Foto Friday - Who's There?

They're used as portals

to allow us to pass through from one place to another 

and can be opened and closed 

some are locked and some are not 

and many are slammed 

they mark an entrance and and exit 

and some a beginning and an end 

sometimes we leave them open 

for the possibility of change 

and sometimes we shut them out of fear
some are used for privacy
and some are secret and can't be found
we have all tried at times to put our foot in one
and some that just seem to do nothing but revolve 

we can beat a path to one
and some we have left unanswered
but if we're lucky enough we may hold the key
that leads to the one of another's heart
  and although there are times we may feel we journey 

through them on our own
He is always with us, we are far from alone. 

Luke 11:9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

 Doors are tricky things . . . sometimes I spend so much time trying to open
(okay, shake) doors not meant to open and perhaps because it's not yet time, that I miss
entirely the open ones before me. I try to remind myself that God is my doorkeeper, the one who
opens and closes them and that I won't know if a door is closed until I try to enter it.
Its taken me my lifetime to realize that many doors have to close in order for an open
door to become evident and that I need to practice leaving the door of my heart always open to God
so that I won't have to worry about hearing His knock.
I am blessed to know and thankful that because of God's grace he is always granting me open
doors of opportunity and I just pray for the faith to enter them and the wisdom to choose the right ones.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends,
and thank you for being here at my door!

Love, Kim
XO

 

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Quotography - Summer

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass

on a summer day listening to the murmur of the water,

or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.

- John Lubbock

(Go here to Quotography for more inspiring quotes)
 

Have a great day everyone! Kim

Foto Friday . . . has gone to the birds!

This week's photos have literally gone to the birds, 

but before they did we went to the seawall in Galveston to watch the sunrise on Father's day.
It was quite hazy that morning and very cloudy, but I waited . . . patiently!
And finally, some of the clouds cleared. It always amazes me how differently it looks
from minute to minute.

(Don't forget you can click on any photo to view larger)

It's always a hard choice to choose a favorite, but since I chose a bird one last week, I'll go with this one...
(And I excitedly add, that my photo last week was chosen as one of the top 5!)

And then on Tuesday, I loaded the car and headed for the beach. Well, okay actually we never really unload it because we're there so much. So camera and sunscreen in hand I'm on my way and what do I run into? RAIN!! Yes, a downpour with the wipers on high - I think I had forgotten how to drive in it since we had only seen an inch of the stuff since January. It stopped, it started, and I had to make a decision - nope not turning around and boy I'm  glad I didn't . . . I would have missed all of this . . .

This is a Double-crested Cormorant and he was sitting and watching the surf right where I parked my car. Yes, how cool is it to be able to drive right onto the beach! To my amazement he let me get quite close, close enough to capture his brilliant turquoise eyes. After swimming and diving for food they need to spend time drying their wings since their feathers are not waterproof. Often you will see them sitting and stretching their wings to let them dry.

Oh, and then one of my favorites (I do have many) the Black Skimmer. It's pretty breathtaking to watch

them work a beach as they gracefully float across the water. They are known for their very low precision flying with their lower mandible in the water in hopes of catching small fish and crustaceans.

In the photo below you can see how the lower mandible is longer than the top which aids in their hunt for food.

This day didn't just go to the birds, but some dogs too. Some very sweet dogs. As I was walking I was admiring how these dogs actually get the concept of fetch! You see my dog, he doesn't get it much.

And I was honored when the little one brought me over his frisbee to throw for him! A thank you to

my new friends both human and canine for letting me play too.

And then to my amazement (yes, more amazement) was this Reddish Egret, who was so focused on his breakfast that he didn't seem bothered by the dogs. And the dogs, so focused on fetch didn't seem to notice.

It's quite entertaining to watch one of these hunt for food as they run in circles, darting about doing the egret 'dance'.

They spread their wings to create shade, to reduce glare so they can better see their prey.

And then as I was playing in the water catching little fish in my net, this bird just appeared. He floated ashore on a large wave and plopped himself in some seaweed. I had no idea what is was. At all. I've never seen a bird like this before. And it was by no means a small bird. I very slowly approached it, he didn't seem injured and was very alert. I could not believe he was letting me get so close!

After doing some research, I found that this is a Northern Gannet and that this one is immature. After their first year they gradually acquire more white until they reach full maturity which is usually after 5 years when they become mostly white with black tipped wings.

(And I have to add, he allowed me within a foot of him!! WOW)

They have the most beautiful light blue eyes and a light bluish bill. They have an incredible 6 foot wingspan and are known for being great divers being able to plunge into the ocean at high speeds.

And although very strong fliers, pretty clumsy at take-off!

But as I found out, he did have his limit's . . .

Wow, what a day! To be able to capture so many different birds . . . This last picture is of probably my most favorite, the Brown Pelican. I was there all day, and the only reason I knew it was time to go was that the sun was setting. I didn't want the day to end, but then again I never do! 

The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet.

A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life....

The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes,

and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations

are realised in their free holiday lives -- and how many suggestions

to the poet in their flight and song!

- John Burroughs

  

Let's all master that of the beautiful vagabond that knows no bounds

and let the world hear our song.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Love, Kim

XO 

Sharing more Friday love:

Here at Milestone and Memories

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Hosted by Cecily and Lolli and

Quotography - Happiness

As most of you know, I have an affinity for quotes.
They are inspiring and thought provoking 

and we can all use a little of that!
So how fun to find a place where others link up
with their quotes and photography
each week with a theme!

This weeks theme: Happiness


"Faith is the virtue of the storm,
just as happiness is the virtue of sunshine."

-Ruth Benedict

{Linked up here to Quotography where you'll find more inspiring quotes and photographs}

Have a great day, Kim