At the Top

One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.

~ Henry Miller

About the Image: Taken 05-11-11 - I had quite a fascination with ants over the summer. They move so fast it's hard to get them in focus.

On Delicate Hinges

Swinging on delicate hinges

the Autumn Leaf

Almost off the stem

- Jack Kerouac

About the image: Taken 10-30-11 - After a visit from Mr. Frost - 28 degrees when this image was taken.

Dark-eyed Junco - Peaceful Harmony

Each day, awakening, are we asked to paint the sky blue? Need we coax the sun to rise or flowers to bloom? Need we teach birds to sing, or children to laugh, or lovers to kiss? No, though we think the world imperfect, it surrounds us each day with its perfections. We are asked only to appreciate them, and to show appreciation by living in peaceful harmony amidst them. The Creator does not ask that we create a perfect world; He asks that we celebrate it.

~Robert Brault

About the Image: Taken 10-28-11 - first sleet event of winter 2011/2012. If you look closely you can see some sleet on his tail feathers.

Leaves - I Count Them As Joy

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.

~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Cedar Waxwing - Focused on the Berry

Do whatever you do intensely.

~Robert Henri

Birds with Long Tongues

Hummingbird sticking it's tongue out.

Red-bellied Woodpecker - stretching his tongue to reach the peanut butter.

I think most woodpeckers have long tongues like this.

I think it's pretty cool!!

I believe that every person has uniqueness - something that nobody else has.

~ Michael Schenker

Butterfly Encounter

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.

~Saint Francis de Sales

About the Image: Taken on June 21, 2011 - Gateway Trail - Blacksburg, VA

Birds and Beaks

It seems that I am always focused on trying to capture birds with something either in their beak or on their beak. I captured the above cardinal with the sun shining ON his beak and a seed IN his beak (a twofer) Looking back - I see that it has been quite a subject on this blog -

for example:

A Blue Jay Feeling quite Nutty - HERE (a little piggy with all those nuts)

A Downy Woodpcker that's quite a Messy Eater - HERE (no table ...er feeder manners)

A Female Cardinal just hanging out in the pines - HERE (pass her a napkin)

A White-throated sparrow with a buried beak - HERE (NOT looking forward to days like this)

A good time to laugh is any time you can. ~Linda Ellerbee

I hope you've had a laugh!!

Dream it - Be It!

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.

~Karen Ravn

About the image: Taken on a gray day - 10-19-11 - again thru the window in my living room.

About the quote: Profound words that have me contemplating several aspects of my life.

The Dew Of Little Things

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

~Kahlil Gibran

About the image: Taken 05-21-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

I am unsure of the bug ID. I was really happy to capture him among the dew.

Red-spotted Newt Close-up

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

~ Steve Maraboli

About the image: This was shot during my first encounter with a Red-spotted Newt (aka Eastern Newt) on 09-04-11. It was a definite highlight of my summer to see one of these.

A Natural Explosion

There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough to pay attention to the story.

~Linda Hogan

Droplets on The Stamen

Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different.

~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

About the image: Taken 05-11-11 - Rhododendron in my front yard.

 

The Polka Dot Bird

Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things I am tempted to think there are no little things.

~Bruce Barton

About the image: Taken thru the window yet again 10-21-11 - tree in my back yard.

About the quote: You may wonder what this quote has to do with this picture. In doing a little research on this bird - The Common Starling - I discovered that it is considered a "nuisance" here in the US (not to me though). It seems that there are 200 million of these in the US and they descended from 60-100 that were released in Central Park, NY back in 1890.

You can read more about this bird on Wikipedia - HERE

I think it is a beautiful bird :)

Carolina Chickadee and How to Change The World

Carolina Chickadee - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 10-22-11

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

~Jack Layton

Celebrate Unique Creatures

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

~Dr. Seuss

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.

~Robert H. Schuller

About the quotes: As I grow older I am learning to accept and recognize my own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others - and I celebrate it!

About the images: These images were taken July 17, 2011 - Heritage Park, Blacksburg, VA. I believe this is a mayfly - but I am not positive on that. What the pictures don't show very well are the little "tails" at the end. These were the first I've ever seen of this creature - a "life bug" for me :)

Nature's Glow

In Nature's Glow ~ My Soul Delights

About the image: Taken October 09, 2011 - Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, VA

Shooting into the light is a no-no - but I love the way leaves look when they are backlit. I also love finding hearts in nature - and the very bottom one looks like a heart to me :)

Oh What Bliss

Oh What Bliss ~

To Scratch That Itch!

About the image: I have a squirrel or two that hang around my backyard and deck. They share - somewhat peacefully- the bird food I put in the feeders.

Outside My Window

Our senses are indeed our doors and windows on this world, in a very real sense the key to the unlocking of meaning and the wellspring of creativity.

~ Jean Houston

About this image: Taken standing in my living room through the window. I thought the birdie blended in well with the leaves. Not sure what the ID is on this bird - If you know, please leave me a comment. It was raining again - hence the little specs in the shot :)

I Am Rich with Autumn's Gold

I am rich today with autumn's gold,

All that my covetous hands can hold;

Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod,

A goldfinch on a milkweed pod,

Huge golden pumpkins in the field

With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield,

Golden apples heavy on the trees

Rivaling those of Hesperides,

Golden rays of balmy sunshine spread

Over all like butter on warm bread;

And the harvest moon will this night unfold

The streams running full of molten gold.

Oh, who could find a dearth of bliss

With autumn glory such as this!

- Gladys Harp

About the image: White-throated sparrow from last Autumn. I haven't seen them here yet this Autumn. They may be here just not visiting my deck yet :)

About the words: I am enjoying reading seasonal poems and this is one that I thought described autumn beautifully.

Cardinal In the Pines

There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream.

~Author Unknown

About the image: Shot from my back deck. This is a favorite hiding place for the cardinals. This image is also one of my best sellers in my Kreations by Kerri Nature Store at Cafe Press.

Patience

All things come round to him who will but wait.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About this image: This is one of my favorite images - shot several years ago.

About the quote: I need to remind myself daily that some things take time .... and I need to have patience.

There Will Come a Time ....

There will come a time, you’ll see with no more tears.

And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.

Get over your hill and see what you find there,

With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

– Mumford & Sons, After the Storm

YouTube Link to this Song - It is AMAZING! = Click Here

About this image: I am always captivated by leaves that have fallen and come to rest somewhere else. And what better place to rest but in the Pine Needles.

About the quote: I've been listening to Mumford and Sons for several months and admit that many times I am moved to tears with their music. If you aren't familiar with them, please check them out. You will be soooo glad you did!

Robin with Wet Berries

For after all the best thing one can do when

it is raining, is to let it rain.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About this Image: Though not as sharp as I would have liked, it's still one of my faves. Berries after the rain and a Robin ready to feast ..... it just says "Autumn" to me :)

Red-bellied Woodpecker - and His Red Belly

Each today, well-lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life.

~ Sanskrit Poem

About this image: Looking thru my archives I found this Red-bellied Woodpecker - showing his Red Belly. I grew up calling his guy a "Red-headed" woodpecker .... well he does have a red head - but he isn't a Red-headed Woodpecker. If you look closely you can see his tongue too. It was a very dark day when I took this - thru the sliding glass door that leads to my deck with my ISO set on 3200. I am using a Nikon D7000 (see sidebar link) and I can't get over how well it does on a High ISO.

Autumn Leaves in the Rain

A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.

~ Rachel Carson

About this image: We have had several days with rain this week. I shot this thru the window in my living room. Falling rain is quite fascinating. ISO1000 on this one.

Monarch Caterpillar - Focus on Potential

Focus on your potential instead of your limitations.

Alan Loy McGinnis

About this shot: This was taken on a foggy morning early in September. My sister was visiting and we found this little guy on a morning walk. With little sunshine, I had to shoot this on a high ISO - 1600. I hope he survived and lived up to his potential to become a beautiful Monarch butterfly.

Female Cardinal and Her Berry Beak

Autumn is the eternal corrective.

It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity;
but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance.

What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon
- Hal Borland

About this image: I just couldn't pass up a bird with a berry in her beak. This was a dark picture - I was VERY far away - and it wasn't sharp. I did a bit of editing in Lightroom 3 and this is what I got. Still not very sharp and has a "painterly" look to it. I am pleased with the way the autumn colors in the background show through and I love that you can see her skinny legs :) The branches came together nicely to give her a "framed" look.

Squirrel in the Morning Light

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.

~Henry L. Doherty

Tree Lined Path in Autumn

Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege.

Use it. Dwell in possibility.

~Oprah Winfrey

Black Vulture - Caught in Mid Flap

Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.

-James Thurber

Many times I hear these creatures before I see them. Their wings make a type of "woosh, woosh" sound as they fly overhead. Quite a thrill to hear!

Carolina Wren - Singing His Song

There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden,

but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.

- Minnie Aumonier

For those who have not heard what beautiful music this little guys makes - click HERE for a link.

I have found that a walk with Nature is one of the greatest stress relievers and mood enhancers. Feeling down? Go for a walk in the forest or in your local park and listen to the sounds around you. You WILL feel better!

Hiding In the Goldenrod - Macro Monday

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

~Zora Neale Hurston

I think this is a type of crab spider - however - I have no idea what type.

I found this info on Wikipedia about crab spiders. I LOVE Wikipedia!

This guy was itsy-bitsy. I used my 105mm Macro Lens for this shot (seen in my sidebar under favorites).

For More Macro Monday Shots - Visit Lisa's Chaos - HERE

Autumn in the Forest

The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.

~ John Muir

White-breasted Nuthatch - Hanging Out

There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream.

~Author Unknown

Tree Branches - Bending and Reflecting

Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.

~ John Muir

Female Cardinal - Peeking from the Pines

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

~ John Lubbock

Song Sparrow - Pass Your Days In Song

You must pass your days in song. Let your whole life be a song.

~ Sai Baba

The Morning Dew of Wonder

Tomorrow the sun will also rise to the occasion of another day with equal grandeur. Such is the nature of that morrow which today has already seen, yet it greets us each time afresh with the morning dew of wonder in its eyes.

~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Locust Borer Beetle - Macro Monday

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.

~ Robert H Schuller

This is a Lifer Bug for me - the first one I've even seen. I find him quite unique - and - beautiful in his own special way. He was crawling in the Goldenrod and blends in quite well.

For more Macro Monday images - Visit Lisa - HERE

Mockingbird - Drying His Feathers

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Autumn Lace

For the Fall of the year is more than three months bounded by

an equinox and a solstice. It is a summing up without the

finality of year's end.

~ Hal Borland