With each passing day, something magical is occurring as more and more signs of spring are slowly being revealed.
This Brown Thrasher perched at the top of a bush, belting out its varied repertoire, seemed to be announcing the news that spring is quickly approaching.
“In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.” ~Jean Hersey
Driving along the road, we spotted this elegant-looking eagle sitting serenely at the top of a cypress tree.
“There’s a nobility in his eye, a regal serenity about him. Does he not personify all that men try to be and never can be?” ~Michael Morpurgo
Bacteria feeding on decaying vegetation at the bottom of the lake release methane bubbles. The bubbles rise to the surface and become trapped, one over the other, in the newly frozen ice.
“In the stillness of a frozen moment, we can find the magic that life has to offer.” – Unknown
Some of the remnants of autumn staunchly stood their ground, while others lay intertwined just below the surface of the winter ice.
“Winter, come rest your soul on autumn’s weary head. Twirl, shimmer, soften before tucking fall to bed.” ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
The trees and animals weren’t the only ones with icy feet, but we still enjoyed walking around and seeing the frozen lake and cypress trees during the latest arctic blast.
“January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.” ~Sara Coleridge
The Sandhill cranes have once again returned to a small nearby refuge. The refuge is closed to the public at this time of year, but if you drive around the surrounding land, you can often see flocks flying in the sky or eating waste corn and insects from the harvested corn fields. The cranes have been making their way back to these same farm fields for many years. What a joy to see and hear them as they winter at this stopover place.
This fond attachment to the well-known place
Whence first we started into life’s long race,
Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway,
We feel it e’en in age, and at our latest day.
~William Cowper
The ruby-throated hummingbirds have packed up and headed south in search of warmer temperatures and more plentiful food. Thankfully, fond memories of them linger as we count down the days until their return in the spring.
“Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.” ~Thomas More
Such a beautiful autumn day at the lake. The reflections in the still water continued to impress as the day slowly faded into darkness.
“Swept into nature’s calm, the soul stills as clouds move on.” ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
Even after summer is gone and the plants have dried out and turned various shades of brown, the stems, with their numerous shapes and sizes of seed heads, add beauty and character to the landscape.
“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.” ~Edwin Way Teale
This past week, the sunsets were magnificent in the November sky. What a treat to see the beauty that our Creator planned for each new day.
“Art gallery? Who needs it? Look up at the swirling silver-lined clouds in the magnificent blue sky or at the silently blazing stars at midnight. How could indoor art be anymore masterfully created than God’s museum of nature?” ~ Grey Livingston
“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” ~Christopher McCandless
“I find it incredibly amazing how at every sunset, the sky is a different shade. No cloud is ever in the same place. Each day is a new masterpiece. A new wonder. A new memory.” ~Sanober Khan
“The sunsets are mad orange fools raging in the gloom.” ~Jack Kerouac
It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” ~Lucy Maud Montgomery
“Peering from some high window, at the gold of November sunset and feeling that if day has to become night, this is a beautiful way.” ~E. E. Cummings
“They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” ~Psalms 65:8
walking on a country road 