Autumn's Game

 

"In lie, like football, you need a good time to support you. I have that.

 And if you have that, no matter what happens, you'll always be okay."

~Sean Kennedy

Tigers And Devils

I'm taking the weekend off. No birding. No cleaning. No taking the tree and decorations down. No MS Now. The only thing I am going to do is watch football, hug my husband, and pet my cats.

It's time to decompress. It will all be there next week.

And so will I. See you Monday!

Winter's Autumn

 

"Life is like a wheel. Sooner or later it always comes around

 to where you started again."

~Stephen King

2026 has gotten off to a devastating start. I had such hope for a bright future this year, but it's been one dark event after another, with no sign of letting up. I am riding the days, and pushing myself to do birding, but I struggle with having the energy and will to do so. But all is not bad, there is still some autumn happening here and there. Leaves in big piles, orange kitties, and Sandhill Crane preening against the backdrop of dried reeds, all make me heart smile, as autumn reminds me that it hasn't died, it is just merely sleeping.

January Moments... So far

 

"Without rivers there would be no oceans. Without mountains, there would be no valleys. Without summers, there would be no winters. Everything happens for a reason, and each element plays a crucial role in the grand scheme of things."

~Gift Gugu Mona

Coming To Grips With The Mountains And Valleys of The World

The Belted Kingsher On This Side Of The Road

"Knowing birds is like being fluent in a foreign language, or adept with a musical instrument."

~Katheen Jamie Findings

Another slightly blurry photo of a bird, but for some reason, I really like it. It's a little vague in mood, and it's cold, but it appeals to the attempted artist in me. It was just beginning to get dark, so working with the lighting was a little difficult. The light on this side of the road was waning, the opposite side was blinding white, due to the small fields that were flooded for winter visitors like geese and certain migrating ducks. Belted Kingfishers are not known for their patience, so I had to decide fairly quickly, if the shot was worth the moment. In the end, my love for these birds decided for me! I got better shots, and I was happy with the other ones, so it all made for a good day!

Inspiration

"One shouldn't be fooled by how quickly they startle. Bluebirds just like open spaces, that's all. Open fields where they are free. And when they find a place, they come in hoards, and they keep coming. They're faithful little settlers. They know when they have found a place of beauty."

~Ashley Clark

Paint And Nectar

Just a splash of color, on a cold, dark, rainy day. I hope to see a lot of more, Western Bluebirds, through this spring. They are one of the most beautiful perching birds in the valley. I count on them for inspiration. 

Look Deep Within The Big Picture

 

"May you soar on Eagle's wings, high above the madness of the world."

~ Jonathon Lockwood Hule

Okay, so on the surface, things may seem scary as shit, but deep down, below all the muck, there remains the magic of life. There is a lot to look forward to, and Trump can't steal it. Take for example, the picture you see above. I took it on Friday, on Desmond road, at the Cosumnes River Preserve. I was looking for a Cinnamon Teal, we had captured one the day before, but I wanted another one that showed ducks beautiful orange eyes a little better. The photo came out hopelessly blurry, due to fog and misty rain, but if you look carefully in the background, you will see the magic! A Bald Eagle, sitting in the water, having a meal! I didn't see it when I took the picture! It was only on closer observation of the details of the photo that saw it. You can't even imagine how happy I was!

I saw an eagle, fly over the same space in the spring of 2022, and managed a photo of the bird in flight, but never saw one there again, until last Friday. I was treated in 2022, to seeing it soar low to the water of the preserve, it was so majestic it took my breath away, and I never saw it on, or over Desmond road again. I thought perhaps it was a one off! Then the next time I saw one, was when one flew over the bay, in Bodega Bay. I got a fairly good photo of it sitting in a Eucalyptus tree. That was a wonderful experience too, and just like the other day, for a little while the world was fine on it's own, I didn't have to drown in the muck.

It's Monday, so back to reality everything goes, but I will be okay. I plan to chase down a Common Yellow-throat, that hubby said he saw, at Stone Lakes Preserve. It's a beautiful bird, but quite fast and quite wily. It loves to hide on the ground. So wish me luck. Who knows, maybe I will go looking for the yellowthroat, and find an Osprey, or a Merlin. I would love a Merlin, I have been searching for one for years, and have just never been in the right place at the right time. I also need a Red-bellied Sapsucker. There are so many birds left to find. I am currently on bird number 55, so much more to discover. 

So, the lesson is, don't believe what's on the surface of the big picture, look deeper into it. We will be out from under all this stress, one day. But in the meantime, don't ignore what's right in front of you! We have the right, at least for now, to be as happy as possible, and I intend to choose happiness!

MAGIC!

It's January 4th...

 

"Who are these masked birds? Not Robin Hood's for they live in open woods. They only deal in stolen goods. Like berry futures, cedar cones and sweet, sweet fruit, but leave the stones."

~Janet Yolen

Cedar Waxwings Unmasked

... and there is an elephant in the room. A big, bloated, shitgibbon of an elephant. But there's nothing I can do about his machinations. Just keep watch and hope for the best! Yes, I am stressed out. Sometimes it feels like having any kind of hope for the coming mid-terms seems completely irrational and ill advised. Right now is one of those times. But I am trying to focus on the things that heal me up inside, like birding. One of my favorite birds to photograph, the Cedar Waxwing, showed up in Louis Park a couple days ago. They are beautiful, and challenging, and that's just what I need to get me through... something of natural beauty, rather then all the manufactured drama that fills every single day! So enjoy this little gallery of the delightful little drunk birds, the Cedar Waxwing.