Beloved Birds

Ice Cardinals

It’s been a snow shower and freezing rain kind of day. Not my favorite weather, but the birds didn’t seem to mind as much as me. Lots of birds flocked to my backyard and bird feeder today. These red cardinals looked so pretty against the the winter white of the day.

I really can’t choose a favorite kind of bird, they are all beloved to me. I’ve only been a bird watcher for a few years, but I’m hooked! The more you look, the more kinds of birds you start to see! And, I love looking at them through the lens of my camera because I can zoom in and appreciate the fine details of the individual beauty of each creature.

If you are interested you can find more bird pictures under the birds header at the top of my page. You can see recent posts about my beloved pets Pal and Stripey Boy on my blog. So much to love! Aren’t God’s creatures grand?!

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Posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: beloved
And the daily post prompt: creature
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Silent Communication

Sweet Pal

Pal is my super sweet pup. He often uses his bark to communicate, but his eyes can speak volumes! Here, I believe he was saying “I love you! I’m a good boy! Will you give me a treat?” Of course, his non vocal communication was rewarded. Who could say “no” to this sweet face? Not me!

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Posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: Silence
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Be at Peace, Stripey Boy

My Stripey Boy

I’m heartbroken that my sweet Stripey Boy passed on yesterday. I really misss his 19 year old soul. I don’t think I realized how often I thought of him, reached out to him, and spoke to him every day. He was a good boy, very affectionate and playful. I was lucky to care for him for 19 years. I believe his strength and well-being have been returned to him on the other side. I know I will one day meet him again, look at him eye to eye, hear his purr, and hug him close. Until we meet again, Stripey Boy, be at peace.

My Pal

Portrait of Pal

(4 pictures.) Pal has been my friend for nearly nine years. We first bonded as I held him close on the car ride home. My brother and I got Pal from a breeder, but we say we rescued him from less than perfect conditions. With his blue eye, he would never have been a show dog, but we didn’t care. Turns out, Pal has had to take medicine for seizures since he was a pup. He is a trooper and just carries on his merry way. He is a sweet boy, and he loves to play, eat, and sit on your lap!

Pal is a curious basset hound and follows his nose. We have to watch to make sure that he could never accidentally wander away on a mission to follow a scent or chase a butterfly!

Pal On The Move

Pal is smart and knows a lot of commands when he is paying attention. It’s certainly easy to get his attention with food!

Sit and Shake Pal

Pal loves to be near his people. When he gazes at you with his pretty eyes, or rests his slobbery chin on your lap, you know you are loved!

Pal is a Good Boy

Pal is a good friend and part of the family!

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: friend

Christmas Bounty

Santa Claus

It is Christmas Eve and Santa must be loading up his sleigh. Santa Claus is coming to town. When I was a kid, I could easily think of something to wish for and eagerly awaited Christmas morning. I was a lucky kid and always had a bounty of presents from Santa.

It was exciting to go into the living room and see all the amazing things that Santa had left. Santa did not wrap our gifts, so it was like a visual explosion of sights , and we were thrilled as we wondered what to look at first!

“Look at this!” Look at this!” My brother and I would call out to each other and hold up our gifts for display! It was an exciting time.

I realize how very lucky I was. Lots of love filled the room.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas filled with love and joy!

Hands

Momma and Me

I immediately thought of this photo when I saw that Cee’s Fun Foto topic of the week was Hands. I treasure this photograph of my mother’s hand beneath my own.

My mother passed away last August. It’s been a little over a year since I’ve felt her touch. But I can still remember the softness of her skin and the gentle strength of her hands. I miss her and long for the comfort of holding her hand again.

Wait Right Here

Mother and Baby Downy Woodpeckers

My backyard is wildlife lively! I just saw a mother Downy Woodpecker feeding her baby!

Baby Waits

Feeding Time

Baby Holding On

This sighting is a perfect addition to my May bird series showcasing the beauty of birds. To see more bird posts and pictures, just click on the Birds header at the top of my page.

Fledgling Admiration

Baby and Poppa Bird

This little bird is new to the world and has been sticking near its parents as you will see in this four photo post! I saw the little house sparrow hop over to stand close to its father on top of this pole. They seem to be admiring each other. I never knew the male birds gave much attention to the fledglings but this one has stayed near.

The mother bird has also stayed close and I saw her feeding this baby with food from my feeder! I just wasn’t fast enough to get the picture. The baby seems to be getting its wings but still seems a little discoordinated. In fact, it landed right on its mother before fluttering up and over to the next fence grid.

Baby and Momma Bird

Here is a moment of independence for baby…but the family stayed near. I think the baby is an only child!

Baby

I saved my favorite picture for last. It isn’t as clear because I took it through the blinds and screen of my back door. This was my first sighting of the little bird and its Momma! I think it was just learning to fly…this may have been the first family flight! I was so happy when I saw them on my back porch. This candid family picture warms my heart!

Mutual Admiration

I am in awe of nature and the beauty of all my backyard birds. I am amazed at the loving care this bird family seems to display. Family ties are something I admire!

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge:
<a href="http://Admiration“>admiration

Window Into Time

Momma’s Window

My mother looked out of this window as a little girl, pressing her nose against the glass and daydreaming about the future. Now, I gaze up at the window as her grown daughter, imagining her past. Looking at this window, I can feel the passage of time. I can feel the weight of time moving slowly backward and then rushing forward.

I discovered that my mother lived in this old house as a child. Other people and families surely moved in and out of the house over the years, making changes. But, her window remained unchanged.

I wonder what things she saw as she looked out into her neighborhood. I wonder what things she thought about. I wonder if she had big dreams for her life. I wonder if she dreamed about getting married and the children she would have one day, imagining her life with me long before I ever existed.

She would never have imagined the hardships and physical challenges she would face in life. I hope she imagined some of the happiness and joys that her life would hold. I like to think that some of her childhood dreams came true. She loved to smile and sing and laugh. I know she loved me and my brother with all of her heart because she showed us and told us so. I believe she knew she was loved by us.

Time flies. So, grab every window of opportunity to experience the world and to spend time with the people you love!

Happy Sunday to you all!

*posted in response to the daily post prompt://Window

Time Capture

Time Capture

How to capture time: photographs

Sometimes our memories need a boost. Looking at the moments captured in our photographs can bring back a flood of memories and emotions. Photos allow us to momentarily re-live the past.

I enjoy taking pictures of nature and places and things. Looking at those photos reminds me to appreciate the beauty of the world around me. But it is looking at old photo albums, with simple snapshots, that takes me back in time and reminds me of who I really am.

me and my little brother back in the day

I’m wishing you all great times this weekend!

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge:
Time