Inspired by . . .  Life thru My Lens 04:52

Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus. 

The winter birds are helping me live out 1 Thessalonians 5:16 during this wet and dreary weather we're having.

Birds have a special place in my heart and in my life. Almost every time I can recall that I've been very sick or dealing with significant issues in my life, God has sent me birds. He has spoken to me through their gentle ways. Through their complete and utter dependence on Him.

As you can see, this winter has been crispy cold. Seeing the birds all fluffed up is amusing. Knowing that He has uniquely equipped them to deal with the cold reminds me that He has provided for me as well.

The Cardinals and the House Finches may be part of my regular backyard visitors but I will never take them for granted. I never tire watching them and delight in trying to capture their beauty.

This week we had some special visitors to the yard!

The Cedar Waxwings come through only once or twice a year looking for berries. They are always a challenge to capture! This year a flock of about thirty flew through. We don't really have any good berry trees or bushes - we need to plant some!  They often stop in the Tallow and Cedar trees briefly before moving on.

These were the only two pictures I managed to capture this time around!

There is one other bird that always brings me joy. Although I'm almost guaranteed never to see one in the wild!

I'm working on this cross-stitch pattern as part of a triptych for our new grandson's nursery.

I'll leave you with a few lessons I'm learning as I stitch . . .

Lessons from a Penguin

☆Mate for Life (Matt 19:6)
☆Always dress well (Col 3:12)
☆Always wear your happy feet (1 Thess 5:16)
☆Sing to each other (Eph 5:19)
☆Never forget your loved ones (Ex 20:12)
☆Stick close together (Ecc 4:9)

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled week, my friends!

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,

Sharing inspiration here:
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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,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,
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Inspired by . . . it's the birds again

I know that's what you're thinking, but they've been making such a fuss over the suet, I can't help be drawn in by their chatter.

This is my golden girl. I love the way the early morning sun bathes her amber light. 

The amber hue is fleeting, I wonder , does she notice?

If you're feeling a bit drowsy, this chatterbox will wake you up!

He's king of the suet around here. 

These sweet little black-crested Titmice just wait for him to leave before helping themselves.

I admit these guys are a favorite!

The Carolina Chickadees are by far the most cautious. My arm fell asleep waiting for him to make his move. 

Did you read what Laura wrote about trees the other week? Her words always expand my mind and touch my soul.

I was thinking of Laura's words as I slipped beneath the branches of this young oak tree. His branches were low and thick, encircling me in a hedge of peace against the outside world. I heard him speak as the evening sun dressed him in beams of gold. A spirit language yet unknown to me. Beauty . . . grace . . . simplicity.

"The trees have long been our friends—oxygen makers, shade-givers, root teachers … ah, these with the limbs always reaching for God. Beauty learns from her simple grace." ~Laura Boggess

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Through My Lens, Little Things Thursdays,
Bird D’pot, Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Wild Bird Wednesday,
Our World Tuesday, Community Global, Friday Photo Journal,
Photo Friday at Pierced Wanderings

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 34:52

Looking back I was surprised to see that it’s been nearly a month since I’ve shared on any nature/bird memes.  August has been a busy month for us. We took a short trip to cooler climes and, as sometimes happens with time away, the before and after was a bit hectic.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of our mini-adventure with you, but for now, here is what’s been happening around the cottage.

I’m not at all happy with the abundance of Bambis this year due to the havoc they are wreaking on my flower beds. They have a particular appetite for blossoms and tend to pull things up roots and all. . . but still, it is hard not to find them endearing.

 

 

 

I shared previously how much fun I’ve been having watching the juveniles at the bird feeders. Here is an immature male cardinal in the beautiful bird feeder our daughter gave us for Christmas last year.

 

 

I don’t see the {Western} scrub jays around often. But when they are in the yard, you definitely know about it! These two made such a commotion, I had to grab my camera and see what the fuss was about. Nothing out of the ordinary, but they look like juveniles to me, so I suppose they were just finding their voice.

 

 

 

It’s been a banner year for butterflies. I planted butterfly weed in my flower beds this year and it is growing like crazy! I’m planning to plant even more milkweed next year. The Pipevine Swallowtails seem to be partial to the red butterfly weed.

 

 

I’m not often up for the sunrise {in the summer months} but we put in some long days getting ready for our trip and I happened to catch this jewel in the morning light.

 

 

The twins paid us a visit this afternoon. They look so skinny, I can almost forgive them for eating all the blooms off my flowers.

Almost.

 

 

And, if you’re still with me, I finally got some decent shots of the elusive Carolina Chickadee. They are the energizer bunnies of the bird world! Constantly moving!

 

 

The lighting wasn’t the best, no sun today for a change, so the greens are a bit dull. But I’m pleased enough to share them with you.

 

 

I saw this quote by Charles Lingbergh recently and wondered what the context might have been. Quite a fascinating conversation, I would think!

 

I realized that if I had to choose,

I would rather have birds than airplanes. ~Charles Lindbergh

  ***

What are you seeing through your lens this week?

 

Have a wonder-filled day!

 

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