While it's nothing to speak about in comparison to most parts of the US, where people are digging themselves out of several feet of snow, 

but we've actually had our first frost of the season! 

Still, for November, and in this neck of the woods, that's very early too!

Fortunately,  my little friend the (vermilion) flycatcher is hanging in there. I never get tired watching him dash off and on from his perch right outside the window behind my laptop.

It's Mexcan name is brasita de fuego, meaning "little coal of fire". So appropriate!

Another 'fun' fact: it was first described in 1783 by Pieter Boddaert, a Dutch physician and naturalist. Ha!

And I don't know what's with all the butterflies, but they're everywhere!
Maybe it's because the recent rain has coached various wildflowers (amongst which some caterpillar food plants) into a second bloom?  
Don't they know it's freezing cold!?

           

     

Variegated Fritillary, Monarch, ? and Southern Dogface

Just outside my door I even found this huge moth. 

It's a Black Witch moth and I should be glad I found it outside and not in the house since this moth is called the mariposa de la muerte (butterfly of death) in Mexico and if it comes into your house while someone is sick that person will die, although the Texans believe it needs to visit all four corners of the house in order for that to happen. Phew!

In other parts of Mexico if one flies over someones head the person will lose their hair (!) and in Hawaii, if a loved one has just died, the moth is an embodiment of the person's soul returning to say goodbye.
Personally, I prefer the beliefs of parts of the Bahamas, where folklore calls them Moneybats, and tells that they bring prosperity! Got to get me some lottery tickets!

And here's proof that you shouldn't take 'selfies' since they always come out horrible!

The occasion was a nice one though. We were enjoying a (comped) meal at the resorts restaurant in exchange for James newest job addition, being MOD (manager on duty) for one night per weekend on a rotating schedule with other managers.
Instead of being paid we can (both) order anything we like, which is quite a thrill if you'd know the prices!

While I was looking for ducks at the pond behind the golf course one chilly morning, I noticed this fella sticking his head up and clambering onto the pole to warm himself in morning sun.

Such ancient creatures, turtles, fossils show for instance that this (painted) turtle existed 15 million years ago!

                                                

I'm pretty sure it's a Western Painted Turtle although I'm a little confused by the red pattern of stripes on the top shell. I know it's bottom shell is colored but the top?

I'm actually expanding my walking territory a little in order to get a bit more exercise. I'm just sitting too much (reading, blogging, spinning/knitting) and now with Sadie gone, there's less incentive to go out unless I really have to.
I'm noticing that I get a lot stiffer though, and out of shape, and it will probably help my (still) sore hip to keep on moving too.
In a way, the blog helps also, since I 'need' pictures to go with the stories. It's sort of writing a weekly column for which I have a deadline so I better get out and make me some!

So, although you'd probably never know since these mountains all look alike, these pictures show a slightly different view than from where I normally walk, with a peek of the golf course and towards Mexico in the background.

And I know it is way to early, but this cold snap made me want to bake something gingerbread-ish, so I baked some 'men' and a frosted gingerbread cake. I'll call it a test-run!

Somebody made the hot chocolate?