Ah, the souls of those that die
Are but sunbeams lifted higher.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In loving memory of my Mother-in-law, Charlotte. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
country road
Field of sunflowers
One of the fields near our house is growing a crop of sunflowers this year. Immature sunflower buds turn their heads during the day to track the motion of the sun (heliotropism). Generally, by the time they mature and their heads become heavier, they face the east in order to catch heat from the early morning light. The majority of the sunflowers in this field are facing east, but there are still a few that appear to be “looking around”.
“Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. And that’s such an admirable thing. And such a lesson in life.” ~Helen Mirren
Queen Anne’s Lace
Presently, our country road is lined in places with rows of Queen Anne’s Lace. The beautiful white wildflowers give the roadside a magical appearance.
… Her lawn looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne’s Lace!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay
A colony of Great Egrets
This colony of Great Egrets was hunting for food in a flooded field close to the Mississippi River. Watching as they waded around among the Butterweed was a stunning sight.
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” ~Mary Davis
Around the corner
As we rounded a curve in the road, there sat two rabbits — an older one and a younger one. The older rabbit quickly hopped away, but the younger rabbit lingered there a little longer and continued to enjoy the delicious grass.
“Life is so extraordinary. Wonderful surprises are just around the most unexpected corners.” ~Rosamunde Pilcher
Storm clouds
We have had round after round of storm clouds passing through this spring. They make for some interesting colors and patterns in the afternoon sky.
“Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Heading North
On a morning walk, my attention was drawn to the bugling sound that I’ve come to associate with the Sandhill Crane. Looking up, I saw strings of them coming across the sky above the farm fields, headed northward. Spring migration has begun.
“… the grand tour is just the inspired man’s way of heading home.” ~Paul Theroux
At the end of the day
A small plane landing at a local airport just as the sun was setting.
“End your day with a smile, a happy thought and a grateful heart.” ~Clint Walker
Out on a limb
The American Black Vulture is a little more dapper than his fellow scavenger, the Turkey Vulture, sporting glossy black feathers and a gray neck and head. The Black Vulture is also said to be more social and prone to maintaining family ties. We spotted these as they were taking in the view from the top of a tree at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.
“When you are out on a limb, the whole world is at your feet.” ~Unknown
In search of the Sandhill Cranes
After spotting three Sandhill Cranes on farmland near our house, I was curious to find out why the cranes were in the area. I did an online search and discovered that “Hop-in Refuge”, located not far from us in West Tennessee, is a wintering home to several thousand Sandhill Cranes each year. Used as farmland during the summer, it is then flooded to provide habitat for birdlife during the winter months. I was excited to go on a road trip in search of the Sandhill Cranes. We found that though the refuge is closed during the months of November thru February, there are plenty of cranes to see dotting the farmland in the surrounding area.
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.” ~Unknown
walking on a country road 