A few Reptiles & Amphibians at Brazos Bend State Park

Last week I went to Brazos Bend State Park in Rosharon, TX.  It was a very nice fall day.  The weather was cool and the bright sun was blocked by the light overcast. I primarily went to bird watch and look for migrating waterfowl but I was surprised to see a variety of reptiles and amphibians during this trip.

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis,

 2-week old hatchling at the visitors center. 

Water Moccasin - Agkistrodon piscivorous, 

sunning itself along the forested creek bank.  

Broad-banded Water Snake - Nerodia fasciata confluens, 

slithering through the wetland plants along the shore of Elm Lake. 

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis,

covered in duckweed.

Red-eared Slider - Trachemys scripta elegans,

we saw many of these throughout the park sunning themselves. 

A juvenile Alligator is in this picture.  Can you spot it?

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis,

was napping peacefully. 

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis

American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis, on of the many baby alligators around its mother. 

Guadalupe Spiny Softshell Turtle - Apalone spinifera guadalupensis, 

on the right.

Bronze Frog - Rana clamitans

Bronze Frog - Rana clamitans

We also heard a few Bull Frogs - Rana catesbeiana, but couldn't spot any. 

Verismo is here!

Today, I was in Galveston, TX and stopped by the Starbucks on Harborside Drive.  Its a nice Starbucks with a view of the cruise port.  Sometimes you will see the cruise ships and many passengers making their way on and off the ships.  The Starbucks had their display of the much anticipated Verismo which is now available for purchase at Starbucks stores nationwide (and on starbucksstore.com).  I have never had a coffee maker and always just buy my coffee at Starbucks but Im really excited about this product.  You can make a variety of quality drinks easily at home!

Verismo 580 display.  Its a very sleek and stylish coffee maker.

Available in: black, silver, burgundy, and champaign. 

The pods.  You don't have to be a barista to make good expresso anymore!

Verismo also comes in two sizes:

V580 & V585

As I mentioned above you can make a variety of drinks with this machine.  This is done by using the different pods which come in: Caffe Latte, Expresso, and different roast and blends.  There is also a milk pod. Then you can mix in different ingredients to make other drinks.  Here are the recipes for those (from the Starbucks Store website):

Espresso

Makes one 1 fluid oz. beverage

One (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod

Latte

Makes one 6 fluid oz. beverage

One (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod
One (1) Verismo™ Milk Pod

Americano

Makes one 8.2 fluid oz. beverage

One (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod
Release the pod and close the handle with no pod in the machine
Press the brew button for 7.2 fluid oz. of hot water
For a more intense flavor, press the brewed button a second time to stop the flow of water at your desired level.

Caramel Macchiato

Makes one 6-7 fluid oz. beverage

Put 2 tsp. vanilla syrup in a cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod into the cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Milk Pod into the cup
Drizzle the top of beverage with 2 tsp. of caramel sauce

Mocha

Makes one 6-7 fluid oz. beverage

Put 1 Tbsp. mocha sauce in a cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod into the cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Milk Pod into the cup
Stir until fully mixed.

Vanilla Latte

Makes one 6-7 fluid oz. beverage

Put 1 Tbsp. vanilla syrup in a cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Espresso Pod into the cup
Brew one (1) Verismo™ Milk Pod into the cup
Stir until fully mixed

Hot Cocoa

Makes one 9-12 fluid oz. beverage

Pour one (1) envelope hot cocoa mix into a cup
Brew two (2) Verismo™ Milk Pods into the cup
Stir until fully mixed

 So there is a lot you can do with this little machine.  Im sure there will be more to come from Verismo in the future.  I will be definitely getting one of these machines for my new office.  I cant wait!!

Here's a little intro video as well:

Hiking to Iceberg Lake, Glacier Natl. Park, MT

Our second hike during our trip to Glacier National Park was up to Iceberg Lake.  It was a 4.8 mile hike to the lake with an abundance of wonderful views and wildlife to be seen along the way.

Black Bear - Ursus americanus, up on the mountain side busy foraging for food. 

Moose - Alces alces, down in the valley.

The beginning of the trail was showing the signs of fall.

Moose - Alces alces (bull)

The low morning clouds were covering the mountain tops but the view was still stunning. 

We passed many interesting alpine plants.  They look like a tiny forest by themselves. 

Spruce Grouse - Falcipennis canadensis

Doll's Eye - Actaea rubra

A waterfall down in the valley.

Golden Columbine - Aquilegia flavescens, we saw many plants on the rocky slopes but this was the only one blooming. 

Red-tailed Chipmunk - Neotamias ruficaudus 

Our destination is in view!  (the patch of snow in the distance)

Iceberg Peak is getting closer. The peak reaches 9145 ft above sea level and 3000 ft above Iceberg Lake. 

Nearing Iceberg Lake we came across an area that seems to have a microclimate.  Many wildflowers that were already finished blooming everywhere else were blooming here as if it were spring time. 

Bear Grass - Xerophyllum tenax.  This was the only specimen we saw blooming during our entire trip! Most were already finished blooming and setting seed. 

Bighorn Sheep - Ovis canadensis

Mule Deer - Odocoileus hemionus

Almost there!!

Iceberg Lake

Iceberg Lake was beautiful!  A picture cannot capture the beauty of this place.  It is so majestic and serene.  You really have a sense of peace while gazing upon the lake and breathing in the fresh air. 

Hiking to Avalanche Lake, Glacier Natl. Park, MT

Last week I got back from my trip to Glacier National Park, Montana.  It was a wonderful trip!  I spent lots of time with my family doing hikes, relaxing at the cabin, and seeing the many beautiful sights. 

The first hike we did was up to Avalanche Lake.  It was a two mile hike with an elevation gain of 500ft.

Avalanche Lake map

Avalanche Gorge

The very interesting bark of the Black Cottonwood - Populus trichocarpa

A waterfall half way up to the lake.

The trail passes through lots of beautiful woodland.

I love how the moss covers the forest floor.

Western Rattlesnake Orchid - Goodyera oblongifolia

Greene's Mountain Ash - Sorbus scopulina

Stellar's Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri, was very friendly.  

It must be used to being fed by tourist...

Cascade Aster - Eucephalus ledophyllus, was blooming almost everywhere we went around Glacier National Park.

Pearly Everlasting - Anaphalis margaritacea, was another very common wildflower.

Orange Hawkweed - Pilosella aurantiaca (non-native)

Avalanche Lake 

Avalanche Lake, a little hazy from a wildfire in Idaho.

Vegan Birthday Cake

For my past two birthdays I have not had a birthday cake...

But the other day while shopping at Whole Foods I saw a cake that I would really like to have as a birthday cake!

It is a simple Vegan Carrot Cake.

I know it doesn't seem like anything special but I like carrot cake and I like simple nice things for my birthday.  Also I love Whole Foods.  Sometimes I miss certain food items like cookies, ice cream, and other sweets and thankfully Whole Foods has a great selection of items for me to choose from.