Twist and Turns is the design of this tree, plus it is a great spot for the birds to perch on high above the forest floor. The trees in the south have so many different designs to them. Amazing how the branches seem to go in all different directions.
She was framed by His words to represent His Creation
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Twist and Turns
Sand or Snow Who’s Feet Are These with the tiny knobby knees. Designed with a purpose, each species feet. Some are made for sand and some for snow.
I can’t decide, I find so much beauty in both.
Who’s Feet Are These
New Birds to the Collection, well this first photo is a new bird to my eyes. It is called a green heron. It was at dusk when I took this photo, so it does not show the beautiful color this bird really is. It is a short stocky bird to say the least.
The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, insects, and feathers, dropping them on the surface of the water to entice small fish.
This one is a Blue Heron, but I am thinking it might be a younger one. It is a lot smaller than the ones I usually see and its feathers were much bluer than the adults.
Of course one can not be on a beach without seeing the sandpiper birds. They are so commical to watch, they walk so fast, well they always look like they are running. They are not vey shy, they come right up to you most of the time to check out what you are doing on their beach.
New Birds to the Collection
Precious Are We, these two lovely ducks were walking along in the park. One looks a little ruffled, maybe it is the younger of the two. I added some flowers to the photo because they just looked like they should be enjoying flowers on this beautiful Autumn day. But there was another duck not far behind them. A grumpy looking duck to say the least.
Now it could just be the dark feathers around his eye, but he looks like he is having a bad day, giving my the ole stink eye like some of the deer did last year when I photographed them. 🙂
He is unique, but I have to say his feathers are just as beautiful as the two from above.
His back feathers look like a warm throw blanket, with a beautiful design all his own.
Precious Are We
Two by Two, I took this photo of these two pelicans flying in unison and I was thinking, I wonder how many other photos I have of just two birds and I was surprised to find the photos placed below. None of these photos are photoshopped. They are exactly how I saw them. Two by Two
Two by Two – the Two Tablets were spoken by Him, to restore creation, to to become one as they should be for eternity.
The Two Tablets are the inside chambers of your Heart, “Love your Father” outside the chamber, “Love your Neighbor”.
Two by Two
Morning Noon and Night, there is always something going on at the beaches. From people just walking on the beach to fishing with very tall fishing poles. (video below)
To pelicans sunning themselves during the heat of the day. You can find them easy enough during the day stitting on a post in the water, cleaning their feathers.
But come sunset, the beaches empty out, the lights are low. That is when we enjoy a walk on the beach the most. Just remember to bring a flashlight if you lose track of time.
So the evening and the morning were the second day and the dry land could appear.
Sunrise of Gold
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Hot Sand Hot Sand, or just doing a little dance. It is a very windy day and the sand is blowing giving these photos a nice whitish background. The birds don’t seem to mind the sand blowing, but the salt spray tends to leave a sticky residue on your glasses, cameras and skin.
Hot Sand Hot Sand
Master Kingston Shrimping Boat, it is a shrimping boat but I think it is doing better at catching birds. 💕😉
We are off for the weekend,
Have a Wonderful Weekend
New Places Means New Wildlife, one of the fun things about traveling is seeing new things that we don’t get to see on a regular basis. Like this emerald green dragon fly. He was hanging onto the side of the RV today at a new park, so had to snap a couple of photos.
We finally got to see our first alligator as well. She is a beauty and at this small lake there are a few baby alligators popping their heads out of the water now and then. But they disapear fast, so you can only see their little noses in the water and then they are gone.
I mentioned the Osprey a few days ago. Well, we have been seeing it a few times this week and learning where it likes to hang out to eat its lunch. Here it has a fish in its claws enjoying lunch high up in a tree. I now know the call it makes as well so it is easyier to spot it.
New Places Means New Wildlife
For the Love of Pelicans, who’s bills hold more then their bellies can. 😉
The two pelicans species I have photographed here in the mid west. The Great White Pelicans and the Brown Pelicans. Yesterday I talked about the difference in their size.
They do look similar with their actions and how they hold their heads. But,
The White Pelican has the largest wing span reaching 108 inches across. Their wings are beautiful and uniform which makes them glidge effortlessly above. They swim on the water and catch their fish by scooping them up in their bills.
The brown pelican is made for speed and diving. Their wings spans are shorter, their feathers on the wings are ragged and torn.
Because, they dive sometimes from as high as 60 feet. Air sacs beneath the skin on their breasts act like cushions. Also, while diving, a pelican rotates its body ever so slightly to the left. This rotation helps avoid injury to the esophagus and trachea, which are located on the right side of the bird’s neck.
This is how a Brown Pelican catches food, diving in head first. They can’t be all pretty and preened when nose diving all day for food.
Have a Great Weekend
For the Love of Pelicans
The Beautiful Brown Pelicans
I am back in my favorite place, where I can see the Brown Pelicans everyday. Those of you who have seen my blog post from way back know that I have photographed a lot of the Great White Pelicans and I photographed them in Iowa of all places. But the brown pelicans are only found down south on the ocean waters.
The biggest difference between the two types of Pelicans is the color of course and then their size. The White pelicans have a wing span of 108″ and the Brown pelicans have a 78 inch wing span. I will show the difference on tomorrow’s post.
The Beautiful Brown Pelicans
Deep Thoughts by Darren the Heron, My Heart Will Go On as I stand here alone on this beach, looking out over the water wondering where she went.
Play the video at the end and then look at the pictures again. That is what I was thinking when I first saw Darren the Heron standing alone on the beach looking out over the ocean.
Deep Thoughts by Blue Heron
Nothing But Water, the Gulf coast stays fairly calm in this area. So you can see sun sparkles on the water for miles on end. Video below
Nothing But Water
Blue Heron on Vacation, one thing about the birds when you get down by the ocean is, they are not to afraid of people. So they stand right next to you which is great for photo opts. You will find them near people especially if they have a fishing pole in their hands, looking for a easy meal.
Blue Heron on Vacation
Doing Some Crabbing, not being crabby, 🙂 Watching the Gulls find tiny crabs for their meal today along the waters edge. It was sunrise here on the gulf coast so the water is reflecting the golden hue of the sun as it rises this morning.
A beautiful morning as the water gently recedes from high tide and a view down the beach of hotels lit up in the morning light. This is one of our favorite places to be, the Gulf Coast.
Doing Some Crabbing
Circle the Wagons, that is my thought when I was watching these 4 egrets walking in a circle in the river. Or perhaps they were playing Duck Duck Goose, if anyone remembers that game from our childhood. I wonder if kids play games like that outside anymore. Ring around the Rosie, Hop Scotch, Annie Annie Over. All great games when I was a youngster.
These four Egrets are just fishing and the second photo is 4 Geese flying overhead with gorgeous blue sky in the background.
Circle the Wagons
Diving Head First into a New Adventure this weekend. It is my birthday weekend, I am turning the big 60 years old. A year ago I picked where I wanted to be on my 60th birthday and these photos will give you a little hint. . But this adventure does not end with just a weekend. 60 is the new 30, we are never to old to make our dreams come true, faith and trust.
Of course a lot has happened over this past year and I never write my plans in stone. One never knows if tomorrow will come, I take one day at a time and enjoy it to the fullest.
So I am going to say; Have a wonderful weekend a little early today.
Diving Head First
Yellow Daisy’s for Fall, there are still some daisy’s growing here and there this September. Such a bright beautiful color.
Oh, and the finches are still sporting their yellow feathers.
Yellow Daisy’s for Fall
Under His Wings Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Under His Wings
Some of My Favorite Song Birds perched on a branch or stick. Except the last one, it is perched on a wire while holding a stick. 😉
Some of My Favorite Song Birds
The Color Green Green stands for balance, nature, spring, and rebirth. It’s the symbol of prosperity, freshness, and progress.
The Color Green
The Young Eagle This beautiful young eagle has been visiting our place lately. He is very noticeable just from his size alone. Even hidden in the shade of these trees, his silhouette is quite breathtaking when I notice him on the branch of this aspen tree.
The plumage of juvenile and immature bald eagles shows a good deal of variation. In fact, immature bald eagle plumages are among the most complicated and difficult to classify among North American birds.
Have a Great Weekend
I Was Waiting For Them this morning. Every morning about 4 groups of geese fly over head towards the east. This first photo shows the sun is just coming up as they fly over, so you can see the sun light on the front of their wings. I have not seen geese all summer but come September they do this fly over everyday, I am not sure where they are going and in the evening they fly back towards the west.
They start about 7:30 am, when the sun is just coming up and by the 3rd group that fly’s over, it gets a little brighter and the sky starts turning into a beautiful blue instead of gray.
Have a Wonderful Weekend.
Until We Meet Again – to the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds in my yard this year. I have made a note on my calendar, for the first time this year, I have not seen these beautiful little birds. I believe they started their long journey south. They have been all over my fall flowers and feeders throughout August and now they are gone.
So here are some of my best photos during 2021 of the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. Safe travels.
Until We Meet Again
He Created Male and Female; He created salvation; which is heaven and earth. That which it holds is beautiful.
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird
He Created Male and Female
Before Migration Begins, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds double their weight from 3 grams to over 6 grams prior to departing. They don’t stay pudgy for long, though. In northward migrations, it’s not uncommon for a hummingbird to weigh around 2.5 grams when it reaches U.S. shores!
Each year, hummingbirds embark on two migrations – one north and one south. These migratory journeys, which can span hundreds or thousands of miles, require immense preparation and a shocking amount of energy from these small birds – the smallest in the world.
In the fall hummingbirds can set out as early as late July and the last stragglers will cross the southern U.S. border by late October. It’s this amazing cycle of hummingbird migration that can also bring a sudden swarm of activity to your hummingbird feeders. If you have a well-maintained hummingbird feeder, expect plenty of new visitors as they try to boost their energy before the next stage of their journey.
I am taking lots of photographs of them right now before they leave. I look forward to seeing them again next year.
Before Migration Begins
Young Eagle Stopped By today, I have not seen many eagles this year. Only on occasion when they fly by and sometimes stop and hang out in a tree for a little bit. This one here just glided right in, he was so far away, I wasn’t sure what it was at first.
So I got the big camera lens out and that is when I realized it is a young Eagle. I never get tired of seeing them.
So I thought I would share some of my favorite Eagle photos below.
Young Eagle Stopped By
Something a Little Different, I don’t know what these flowers are but they were growing along the beach of Lake Superior. Sometimes I don’t know if I need to know a name to some of these wildflowers. I just like to enjoy them and know that they will be a surprise next year when I see them again.
I believe I mentioned awhile ago about framing your own photographs and art work. I enjoy sharing them on the web, but I do like to print them and hang them in my home. I have taken up digital painting of my photographs. Where you actually take a paint brush and paint on your photos. Very relaxing to do and amazing what technology can do as well.
Thinking outside of the box, create what your heart and mind sees.
Something a Little Different
Change of Season with Birds, most of the time people notice the change of seasons to Autumn by the colors of the leaves and temperature. But this year is the first time I have noticed exactly when certain birds have left my area. Migration is a big thing in the spring and fall, especially for birders like my self.
These Red Winged black birds made their presence known all summer. They are very territorial and nested all around the pond here and two days ago they were all gone, just like that. Not one is here. The days are getting shorter by 1 minute a day. Birds sense this along with, weather, geography, food sources, day length, and other factors.
I had a pair of Robins that built a nest right by the cabin. They really enjoyed the bird bath I set out this year. Every day they were using the bath, especially on hot days. But, they are all gone now as well. Robins don’t mind the cold weather as much, they can handle that. They leave for warmer areas because of lack of food here in the colder months. Flocks of them arrive in Florida to spend the winters.
Yes, all the moths and butterfly’s are gone, along with my summer flowers not producing anymore. But the fall flowers are just starting up. A welcome sight, all the rich warm colors.
But, despite the birds telling us winter is coming soon. There are some exciting things that have returned since the summer birds have left. Take for example the Ravens, this one in particular I have named Edgar. Now he never left all summer, but he could not come visit as often as he would like because the Red Winged black birds would always chase him away. Now, he is back on his perch, high above the forest and comes and goes as he pleases.
Migrating birds can cover thousands of miles in their annual travels, often traveling the same course year after year with little deviation. First-year birds often make their very first migration on their own. Somehow they can find their winter home despite never having seen it before, and return the following spring to where they were born.
Taking a journey that can stretch to a round-trip distance of several thousand miles is a dangerous and arduous undertaking. It is an effort that tests both the birds’ physical and mental capabilities. The physical stress of the trip, lack of adequate food supplies along the way, bad weather, and increased exposure to predators all add to the hazards of the journey.
To me, seeing what nature has to endure to get to the end results, speaks to me from that silent voice within us. We are on a similar path. The ups and downs, the long journey finding our way in this world. There will always be some hard times and ruff roads to travel and a lot of good things as well. But in the end we will find our way home, to where we were born. None of us die, we just go home.
Change of Season with Birds
Update on the Tree Swallows, Well, I did not get any purple martins at my bird houses this year. But the pair of Tree Swallow birds are still here. I lowered the bird house last week and they have 5 eggs in their nest. So maybe there will be little ones flying around soon. The eggs have been there for quite awhile it seems like. But I have seen them coming in and out of that apartment in the house.
Now, they are called Tree Swallows, so I am assuming they should be nesting in trees, but I think they like being barn swallows and/or apartment dwellers.
Last week I had a surprise visitor at our back yard. A mother black bear and her yearling cub. I will be posting photos tomorrow and a video on You Tube, it was an amazing thing to see.
