Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 15:52

Time keeps marching on. Spring has tarried long this year for many of you. I wonder, do you wake up and feel like you've tumbled backward through a wardrobe into Narnia?

Fear not. Aslan IS come and spring will, too.

I'm excited to report that I've seen more monarchs already this year than all of last year put together!

This antelope horn milkweed hadn't even opened yet but this guy was doing his best!

There are more wildflowers blooming every day and the butterflies are everywhere!

American Lady and Gray Hairstreak on wild garlic

We had another new visitor to the front yard this week!

The Spotted Towhee!  My pictures are a little fuzzy as he was quite a distance away, hiding in the grass!

I was watching the Cardinals when I spotted his black head and said, "What's that!"

They are native to our area but are not usually seen at the feeders. I suspect this guy was just looking for something different for dinner!

There has been a lot of singing and chasing going on, which is typical for this time of year.

I have more than one pair of Cardinals. Although it is difficult to distinguish at times, the older male has more black feathers on his face. I'm trying to get good pics of all of them so I can get a real count. Is it two or three pair? I'm not sure.

While I was taking pictures of the monarch butterfly (above) the Eastern Bluebird swooped in to say hello. A little while later, a flock of cedar waxwings flew in, hiding in behind the new leaves of the tallow tree. They were gone before I could get a decent photo.

Never a dull moment!

The oak tree blossoms make for an interesting backdrop for our little "yard boss."

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled week, friends!

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Inspired by . . . Psalm 134

I'm wrapping up my Psalms of ascent series and getting back on track with my posting schedule -that's the plan anyway!

As usual, God's word is perfect in timing and substance.

A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth! (Psa 134:1-3)

As this psalm suggests, even those who watch diligently over the house of the Lord day and night need a reminder to lift up their hands and praise His holy name. 

In this, the final psalm of ascents, the pilgrims have finally reached their destination - Jerusalem! They had been singing of His faithfulness during their long journey and they were now ready to worship and praise Him in the temple!

I wonder, did they find the night-watchmen sleeping? Or had the watchmen just grown bored? 

The pilgrims are neither bored nor sleeping. They cry out, filled with joy, "Behold! Raise your hands! Bless the Lord!" and then they pronounce a blessing upon the Lord's servants, "May the Lord bless you."

I wonder if our worship has become a bit mundane? A trifle bored? Are we beginning to see God as ordinary? rather than seeing His wondrous works IN the ordinary?

There's no doubt the cares of this world can weigh us down. Especially when we try to carry them ourselves. We weren't made to do that, friend.

Hand them over, those heavy trials, give them up. 

Surrender. 

Take on the easy yoke. Close your weary eyes and rest in Him. Trusting Him to renew your spirit.

Then, walk forth in the JOY of your salvation. See Him as He really is - in all His wonder and glory - with freshly opened eyes.

Behold! and praise Him!

Shalom,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 11:52

Sunday was one of those rare days when time seems to stand still, and JOY overflows. After five days of {much} needed rain, the sun emerged triumphant, wrapping me in it's warm embrace. It shone almost too brightly. Like a dream where you keep rubbing your eyes, trying to focus.

The breeze, which has been largely unwelcome all winter, came leaping and bounding from the south, bringing with it promises of warmer nights and just a hint of the sea.

Besides getting the second flower bed cleaned out, I'm unashamed to admit that I accomplished very little. 

Nature is wholly captivating to me. I can sit or wander for hours in complete wonder at her performance. I may or may not have sat, slack-jawed, as a giant swallowtail fluttered by. Already? It's only March! I grabbed the camera and went chasing after it, but alas it was gone, leaving only a vague impression of it's radiance.

My Dreamer has completed the first stage of the fence that we're putting up around our yard, and the Phoebes are taking advantage of the extra perches.

Rain or shine.

The rain also brought one of our occasional visitors, the Killdeer. They are such neat birds. This one wasn't at all camera shy, but I was shooting from inside the car, so it's not the best capture.

I spent a rainy day at my mom's place last week and her bird feeders were especially active. We counted seven male Northern Cardinals. Although I can only locate six in this picture.

What a treat it was to watch them!

Hopefully you haven't tired of all the birds . . .

Carolina Chickadee

. . . and butterflies.

American Lady

Because my big news this week is - - the hummers are back!

Black-chinned Hummingbird

I'm thinking about relocating my feeders, so my pictures don't look all the same as last year's.

What are you seeing

through your lens

this week?

Have a wonder-filled day,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 10:52

Waking up to the rain this morning was truly a blessing. We need it so badly here in south Texas. It should also help clear some of this pollen out of the air, saving me from death-by-sneezing.

The rain comes in perfect timing after the gorgeous weather we had last week. My back tolerated an hour or so cleaning out the flower beds, making room for the new growth that has already begun to sprout.

Butterfly Weed

All the discomfort of being on my knees was worth it to have a visit from this sweet lady.

American Lady Butterfly

My Dreamer was just as busy, mowing and clearing out old growth from around the trees.

I thought this was a neat picture of the old Tico 2 engine my Dreamer rescued from the Randau Oil Lease in Web-county, Texas. Everybody thinks it's a canon.

It was lovely to take a rest after working in the soil, and be serenaded by this sweet voice.

I do love to listen to my house finches!  All is peaceful, until the clowns of the bird-world swoop in and make their presence known.

I took my walk a little later than normal one day, and was able to sneak up on the last few winter hold-outs. It's so much easier to spot them in the green grass. 

Soon, all the Western Meadowlarks will be returning north. You can see an animated map of their annual migration here, if you're interested.

I like this shot because it shows their markings, both back, and a hint of the front, so well. Such a contrast! From the back, you'd never guess the front of this bird was so lovely!

I'll miss the meadowlarks when they go. But their departure means that the hummingbirds and scissor-tail flycatchers will be arriving soon. I wonder how many babies we'll have this year?!

The seasons change, the birds come and go, but I can always count on Kitty to be waiting for me when I get back from my walk.

What are you seeing

through your lens this week?

Blessings,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 8:52

The pear tree is in bloom, and I am like a bee caught in it's intoxicating web.

It always blooms early, usually to it's own detriment. However, this year has been warm and the pollinators are out in droves! So I have a hope of pears for the first time!

Eastern Phoebe

I visit her every day. Drinking in the weight of her nectar. Her garments are dipped in honey and laced with sugar.

Variegated Fritillary

American Lady

Red Admiral

The bees and butterflies dance a cadence that woos me deeper into her sacred speech. Whispered blessings that only my heart understands.

Cucumber Beetle

 "If an [pear] blossom or a ripe [pear] could tell its own story, it would be, still more than its own, the story of the sunshine that smiled upon it, of the winds that whispered to it, of the birds that sang around it, of the storms that visited it, and of the motherly tree that held it and fed it until its petals were unfolded and its form developed." Lucy Larcom

What are you seeing

through your lens

this week?

Have a wonder-filled day!

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 5:52

Sad to say, with everything going on, I haven't been out and about much. Which makes it even more amazing that I got these shots! I've been trying for three years to get pictures of the Western Meadowlarks that winter here every year, and I finally succeeded!

As you can see, they blend in very well with the grasses.  They are nearly impossible to spot, and very timid. They always fly before I even know they are there.

Normally, I can't get within 10ft of them. And this time was no exception. These are taken with the zoom on my Canon Power Shot SC50 HS.

The field had been mowed earlier in the day, and I just happened to spot these two foraging when I stepped out onto the front porch.

Pardon the "butt" shot, but it's the only one that shows a hint of their brilliant yellow fronts. The little buggers never turned around for me! So technically, they are still on my bucket list, since I'd love to get a shot of their beautiful yellow fronts, marked with a distinct black V.

Hmm, maybe I should install a few fence posts.

My other delight this week was this American Lady butterfly.

You can distinguish the American Lady from the Painted Lady by the small white dots. I was so thankful that my purple lantana has continued to bloom. I can't imagine where else the butterflies are finding food!

I've lived in TX nearly nine years now and this is the first time I've seen butterflies in January! If you're snuggled in under a warm blanket of snow, wishing for spring, I hope this brings some warmth to your day!

What are you seeing

through your lens

this week?

Blessings,

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 23:52

My week has been filled with sunshine so far, and it’s a very welcome sight! May produced some pretty amazing numbers in terms of weather. Some scientists say it’s all because of global warming. We shall see.

I had an amazing encounter with a Yellow-billed Cuckoo the other day. The poor guy flew into one of our windows and was quite dazed. I carefully picked him up and set him out of reach of any predators that might be lurking about.

 

 

Some may think them plain, but the Cuckoo really is a beautiful bird with his snowy-white underbelly. I was so thankful when he flew away a few minutes later. This is the first Cuckoo I’ve seen around, but from what I’ve read they are experts at camouflage, so it’s likely they’ve been here all along!

One thing I love about nature is that there is always something new to learn. Identifying animals, especially birds and insects, is challenging and sometimes I get it wrong. For example, in previous posts I have identified the Painted-lady butterfly, but have since determined that they are actually American Lady Butterflies. Their little white dot gives them away.

 

 

 

There were mobs of them flitting around this mass of Texas thistle.

 

 

 

This little guy has been hanging around lately, and at first I thought he was an immature Eastern Phoebe.

 

 

But now I think he may be a Eastern Wood-pewee, because he seems to have stronger, white wingbars, as well as some other characteristics of the pewee. I reviewed my past Phoebe pictures and I still think they were correctly identified. The pewee may have moved in because of our abundance of insects. Just speculating.

 

 

If  you’ve been around here before you probably know that the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are one of my favorite birds. My admiration for them just continues to grow. Animals don’t always tend to be the best parents. But these two are willing to take on a hawk to protect their babies!

This picture is blurry, but I wanted to show you the scissor-tail’s attack.

 

 

These pictures are a little better. I think it’s a red-tailed hawk, but I’m not 100% sure. If anyone can confirm that id, please leave a comment, and thanks!

 

 

Here he is in the tree. I put a yellow star just above his head. He’s looking down at something.

 

 

This is my favorite shot.

 

 

June is my favorite month of all. I’m a summer baby, and June speaks summer to me like no other month.  Sometimes, if I sit very still, inhale the scent of freshly cut grass, and let the warm air seep into my soul, I can almost feel the wild innocence of youth again. Sun-baked days of little or no responsibility that seemed to go on forever.

Throughout the month of June I’ll be sharing my Sights of Summer - - images that whisper summer to me.  I’ll be posting on instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #sightsofsummer

I’d love to have you join me and share what speaks summer to you!

My first image is this summer sunset, with the clouds all dressed in pink.

 

 

 

 That pretty much sums up my week.

What’s been going on in your corner of the world?

 

 

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