The Birds Of The Enchanted Forest

 

“Everything you can imagine is real.” 

~Pablo Picasso 

 

While birding in Louis Park/Pixie Woods, I spotted this wonderful sight! A gorgeous Great Egret perched amongst the art work at the volcano. Pixie Woods is a small amusement park, as called the Enchanted Woods, within Louis Park. It is a cute little place, but it is now mostly open in the summer months, however during the rest of the year it tends to fall into disarray. One thing that's nice about having a hobby like birding, is that I can use the park year round, but autumn is my favorite time to be there. It's a terrific resource, I have found some fascinating birds such as the magpies, mergansers, wood ducks and as you can see, the Great Egret. As of late, a pair of White-tailed kite are nesting there, its one of the most interesting finds, at least for Pixie Woods. I have been lucky to add the Red-breasted Sapsucker to my birding life list. The day I spotted it, was the first time I had ever seen a sapsucker of any kind. That was another really good day, and to think the park is just next door!

 

 Just a few birds from Louis Park/Pixie Woods

 

White-tailed Kite

 

Meanwhile...

 

“Have you ever noticed that neither cats nor dogs ever laugh? I used to think I was doing something wrong, that maybe I needed to start telling better jokes. But no, all I needed to do was get a different audience. That's when I discovered ducks.”
 

~Jarod Kintz,

  Duck Quotes For The Ages. Specifically ages 18-81.

 

February is not over, so don't think I have chickend out when it comes to meeting that goal, I haven't given up! I have been tired. I have been busy. I have been under the weather. But I will get to it, even if it is just before midnight on February 29th. Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of a female Hooded Merganser. I saw them floating in the pond at Pixie Woods. I love these little ducks, and they are only around for a brief time during the winter migration, so any time I get to enjoy photographing them is a day well spent!

 

By the way, it has been my experience that not only do ducks laugh, but they have a wild sense of humor! I won't go into it, but I know for a fact that they sometimes point and giggle! And I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

Secens From Woodbridge Road

 

 

“Farming is a profession of hope”
~Brian Brett 

 

 

 

 

I love my birds, but there are other beautiful scenes along Woodbridge road. The farm country has some gorgeous views of farms being farms, even just the farm equipment has a charm to it and the summer and autumn harvest's are my favorite time of year to see it all! But during the autumn and winter you can see absolutely breathtaking views of light and shadows, which look great to my photographer's eye, whether in color or black & white. Birds swimming in bodies of water created by the rain, are especially picturesque with the setting sun and the view of Mt. Diablo in the background. After the water recedes, comes the planting and the harvest that grows the plants that encourages the birds to visit the following year. I love that cycle, and now that I live here, I get to watch it renew year after year! 

 

It probably seems silly that all this intrigues me so much, after all that's how nature works, but when you have grown up in the city, as opposed to living where it is farmland all around you, you just get a different feeling of what beauty is. I see the amazing architecture of San Francisco and Berkeley and I never want to leave the city's, sounds and energy that living there generates, but when I spend an entire day, doing nothing more than listening to the sound of geese and ducks flying around, I reach such a zen-like state that I find myself sleeping better. There is an elderly man, in a blue vehicle, that I have seen napping in his car on many afternoons. He has noticed us diving by too, because of how frequently we visit, and we wave when we see each other now, like neighbors who love our neighborhood. We both understand what it feels like to be adjacent to so much beauty.

 

Of course visiting back home does that to me too, but back home is 90 miles away, and that is a long trip. I still visit Berkeley and San Francisco, I get deeply homesick, but it's down to only a couple times a year, as opposed to yearning for a trip every month. Oh well, I don't know, I guess in my old age I need to be in nature more than San Francisco. I sure never thought I would say that! I think of my former life almost daily! I think about the art, and the comedy clubs and restaurants we frequented, and long for it to the point it hurts, but now that spring is almost here, just wait until you see the barn and wildflowers of Desmond road. You'll smile.

 

 

Golden Blossoms, Red Fences

 

“We tried the golden age's of lands, what of all the other soil, water and air, with all that lives in each, who wants a bit of gold too. 

 

 Who knows when does winter ends.”

 

~Unknown

 

That's was a beautiful autumn moment in front to me, but obviously winter and spring are there too. Seasons are magical, as I overstate every autumn. To be honest, I believe it's the magic of autumn that allows me to see it in nature, when I need it the most, and there it was the other day... autumn, winter, and spring all sharing one space. Some folks may not notice the things that make each seasons special, but in that photography keeps you in the moment, I am lucky enough the be able to really see spring blossoms, the Mexican free-tailed bats of summer, the glorious autumn leaves and the shadows of winter. I live in the moment as much as possible.

I love it. 

 

For The Love Of Money

 

Download the decision here, via the New York Times.

 

Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy

Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class.

 Common sense. 

Dignity.

 
~Roy T. Bennett

  The Light in the Heart

 

 

End Of Discussion... AGAIN.

 

“Speaking personally, you can have my gun, but you'll take my book when you pry my cold, dead fingers off of the binding.” 

~Stephen King 

 

Once again, Stephen King makes the most poignant of points.

 

Another mass shooting. 

 

Do I have to say it again?

 

Stricter gun laws must be put in place! No one takes an assault rifle hunting. No one has a "God given right" to own a gun. Open carry is stupid! Do you really need a gun to buy a can of peaches at Walmart? Why can't there be mandatory courses for gun ownership and use? Assault weapons need to be banned... END OF DISCUSSION! Stricter laws for misuse of a gun need to be put in place! Misuse of a gun should mean a mandatory sentence of 50 years only if the victim is injured, if a death is involved life in prison with no possibility of parole. If a gun is not stored properly, you lose your gun for life. If your child takes your gun, and uses it with or without your permission, you get a mandatory sentence of 10 years above and beyond any other charges. 

 

Most voters are ready to move forward with common sense laws regarding guns, but our politicians love the support ($$$$) they receive from the gun lobby more than the will and support of their constituents. A good sign, that perhaps means there is a small movement toward something positive, the NRA has seen a steep decline in membership in recent years. I am not sure if it is due to the virus of gun violence, or if it is because the former CEO of the NRA is a giant crook!

I am done with this post. Currently at least 20 were shot in Kansas City this morning, and 1 death. I am sure that will change, it always does. All these folks were doing was celebrating the amazing historic Super Bowl win of the Kansas City Chiefs. It should have been a fun day. The schools were given a celebratory day off to have fun with it. It was something to be happy about! I know if the San Francisco 49ers had won, I would have been filled with all kinds of pride. I may have even tried to talk dear hubby into going to whatever celebrations being held.

 

 

I have nothing more to say on the subject.

 My heart goes out to all touched by this stupid gun epidemic. 

Sporting events. Schools. Churches. Grocery Stores. Parades.

Where will it happen next? And will you are I be there?

 

Oh and by the way, it is also Valentine's Day, so there's that!

 

Drab And Empty

 

“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.” 

~Stephen King

  Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

 

No, I haven't forgotten to post some trivial dribble about my life, I have simply been busy with painting the awesome room, a winter storm and a lack of inspiration. Call it the winter doldrums. Call it depression. So, anyway, I have decided to take a short break from posting. No worries, just till next Monday, February 12th. I need to finish the painting, and get out with the camera and find the photos... the horror, the beauty, the mundane, the glamorous, the spooky or whatever appears before me. It's all waiting, I just need to find it.

 

Urgent

 

“Seasons are but just environmental moods.” 

~Anthony T. Hincks

 

 There is an atmospheric river bearing down on the west coast. I looks like it will be packing quite a punch. We may even lost power! Personally, I will be painting a room this weekend. That special room I have been working on for the last 8 months or so. Wish me luck with the rain and paint. I think it's going to be a bumpy ride.