Chicory

 “To be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — 

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.” 

— John Burroughs

Print Available - HERE 

Winter Magic

“Love sharpens the eye, the ear, the touch; it quickens the feet, it steadies the hand, it arms against the wet and the cold. What we love to do, that we do well. To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half.” 

 ― John Burroughs

Print Available - HERE 

White-breasted Nuthatch in the Forest

The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.

 ― John Burroughs


Print Available - 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 

The Ruby Crown Revealed

The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and wonder of the world…

 - John Burroughs

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet

I've tried many times to get a decent shot of this little guy with his "crown" showing.  Finally - I got just a hint of it.

White-breasted Nuthatch Collage

The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and wonder of the world…

~ John Burroughs 

A Suggestion To The Poet

The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life ... The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are realized in their free, holiday-lives -- and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song! 

– John Burroughs

I do believe John Burroughs was very wise and truly gifted with words!  

I saw this verse and was moved by its truth.

A Thrill of Pleasure

White-breasted Nuthatch 

The birds around me hopped and played, 

 Their thoughts I cannot measure: 

- But the least motion which they made 

 It seemed a thrill of pleasure. 

~ William Wordsworth

A Spot of Red On His Head

Male Downy Woodpecker at the Suet Feeder

The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. 

The great opportunity is where you are.

 ― John Burroughs

Leaves Covered In Ice

I guess you could say it was a little bit icy 

What a severe yet master artist old Winter is.... No longer the canvas and the pigments, but the marble and the chisel. 

~ John Burroughs

Bluebird of Happiness

Indeed, this bird seems incapable of uttering a harsh note, or of doing a spiteful, ill-tempered thing. 

John Burroughs, The Bluebird, 1867

~  Heritage Park - Blacksburg, Virginia ~ 

Wildflower Dreams

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~ John Burroughs

One of my favorite quotes that I've used often on this blog. It is quite thrilling to me to hear the birds sing, to see flowers in a field or a butterfly in flight. What wonderful entertainment and beauty there is in just going for a walk. This was taken on one of my many summertime walks.  The white flower is Queen Anne's Lace and the blue in the background is Chicory

Snow Queen with Snow Beak

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life. 
~ John Burroughs

More Cardinals - HERE

Autumn's Palette

How beautifully the leaves grow old. How full of light and colour are their last days.
- John Burroughs

Print Available - HERE 

Gold and Orange

Golden feathers and Orange Leaves ~ The Perfect Fall Colors!
Goldfinch in Autumn Leaves

How beautifully the leaves grow old. 
How full of light and colour are their last days.
- John Burroughs

What a way to grow old ~ Full of light and color!  

This image available - HERE 

A Little bit Messy

 
.. to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.  
 — John Burroughs

It was quite thrilling for me to get so close to this little Downy Woodpecker who is a frequent visitor to our deck. I slowly approached and he didn't seem to be bothered by me at all and continued pecking on the seed bar. As you can see, he was a bit of a messy eater and has seed all over his beak. If you look closely you can see just a bit of his tongue sticking out too. And I LOVE that little out of place feather on top of his head.

Go To Nature

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
~John Burroughs

Prints Available - HERE