So, funny thing . . .

. . . I took a walk several weeks ago on one of our coastal birding trails.

And,

as I was walking along, up ahead on the trail I spied this....

a very exotic species of coastal bird,

CHICKENS! (who knew)

Before I could get much closer, they retreated back into the brush.

But then ahead, just slightly around the corner I could hear them so I positioned myself in a spot that I could see them if they decided to come back out. I could hear them, and had been waiting for about 15-20 minutes?  Of course, right when they walk out and start feeding on some bird seed a couple with a stroller walk by and stop and start taking quite loudly and then ask me...."Are you a photographer".....yep, I am. And off run my subjects back into the wooded area.

(Now, I know they're just chickens, but they were beautiful and it's not a usual sight for me to see them here on the trail, so yeah I was kinda bent on getting some photos.)

It was a tad warm that day and I was carrying around my 70-200 lens which is pretty heavy and so I decided I would just climb up this little hill and sit down on the bench and rest for a moment. I hadn't sat down, literally for 30 seconds, when I hear a loud rustling from behind me, and this beautiful rooster comes barreling right over to me as if we're long lost friends. 

And wouldn't ya know, someone else walking in the opposite direction takes notice of this rooster about the exact same time and stops and starts asking me if this is my pet? Ummm, I didn't really know what to say, because, who takes their chicken for a walk? lol

Of course he high-tailed it right back where he came from, and I moved on.

I did however, see some real coastal birds on the trail....

This is an Osprey. a type of hawk, a large raptor (with a wingspan of 59-71 inches) whose diet mainly consists of live fish. They have unique barbed soles on the bottom of their feet to help them grip slippery fish. And are quite fun to watch dive for food.

I don't know all my hawks, but I think this one is a Red Shouldered Hawk (anyone?) There were quite a few that morning soaring the skies.

Then a nice woman told me there were whistling ducks (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck) ahead on the right. She wasn't kidding, there were several groups just like this one and you couldn't miss them for all the noise they were making. And yes, their call sounds just like a whistle. They have the most beautiful bright pink bills.

Finally, I got some in flight....

And then on my way back to the car, I spotted this White Egret. They aren't as keen on getting their pictures taken, but this guy was concentrating pretty hard on brunch to care that much.

It was a sun up to sun down kinda day....and on my way home, I had to make one more pit stop when I spied these guys on the side of the road in a field. I need a bumper sticker - don't follow too close, I make quick stops.

I should note that right across from the street is Galveston Bay....the best of both worlds. At least this time I didn't run into any wild boar...I'm not that fast a runner anymore!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, looks like the sun may appear here for a bit and then back to a week more of clouds and rain.

Love, Kim

Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds

There is always something shining, somewhere . . . .

"What is joy if it goes unrecorded,

and what is love if it is not shared."

- Jenny Lee (from 'Call The Midwife')

It's been incredibly gloomy and cold and rainy and did I mention grey?

The sun has not been seen since, well, last year. It's so dark in the house

that I need the lights on to see (or see better), and I'm just not inspired to

take pictures inside my house. My heart and soul {and camera} are drawn

to the outdoors, to nature. THAT, is where I find my shiny things.

So, I thought I would share some photos from November that I haven't had

a chance to share, a walk on the birding trail and my special spot. And that reminded

me of something that I wrote down, which prompted me to find the transcript and

I'm somewhat getting ahead of myself here, so  . . . I'll just start over.

I was driving in the car one day and listening to NPR on the radio.

It was November 26, 2014 to be exact.

I was listening to the program {On Being} and they were talking

with folk singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer and the topic was - A

Conversation with Music.

I was quite drawn to this interview, her voice was so calm and soothing and so gentle.

And she comes from a Quaker background, and although I am not I have a very strong

ancestral Quaker background.

Anyway, during the interview I was just reminded about how no matter the medium,

or the artist, or the art, that we all come to it from such a similar place, the heart.

We are all just standing in a different place, a different time, and with a different perspective.

And that is what is so great about art, and life . . . it's different and unique and when

authentic to our own voice, very individualistic. It's also why we have so much to 

learn from one another.

"Music approaches the sacred through the wordless avenues of the heart." - Carrie Newcomer

Yep, I think that's where most art enters, only through different senses.

 She talked about how as a teenager she fell in love with the singing poets.

{entering my secret place, with shiny things}

I understood this. I've fallen in love with the storytellers that use images.

She talked about the idea of being in a spiritual practice and those of us who create art, who record moments in time, of life and death, of joy and sorrow, and of just being present . . . we understand this all too well.

I understand that deep spiritual connection of being in that moment where time stands still, where it's just you and that moment. Where nothing else in the world exists but awe and wonder, and humility.

And she talked about the idea that there is something shining in the world. That just below the surface of things there is something shining, always. And I shake my head yes, and sigh.

There is magic and light, and life below the surface of everything, and everyone.

We just have to ask ourselves the question - Did I look hard enough?

Am I present, am I willing to show up?

Am I willing to share it? To find what's hidden and reveal it. The joy, the sorrow, the vulnerability.

The light in the shadows. The shadows caused by the light. One is not without the other.

Yes there is always something shining, somewhere. We just have to reach for it beyond the surface. Be willing to dig a little deeper, stay a little longer. Sometimes it requires walking in a circle to see it.

To simply record the joy we see, and share it.

The podcast in its entirety can be found here. So much good stuff, I hope you will check it out.

And although I wouldn't say it's music I'm usually drawn to, there is something so wonderful about

her lyrics, so full of real life stuff.

This one from the podcast was my favorite, find it on you tube here.

Have a wonderful day...I hope you find something shiny!

Love, Kim

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds