Monday, January 13, 2014

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Spotted this little guy the day after Christmas. Another lifer to add to my list! These are very small, fast-moving birds, constantly in motion. They eat small insects and spiders. The blue-gray gnatcatcher usually feeds off the tips of branches which helps with photography. I am enjoying this time of year with the leaves on the ground and the birds exposed in the trees.





Confession time: I am a little blue-gray myself since before Thanksgiving. Maybe if I "write it out loud" I can work past it. Everyone has some issue(s) they're dealing with, so I hate to be burdensome and put an ugly mark on my blog, but it's starting to affect my concentration and my relationships both online and off. So if I seem a little...off or whatever...that's why.

A few things I can reveal is that there is more than one drama going on within the family, a perverse side of a close "someone" comes out every so often to torment me, and all sorts of "what-ifs" plaguing me day and night. This depression entity is chest-deep and it's quickly approaching my nose. 

I've been posting uplifting quotes and bible verses on my blog in an effort to feel normal AND to possibly help someone else...yet... This feeling is like quicksand and no matter how hard I pray or wish it away, it doesn't vacate the premises. The only relief I experience is when I am outside with my camera. And y'all know how bratty the weather has been lately, so that's not always possible. 

Linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'
Please visit Anni to see more birds around the world.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed
and to have my senses put in order.
John Burroughs

40 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Oh Gail...sorry to read you're having issues that are plaguing your well-being!! Hope things work out very soon for everyone.

Now, the gnatcatcher. I saw only one down here years ago. And how it flitted around and around, I never did get a good image. Yours, on the other hand, are marvelous!!!

EG CameraGirl said...

Fabulous shots of the blue-gray gnatcatcher! They are super hard to photograph - I know from personal experience and have not-as-nice photos to prove it.

I'm so sorry you are feeling blue and hope that soon your situation will improve. Hang in there!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Gail I sincerely hope things get better soon. I am sorry that you're going through a difficult time. Your blogging family is here for you :)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i hope you realize the pleasure you bring to your bloggy friends (my eyes love the sights when ever i stop by.) & family. we love your views. your birds. you really do bring them to life. i have never seen a bird like this one. i am so loving his coloring. you really do a wonderful job of getting all his sides. i appreciate your work & your kindness. you brighten my day when you stop by my blog ... so i hope you know how much you are loved & appreciated.

big big hugs. here is a bunch of mushy gushy bloggy friendship coming your way. ( :

Shug said...

I am praying that today you will let the Spirit of God renew your every thought. That you will be saturated with the Peace of God. The word says that "anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down" I'm praying that the Holy Spirit will make itself known to you today and that you will be filled with Peace everlasting!
Love you girl and I'm trusting God to help you through the difficult times...

rainfield61 said...

Many more hugs to you.
I'll send you the tropical weather.
To warm you up.
Cheers.

Amy Burzese said...

Many hugs. Been there, done that, doing it now. Keep going out with that camera. A post from your blog is one that I actually look for every day. There are only a few of those.

Bas. said...

een prachtig vogeltje met dat eigenwijze staartje.

Karen said...

Oh Gail. what a sweet little bird! You have captured it beautifully.

When I get down, I sing. The physiological effects of singing are fairly well-documented. It activates the pleasure center of the brain, releasing endorphins, the brain's "feel good" chemicals.

TexWisGirl said...

these are GREAT shots of this tiny little flitty thing! the one and only time i saw one, i was glad to get any shots at all. :)

as for your depression and anxiety, the holidays can put pressures on us - whether spending time with family or not. i hope you can keep your head clear. your heart will follow when it can.

TexWisGirl said...

(or maybe it's the other way around...)

Bill said...

Wonderful shots of that little guy!

It can be tough at times to not let others bring you down in life, those are the times it's good to take stock of your blessings and enjoy the things that make you the happiest.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Sorry to hear about the family drama dragging you down. I definitely get it.

What a delicate little bird!

Indrani said...

I hope your problems vanish soon.
Photography is indeed a stress buster.
Lovely captures.

Evelyn S. said...

Sorry to read this, Gail! I can't imagine what it is, but it's obviously serious enough to affect you this way. I started to write the cause of my crappy attitude and feelings but decided that is no help to you! :-) I hope whatever poison is working in you is soon diluted to the point you can feel good again. I hope the weather helps, too! That's a real issue with me right now.

Evelyn S. said...

Sorry to read this, Gail! I can't imagine what it is, but it's obviously serious enough to affect you this way. I started to write the cause of my crappy attitude and feelings but decided that is no help to you! :-) I hope whatever poison is working in you is soon diluted to the point you can feel good again. I hope the weather helps, too! That's a real issue with me right now.

Evelyn S. said...

Me again...I meant to comment on that darling little bird! I'm sure it must be one of those that flits here and there, so that makes your photos even more amazing!

DeniseinVA said...

Sending you a big hug Gail, with the hopes that whoever is dragging you down will see your true worth. Sometimes there are those who are threatened by nice people and don't believe in their kindness, that's the honest truth. I think quite a lot of us have come across these damaged souls at some point in our lives, and for me I try to - knowing this is the hardest thing to do - not to burn any bridges, just maybe put a detour out there when needed for our own peace of mind, and most definitely not to give them the power of hurting. These folks are usually very unhappy people themselves, whether they want to admit it or not. Your photos are wonderful. You bring us a lot of joy out here. Hang in there :) Great quote you used too, one of my favorites.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I will be praying for you.god is there for you,as you well know.Keep on posting and sharing as you can.Hugs to you.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

More outdoor time is my best cure.

And I wish I were with you when you took these pictures.

The park I visited this Sunday had a colony of tiny silver finches about the size of a lady's thumb, and I never got a good shot of one. Darn!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the photos Gail, I am uplifted by your posts.

You know the old saying, if someone tosses you a wad of sh** you have three choices, 1/ you can catch it and clutch it to your breast, 2/ you can toss it back and escalate things, 3/ you can simply refuse to catch it and let it fall where it lands. One Day at a Time. Dianne

hootnonny said...

What a sweet little creature!

In Sunday School this quarter, we're watching a series of videos. Now it is Kay Warren's "Choose Joy". Kay is the wife of Pastor Rick Warren, and I believe the videos were made several months after the death of their severely depressed son.

Life is just not easy sometimes! Prayers and hugs, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Love the prominent eye marking on this cute little bird.

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos! I haven't seen one of these guys in many years. Congratulations!

I hope things will turn around soon. Don't give up.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear you are having problems, Gail. But when you are out taking photos and then sharing them - remember how many people you are uplifting. This is the cutest bird ever!

Barb said...

Clear a space for yourself - even if it's just in your mind. I can tell you that worry isn't productive, but you know that already. Do something for yourself each day that gives you respite and pleasure. Hugs to you. PS I could use that gnat catcher in my house. I have some kind of pesky house plant gnats!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Great photos, Gail, and hang in there. Keep the photos coming, as it seems to be a healing activity for you and you do it so well!

renae said...

Gail, hi sweetheart! Listen, if you come to Utah ??? It is more like WHEN you come to Utah!! Too bad you have a non solution issue going on. Write me at: renae{at}simplesequins{dot}com
and tell me what I can do to help.

"A friend is not a burden."

Who said that?

Me!

Anonymous said...

What pretty pictures!

The Cranky said...

What a sweet wee bird.

Sending you gentle hugs; there are times all you can do is hang on. Other times you need to speak up and say 'Enough already'. Only you know which is appropriate for you, just remember you aren't alone.

Anvilcloud said...

Sorry about the tough times. Hang in there, and get out and shoot the birds as often as you can.

Wally Jones said...

Wonderful photographs of this little high-velocity vacuum cleaner!

If only our troubles could disappear as fast as these little critters.

Unknown said...

OK.. Who is it.. I'll have my husband drive down there with Big Bertha and we'll kick some Booty. No really my friend, I do hope the drama passes soon. It really is so hard to deal with at times, I know. My thoughts and prayers are with you..

Your Photos are amazing. I know they make me happy!

Hugs~

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh I am sorry! You have done a good job of putting on a brave front...just on the post below this you had me laughing thinking about people visiting for the boobies! Nature and taking pictures and blogging can serve as antidotes to bad times ..ordinary bad days .. And can lift a blue mood, but sometimes I know they're not enough. Hang in there...wish I could do more.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Gail, I think these photos are superb...especially that first one. I've never seen one of these before; but, thanks to your photos, I think I'd recognize it if I did.

Praying for you, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Sweet Gail...I feel your pain sweetheart and just want you to know..I'm here, anytime. On the other hand...the images of the little gray finch are superb as always. You do take some amazing photos and capture those lovely birds of yours in a very remarkable way. Big hugs, xoxo

beth said...

i think we have those birds here in florida....and gosh, i don't know what you're going through but know my thoughts are with you !!!
xo

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I have not had much computer time, my back is out so I am sorry I missed this post....

You have some good prayers going up for you from your blogger friends and I will add you to my prayer time in this matter. You know the evil one is always seeking out GOD’s children so consider yourself blessed as he knows you are a child of GOD. I know that this does not smooth over the stress or hurt that person is causing but know that GOD sees it and how you are hurting. JUST keep in prayer and each time there are some negative thoughts or words passing between you and that other person, GIVE the situation over to the Lord then get you mind on Him. YOU did well by getting outside to capture GOD’s creations. After all, He did create all this beauty for our eyes and He knew it would be soul-lifting.

Keeping you in prayer.

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Anonymous said...

What a cute little guy!

You definitely aren't alone in feeling down, I get like this just about every winter. It's such a dreary period...especially after the holidays as there's just not a huge lot to look forward to.