“When I bought my farm, I did not know what a bargain I had in the bluebirds, daffodils and thrushes; as little did I know what sublime mornings and sunsets I was buying.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Eastern Bluebird
Tennessee
Barred Owl
Earlier this week, as I was out walking shortly before sunset, I came upon this Barred Owl. It was sitting on the long arm of an oak tree that was stretching across our country road. Though I sometimes hear the hooting of a Barred Owl in the distance, this is the first time I had come across one up close.
“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Carolina Wren
“Sometimes … the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” ~A. A. Milne
Growing strong
There’s something comforting about looking out across the field and seeing the strong, towering arms of the oak trees stretching heavenward. Their strength and beauty often serve as a source of wonder and inspiration for me.
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” ~Peter Marshall
Finding a warm spot
Due to mild temperatures this past weekend, this turtle found its way up out of its muddy winter hiding place and found a nice spot to sit and enjoy a pleasant day.
“She thanked God that life was not always winter, that spring always came at last to chase away the cold and heaviness, and to release one to warmth and movement again.” ~Janette Oke
Unruffled
Despite several onlookers on the levee road below, this eagle appeared to be quite content as it sat on its private perch overlooking the Mississippi River.
“Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts … [and] seems to impart a quiet to the mind.” ~Jonathan Edwards
Radiance
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” ~Victor Hugo
Brown Thrasher
I spotted this brown thrasher along an embankment beside the road. He was bobbing up and down between busy spurts of churning leaves and digging dirt. My presence didn’t seem to phase him at all — as finding food was obviously of top priority.
” Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” ~Jim Rohn
Hoarfrost
On one of my morning walks last week, I noticed these feathery ice crystals covering the blades of grass along the road. They created quite an interesting, magical little world of their own.
“That’s the whole problem with science. You’ve got a bunch of empiricists trying to describe things of unimaginable wonder.” ~Bill Watterson
Cardinals on a snowy day
Northern Cardinals add a lovely splash of color to an otherwise dull winter day.
“One must maintain a little bittle of summer, even in the middle of winter.” ~Henry David Thoreau
walking on a country road 