This White-crowned Sparrow, so named for the striking black-and-white stripes on its head, landed on the ground near where I was sitting. Less shy than most birds, it seemed almost curious as to what I was doing and quite willing to be photographed.
“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
A few butterflies that I’ve spotted this spring.
“Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.” ~Albert Einstein
A Red-headed Woodpecker seen at Paris Landing State Park. Though it was a flurry of activity, flying here and there, it always returned to the same cavity in a tree. Its actions led me to believe that it was probably tending to a nest inside. Eventually, it lighted near the cavity opening to stand watch.
“Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.” ~Zig Ziglar
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
A common grackle taking flight.
“Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down.” ~Kobi Yamada
A Great Blue Heron wading through swampy water near Reelfoot Lake.
“Have you noticed how children never bypass a puddle of water, but jump, splash, and slosh right through it? That’s because they know an important truth: Life was meant to be lived; puddles were meant to be experienced.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich
The sky was a little overcast, but the temperature was perfect for a hike in the Reelfoot Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, signs of spring were intermingled with the leaves of the past autumn. The sound of birds chirping and an owl hooting could be heard in the distance. As we passed a stranger on the path, his greeting summed up my feelings perfectly — “It doesn’t get much better than this!” No, it certainly doesn’t. 🙂
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~Unknown
A small energetic bird, the Tufted Titmouse tends to evade my camera more often than not. With a clear echoing voice, it flits through the bushes in our backyard. Then, unexpectedly, it drops to the feeder to snatch a sunflower seed before hastily retreating to a secluded branch to crack open its prize.
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” ~Bill Bradley
“Little things do make a difference. Can you imagine a world without butterflies?” ~Katrina Mayer
As I was standing and looking out over the lake, I felt a little disappointed at the apparent lack of wildlife in the immediate area. Then I heard a passing kayaker tell one of his companions to “look up”. As I lifted my eyes, I was amazed to see a large flock of white pelicans quietly soaring right above my head. Such a beautiful and graceful sight that I would have otherwise missed if I hadn’t overheard the suggestion to look up.
“… How often we miss God’s treasures
Just because we don’t raise our eyes.
By keeping our narrow focus
We blunder and miss the prize …”
~Joyce Johnson
walking on a country road 