Tuesday, July 3, 2012

42 Swans

My cell phone is broken. I really don't like having a cell phone, but I know it is a good thing to carry around when I leave the house... just in case.  I don't have a data plan so if I see my (when it was working) cell phone go on the internet I hit the red button so fast and try to back out of it in total panic mode.  My cell phone wasn't a touch screen and a lot of my friends like to make fun of me for that.  Also the fact that sometimes I don't text anyone back for days (I am good about getting back to business related text however).  I am usually running around with the boys or working so I get distracted easily.  I actually went to college for Computer Science. I am good with technology, but I don't seem to be able to handle the distraction of a cell phone very well.

So I was forced to go to the cell phone store tonight. I didn't want to get roped into buying any fancy plans or phones although I do think I am going to get a smart phone that has a fancy camera in it.  I just wanted to make sure my phone was truly broken.  I found out that according to my plan I can't get a new phone until September 8th. Humm.  So my reason for sharing this is that I went in armed to the store with my best weapons, my two boys straight from dinner filled with pink lemonade and ice cream.  Clearly they would be in total out of control mood and the people at the store would want us out of there as quick as possible.  But then it happened. I tried out a demo and uploaded my Blog.  Oh it was so pretty to see on a phone. The screen was so nice. I could see comments and I could go to links.  Oh this magical world of cell phone and technology.  While this was happening my boys in true over sugared mood were tearing across the store pretending to be monsters none the less.  I left the store without a phone, but I'll figure out what I am going to purchase tomorrow. Any suggestions???  I want something that I can check my email, get directions, text and take quick pictures when I don't want to bring my camera along.

So since I sugared up the kids I had to wear them out before we went home. So we headed to one of our favorite parks.  Last time we were there it was low tide. Tonight it was high tide.  So instead of crabs we saw lots of swans.  The boys needed no help tricking the swans to come over to see them.

They held out there empty hands pretending to have food...


here they come...


come and get it...


the boys were giggling so loud they couldn't talk as the swans flooded in to their pretend food...



the boys are animal lovers and they aren't mean to animals. they were however enjoying tricking them by tossing small pebbles and dirt into the water belly laughing the whole time...




they were so amused they were snorting they were laughing so hard...


I counted 42 swans this one wasn't fooled by the sand and pebbles.





We also saw some other birds. I need help identifying them...
I promise to try to get better shots next time....








Our trip was a success and the boys were worn out by the time we left.

14 comments:

Brian King said...

Great shots, Andee! Your boys were certainly having fun! Snorting is usually a sure sign of that. :-)

There are lots of good smartphones out there. I personally have an iPhone, but I'm not an Apple snob. The Android based phones from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, etc. are good, too. Check out a few models and go with your preference. For what you want to do, any smartphone will pretty much cover it.

Debbie said...

i got my iphone in december, it is the best purchase i have ever made!!

i'm with verizon. the iphone 4S had just come out, they offered me the iphone 4 for $ 50.00, i was due for an upgrade. my data plan is 30 per month.

i just LOVE it!!

brady is doing a better job at dressing himself ;)))

TexWisGirl said...

i've got a samsung galaxy model. slightly larger screen than what the iphone offered at the time. love getting my comments/emails on it, and it comes in handy when internet svc is out - i can at least still web surf and blog read most.

Unknown said...

Interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Carole M. said...

looking like a lovely family outing

eileeninmd said...

I love your photos and the birds. the swans are beautiful and I believe the other bird is some kind of gull. Possibly a laughing gull? I have been holding out on the iphone and thinking more about getting the ipad. The boys are handsome! Have a great day and a happy 4th of July.

fjÀllripan said...

Great photos of the beautiful swans and the happy children! /Susanne

Dave said...

Great to get the kids involved early - it will be with them for the rest of their lives, sorry cant help with the IDs

Anni said...

So beautiful are the bird photos as are your children's smiles!!!!

RUDDY DUCK

Deanna said...

All those swans are great!! We don't have swans, just those Canada Geese, all over the place. That bird is some kind of a gull (but you probably already knew that, big help I am). As far as the phone...I broke down and got an I-phone. It has everything you want, but the smart phones (Droid) are good too. Just try and find the best deal and go for it.

Serendipityissweet said...

Great shots! I love your reflections. And your boys are adorable.

I have an iPhone. I had a dumb phone for a long time and would never even text. I don't really like talking on the phone so I really just carried it for emergencies. When it was time to upgrade on our plan hubs went from blackberry to iPhone and talked me into an iPhone as well so we could FaceTime when he was away from the kids. I instantly feel in love and now I use my iPhone all the time for all sorts of things. My favorite part is always having the camera to capture everyday moments.

My mom has had several other smart phones, dried, htc, samsung etc. and has had problems with all of them dying or locking up or just not working. We've never had a problem with our iPhones. Don't think we'll consider changing to anything else.

Just my 2 cents :)

Roan said...

Love that last shot! After subjecting my grands to a photo shoot, I always let them make faces. It's always my favorite shot and they love it. I like to send them home all 'sugared up'. It's the fun of being a Grandma. ;)

Those are beautiful shots of the swans. I especially like the last shot with her neck curled around. Beautiful reflection!

Roan said...

Love that last shot! After subjecting my grands to a photo shoot, I always let them make faces. It's always my favorite shot and they love it. I like to send them home all 'sugared up'. It's the fun of being a Grandma. ;)

Those are beautiful shots of the swans. I especially like the last shot with her neck curled around. Beautiful reflection!

Larry said...

Great post Andee! I have an iPhone and I love it.

The first two and last two mystery birds are Belted Kingfishers. The two in the middle look like Laughing Gulls to me.

Love your Mute Swan photos, especially that last reflection shot!