 10.5 inches high and the Greater is 14 inches.  Mom loved seeing them together - and by her favorite duck, too!

If you would like to see more of last weekend's photos, please click here to see our album; it's a 3-pager.  😆

"That's a wrap, right, Cam?"
"Absolutely, Mags!  I hope everyone liked seeing Mom's shots!"

The picture of us by the meadow has nothing to do with our trip, but we thought we should toss a photo of ourselves in!  Have a happy day, everyone!

Cammie!

Sun-Day Still-Life

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  Sorry we're late posting, everyone!  We've been tied up all day (figuratively speaking ... unless our seat belts count), and weren't able to get a post up before we left.  Cam thought we should keep it short, so I give you my Sun-day still-life:

A little something I call "Blue Ball In A Sun Puddle"

We hope you are having a great Sun-day.

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

My Cat-urday Post

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie.  As many of you know, I like embracing my inner feline.  So even though Mom was surprised by her fortune cookie lesson the other night when we got take-out, it was mighty clear to me.  Take a look:

"What in the world?"
"What is it, Mom?"

"It's how to say 'meow' in Chinese."
"Oh... right."

"That's for me!"

It's clear to me that my mom cracked open my fortune cookie -- don't you think?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher 

Honorary Kit-Cat

Veterans Day 2016

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, is a day to honor those who have fallen in the service of our country - our war dead.
Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, is a day we celebrate and thank all those who served or who are serving in our military.
And Veterans Day, the 11th day of November, is traditionally when we pay tribute to those who served or who are serving in combat. It has become a day to salute all who have served honorably in our military.

"God bless our Veterans!"
"Past, present, and future!" 

This Veterans Day, we would ask you to take the time to read this short article that was published in one of our local newspapers five years ago.  We promise you, it will help you understand, truly understand, what Veterans Day is all about.

This Friday, November 11, 2011 we observe Veterans Day. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day to recognize the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the Victory in World War I - known at that time as “The Great War.” The 11th of November was a legal holiday and observed as Armistice Day until June 1, 1954 when the word “Armistice” was replaced with “Veterans.” November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. By the way, Stephan Riod of Emporia, Kansas originated the idea of expanding Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in the Great War.
This year I would like to observe Veterans Day by telling you about three American soldiers whose lives exemplify the meaning of Veterans Day. Two of them were born in Kansas, the third was a native of Mesquite, Texas and stationed at Fort Riley. Each is a genuine hero and sadly, in our age of cheap celebrity, you are probably unaware of what they did and how much we all owe them. The three soldiers are: Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz, Senator Merrill Werts, and First Lieutenant Dustin Vincent. The accomplishments of each of them would fill a book, but today we will look at them as veterans. Soldiers who took up arms to defend our Constitution.
In May 1943, then Captain Dick Seitz took command of the 2nd Battalion of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. At 24, his selection for command made him one the youngest infantry battalion commanders during World War II. During the Battle of the Bulge, now Lieutenant Colonel Seitz headed up “Task Force Seitz,” made up of his battalion, a tank company with some half tracks from the 7th Armored Division, a detachment of engineers, and some self-propelled anti-tank guns. “In twin attacks on two days, one after dark and the other in late evening, Seitz sent the Germans reeling back to the village of Hunnange, which was the gateway to St. Vith. In both attacks, paratroopers had to cross long stretches of open ground. With all guns blazing and with a massive artillery support fire, they locked up the crossroads village and waited in broad daylight for the huge armored assault that came behind them headed for the next stop, St. Vith. The battered battalion, which lost more than 400 of the original 600 who entered Belgium only four weeks earlier, won acclaim for its grueling feat in the freezing evenings of a Belgian January” (Gerald Astor, "Battling Buzzards: The Odyssey of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team 1943-1945").
Like Lieutenant General Seitz, Senator Merrill H. Werts attended Kansas State University and like the General his college career was interrupted by his service with the United States Army. Senator Werts and his cousin, the only two boys in the family to carry on the family name, went into the military during World War II. "My cousin was killed early in the war," Werts said. The two had grown up together, worked the farm together and became fraternity brothers in college. But on Werts' 21st birthday, his cousin was killed. Despite this Senator Werts went off to Europe to fight, proud to represent his family. He served from June 1943 to March 1946. He earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Infantry Officer Candidate School and was assigned to Company I, 271st Infantry, 69th Infantry Division. At 0600 hours, 27 February 1945, the 271st Infantry entered combat, attacking the Siegfried Line. On 28 March the 271st crossed the Rhine and continued east until 26 April when elements of the 69th Division linked up with the Red Army at the River Elbe. In 65 days of continuous combat, Senator Werts and the soldiers of the 69th Division went from green replacements to seasoned veterans who crushed the Third Reich. Fighting across Germany, Senator Werts was wounded, losing his leg.
On November 4, 2011, First Lieutenant Dustin Vincent, a native of Mesquite, Texas gave his last full measure of devotion to our country. He was on his first tour of duty in Iraq and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. He was killed during an enemy attack on his convoy. The 25-year-old soldier always wanted a military career. It was his childhood dream. Dustin Vincent was also a husband and father. He leaves behind his wife, Samantha. They married two days before he was deployed. He also legally adopted her daughter, Nacomas. Before he deployed he gave his military Bible to his mother. The day after his mother, Marty Vincent, learned of her son's death, she decided to pick up his Bible. She had not touched it since his deployment. A purple ribbon marked a page near the end of the volume in the book of Ephesians.'"That he might comfort your heart,'" read his mother from the sixth chapter, 22nd verse. "It's exactly what it did." The passage gave her comfort and so much more — a special message.
Today, Americans serving in our Armed Forces are supported by the majority of their fellow citizens. This was not always the case, and even today there are some who feel that our warriors should be treated as if they are bureaucrats working for the Department of Education. I invite them to imagine what it was like to attack through two feet of snow in the Ardennes, to lose one’s leg in combat, or to give one’s life at 25, leaving behind a loving family and unrealized potential. These are America’s veterans. They fought for us yesterday, they are fighting today, and they will fight our battles tomorrow. We owe them our freedom and they deserve our total support and respect. We should honor them every day - not just on Veterans Day. 

Mike Kryschtal, Colonel (Retired), United States Army, has a Bachelor's Degree from John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio and a Master's Degree in International Relations from Boston University. He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1999. He was a platoon leader in the 25th Infantry Division, company commander in the 82d Airborne Division, battalion commander in the 1st Infantry Division, and brigade commander in the 2nd Infantry Division. He served in the 1st Infantry Division in Desert Storm. Since retirement, Mike has been an adjunct professor of history, political science, and leadership. He lives in Manhattan, Kansas with his wife, Karen and their Siberian Huskies.

That's right, check the bio -- it was written by our very favorite combat vet of all time -- our dad. Here's a snapshot of him when he was in Iraq:

Our dad, somewhere in Iraq, 1991

Here at Ao4 HQs, we understand that freedom is not free. We thank our veterans for their selfless service, dedication to duty, and their courage. It is because of these men and women that we enjoy the great freedoms we have today. They are the strength of America.

Veterans, we thank God for you and pray for His blessing on each and every one of you.

Cam and Maggie

Our Morning

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Cam and I have had a great morning so far - and it's only 1030 as of now!  Here are a few highlights, excluding breakfast.  That was really good, but sorry, no photos.

We took Mom on a really nice walk!

"This is a really nice walk!"
"I like this hill!"
"Oh, yeah. Me, too, Maggie."

Did I mention it was my turn to choose the route?  It was great!

After that hill, I decided we should turn up the really steep hill!  Here's Cam:

"Ooh, yes!  Deakon!  This is a steep one!  Nice!"
"Yeah.  Nice choice, Maggie."

You know Mom's words are the ones in black -- right?  Does anyone know if Blogger supports a sarcasm font?  Just wondering.

Anyway ... since we all liked that one so much, instead of turning onto this other road, which winds around a bit and is steep, but not like super steep, I thought we'd stay on Deakon.  Deakon does get super steep!  Here I am, nearing the top:

"This is what I'm talking about!"

Mom was unable to talk coherently at that point.  I have no idea why.  Did you know humans can pant?  Kind of interesting.

After we got home and had a beverage, Mom thought we should go out front for our Veterans Day photoshoot.  Here's a highlight from that:

Photoshoot highlight!

Needless to say, it went swimmingly well!

Have I mentioned how much Mom loves having Siberians?  It's true.  She does.

Anyway, after the photoshoot, Mom treated us to toy time!  Let's just say that one thing DID lead to another ... and this is how that went:

To view on YouTube, please click here!

Always a good time!

That's our morning so far!  How is yours going?!!?

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

Mags and Cam