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. 🙂
Turkey Vulture Silhouette
Sharing a bird silhouette I thought appropriate for Halloween…..
Turkey Vulture
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles – Water Ballet II
I previously shared photos and information on Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles that had suddenly appeared in large numbers in Cambridge Creek back in September. (previous post here)
Most of the Sea Nettles didn’t stay but a few days before the tides carried them away to new destinations. Luckily a few big ones remained for a week or more, so I continued to photograph them when they were gliding at the top of the water near me.
Shade and overcast days worked best, as well as early morning when the water was usually calm.
I hope you enjoy another photo series of “Sea Nettle Water Ballet”.
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle photographed in direct sunlight.
“Avoiding Collision”
“Surfacing”
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle (processed B&W)
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettle (processed B&W)
Chesapeake Bay Sea Nettles “Water Ballet”
I thought this next especially large sea nettle with 6-8 foot tentacles gave an appearance of a bride. What do you think? 😊
“Here Comes The Bride I”
“Here Comes The Bride II”
“Here Comes The Bride”
Barn Swallows
Our area Barn Swallows are long gone for the fall/winter, having migrated to Central and South America.
Any time I was over at our marina this past summer, the small colony that lived beneath our dock were always flying around or perched on boat lines. Even on top of our bimini, where they loved to sit and poop, much to my husband’s dismay.
Here’s four more of my favorites from this past summer not shared previously.
Barn Swallows
Barn Swallow
Juvenile Barn Swallows
Barn Swallow
Bay Photos by Donna 