Solitude is not
isolating but an opportunity to talk with Jesus.
Quote for Today: Were I to wander with no purpose to the thoughts
of my mind, the eternal force of God's hand would ever guide me on my way.
(From my book) Copyrighted
Today is a new beginning. It contains lessons of yesterday and
the promises of tomorrow. The journey is only guaranteed for the moment we are
in, not for what is yet to be. We often find ourselves facing obstacles to our
faith. Everyone faces them. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place of personal let
down, a vacuum. Any number of things can cause this. How do you treat this and
where do you go with it? Who do you blame? Should you blame God? His purpose is
far above ours and not within our understanding. This is a form of solitude and
an opportunity to talk with Jesus. Some will close themselves off because the
result was not what they wanted. My answer will be a question. Where do
you want me to go from here Lord? The answer might not be fourth coming but you
will be answered. I have waited years for an answer and am still waiting for some
answers. Luke 11:9 “ So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search,
and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Remember, it
took multiple tries for the door to be opened. Answers are provided at the
proper time, his time not ours. Don’t turn your back on Him because the answer
was not immediate. It WILL come in HIS time.
I thought maybe it is time for some spring thoughts. It is
obvious that just about all of us northern latitude dwellers need some warm
sunshine. With yet another snow storm looming we need some HOPE that SPRING is
on the way. First let me say that where I live the promise of spring is when
the male Northern Cardinals begin to sing their territorial song. I have such a
cardinal doing just that. That brings a coast to coast smile every time I hear
it. This does not mean spring is just going to happy tomorrow but it gives a
spot of hope that it will be beginning soon. Sunshine amidst a foot of snow and ice is reason to celebrate. I love photography of our feathered friends.
I recently shared some of them privately and they were well received. So! Guess
what? Right! Today is yippee, the birds are coming.
Since my favorite winter bird is the cardinal and he is
singing the song of spring, he will be first.
I was filling the feeder when I stopped to take this
picture. Decked out in his finest he was singing his territorial song.
Beautiful bird any time of the year.
Here he is on the feeder. This is what he was waiting for.
His mate is always there when he shows up. Difficult shot.
She is first to take off with any sudden moves or noises.
The next series is of a bluebird that was kind enough to
pose for me. She was not afraid of me so I was able to get fairly close to take
her pictures. That was my explanation to the inn keeper where we were staying at
the time. She had tried and couldn’t get this kind of picture. Enjoy.
Next is a fun picture and a VERY hard one to get. This is by, the way, our smallest falcon at 9” long. As a teen I was privileged to hold one
of these little beauties on my hand. It had flown into a window of a friend and
been dazed. It was released when it recovered.
This was a shot taken from 50 or so feet. He was at the top of
a pine tree on the neighbor’s property. This is a favored spot for birds of
prey. I have a bunch of pictures using this spot. .
Note the very distinct facial markings.
Next and finally a woodpecker. This is not just any
woodpecker. This is the largest woodpecker in North America. The Pileated
Woodpecker is 16” long with a wing span of 29” this is one large bird. The
photograph and the one of the Bluebird was taken at the Feathered Nest Inn in
Woodstock, Virginia.
I hope you liked the spring/summer detour. I very much
enjoyed bringing it to you. I may share some more thoughts of spring in the
near future. As always, LOVE THE DETAILS
Fantastic photos of the birds! Love the cardinals - and just this morning at our bird feeder we probably had about 12 of them. They're so beautiful and really bring beauty to a dreary winter day.
ReplyDeleteThe blue birds - we seldom see those down this way, but they're so pretty too. AND, since blue is my favorite color, I just gotta love 'em!
I've never seen (or held) a falcon! Beautiful and majestic bird!
Hope y'all don't get snowed/iced in up your way with this horrid storm on the way! Stay safe - and cook chili! LOL!
Lynn
What beautiful bird shots! That bluebird knows she's a beauty the way she/he poses. We have a pair of bluebirds coming to the feeders during this cold weather. The Pileated Woodpecker is awesome. A friend of mine, also in PA, got some shots of one near her house. We've heard what we think is one of these magnificent creatures in the woods behind our house but haven't seen one. I love watching the birds. They're such awesome creatures. One of God's magnificent creations!
ReplyDeleteOh, these birds are gorgeous. We have a lot of cardinals. The Eastern bluebird is my favorite and it may be because I don't see them often enough. There are so many houses around and they like a lot of territory, plus there are cats around. Not mine. There is an open field beyond the woods behind us. If I owned it, I would put out a bluebird house.
ReplyDeleteI took this picture January, 2011 in my neighbor's back yard when we had a big snow. http://benzistampz.blogspot.com/2011/01/no-card-just-snow-and-birds.html I counted six cardinals in the bottom photo. May be more. They are kind of hard to see.
Several years ago, hubby and I heard whacking away on the trees behind our house. We looked outside and the wood chips were falling. It was a pileated woodpecker. We only saw two and they weren't around for long before they disappeared. I heard someone say they found one that had been hit by a car about 2 miles from here and I'm afraid it was one of the ones behind our house. How sad.
We had a snow today. It covered the ground and was very pretty. It melted before the day was over. I think we will get ice and snow tonight and tomorrow.
These are all great photos Jim, and a much-needed hint of spring coming..............SOME day! We had one of those woodpeckers in our yard a couple years ago too, and they're much larger than I ever imagined they'd be! TFS
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy these pictures so very much. In case you haven't picked up on it, I love the red cardinals. Love the bluebirds too, but the last years, we've not had any visit. I think my neighbors bewitched all of 'em away from us! And I've never seen a falcon before either! You had some totally fantastic pictures for us to enjoy. Also enjoyed reading your thoughts, and indeed we do have to remember...with God, there is always Hope if you have Faith. He doesn't let us down, but His ways & plans are not ours...just so very much better than we could aspire to ask for. Thanks for the lovely photos & good thoughts this evening.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs - we have none of those birds here, so it is always great to see photos of birds that are often mentioned, but that I have never seen. We currently have thrushes and blackbirds bathing in our birdbath just near the back of the house. They are also causing havoc in my vegetable garden as they scratch around for insects....
ReplyDeleteThe Tui and Bellbirds are our harbingers of spring, they are both N.Z. natives.
Blessings
Maxine
The birds are lovely Jim and I do believe Spring is on the way.
ReplyDeleteAdore the photos of the birds, such a welcoming sight! My favorite is the cardinal too. I have never seen on in Washington State, though I so have a story about cardinals. We went to Missouri to my husband's mothers for Christmas holiday, it being my first time, I expected to see many birds, especially cardinals in Missouri. The days went on and finally it was time to wait for the ride to the airport. I was secretly bummed that I had not seen a cardinal the entire time, and I looked every time I went out. As I gathered my suitcase and put on my coat, I glanced outside, in the tree just outside the window, a pair of cardinals sat. It was like they were saying, we couldn't let you go home disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI smiled and went to turn and tell my husband, they flew away. I beamed I was so happy.
Anyways, just a little rambling I had... Have a wonderful evening, thanks for sharing your wonderful pics!
PS I have never seen the miniature falcon before, and never heard of it either, cool post!
Oh these are just gorgeous! That Bluebird is so very pretty.
ReplyDeleteAfter our snowfall last night, I could really do with some spring-time round about now!
Jim, you shared some of these pictures with me before and I always love to see them again. It reminds me that spring will be coming soon. I remember us taking the pictures of the falcon in the pine tree. I still have my pics, too. The little blue bird is adorable! And the woodpecker and cardinals are gorgous! Can't wait to see what new pics spring will bring for us.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos, Jim! I LOVE birds and these are outstanding!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDelete