God's Artistry

While my big lens was at Canon being repaired, I took advantage of playing with my macro lens. Louisiana is full of unusual, and sometimes beautiful, insects. At least I think so! I've thrown in some plants for those that aren't into bugs.

Microcrambus elegans (Elegant Grass-veneer moth)

Wild strawberry

Grasshopper?

Ladybug with a heart.

Carolina Mallow

Sweet love

Carolina Mallow

Tent Caterpillers meeting on the boardwalk.

Sweat bee on Daisy Fleabane

I've learned a life lesson by observing and photographing bugs: Once I realized how God poured so much artistry, detail, and thought into each creature, they've become difficult to despise or swat away. Carrying that same thought out to people, if we really and truly got to know them, wouldn't that knowledge make it harder to push them aside or ignore? Maybe I'm not articulating this right, but I feel I'm onto something! :) We don't take the time to SEE. Do y'all get what I'm saying? 

Healing and Living

Hello friends, old and new! I am so appreciative of every person that has visited me since starting this blog in 2007. You all have been so supportive, as well as helped me through some pretty tough times.

Since losing my mom in 2012 and all the changes that year--moving, leaving a dream job, Double D's heart problem, my son's challenges--I am finally feeling like I want to LIVE; truly live and experience all life has to offer. As my mother's example taught me: don't wait to do your living because we are not promised one single day or even good health to enjoy the days!

I've always been a fairly active person, but when 2012 delivered blow after blow, it...well...paralyzed me. Spending time with God and family AND blogging, was and is part of the healing. The deep gashes which ripped my soul apart are mending quite nicely. I am feeling a peace and confidence in my faith that I never dreamed possible. I'm in a good place mentally for the first time in a very long time. God has been faithful.

As with all phases of life, we grow, and sometimes outgrow, certain activities. I'm sure some of you already noticed that I haven't been visiting and posting as much the last few months. Well, I am not quitting my blog and will still be making visits, just not daily.

Thank you so very much for being part of my life. If you would like to keep up with me on a more frequent basis, please connect with me on Facebook. I will welcome you with open arms. Mondays will be my day for blogging so that I can stay connected with my wonderful blogging friends. I hope you will continue on with me.

I found this sweetie at an abandoned home on a large piece of property. These are my best pics to date of the Orange-crowned Warbler. Thank you for looking!

Reflections

Since I spend 51 weeks out of the year complaining, please indulge me as I take five days to be grateful. Notice I'm not doing 30 days of gratitude; I don't want to damage my reputation. *smile*

As some of you may have noticed, I've updated my blog; Google finally let me change my header! I also updated the standalone pages (About Me, etc.) and added new Share buttons on the bottom of each post from sharethis.com. If you're so inclined, I'd appreciate a look-see and feedback. Thanks!

During June and July I played around with water refraction photography. My plants were appreciative because they received extra water; especially the vincas, which seemed to retain droplets the best. Again, this was using the Opteka magnifier before purchase of the 100mm macro lens. There are better examples on the web, but I sure had fun playing!

"Life is an echo, what you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others exists in you." Unknown

As we begin Thanksgiving week, I am steering my thoughts and prayers to a place of deeper gratitude. I oftentimes grumble, and I've been known to get judge-y. God has to continually remind me how much I have to be thankful for—how he rescued me from the muck and mire. And the minute a criticism escapes my lips, I get a gentle tap on the shoulder that says, "Hey, you're not perfect either. Be kind. Be compassionate."

If we fill ourselves with God and his love, we will be like these water drops, reflecting his beauty back into the world.

My prayer for those struggling is to search for God with all their hearts and to ask for his gifts which are wisdom, peace, strength and kindness, and so much more. Start with that and all the other puzzle pieces will fall into place in a miraculous way. Watch and see.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

Gifts of Bluebonnet Swamp

Continuing my quest for all things nature since the weather has been so glorious, on Friday I stopped off at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, a 200-acre preserve located 7 miles from my house. There I met the resident volunteer photographer who happily showed me all the hot spots, including a pair of barred owls named Barry and Brenda, and a rufous hummingbird. Barry & Brenda blended so well into the trees that I could not pull off a decent shot and the rufous was too shy. Something to shoot for (ha!) on the next visit, I guess.

I had asked God while I was wandering around, if it wasn't a bother, I'd really like something special to shoot. I've never asked God for anything remotely frivolous, and I felt bad even asking, but if you don't ask...

The male cardinals are exceptionally red right now. This has not been saturated in PS.

I would have been happy if this was all that was in store.

A brave little female worked her magic. Little did I know something even more special was waiting for me.

This was cute to watch them sharing, though at first Mr. Chickadee was doing his best to let Mr. Squirrel
know that his presence was not wanted by swooping around his head for several minutes. Didn't faze the squirrel one bit,
so I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

This chickadee posed right nice for me. 

The red-eared slider made an appearance.

Just as I was about to give up, my God-gift was about to be handed to me on a silver platter. Look what greeted me as I approached the exit! At first I thought it was stuffed, like some sort of display. Not taking any chances I stopped dead in my tracks, slowly lifted the camera to my eye, and took a couple of shots, then I took two more steps and another two shots. I repeated this one more time, getting a total of six shots, and then he fled. After emailing the photo to a worker at the center, she was thrilled that I was able to capture this elusive fellow that they had only seen on the critter cam: a gray fox! She shared it on Facebook and I was a little bit of a sensation for a day. :) God is so good.

Gray Fox

Today I had another awesome gift awaiting me. Something I never thought I'd be able to shoot unless I traveled to another state. Stay tuned!

The Sounds of Silence

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls. ~Mother Teresa (borrowed from Laura Delegal's blog. You need to go visit just to see her photo)

Our first Christmas together in Baton Rouge was quiet. The threat of tornadoes kept us homebound, squelching plans we had with my dad and his wife. Thankfully, we were spared. Hearing from each of my kids was the highlight of the day. We ate leftover jambalaya from Christmas Eve, listened to our favorite Christmas cd by The Carpenters, watched a little tv, played Bejeweled, and read. I tried to relax and get close to God, but my spirit is restless these days. I find it very difficult to be still and listen. My time out in nature, marveling over God's handiwork, is about the only solace I can find. I guess that'll do for now. I spotted this little house finch while I was photographing the yellow-rumped warblers.

Yes, God, I'm listening...

and waiting

with a hopeful heart.

My faith continues to be tested. Praying that 2013 will be a year of miracles; actually just one miracle would do. Wishing you a blessed, healthy, and happy year ahead! I'd love to hear of any plans you may have for 2013.

Sharing with Cool Clicks Thursday