Tiger in the Wildflowers

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.

~ Mother Theresa

More Butterflies - HERE 

Was she looking at me?

Sometimes I really think the birds look right at me.

The world always looks brighter 

from behind a smile. 

~ Author unknown

More of my Female Cardinal Images - HERE 

White-breasted Nuthatch In Flight

  
Every place is given its character by certain patterns of events that keep on happening there…The more living patterns there are in a place—a room, a building or a town—the more it comes to life as an entirety, the more it glows, the more it has that self-maintaining fire which is the quality without a name.

~ Christopher Alexander

One of my all time favorite places for 
photographing birds is Bisset Park in 
Radford, Virginia. 
There is a paved trail that leads you beside the 
New River and allows for amazing photo opportunities. 
The blue you see in the background 
of this photo is the sky reflected off of the river.  

As you can see, it was definitely a blue sky day.  

Wings - Dragonfly Delight

 Fragile creatures of a small blue planet, surrounded by light years of silent space.
~ Jeanette Winterson

I think dragonfly wings are pretty awesome.

Print Available - HERE 

Flyaway

In February I was asked to review a book about a wild bird rehabber. I agreed, and I'm so glad I did. As a bird lover, this book really touched my heart.




Suzie Gilbert's Flyaway: How a Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings gives a first-hand account of what life is like as a wild bird rehabber - the ups and downs and in-betweens. The stress, the joy, the sadness, and yes the wonderful sense of accomplishment are all woven together throughout the pages. Flyaway takes you on Suzie's journey of setting up a wild bird rehabilitation center in her home located in New York's Hudson Valley.

From the first diminutive house finch to the lovable crows, you experience what it takes to rehab wild birds. Suzie not only rehabs the birds but combines those duties with the rigors of family life. I was enthralled with her children, Mac and Skye, who were Mommy's little helpers throughout, whether it was feeding the nestlings, giving a mallard a little "human interaction" or just being a shoulder for Mom to lean on. At some points "super-human" comes to mind when you realize how much juggling of priorities is required, but juggles she does - all in the name of helping these feathered friends to survive.

The first chapter had me laughing out loud as she describes what she went through to capture an injured black vulture. Each chapter thereafter is filled with happiness and heartache as call after call comes in from those who have wild birds that need help. Suzie's commitment to the birds is evident throughout the book - who else would allow a great blue heron to take over their bathroom?

Flyway is not only entertaining, but also educating. Suzie describes, in easy to understand terms, how the birds were rehabbed and what treatments were used. The text is accompanied by beautiful line drawings that illustrate some of the birds that she cared for.


Great blue herons, baby wood ducks, a peregrine falcon, and many others found their way to her center. From talons falling off, split beaks and seizures, to West Nile Virus and babies without parents, she saw and dealt with it all. Referring to her blue three-ring binder and advice from colleagues both near and far, she discovered how to treat and care for these lovely creatures. Flyaway is a book about sacrifices and great rewards in the pursuit of serving the wild bird community.

You can visit Suzie Gilbert's website HERE

A Treat for Woody

A Red-bellied woodpecker that allowed me a little glimpse into his world.

“Never stop exploring... with Mother Nature by your side, the possibilities are endless.” 

 - Cheryl Aguiar

Among the Thorns

I am amazed that these little guys can flit around and land on these thorny plants without getting pricked.

Every moment of life is so precious. 
Take a moment, slow down, and enjoy it.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Daylight, full of small dancing particles and the one great turning, our souls are dancing with you, without feet, they dance. Can you see them when I whisper in your ear? 

~Rumi, as interpreted by Coleman Barks

Floating on the Sky

I LOVE reflections and 

I LOVE Blue skies with white puffy clouds - 

so I couldn't resist this shot. 

And as an added bonus ~ a little duck 

I think it is a ring necked duck - floating on the sky.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. 

Conscious breathing is my anchor. 

~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

Redbud Beauty

 The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other.

~Arthur Rubenstein

Prints and More Available - HERE 

Carrying The Sky

The bluebird carries the sky on his back. 

 Henry David Thoreau

Print Available - HERE 

Empty

In all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.
~ Carl Sagan 

For some reason I am in love with this little nut. I call it a nut, but it is actually the shell of a nut. The empty part actually looks like a little heart to me :)

Silhouette

Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day's chalking.

~ Frederick Buechner

American Robin Strikes a Pose

 

No matter how long the winter, 
spring is sure to follow.  
~Proverb

A Little bit of Color

Buttercups and daisies, 
Oh the pretty flowers; 
Coming ere the Springtime, 
 to tell of Sunny hours . 
~ Mary Howitt

 This handsome gentleman (male house finch) visits the pine trees in my yard. 

Print Available - HERE 

Treasure at the Pond

Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

 ~ Henry Miller

Male Hummingbird

Joy has no cost. 

Marianne Williamson

Carolina Chickadee

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.  
~ Rachel Carson

 Print Available - HERE

Watching Without Words

It was enough just to sit there without words. 

Louise Erdrich