For the last month I have been under the spiritual direction of my 2nd cousin, Sister Cynthia, a beloved nun for over fifty years. With her encouragement I am becoming more comfortable with who I am, how I relate to God, and how God relates to me. One of the ways God and I "talk" to each other is through creation. I continue to marvel at God's handiwork!
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I realize the tufted titmouse is a common sight in many areas, but we don't often see this little cutie. Score!
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, 1/20/13 |
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A bright and happy cardinal
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, 1/20/13 |
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Not the clearest shot, but my first ever sighting of an American Goldfinch in this area
Hilltop Arboretum, 1/17/13 |
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Common yes, but my first sighting of a robin this year. Spring is around the corner!
Lake Martin, 1/19/13 |
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| Anhinga drying his wings at Lake Martin, 1/19/13 |
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| Mockingbird among the berries, Lake Martin, 1/19/13 |
And now for my exciting encounter! All the rain that I moaned and complained about resulted in something really special. The park I used to frequent as a teenager is currently under a foot of water due to all the rain. Hundreds of White Ibis made a stop-over a few days ago and they're still there. My first time ever seeing this bird in our area. Another score! A big thanks to my bff, Michelle, for scoping this out! I love you little snowflake. :) In the next few days I hope to put up more photos since I have several shots of them flying.
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| French Kiss texture paper |
oh, you got a bevy of those ibis beauties! the scene with the bathing spray is so cool! and i really like the dead-center anhinga shot. :)
ReplyDeletei like 'common' birds just as much as the rarer ones.
Oh did you capture some great shots my dear. And congrats on the Ibis...lovely birds!! I do like that mockingbird in the red berries....so purty!!
ReplyDeleteCardinals and mockingbirds are among my favorites, and you captured beautiful shots of both of them. That Ahinga shot, though, is just magical. It looks like something out of a fairy tale. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your photos are gorgeous...and I love that last quote!
ReplyDeleteAwesome images of birds that I can only dream about seeing, Gail. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Gail, these are sooo cool!
ReplyDeleteGod bless your cousin & lovin that kind of spiritual direction! =)))
Beautiful quote and one we need to hear often accompanied by your photographs completed my journey through blogland content and relaxed. Thank you, Gail. Some blogs you start with to see how our small world is faring. It’s the one I end with that makes the most impact on my day.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a wonderful collection of birds. The Ibis are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteNice WBW post!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
These are some amazing pictures! I like your blog very much.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Wowzer! Simply stunning! Love the cardinal, and mockingbird especially!
ReplyDeleteI love the group ibis shot, but the anhinga (sp?) had me at hello!
ReplyDeleteAll of your photos are great but, oh my, the ibis!
ReplyDeleteNature is the book wherein we see the Creator's writing...
Great shots, Gail - I had never seen a tufted titmouse till I moved up here to Atlanta - great catch!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of all the lovely birds! The Ibis is so exotic-looking to me.
ReplyDeleteSimply lovely, your collection of feathered friends! Wow! And the bonus of the ibises is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteI see you have been clicking the shutter quiet a bit since I have been gone. OH MY!! I love the Flock one, where all the water is in the air. Great capture!!!
ReplyDeleteHow is the new camera coming along?
Someone surely is guiding you to wonderful peaceful places ...your nature photos are awesome Gail. I love these -- every single one.
ReplyDeleteYour bird photos are always so wonderful, Gail.
ReplyDeleteWhat serendipity with the White Ibis!
The Ibis shots are WONDERFUL. Just beautiful. The water droplets make the shot perfect.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding shots!
ReplyDeleteI love to hear the mockingbirds sing. They are one of my favorite birds because of their songs and their spirit.
ReplyDeleteEach picture is stunning. I love the clarity in your photography.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography!
ReplyDeleteWow! Those birds are enjoying all that water.
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots, the ibis and reflection is stunning.
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots of all the birds!! The colors are so vivid and the ibis- so graceful!! Very nice job!! But it isn't a job for you Gail - it's a talent!!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots. The photos of the ibis are outstanding!
ReplyDeleteWonderful quotation! And the bird images....just fabulous, Gail! Love the light behind the ibis! You do a great job with these winged creatures.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the bokeh in the first Ibis shot and the reflection in the second!
I usually start seeing the robins in January but so far they are staying away. It's so cold I think they'll be late returning here.
Absolutely stunning images!!
ReplyDeleteoh wow look at these truly amazing shots, wow you are clever! your life sounds very interesting at the moment, would love to hear more.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the cardinal and the Ibis reflection! That's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI find the same about relating God when amongst nature, especially when alone. Your Mockingbird looks amazing. I've never seen White Ibis, look at those beaks - pink not black!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote too Gail.
Gail, these are magnificent! Even when you say one is not a good shot, I stare at it, wondering where the problem is. The one with the mocking bird could be a puzzle photo. (Yep, I'm a puzzle freak.) It's got all the right components, especially with those berries on the right. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI swear the cardinal in this series is smiling!
ReplyDeleteIncredible shots! I am amazed at the intensity of the red in the male cardinals are showing right now (in your previous post!)
and the fox...oh MY! What a perfect shot!
These are all wonderful. Can't wait to see more Ibis.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day!
So much beauty here in words and images. Love that quote! I feel the same way about nature. Each time I see a cardinal, the flash of red reminds me of the Holy Spirit. And Ibis - what a score!!
ReplyDeleteYou get so many birds that we never do & they seem exotic to me. Ibises!!
ReplyDeleteWe, on the other hand, are swarmed with goldfinches. They're adorable & it's hard to imagine a day without them.
Beautiful shots Gail!
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI love them all but I must admit that the common Robin is my favorite of all- with the Ibis gathering a close second.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots, Gail. Nicely done!
I agree with you Gail, God often 'speaks' to me through His creation, and I hear His voice most when I'm alone away from the maddening crowds, soaking up the peace I find in solitary places... Love those Ibis, I've never seen one... I'm so glad you came by to share on Weekly Top Shot #66!
ReplyDeleteThese are really nice photographs! The Ibises in large numbers can give you a feeling of "white" to your winter!
ReplyDeleteGail, dear! Oh, you made my day!!! I have never wanted to be a model. I never thought I could do it descent. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be the smartest photographer I know. How do you know all of those bird's names. I only know a few. You have a talent my sweet, a definite talent!
I am sitting here smiling at my computer just looking at these fabulous shot. I love them. And I really love that reflection shot of the Ibis.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Lovely bird photos Gail. Those Ibis looked specially great. I also liked that quote, which I think sums up my philosophy of life - Dave
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - I really like the reflected Ibis.
ReplyDeleteThe albatross (es?) were a real highlight. I had hoped maybe to get a glimpse of one - but the views were stunning!
Cheers and thanks for the link to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
I just adore the splashing Ibises!
ReplyDeleteSister Cynthia sounds wonderful.
I am on kind of a spiritual renewing journey myself, and nature is always my best friend! The Anhinga drying his wings is an amazing shot, could easily be a painting. Those White Ibis are delightful, how incredible that scene had to be...great shots~
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always Gail! The Ibis are quite common here in Florida, magical none the less! Loving the cardinal, my dad who has passed loved them!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos. Was that a very large telephoto lens, or were you able to get relitivly close?
ReplyDeleteEveryday things in photos blog.
All of my photos of birds are of my yard birds and while they are common, I love to get to watch their behavior and always enjoy seeing them from another point of view. Of course then there is the treat like the Ibis..wow...Thank you for linking up to Nature Notes Gail..Michelle
ReplyDelete