Friday, September 23, 2011

Foto Friday - On the trail again . . .

{If you are looking for the Bead Soup reveal . . . click here)


Cue the music please . . .
"On the trail again, just couldn't wait to get back
on the trail again . . . ", fa la la la la.

Okay, so I was actually on foot and not a horse.
And well it was a coastal birding trail,
where instead of driving cattle the beauty of nature stopped me in my tracks
and the only stampede to be found was that of the dragonflies
buzzing through the air.
There were no trail bosses or trail hand's to deal with
so I was able to set my own pace, but a chuck wagon would have been a welcome sight!
It was another breathtaking morning
and as someone who pays close attention to the light as a photographer
that would be my only indication that the season is changing
since the weather here still feels very much like summer and is still up near 100 degrees!

The sky was a beautiful shade of blue and the smell of freshly fallen
pine needles was carried through the air by the soft breeze.



Some of the flowers are now producing interesting seed pods.




The seed pods below especially caught my eye. They're miniature works of art and the seeds reminded
me of black pearls only more precious. They may not have the monetary value of pearls,
but something more important as they they continue the cycle and give back life.

(linking this with Favorite photo of the week contest)

When I first arrived (at the butterfly garden) there were several hummers out for morning
coffee nectar but flew right away. I found a tree stump and practiced the virtue of patience
and, eventually a few came back. It was difficult even to get this picture because they are just so quick
and by the time you can find them in the view finder they are heading for the next stop.




Of course I can't pass up the water drops . . .


(linking this one with This and That Thursday with Deb Duty)

There were quite a few butterflies on this morning and I just happened to be standing
right next to the special of the day! 




I was even able to lasso a little starshine!! Which of course reminded me of this quote
from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory:

"Good morning starshine, the Earth says hello!"  - Willy Wonka



And along the way some bushes with berries in my favorite color  - PINK!!



And of course it wouldn't be a birding trail without some fabulous birds . . . .this one is a Roseate
Spoonbill but not quite as pink as normal. It was lucky for me that there are some grasses and bushes
that grow along side the trail that allow me to get a little closer, although I still ended up startling this one anyway.  



And this guy was his walking buddy, an immature White Ibis. There is actually quite a bit of grass between
him and I but since I focused on him and was very close to the grass it just blurred and became a nice bokeh. 

(linking this one with La-La's Home daycare - theme "S" curve - it's a stretch I know, but you do see the
"S" in the neck?)
Throughout the trail there are these bird feeds scattered about. I rested at the swing by this one
and after a little while they felt comfortable coming back.
(linking this with Fabulous Friday)

Then I caught back up with this one . . . 



Here is an immature yellow-crowned night heron and he was quite focused on something . . .



 . . . . he found himself lunch, blue crab yum!!



As I was headed back to the car there was another bird feeder and as I turned around to wait and
see if any birds would return I saw this guy looking at me. I had walked straight passed him!


As I walked this trail there were a few things that I thought about. In life when I walk in fear
I am usually disappointed. When I walk in faith my needs are met. It seems pretty simple
enough, yet sometimes I still insist on being in control . . . I'm still working on that.

I'm going to tape this to the mirror in my bathroom:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Thanks for walking with me today - Have a wonderful weekend!

Love, Kim
XO

 
Photobucket" 
                

20 comments:

Lori said...

OMGOODNESS! These are fabulous!
I don't think that's a stretch for the theme, just beautiful.

Thanks for sharing!
Lori

andi {the hollie rogue} said...

beautiful as always! love that sunflare :) Thanks for linking up and for the great B&W tips--i need them.
have a blessed weekend---oh and can you see my updates in your blogger dashboard now?

Andi

Kathryn Dyche said...

Wow, you got some pretty stunning shots. Of course a lot of the bird ones are my favorites. I especially love the spoonbill and the one eating the crab.

Thanks for sharing your walk with us.

Unknown said...

Wow! You have so many great shots here. Love the detail in your "favorite photo."

Amanda said...

I'm visiting from La-La's, and I think the S curve shot is genius. I saw it immediately. All of your picture are so beautiful.

Susan said...

Oh my, what a beautiful bunch of pictures!!

Great job.

Loved the flowers and that picture with the sun peaking through.

Amazing!

deb duty said...

This is such a beautiful collection of photos! I love the pink berries you found. Looks like you had a wonderful walk. Thanks for linking up today!

Seeing Each Day said...

A lovely collection of photos - really taken by your clever pictures with the hummingbird, the water droplets on the purple flower & the butterfly.

Katherine said...

Welcome back! I've missed your postings on FB, so I am glad it is Friday.

Honey from the Bee said...

That photo of the berries is wonderful! Imagine a room in those colors...maybe just the chair in pink?

Hope all is well with you and ours.

Nancy said...

Amazed at the variety and beauty of the birds you photographed.

And I agree with Janet above -- the different shades of pink of the berries -- perfect!

Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog today. I truly appreciate it. :)

Reena said...

that was a fun walk
love those pink berries!
and sweet capture of the deer!

Unknown said...

wonderful post and wonderful photos

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos! Not a stretch at all for the S curve ... it fulfills the enticement of the eye for movement.
Beautiful.
Blessings,
Andrea

Saun said...

Thanks for taking us along on your walk. Looks like you had fun awesome photos :)

Marvett Smith said...

I love when you go on an adventure and share you images! They are so lovely!

Ashley Sisk said...

Such beautiful shots - really love the second and third shots.

Misty said...

Great shots! Love those deer! Thanks for linking up.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I love your photos and your thoughts. You saw so many interesting things too. Love the flower with the water drops and the berries and the spoonbill.

Kmcblackburn said...

Late to the party here, but thanks for transporting me from Philly to your neck of the woods...just beautiful.

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