birding Archives • Into the Light Adventures By Sandra Js Photography - Make the rest of your life the best of your life. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:46:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 160380100 Belted King Fisher https://intothelightadventures.com/belted-king-fisher/ https://intothelightadventures.com/belted-king-fisher/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=18789 Belted King Fisher – it is a rare moment when you can catch this bird sitting still and not to far away. Which is how I got this shot. Pulled up to a little park and he was sitting on this post. I slowly opened the door trying to be so quiet, it does not …

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]]> Belted King Fisher – it is a rare moment when you can catch this bird sitting still and not to far away. Which is how I got this shot. Pulled up to a little park and he was sitting on this post. I slowly opened the door trying to be so quiet, it does not take much movement to scare these birds off.

I had my camera in hand, took a couple of quick shots and he was gone like that. 🙂

Belted King Fisher

Belted King Fisher

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/belted-king-fisher/feed/ 17 18789 Who Knew https://intothelightadventures.com/who-knew-2/ https://intothelightadventures.com/who-knew-2/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=18671 Who Knew swans go completely upside down when taking a bath. This is the first time I have seen this. Looks like it is having a good time. 🙂 Who Knew

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]]> Who Knew swans go completely upside down when taking a bath. This is the first time I have seen this. Looks like it is having a good time. 🙂

Who Knew
Who Knew

Who Knew

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/who-knew-2/feed/ 18 18671 Northern Flicker https://intothelightadventures.com/northern-flicker-2/ https://intothelightadventures.com/northern-flicker-2/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17988 Northern Flicker, I was sitting on the porch watching this beautiful bird as it is looking for food. I have a pair of these that nest near the cabin every summer. They love going in the soft dirt of the garden as they hunt for food. I don’t seem to have that many birds this …

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]]> Northern Flicker, I was sitting on the porch watching this beautiful bird as it is looking for food. I have a pair of these that nest near the cabin every summer.

They love going in the soft dirt of the garden as they hunt for food. I don’t seem to have that many birds this year. But I can always count on seeing a couple of these.

Northern Flicker

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/northern-flicker-2/feed/ 5 17988 Have a Wonderful Weekend https://intothelightadventures.com/have-a-wonderful-weekend/ https://intothelightadventures.com/have-a-wonderful-weekend/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17984 Have a Wonderful Weekend No matter how many twigs you drop, you’re still my favorite 🙂 Have a Wonderful Weekend

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]]> Have a Wonderful Weekend

No matter how many twigs you drop, you’re still my favorite 🙂

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Have a Wonderful Weekend

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/have-a-wonderful-weekend/feed/ 7 17984 When the Raven Flees https://intothelightadventures.com/when-the-raven-flees/ https://intothelightadventures.com/when-the-raven-flees/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17942 When the Raven Flees This morning, I watched a raven—a mighty bird in size and strength—being chased off by a much smaller blackbird. The raven didn’t fight back. It simply flew away, retreating from the smaller bird’s fierce determination to protect its territory. I captured the moment with my lens, but it lingered far longer …

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]]> When the Raven Flees

This morning, I watched a raven—a mighty bird in size and strength—being chased off by a much smaller blackbird. The raven didn’t fight back. It simply flew away, retreating from the smaller bird’s fierce determination to protect its territory. I captured the moment with my lens, but it lingered far longer in my heart.

It’s a scene I’ve watched many times in nature, but this time it stirred something deeper. I couldn’t help but think about what’s happening in the world—the constant unrest, the senseless killing in countries across the globe, the headlines filled with pain and violence. It’s relentless. And it’s easy to feel helpless, or worse, numb.

That raven reminded me of how even the strong must sometimes retreat. That courage isn’t always about fighting back—it’s about knowing when to move, when to rise above, and when to find refuge.

In the chaos, I find myself returning to one safe place: my faith in our Creator. The world may roar around us, but there is peace in His presence. There is order, purpose, and rest. It’s not always found in the news or the noise, but in the quiet of morning light, in the beating wings of birds, and in the whisper that reminds me I am held.

Maybe today, instead of trying to make sense of the madness, we simply lift our eyes. We look for beauty. We choose compassion. We stand firm in truth, but we also know when to fly—not in fear, but in wisdom. Just like that raven.

Have a wonderful weekend.

From my heart to yours,
Sandra J’s Photography

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/when-the-raven-flees/feed/ 8 17942 The Ruby’s Are Back https://intothelightadventures.com/the-rubys-are-back/ https://intothelightadventures.com/the-rubys-are-back/#comments Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17871 The Ruby’s Are Back – every year I wait in anticipation to see the first Ruby Throat hummingbird arrive here at home. They are not very afraid of us here and they allow me to get pretty close to take their photos. Always a challenge but so worth the effort. The Ruby’s Are Back Sandra …

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]]> The Ruby’s Are Back – every year I wait in anticipation to see the first Ruby Throat hummingbird arrive here at home.

They are not very afraid of us here and they allow me to get pretty close to take their photos. Always a challenge but so worth the effort.

The Ruby's Are Back
The Ruby's Are Back

The Ruby’s Are Back

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Sandra J’s Photography

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/the-rubys-are-back/feed/ 16 17871 Wildlife in my Backyard https://intothelightadventures.com/wildlife-in-my-backyard/ https://intothelightadventures.com/wildlife-in-my-backyard/#comments Wed, 21 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17858 Wildlife in my Backyard – the sandhill cranes are back. I would love to get a photo of them flying. They have a pretty impressive wingspan like the blue herons do. The white tailed deer still look pretty scruffy. Losing the winter coats. Walking amongst the dandelions. They could eat some of those dandelions, I …

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]]> Wildlife in my Backyard – the sandhill cranes are back. I would love to get a photo of them flying.

They have a pretty impressive wingspan like the blue herons do.

Wildlife in my Backyard

The white tailed deer still look pretty scruffy. Losing the winter coats. Walking amongst the dandelions. They could eat some of those dandelions, I sure would not mind.

Wildlife in my Backyard

Wildlife in my Backyard

Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors

Real Christianity the Great Awakening

By RJ Dawson

Sandra J’s Photography

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/wildlife-in-my-backyard/feed/ 10 17858 Fly Over https://intothelightadventures.com/fly-over/ https://intothelightadventures.com/fly-over/#comments Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17512 Fly Over by a Blue Heron, I finally got the shot. I have always wanted to get a shot of a heron flying directly above me, but normally they keep their distance from people. Truly an amazing wingspan. I have gotten the white pelican fly over. So I have two on my list. 🙂 Fly …

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]]> Fly Over by a Blue Heron, I finally got the shot. I have always wanted to get a shot of a heron flying directly above me, but normally they keep their distance from people.

Truly an amazing wingspan.

Fly Over

I have gotten the white pelican fly over. So I have two on my list. 🙂

Fly Over

Fly Over

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/fly-over/feed/ 22 17512 Is Valentine Day Here https://intothelightadventures.com/is-valentine-day-here/ https://intothelightadventures.com/is-valentine-day-here/#comments Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17370 Is Valentine Day Here 🙂 Is Valentine Day Here Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors Real Christianity the Great Awakening By RJ Dawson Sandra J’s Photography Thank you for stopping by. Adobe

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]]> Is Valentine Day Here 🙂

Is Valentine Day Here

Is Valentine Day Here

Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/is-valentine-day-here/feed/ 7 17370 Juvenile Ibis Bird https://intothelightadventures.com/juvenile-ibis-bird/ https://intothelightadventures.com/juvenile-ibis-bird/#comments Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17196 Juvenile Ibis Bird – I find these birds to be pretty special as well as the Spoon Bills. One only sees them in the south. Such a unique design. This one below is one of my favorite shots. Juvenile Ibis Bird Sandra J’s Adventures Outdoors Sandra J’s Photography Thank you for stopping by. Adobe

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]]> Juvenile Ibis Bird – I find these birds to be pretty special as well as the Spoon Bills. One only sees them in the south. Such a unique design.

Juvenile Ibis Bird

This one below is one of my favorite shots.

Juvenile Ibis Bird
Juvenile Ibis Bird

Juvenile Ibis Bird

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/juvenile-ibis-bird/feed/ 16 17196 The Osprey in Flight https://intothelightadventures.com/the-osprey-in-flight-2/ https://intothelightadventures.com/the-osprey-in-flight-2/#comments Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17106 The Osprey in Flight Another fun bird to photograph, especially when they are flying. They can hover for a long time as they look around in the water for a fish to snag. This shot below show the orange hue color of their eyes. Which I have never noticed before. The Osprey in Flight Sandra …

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]]> The Osprey in Flight

Another fun bird to photograph, especially when they are flying. They can hover for a long time as they look around in the water for a fish to snag.

The Osprey in Flight

This shot below show the orange hue color of their eyes. Which I have never noticed before.

The Osprey in Flight

The Osprey in Flight

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/the-osprey-in-flight-2/feed/ 13 17106 Portrait of a Rooster https://intothelightadventures.com/portrait-of-a-rooster/ https://intothelightadventures.com/portrait-of-a-rooster/#comments Thu, 12 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17056 Portrait of a Rooster Portrait of a Rooster Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts By Sandra J #escapetonatureforu #nikond850

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]]> Portrait of a Rooster

Portrait of a Rooster
Portrait of a Rooster
Portrait of a Rooster

Portrait of a Rooster

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/portrait-of-a-rooster/feed/ 11 17056 New Bird at the Campground https://intothelightadventures.com/new-bird-at-the-campground/ https://intothelightadventures.com/new-bird-at-the-campground/#comments Wed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17049 New Bird at the Campground – A New Bird at the Campground – Out of nowhere, this stunning rooster appeared, strutting around our RV at this small campground. I thought I heard one crowing at 5 a.m. this morning, and sure enough, there he was. He’s the most vibrant rooster I’ve ever seen, with feathers …

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]]> New Bird at the Campground – A New Bird at the Campground – Out of nowhere, this stunning rooster appeared, strutting around our RV at this small campground. I thought I heard one crowing at 5 a.m. this morning, and sure enough, there he was.

He’s the most vibrant rooster I’ve ever seen, with feathers that looked incredibly soft and shiny as the sunlight danced across them.

New Bird at the Campground

I took lots of photos of him. He did not seem to mind. Probably gets this attention everyday from all the campers coming and going.

New Bird at the Campground
New Bird at the Campground

New Bird at the Campground

Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/new-bird-at-the-campground/feed/ 17 17049 Kestrel https://intothelightadventures.com/kestrel/ https://intothelightadventures.com/kestrel/#comments Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=17027 Kestrel – American Kestrels occupy habitats ranging from deserts and grasslands to alpine meadows. You’re most likely to see them perching on telephone wires along roadsides, in open country with short vegetation and few trees. My first sighting of one of these colorful birds. My shutter speed on the camera wasn’t nearly fast enough to …

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]]> Kestrel – American Kestrels occupy habitats ranging from deserts and grasslands to alpine meadows. You’re most likely to see them perching on telephone wires along roadsides, in open country with short vegetation and few trees.

My first sighting of one of these colorful birds.

Kestrel

My shutter speed on the camera wasn’t nearly fast enough to stop motion of this quick bird.

Kestrel

Have a great weekend.

Kestrel

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/kestrel/feed/ 19 17027 Birds in the Nature Preserve https://intothelightadventures.com/birds-in-the-nature-preserve/ https://intothelightadventures.com/birds-in-the-nature-preserve/#comments Wed, 27 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://intothelightadventures.com/?p=16952 Birds in the Nature Preserve – Just a few of the birds I saw while driving around the nature preserve. A lot of the usual ones like the herons and a few ducks now and than. We are a little late for migration time so there were not as many birds as earlier in the …

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]]> Birds in the Nature Preserve – Just a few of the birds I saw while driving around the nature preserve. A lot of the usual ones like the herons and a few ducks now and than. We are a little late for migration time so there were not as many birds as earlier in the year I am sure.

Birds in the Nature Preserve
Birds in the Nature Preserve

Most of them were quite far away from where we were standing. I found this photo below interesting as the alligator swam past the Anhinga bird perched on the dead tree.

We did find at one end of the lake a lot of bird feathers. The alligators do eat birds.

Looks like this bird blind got hit by a storm and ripped the roof right off of it. Closed for the season.

Birds in the Nature Preserve

Birds in the Nature Preserve

Sandra J’s Into the Light Adventures

Sandra J’s Photography & Fine Arts

By Sandra J

#escapetonatureforu #nikond850

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]]> https://intothelightadventures.com/birds-in-the-nature-preserve/feed/ 7 16952