Hiding in Plain Sight

After I learned that there was a Great Egret seen not far from our home, I stopped by the small pond that was mentioned and there it was – a beautiful and unusual bird for our area.

After photographing a cooperative chipmunk, I saw an eastern gray squirrel, in hiding and making noises that made me aware that there might be a raptor close by.

I then turned around to see this Barred Owl. Two special birds in one day!

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine De Saint

Brand New Day

As the morning fog lifted, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet appeared on a Japanese Maple at Halsey Pond.

The morning sunshine was most welcome.

A Hooded Warbler sits in the early morning light at Sterling Forest State Park in New York.

Earth Day

A Common Grackle, a Green Heron and a Killdeer were photographed near our home in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

“May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.” – Apache blessing

Hooded Mergansers

“An attitude of wonder requires that we look anew at the familiar, that we stop taking the world around us for granted. An attitude of wonder acknowledges how little we really know. An attitude of wonder is essential if we are truly to experience the creation and the creator.” – Howard Zehr, The Little Book of Contemplative Photography

Snowy Owl

A Snowy Owl is spending time at Nickerson Beach on Long Island this Leap Day. Although they breed way up in the Arctic Tundra, these owls, on occasion, show up in unlikely places – like New York. We were sure to stay at least one hundred feet from the well-hidden bird, to be sure not to disturb it.

“Be still, and the earth will speak to you.” – Navajo Proverb

Peaceful Sunrise

Light begins to fill the sky on the rocky coast of Gloucester, Mass. on Sunday morning. Sometimes, to more fully appreciate a sunrise, you have to wait in the dark for a while.

“Every sunrise holds more promise. Every sunset, more peace.” – Anonymous

Winter Walk

“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

Traveling Mercies

We admired an American Oystercatcher on the beach at Little Water Cay in Turks and Caicos after taking a short boat ride that crossed the incredible, turquoise-colored water of Grace Bay.

When we departed, our taxi driver wished us well with a local blessing; “Traveling Mercies,” she said.

With Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

“Grace, growth, and gratitude. These are my highest aspirations.” — Gloria Arliss