Giving ~ Day 5

“Here on the pulse of this new day

You may have the grace to look up and out

And into your sister's eyes,

Into your brother's face, your country

And say simply

Very simply

With hope

Good morning.”

Maya Angelou

From this morning's journal:

Give Away: I have already lost the battle with frustration once today - let out a small scream over something so very minor. There's lots to get done today - both mundane and creative things. Today I give away frustration and stress. Each little gnarly chunk of it.

Give Access: Today I give access to breath. I will remember and remind myself to breathe!!

Give Thanks: Today I give thanks for projects. Projects and productivity. How wonder-full it is to have a home to care for and a creative endeavor to prepare for!

Sharing my Little 

Backyard Critter with

Eileen

Six {vacation} Favorites

Our trip to Central Oregon this year was, as always, delight-full.

Not only was there family

and fun and lots of R & R...

but there was plenty of time for me to play with my camera!

Here are my favorite "critter" pics from our vacation.

1. The House Cats.

OJ and Buddy have recently "earned" the privilege of being let outside during the day.

It was fun to get to photograph them as they ventured out...

off the deck and through the weeds.

2. The Doves

We were serenaded throughout the trip by the cooing doves.

It was the first sound I registered every morning.

In the side yard,

where they are treated to lots of food,

I enjoyed watching the light catch the white in their feathers as they flew from place to place.

3. The Deer.

These guys probably deserve a post all their own.

Every morning and evening four or five deer wander into the yard and find food 

that's been set out for them.

They are beautiful creatures!!

This year I loved that little OJ the cat wasn't spooked by them - 

not at all!

He often wandered right up to them during their visits!

4.  The Hummingbirds

Always an obsession of mine while I'm at my in-laws.

This little guy "posed" for me a ton.

In reality, he found a good "lookout post" atop a juniper tree.

He'd come and set a spell...until he saw other hummers head for the feeders,

then he'd go and chase them off.

He was kind of a little brat.

But pretty cute none-the-less!

5. This Dragonfly

This is an iPhone moment.

On our first trip to our favorite lake ~ home to most all of my favorite dragonfly pics ~

this guy greeted me. Welcomed me!

He just sat there as my macro iPhone lens moved in towards him.

I couldn't believe it!!

Such a poser!

6. Some "human" Critters

We were treated to many beautiful sunsets during our two week stay.

One night the sky was particularly dramatic ~

there was a storm out over the valley, but we could see the clearing coming through at the same time.

We sat for several hours...

chatting,

watching the sky and the lightening...

and doing what human critters do so well...

recording the sight on whatever device we had with us!

Stay tuned...

many more vacation pics to come!

Joining Kim and Kat and Eileen

Path Dwellers

shades of gray and brown and beige

now color their world

they leave the trees and
come to the bridges

on the bridges

they find the seeds left by the humans

that share their world

all winter long

their friends leave some treats on the bridges
to ease the winter months

so they come to the bridges to nibble
to pose for the photogs that wander
before they take wing
and return
to add color to our leafless trees




Joining Eileen for
Saturday's Critters

Chasing the Heron

Yesterday,

on the way to work,

I spotted a heron standing on the shore of my favorite pond.

It's unusual to see the big birds

on the side of the pond that's close to the road

and on the side of the water treatment facility.

So...

I parked and hopped out thinking I could get a shot or two

of the grand bird and the fall colors.

But as soon as I approached

the heron took off flying!

He flew right past me,

along the length of the pond,

until he found "safer" ground further along the water's edge.

Since I didn't have a zoom lens with me,

I tip-toed as close as I could get...

But we all know they can sense "tip toes" from yards away!

I was able to catch this one shot of him resting in the autumn weeds.

So elegant, with his long legs, neck and beak!

It was fun to wander through the changing foliage
on a cloudy, chilly morning
to try and get a shot of Mr. Heron.

Sigh. I do love the fall!

Needless to say, 

I wasn't able to get very close before my friend

flew off yet again.

I chose to leave him in peace at this point

so as not to be any later to work than I already was.

Oops!

Joining Eileen for

Saturday's Critters

Backyard Picnic

Every day,

in the early morning

and early evening,

my in-laws entertain some special guests in their side yard.

Here are a few shots of their favorite visitors!

"Time for dinner, boys"

"Nibble, Nibble"

"What you lookin' at?"

"The Lookout"

"All Ears"

"Clear the Table"

"Anything Else?"

"Lickin' my Chops"

"We'll Be Back Tomorrow"

Joining Eileen for

Saturday Critters

a few extra wedding guests....

Last week's wedding reception was held at this lovely farm in Weston, MO.

Not only was the big old red barn beautifully decorated for our party,

but the farm itself was a fun place to wander and play!

A certain ring bearer and flower girl were especially pleased with their uncle's choice of venue...

Enjoy!

Joining Eileen for

Saturday's Critters

Black Crowned Night Heron

In the big trees,

behind the town hall,

a large, extended family of herons have moved in.

They like the running water of the small dam under the bridge

in the center of town.

The townfolk

stand on the bridge,

chat,

sip their starbucks

and watch their new neighbors.

And the herons?

Well,

they hang out in the tree tops

and watch the townspeople watching them!

Joining Eileen for

Saturday Critters