Forsythia, in bloom in Central Park, provides a colorful perch for a House Sparrow, who seems more than happy to pose for a portrait. Possibly the most common bird in the park, the chatty House Sparrow doesn’t seem to mind being close to people.
Cardinals and Snow – a Welcome Sight
Northern Cardinals are a welcome sight on a snowy day. Certainly one of the most popular birds, they are the state bird of seven states. Now there’s a trivia question for you – do you know what your state bird is?
Singing Our Song
“Sometimes I get nature to pray when I don’t have the words – I let a rushing river say my prayer. I let the mountain wind be my whisper. I let the chirping birds be my song. A day in nature is never wasted.” – Jared Brock from his book A Year of Living Prayerfully
Spring Migration Jubilation
“It’s raining birds!” wrote a particularly enthusiastic birder after recently spending a day in Central Park. Dave Taft of the New York Times described the birds as “colorful, frenetic migrants” and “tiny bundles of nerves, flitting through treetops in near perpetual motion, their gorgeous colors a blessing for the eyes.”
Photographed this May at Rockefeller State Park, an American Redstart and a Yellow Warbler.
Four Mouths to Feed
After constructing her nest, this robin patiently sat and warmed her four, blue eggs for two weeks, rarely leaving her nest. This photo is for my Mom who personifies patience as well as all of the other virtues that mothers need most.
“Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” – Barbara Kingsolver
Blue and Bold
A belligerent Blue Jay made it quite clear that a Red-tailed Hawk was not welcome company at Rockefeller State Park. It made four or five “sneak attacks” before the annoyed hawk finally flew away.
Moving Forward
Count me among the many with a great admiration for Pope Francis. His recent Apostolic Exhortation “The Joy of Love” provides plenty of reflections on life in the family. A couple of excerpts include the following: “No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love.”
“I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfill their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way.”
A Time for Quiet
The ends of the earth stand in awe at the sight of your wonders. – Psalm 65
The 2010 Windland Smith Rice “Zoos and Aquariums” Category Winner was captured at the Bronx Zoo when a Western Lowland Gorilla became intrigued by a fearless Mallard duckling. It was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in 2011.
All photos © Tom Warren… With gratitude.
Blooming Within
“I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and fragrance of a flower – the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence.” – Helen Keller
