A buoy

It's old and worn and rusty but it's reliable. The paint has chipped, the colors faded, the rope is muddy and soaked through but we depend on it. Weighted beneath the water it will not travel. Now it's ready to hold on to something other than itself.

wait for it

Chilly on the outside, warm on the inside. 

Wish the dreary, rainy days would end and the daffodil yellows would warm our world.

In between

You can see more clearly when you step back from the edge.

The Ospreys

They really don't like me. We aren't friends, probably never will be. But I love them none the less. Look at that back fan of feathers, the way their wings fold, the multi levels of feather patterns.     

They fly past me with their fish connected to a foot or two. Relaxed yet determined to find a resting spot on the limb of an old soul. 

A place to have a meal and be one with his world. 

another look

The dance among the shadows, my eye view of a tulip.

Iridescently beautiful

Buds, blossoms and black birds .  

Soon I'll barely be able to see him in the trees.

flying sunflower seeds

This red bellied woodpecker will take his treasured sunflower seed and fly off to land on the old soul"s branches to have his snack.

winged

My time spent photographing at the bird feeder is relaxing for the soul. It's as close as I get to feeling like I can fly.

Through the woods

Our standing trees, I cherish them. We lost so many during Hurricane Sandy that I am grateful for the ones who remain. They are ragged and old and many of them have their tops chopped off. They  are a motley group of old souls who are thankful to have lived another day.

Fly by

It's that time of year again! This male Osprey has eaten most of his fish and circles over and over again above the nest that the pair is building. Every time he lands he takes off again. I hope he is a good father. Time will tell. 

A fine tune

Bring it on!

 Let the buds release, let the waters flow, let the sun warm my world!

Can you hear me, I'm singing as loudly as I can!

our point of view

Wow, Billy Joel's house all lit up and reflecting in the bay.

picked a bunch

Springtime in Oyster Bay

bye sky

My last sunrise sky in Florida.

Trading it all in for gray, cold wet weather up north.

But there will be beauty in that as well, as long as you look for it you'll find it.

transitions

It's just plain hard to let go.

 But tomorrow I shall land on a new point of view.

happiness

This is my favorite way to start my day.

Wake in the dark, a hot mug of coffee, bare feet, my camera gear, and the sun at one with the ocean. 

Sora

This Sora prefers to feed in the marshy waters hidden from me in the thick vegetation. But everyone has to come out for a little reflective moment and I was glad to be there when he did.

time travel

I won't get to see them grow up. 

The sun will warm their feathers while I will warm myself with a fleece jacket. I will be paddling my kayak to see the osprey nest across the bay.

 Soon it too will be filled with littles and I'll be at home once again.

Florida

I will miss the clear blues and the sweep of the palm fronds, the way they fold softly down in a feathery mass and show off their reflections in the water.

And I will miss the palm tree silhouettes against the night time sky.

 It will soon be time to leave it all behind.

more babies

This Purple Swamphen is feeding her single chick in the dense marsh at Wakodahatchee. A small nest of dried reeds is the home to this tiny chick. They usually incubate 3 to 5 cream colored eggs but today I saw only this little survivor. The parents were always close by and very attentive to her needs. I watched both mom and dad feed her. The chick was well hidden so I was grateful for my 600mm lens!

This is the purple gallinule, can you see the difference between the two birds? This bird is more delicate, has yellow legs and loves to walk on lily pads with her huge feet. 

little one

Step by step I'm going to stay right by mom until I'm brave enough to be alone. 

I wonder what the world has in store for me?