Donna Dicksson's Photography

Eastern Meadowlark
While the morning was full of fog and fuzzy photos, the air cleared and we were able to see many eastern meadowlarks in the fields and trees. The western meadowlark is the Montana state bird and there is very little difference between the eastern and the western models.

Lori Stevens, CEO of Patriot Paws Service Dogs stepped down October 18th. She will continue to work with the organization in a different capacity, leaving the heavy lifting to Rick Stevens with the blessing of the board of directors. An evening of tribute to her heart and perseverance left everyone feeling grateful to be a part of what she started. (First picture is part of her family that is very excited to spend a little more time with wife/mom/sister.). The band got no time at all to play... because veterans lined up to tell Lori how much she has changed their lives. It takes a village, but it also takes a leader willing to stand up and fight for what they believe in. God bless the veterans and all those who are attached with love to Patriot Paws.

Some photos from Friday's Veteran/Dog Graduation in Rockwall. The ceremony is for the veterans, their dogs and the gazillion humans that fund, train, volunteer and pray for the organization. It's a reunion of sorts. Meeting of old friends and new ones.

A few pictures from yesterday. I had so many, I've become buried in pictures... Ha!

Yesterday was TSA training and instructions from the veterinarian. Today was an outing to Bucc'ees and to Sideways BBQ. These dogs go everywhere with their veteran, so it's important to have the veterans feel comfortable going out. Nothing beats training. Tomorrow 4 veteran-dog teams will graduate and more than 25 teams from the past will be joining Patriot Paws to help celebrate Lori Stevens' retirement as CEO of the organization she founded. Ya'll come now, ya hear!!!

4 Graduating Veterans, one lovely wife, and one former graduate who is helping out this week.

A few pictures from today’s workout Patriot PAWS Service Dogs with 4 amazing veterans and 4 amazing service dogs.

Eastern Tiger Butterflies have been somewhat rare this summer. I've only seen a couple and I usually see many.

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly
9/25/24
WRL

The tiny Kestrel Hawk we saw at John Bunker Sands Wetland Center yesterday.

A kestrel hawk. 😌

Stony Lake a couple of years ago. I'm finding a ga-zillion photos I haven't gone through. help!

he's big. He's beautiful. He's a dinosaur, for sure.

Red Tailed Hawk flying overhead. My lens+camera are 7 pounds (exactly...) so thanks to these birds, I'm getting muscular arms! :D

The Crested Caracara is actually a falcon.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Crested_Caracara/overview

These guys!!! Out of the box seminar! Patriot PAWS Service Dogs Patriot Paws of Aggieland

Fluffy little ruby-throated hummer.