Pre-Launch and Lift-off

Japanese Beetle  

on (and off) the Teasel.

Just some of the things I see when I'm out walking.

Heritage Park

Blacksburg, Virginia 

Heritage Park Walking Trail

“Never have I thought so much, never have I realised my own existence so much, been so much alive, been so much myself ... as in those journeys which I have made alone and afoot." 

- Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Hay Fields of Virginia

“I come here for the solitude. I come to soak myself in memories before they evaporate, before they float so far from my memory that I can't catch them.” 

 ― Brenda Sutton Rose

Print Available - HERE 

American Goldfinch - Thistle Bender

Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE. WISH. BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.

 — Mandy Hale

Although not as brightly colored as her male counterpart, 

this Female American Goldfinch was looking quite

fetching in the thistle.

Available -- HERE 

Crossing Tom's Creek

"Wander a whole summer if you can...time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will definitely lengthen it....."

 ― John Muir

Print Available - HERE 

FaceBook page - HERE 

Heritage Park Reflections

So come to the pond, 

or the river of your imagination, 

or the harbor of your longing, 

 and put your lips to the world. 

 And live your life. 

 ― Mary Oliver

Heritage Park - Blacksburg Virginia

Print Available - HERE 

 

Oh What a Sky!

How clear, how lovely bright,

How beautiful to sight

Those beams of morning play;

How heaven laughs out with glee

Where, like a bird set free,

Up from the eastern sea

Soars the delightful day.

― A.E. Housman, A Shropshire Lad

Heritage Park - Blacksburg Virginia

Available as a Print - HERE 

Winter Delight

“Joy – in the fall, winter, and always in the mountains where people are few, wildlife is abundant and there is peace in the quiet.” 

 - Donna Lynn Hope

Available - HERE 

Pond Reflections

There is another alphabet, whispering from every leaf, singing from every river, shimmering from every sky.

 ― Dejan Stojanovic

Available - HERE 

Such Pretty Ways

Female Goldfinch

The goldfinch has many pretty ways. 
He is one of our most amiable birds. 

- John Burroughs

"She is" in this case :) 

More of my Goldfinch Images - HERE 

They Give Color To My Day

The mere studying of the birds, seeking mere knowledge of them, is not enough. You must live with the birds, so to speak; have daily and seasonal associations with them before they come to mean much to you. Then, as they linger about your house or your camp, or as you see them in your walks, they are a part of your life, and help give tone and color to your day. 

 - John Burroughs 

Under the Maples

More of My Cardinal Images - HERE 

Worm-eating Warbler - Another New Life Bird!

Another new lifer for me!  A Worm-eating Warbler.  

To be honest, I had never even heard of this warbler before.  I looked through all of my guides, and did some comparing of pics online - and I do believe that I have ID'd him correctly - BUT - if I'm wrong - please let me know :)  

We do not need to attend classroom training programs for everything, our observation opens the windows of knowledge around us.

― Sukant Ratnakar

 

Handsome House Finch

You're never fully dressed without a smile. 

 ~ Martin Charnin

I hope you are smiling today!

Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly

....The beauty and mystery of this world only emerges through affection, attention, interest and compassion; .... open your eyes wide and actually see this world by attending to its colors, details and irony.

 ― Orhan Pamuk

More Fritillary Butterflies - HERE 

Dragonfly Wings

Any one of us can be a rainbow 
in somebody's clouds. 

 - Maya Angelou

A Different Version of this - HERE 

dragonfly art

Drink the Wild Air

  I think this is a Comma butterfly.  As you can see he liked hanging out upside down

and a ladybug hanging out

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

 ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Brown Thrasher

The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude. 

 ~ Dennis S. Brown

More info on the Brown Thrasher and his beautiful song:
HERE 

Bird of Prey

She decided to free herself, 
dance into the wind, 
create a new language. 
And birds fluttered around her, 
writing “yes” in the sky.”

 ~ Monique Duval

Updated:  Hilary and Allen tell me that this is a Cooper's Hawk!
Thanks!!

Mockingbird Blessings

Sometimes I need 

only to stand 

wherever I am 

 to be blessed.

 — Mary Oliver

Print Available - HERE 

Rainy Day Friends

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. 

― Eleanor Roosevelt

Male and Female Cardinal on a rainy day

Prints and Cards and More Available - HERE