angels sing

We received Toni's last Christmas card in the mail the other day. It took my breath away, or should I say it gave me breath. I had to dig deep for a moment, I was channeled to another place that included her in my life. The details and saturated colors and the golden angel trumpeting her joy.

I think we leave behind the essence of what we bring to others in our lives. How we touch people, how we connect to each other, how we respect and value the beauty in each other. 

We leave behind our love in the world. 

Merry Christmas dear followers, thank you for being an important part of my life.

dashing through the snow

Dark eyed junco

white throated sparrow

house finch

and a very wet and cold tufted titmouse

first real snow

I made sure that the bird feeders were full because of the anticipated snow fall. I spent most of the morning photographing the songbirds. And when I was in the studio downloading my images BANG a large feather creature flew into the window and left a snowy wet memory on the glass. He flew onto the tree limb slightly disoriented. 

And there he waited for his next meal, one of my songbirds. I'm hoping it knocked some sense into him so that he will go after moles instead.

Sally's Rooster

Sometimes you just need a little pizzazz and a strong beak to get through your day.

my sister in law

We lost one of the good ones today. She was a creative spirit, and she had a big influence on my life.  As a young person I remember sitting on the couch with her as she drew the most glorious paper dolls and all of their fancy clothes with her magic water colors. She showed me how to imagine and how to have a pretty world upon my lap. She was kind and she saw the good in me. As adults we shared a mutual respect for each other's creative worlds. I loved her art and her hand painted cards and she loved my blog and my photographs. Today I pile up the many years of her tiny paintings on my lap and I am with her in spirit. This is one of her earlier Christmas cards. I think she would be happy to know that I shared it with all of you.

transitions

These floating vibrant leaves in the center are clear and defined yet framed by reflections that only hint at what's underneath. It's often hard to let go and graciously accept the next. 

southern charmer

This yellow throated warbler lives in Turks and Caicos. I think he may be looking out for my palm warbler to fly by or maybe not...

Left overs

This was my last sighting of the red winged black birds before they left my garden for parts unknown. 

They have left behind the hardy little souls who have gathered together to feed on the sunflower seeds. 

And those who wait for me to fill the rock with warm water.

till next time

I couldn't resist posting a daylily today. Now their leaves are all yellow and soggy and have fallen onto the earth where they will soon just disappear. They will become a distant memory, but for me I can fill my screen with these oranges and yellows and feel their presence. I can be sustained till we meet again.

a play date

They came again this morning in even larger numbers. I was dressed and ready for them, no more running around in my white nightgown grabbing my iPhone and camera in my bare feet in very cold weather. Nope not for me this morning. I wore layers of warm black and romped out there with them, ready to have a play date. They were loud and busy and everywhere. I hope these 2 little videos captures their spirit. I noticed on the last video that they went totally silent just before taking to the sky again. I don't think you can tell when you watch but trust me on that observation. 

more than a few morning visitors

This is a European Starling. He arrived this morning in Oyster Bay.

He brought a few friends.

 Actually more than a thousand friends came with him.

They stayed for about 30 minutes, their flight creating beautiful murmurations. Their voices were one, their behavior a symmetrical ballet, they were magical.

Even Tully watched in awe.

time to fly

Time to leave this feeding ibis and head back north where the songbirds are feeding in my garden. 

an early morning

The sand was cold on my feet and the waves were gathering around my ankles.

 The best part of this early morning was watching the shorebirds feed in the sand. It feels good to be back on the beach beneath a new peach colored sunrise.

Not your average cat

I went to play a few holes on the golf course late in the day during the sun's golden glow. And there, before me, was a bobcat sound asleep near the sand trap. With a big yawn she woke and just stared at us for awhile before she simply got up and sauntered off down the fairway. 

Well of course I had my camera with me, actually when I left the house I had to go back and get my forgotten golf clubs, you can see what I really care about. 

good morning

I didn't go to the beach to see the sunrise this morning, I wish I had, but I didn't. So instead I'm loving the rise of this gerber daisy in all her glory.

trade off

We have happily landed in Florida where the colors are green and blue with pink skies at night. But it's always hard to leave the bright oranges, reds and yellows of my favorite time of year.  

I miss my bird feeder visitors

And the songbirds waiting in the trees to take their turn .

Believe

Our world is always in flux.

Our vision has to change to keep up with our world. 

What we see now is not what we will see in the future. 

The seasons change.

The tides change. 

And we must have faith in the inherent goodness of our world.

in the moment

They are beautiful, this collection of floating leaves, because they are in transition. They are traveling through time, having lived in the heights of the trees, feeling the wind and the rains and the freedom of the skies. But now they have let go of what they know and have floated down into this black water where they travel to meet the land and sink into the soil where they began.  

working dogs

 

Tell me what to do and I will do it.

I'm here to do my job.

Just leave it to me, I've got this...

The Scottish Woods

After reading "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben, I have walked in the woods with a changed heart. They have always spoken to me but now I know they speak to each other. We are all in it together after all..

When the rain stops I'm going back out there.

Scotland

Freedom is a wonderful thing.

 Ahhh to feel the wind beneath my feet as I hop along this wall on my way to who knows where.

amongst the bracken

Feathers seem to find me wherever I go. 

This one fell gently from the sky as I walked on the moor in Scotland.

other dimensions

Well we finally had a chat today. Tully by my side and this sweet feathered friend and me. Just the three of us bonded. It was pretty amazing actually, you probably had to be there to understand. I was told that we are all in it together, love me, I'll love you back. So we did for the afternoon. When the sun left us Tully and I went indoors, but he stayed outside where he was free to be.

can't help myself

I know, I know, another bird image. But LOOK at him? He has been feeding along side our garden for days. I think I'm in love...

orange

I think this is my favorite time of year, the light is breathtaking and the colors more intense. Everything seems to be showing off before the big sleep.

light as a feather

This American Goldfinch flitted and fed in the mist of yesterdays' s drizzle. He was very busy, never staying in one place for more than seconds at a time. Today the winds are strong and the rain is steady. I'll go in search of him later. 

Turns out he might be a palm warbler!

playgroup

The Snowy Egret and the Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron spent the afternoon together soaking up the sun and getting ready to be grown up. 

weightless

Don't worry, this is not a tragedy in the bird bath.

We are actually witnessing pure bliss.

And a very clean bird.

a good paddle

A kayak ride in the nook was so peaceful and meditative yesterday. We saw 7 black crowned night herons, 2 great blue herons and many assorted egrets, both great and snowy. It's hard to capture their images from a moving kayak and the departing tides but mom and juvenile black crowned night herons tried their best to help me out. They really just wanted me to leave so they could go back to sleep. 

a feather

Flying in the sky days are over.

 Now the journey is earth bound and aimless.