Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 13:52

Spring enters with a chorus of bird calls. This is the most active time of year for the birds and I want to camp out on my front porch and take it all in.

The Mockingbirds are deliriously animated in their courtship. Sitting high atop the oak trees, reciting every playlist they've ever learned in hopes of attracting a mate. 

The smaller birds, like the Black-crested Titmice and the Carolina Chickadees, chase each other through the trees, chattering as they go.

The Carolina Wrens are a fickle sort. Building a nest here, only to abandon it for a better location over there.

My sweet Phoebe's are a joy to watch and wake me every morning just before dawn with their gentle calls.

Yesterday, I watched two red-tailed hawks ascending the thermals, the sun burned their undersides golden as they dipped and soared. I'd love to follow them back to their nesting site but my world has boundaries that theirs will never know.

The Vermillion Flycatcher and his mate dashed through in a flash of tangerine-red. So brilliant my eyes can barely hold the color. 

The black-chinned hummingbirds are back. Two so far. I have two feeders in the yard and they still don't want to share. When the ruby-throats start north the real wars will begin.

The finches are at the feeders again after feasting in the fields all winter. And the sweet chipping sparrows are enjoying the suet I keep stocked.  

Soon the migratory birds will begin passing through and I'll have fun trying to identify them one-by-one. If you're interested, allaboutbirds.org is a great resource site.

Bird watching is a great excuse to slow down and take note of the world around you - you'll be amazed at what you can find in your own backyard!

So tell me, what are you observing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled day,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 16:52

 

I love this time of year with it’s perfect temps and increased daylight. All of which = increased time spent outdoors.

If it wasn’t for the rain, my house would never get cleaned.

Seriously, if I had my druthers I would live outside, specifically in a tree. Yes, a tree house is dream of mine.

Someday.

Late last week I posted pictures of our glorious red, white and bluebonnets!  As well as some other roadside wonders.

Today, I’d like to take you on a walk around my humble abode and show you what’s blooming here.

I was delighted to learn that these sweet little blooms are Wild Garlic.

 

 

I spotted this False Nightshade while chasing . . .

 

. . . and capturing, this Checkered White butterfly.

 

 

These guys really flit around - you have to be very sneaky, and have a good zoom to catch them! Can you see how his {or her?} body looks almost blue-ish? They are so pretty!

 

 

I also saw this Painted Lady.

 

 

While I was chasing butterflies, Kitty was doing what she does best.

 

 

Hiding out and annoying the Mockingbird. Poor guy. I’m sure he was hoarse by the time we headed for home.

 

 

We have Prairie Verbana everywhere. Some may consider it common.  I disagree.

 

 

Here are a couple of other “commoners” that I find extra-ordinary. The Prairie Fleabane and . . .

 

 

. . . what I think is Slender Stem Bitterweed, in an image I shared on Sunday.

 

 

The scripture is from 1 John 5:4 and the truth of it is something that I am learning more deeply and more profoundly each day.

The sweet Phoebe was there to welcome Kitty and I home.

 

 

I’m pretty sure the pair are nesting again this year. They have stopped waking me up every morning with their mating calls, so I think we are into the next phase, egg laying. I hope to be around for the fledging! Their nest is tucked up under the eaves at the back of the cottage. There’s no way for me to get a picture of the babies in the nest without upsetting mom and dad. {learned that last year} So I have to be content to wait until the little ones start flying around.

My favorite wildflower, the Blue-eyed Grass, wasn’t blooming for some reason. All the little blossoms had closed up. It was a little cool, so that may have been the reason.

So for the finale, the Grey Virvain. A sweet little flower, easily overlooked. So dainty and precious, they’re worth looking out for.

 

 

Dear friends, my prayer for each of you today

is that you will pause to experience

God in His creation.

And that in doing so,

you may find peace.

 

Shalom,

June

 

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 12:52

 

I don’t know about you, but I sit at a desk most of the day. My “work” is done in front of a computer screen. Almost every day, without fail, as the hands on the clock dance toward the number three, my body goes in - to - slowwww mottttiooon. I need a boost. {Or a siesta, but that is usually not a option} My boost is usually a cuppa - tea of coffee depending.

Some days though, I forgo the cuppa and step outside.

This day there is a sweet song coming from the cedar tree in the front yard. The air is pungent with pine, and I take a deep breath and listen. My next thought is sharing this special moment with you, so I slip back inside for my camera. Songbirds in trees are a bit like needles in haystacks. The only saving grace is when they move, but this one flies before I can spot him.

The Phoebe laughs and poses for a picture. He’s not shy.

 

 

There’s that sweet song again.  Now he’s in the big oak tree. I grin - chasing songbirds might be nearly as fun as chasing butterflies.

As I cross the yard a different song comes to my ear.

The little wren is proudly telling the world he’s found his mate - - and a nesting place.

 

 

Under the big oak I strain to spot the silhouette of a bird against a bright spring sky. My gaze drifts above the limbs to the wild blue. Two tiny silhouettes soar just below the clouds. They soar because they can, and I feel my spirit soar up to meet them.

Back on earth, the songbird flies again, but not far. This time his movement aids my sight and I spot him amongst the dying leaves.

Can you see him?

 

Suddenly a mockingbird swoops into a nearby tree, sounding an alarm. I look behind me and see that I have a shadow. Not the best bird watching companion.

 

 

Time to head back inside. The Phoebe leads the way, calling me home.

There is one more blessing to behold before my adventure ends . . . a familiar sound, and there! by the feeders!

 

 

 

I just love the little whiskers on his chin, don’t you?

I hope you’ve been as blessed as I was by this little adventure.

What have you seen through your lens this week?

 

Blessings,

June

 

 

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