At The Beach

When all else fails, take a vacation. 

 ― Betty Williams

This Digital painting 
is available - HERE 

The Great Egret

The Long Necks of the Egrets and the Herons amaze me!

Looks like he's walking towards me

The entire Reflection

This is the same image just cropped in different ways.  

Image made June 2012 during our vacation in North Carolina

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday 

Sunrise at Emerald Isle

Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.

~ Ninon de Lenclos 

This was the sunrise as we left our wonderful vacation spot.  This was taken as we crossed the bridge leaving the barrier island driving toward the mainland.

White Ibis -- Posing at the NC Aquarium

Print Available - HERE 

"You have to be unique, 
and different, 
and shine in your own way."

~ Lady Gaga

These are birds I don't see very often - usually just when I'm on vacation in NC.  This one posed for me at the NC Aquarium (Pine Knoll Shores)  I LOVE that curve of his bill.  This one was in the middle of preening but paused just a moment for me.

Everything's Just Beachy

The waves of the sea, help me get back to me. 

- Jill Davis

Print Available - HERE 

Heron and the Long Neck Stretch

If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.

~Les Brown

Taken while vacationing at Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Low in the Water

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart... will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.
- Henry Ward Beecher

I am very thankful for you my friends! Hope you have a Wonderful Day!

Skink and His Colorful Tree

We must look for a long time before we can see.

 ― Henry David Thoreau

I saw this little guy while I on vacation in North Carolina   
I thought he was a cutie - but I also 
LOVE the bark on this tree!

Available - HERE 

Blending In

One of my photos from vacation ~ taken at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. They have a FANTASTIC boardwalk area that takes you to little marshes. This is closely cropped so a bit of distortion. I am not sure of the ID on this lovely ~ but one thing I know for sure ~ he blends in to his surroundings quite nicely :)
Edited:  possibly a Juvie Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Green Anole

The kindest way of helping yourself 
is to find a friend.
 - Ann Kaiser Stearns 

 My little green friend (Green Anole) from a vacation in North Carolina a few years ago.

Heron Reflection

One of the greatest moments in anybody's developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is.
~ Norman Vincent Peale

My Little Green Friend

During one of our North Carolina vacations, I made the acquaintance of this little guy. He is known as a Carolina Anole or a Green Anole. At first I thought maybe he was scared and that is why he has the enlarged red throat. During my research I found that the enlarged red dewlap is also a courting gesture. 
 Maybe he was flirting with me :) 
 It was a real treat to see this little guy!!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

"The winds that blow through the wide sky in these mounts, the winds that sweep from Canada to Mexico, from the Pacific to the Atlantic - have always blown on free men."
~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Natural Bridge

During one of our "Stay-cations" Hubby and I did a bit of semi-local
sight seeing. We visited 6 wineries and a brewery located
around Afton Virginia in Nelson county.
And we couldn't pass up Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County.
I was quite impressed by its size. It is 215 feet high!