Weariness Or Witherings

 

"Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness or witherings, of tarnishing."

 

~Anais Nin

 

None of their deaths were natural. All came too soon.

 

RIP

Jessica

Ralph jr.

And their mother, my sister, Bonny.

 

I can't share my grief right now, it's too deep and dark to share here. Mostly I don't anymore. I am processing it inside. And that's okay. This blog is my happy place, even when I am pissed or scared or bored. But grieving... no. That is just for me to deal with. I can, and probably will, share little tidbits on how it is processing through, here and there, but summer is over next week, and I want to have this autumn for me, filled with new leaves, new birds, hopefully, and my new office, which is almost finished! My therapist says I need to begin the hard work. The moving on part. The facing each day part. The letting go part. I am trying.

There I said everything out loud.

And I am okay.

Right?

 

 

The Sounds Of Slience And White-faced Ibis

 

White-faced Ibis 

Yolo Wilderness Area. Davis, Ca

September 11th 2023

"In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence."

 

~Robert Lynd

 

I love that quote, and it is true. It felt good to turn off the head noise, and become part of the silence. I heard new birds, and heard the voices of old friends, like the White-faced Ibis, and the buzz of little flying creatures. 

 

Happiness

 

 

Dragonflies Damselflies And Sunflowers

 "Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so."

~Robyn Nola

We visited Yolo Bypass Wilderness area yesterday, and while there wasn't a lot of birds to be found, it was great for finding out about the timetable for when it will be ready for the aquatic birds heading our way. There were definite designed water ways ready to go. Islands of reeds for the wrens and blackbirds, and everything mowed deeply for better viewing. Like everything good heading our way, it will happen soon. I just wish soon was now.

There wasn't many birds, but there were gardens of yellow sunflowers to see and photograph, and more dragonflies and damselflies then I have seen in previous summers/autumns. Good eating for the bats that roost under the overpass that borders the wilderness are along HWY 50. One thing is there to eat the other I guess, I am not fond of the system, but that's how things work. Ugh, duck hunting season is about to begin. November I think. And I am dreading it. Some of the hunters aren't fond of the birders and can be downright rude. Shrug. It's only a few bad apples, so we ignore the ignorant.

 

I simply go about my business of photographing whatever my camera sees. It's hard to explain, but I think dying weeds are kinda pretty. It's all about the story of the year, or maybe just the summer. Either way, I enjoy sharing that story. And while I don't hate dragonflies, in fact I look forward to photographing them, I don't really want one in the car with me while I am at Yolo. LOL. There were so many creatures flying about that some of the larger of them were pacing my car, if not making serious efforts to become passenger. Basically they thought I was their UBER.

 

It all worked out. We finally moved passed the areas with large groupings, and few of them actually posed for me, as did a particular White-faced Ibis. There was a small flock of juveniles. They fly in tight flocks, so spotting them coming in was easy and a happy sight. All in all it was a very pleasant adventure. It wasn't too hot, we learned about scheduling, and there was plenty to photograph. I am glad we made the trek to Davis. And we picked up free sandwiches from Jersey Mikes, which was a perk of T-Mobile Tuesdays. I hope there will be more of that in the coming months. Birding is an amazing hobby, but there is some work involved and having a free sandwich to look forward to means a lot. But even if there is no free sandwich, you will never keep me away from the birds and bats. I can always sleep in the car on the way home.

 

I love naps at the end of a happy day!

 

 

It's Not Here Yet, But It's Close

 

"Autumn seemed to arrive early that year. The morning of the September was crisp and golden as an apple."

 

~J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

 

 It's almost the mid point of September, so you know I am awaiting, anxiously, the arrival of the Sandhill cranes. I wake up every day, listening intently for their chatter as they fly over, but I know they just aren't there yet, but on a happy note, some water fowl that has arrived, and its the gorgeous Canada geese! What a treat! Cosumnes Preserve finally released water on Desmond road, and there was a small variety of other water foul swimming and enjoying the sun. In addition to the Canada Geese, there were Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-backed Stilt, Shovelors, and Northern Pintail, Brewer's Blackbirds, and I thought I spotted a Turkey Vulture or two! 

 

Woodbridge has some water too, but not nearly as much as Desmond road, still there was enough to attract a small flock of White-faced Ibis. I love them, but unfortunately they were a little too far away to get a really good picture. Soon. Every bird in it's time... right? And even the last of summer sunflowers are hanging on! I love that the highway hangs onto their beauties for so long, because they really are one of this prettiest part of the season. I was just telling hubby that one of the things that keeps me connected out here, is the nature... not necessarily the people. Sigh. But here I sit, happily awaiting one of the best things on earth, the return of the beautiful Sandhill cranes, and I am A-okay.