Red-shouldered Hawk at Sunrise
There was a glorious sunrise this morning. I was out the door to capture it cresting up over the hill from us.
This morning’s sunrise
The weather report promised a beautiful day in the 60s. I did a few quick chores and was back out to find who else was out so early this morning.
Within minutes, I spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk perched, scanning its perimeter for breakfast.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Afraid I might see an attack on an unsuspected victim, I shot some photos hoping I got the glint in its eye and quickly moved on.
During the next 20 minutes from across our community, I would glance back at the hawk where it remained poised and focused. It was so beautiful in the morning sunlight, even at a distance.
One more glance and suddenly the hawk dove out of sight, but quickly came back up empty talons (whew!). It continued into flight….
Flying right over me and out of sight.
Red-shouldered Hawk
The hawk was the beginning of an awesome birding morning!
Autumn at the Lake
Autumn is finishing its final touches as our Winter season quickly descends upon us.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
Clouds and sunsets go hand in hand.
A boat cruises at sunset over Lake Greenwood
A few minutes later…..
Sunset over Lake Greenwood
“All my life, I have been in love with the sky. Even when everything was falling apart around me, the sky was always there for me.” — Yoko Ono
The Number is Three
I captured these three birds in flight here at Lake Greenwood.
I’ve seen quite a few Turkey Vultures. This one was circling me nicely….I moved around so he’d know I wasn’t dead for dinner! 😉
Turkey Vulture
I certainly wish I had seen this next juvenile Bald Eagle coming at me instead of heading away. I’ve been told there is a pair of adult Eagles on the lake, I’ve been watching for them.
Bald Eagle (juvenile)
And finally, this Blue Jay was bulleting across the landscape, like they always do.
Blue Jay
I hope everyone that celebrated had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We were home with family. Here’s my three little chickadees…..I mean, grandsons…..letting me take a dozen photos to capture ‘one decent’ one! 🙂
We all know birds and kids don’t sit still for long!
Cardinal Angels
Today marks five years of my Mom’s passing. I still miss her so much. Although there are still many difficult moments like right now, I have learned to smile and live the good memories.
Days after Mom’s passing, someone passed on to my daughter, who passed on to me, the saying, “When Cardinals appear, Angels are near.”
Northern Cardinal (male)
I had never heard this before. And I loved Cardinals, but rarely ever seen any, although I was always looking. Red is my favorite color, and I considered the Cardinal in my top five favorite birds.
Within days after the funeral, suddenly, I saw a Cardinal. And then soon another. Weeks later, another. And many since. When I’d least expect it. At times when life wasn’t going as planned. At times when I needed my Mom. At times when I needed to smile.
Northern Cardinal (male)
From the time I saw that first Cardinal after her passing, I started saying, “Hi Mom, miss you”. Maybe I said a few other things. At first, of course, the tears would flow uncontrollably. But it also felt good, a comfort.
So I kept on doing it.
And today, five years later, I still do it; but now with that smile I mentioned. 😊
Northern Cardinals (males)
Since arriving to South Carolina, I have Angels flying everywhere!
The RV resort is host to a number of resident Cardinals. The first morning after our arrival, we awoke to five Cardinals sitting on the bush outside our RV window. My smile was a mile wide as I said, “Hi Mom!”
Northern Cardinal (female)
So maybe what I do seems silly to some, but to me it has become a comfort. To remind me, even though we are apart, my Mom’s spirit is always with me, forever in my heart.
Love you, Mom, miss you so much. And Mother Nature, please keep those Cardinals coming! 😊
White-throated Sparrow
After almost two weeks, I’ve quickly learned where some of the birds actually like to hang out within our community.
One bird is the White-throated Sparrow, who most times quickly drops into the bushes from its perch before I’m even close to its ‘area’.
We’ve crossed paths often, and I must have picked its curiosity of me. A couple days ago, it actually stayed perched while keeping its eye on me. I quickly took a couple photos and moved on, allowing the adorable sparrow to stay put and continue his rest.
White-throated Sparrow
Now hopefully, (s)he will be a little trusting again and pose another time for me if we cross paths again. 😉
Western Kingbird Takes On A Raven
Filing away photos, I came across a folder within a folder of photos taken a few years back while camping at Lake Powell, Arizona. The following three-photo action series was already processed and ready to share.
So here you go!
___________
There once was a Common Raven….
“Here me roar….”
who landed in a Western Kingbird’s territory.
“I see you below me, Mr Raven……time for you to go!”
The Western Kingbird was not happy with this uninvited intruder and bravely attacked the Common Raven numerous times.
He was in such an aggressive, agitated state, the Western Kingbird began snapping his bill and flared the rare appearance of his tiny red crown that is normally hidden under his gray crown.
Western Kingbird, flaring its red crown, attacking the Common Raven
The Common Raven quickly decided to move on, and the Western Kingbird flew back to guard duty high up in his tree.
All in part of a day’s work for the mighty Western Kingbird!
Eastern Towhee
When I spotted this bird this morning, I knew he was an Eastern Towhee. I also knew he was a “lifer” for me. He moved so fast and jumped into the bush, I wasn’t sure if any of my three shots were good enough for ID for my count. After missing shots in prior years, I finally got lucky with one. Yay!
Eastern Towhee (male)
This fella brings my “lifer” total to 193 birds photographed in the wild. For my birding buddies, you know how it feels to add another ‘feather to our hat’! 😊
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
After a few days of rain, our skies began to finally clear late yesterday afternoon. And then, after arriving to South Carolina a week ago, our first gorgeous, dramatic sunset unfolded over the lake for our enjoyment.
A sundog even appeared to the left of the sun itself (between the two trees in the foreground).
It was a moment of reflection, a moment of thought.
And a moment of thankfulness to the Artist above for our new chapter in life.
Sunset over Lake Greenwood from our RV lot
Ahhhhh…..life is good!
Back to Birding and Nature
I knew I’d have to take a couple weeks’ break from blogging, and I had hoped to post my intention; but, well, our plans to hit the road came a few days sooner and there was no time.
We’ve been out west and picked up our new RV that finally finished production. Yay! After a return trip to Maryland, we packed it up and headed to Lake Greenwood in South Carolina, in search for warmer weather.
And it is most definitely warmer here than the mid-Atlantic! I’ll be in SC for several weeks, working out the bugs and learning all the gizmos and gadgets on the RV. And getting back to my passion…..photographing birds and being one with nature.
Here’s a sampling of what I’ve already captured in less than an hour around our campsite. 🙂
Northern Cardinal
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird
Great Blue Heron
I can already tell I’m going to have a lot of fun getting back to birding and nature!
Thanks for catching up with me, I will soon be by to catch up with all of you. 🙂
Bay Photos by Donna 