We begin in the cold…. The days are short, and the wind is freezing cold from the North-east. But even in these short dark days, the fact is the sun is returning northwards, and the buds are already formed on the twigs; a few bulbs are showing green above the dark soil.
Category Archives: Nature
a colourful start
I was up early, and out to the Point to enjoy the brilliant dawn colours. Katrina enjoyed sniffing the trails of the raccoons and deer that had visited overnight while I watched the shifting colours and the morning flights of gulls, geese, and ducks.
The rarity of an almost cloudless sunrise allowed me to identify just how far the sun has moved north. More light, more warmth. And it's most welcome!
Sunrise thoughts
Light and shadow, the shapes of the trees and the openness of the sea as it stretches across to the mainland— the otters have left crab shells and a few crab legs on the point. Perhaps I scared them when they were feasting on the morning catch. A heron squawks loudly as it launches and slowly wings across the bay. Its a lovely bright morning. No low cloud and sea fog obscuring the view today. At least not right now.
In addition to the freshness of the early morning, and the colours of the sunrise, the first light shows the contours of the ground most clearly. Later, the contours are still there, of course, but not quite as easy to see.
A good reminder for me to 'take stock' first thing, while the lay of the land is clear and well lit.
daily gifts
Every day the garden needs water. And every day the garden responds, offering me the gift of its flowers.
Its gifts— nasturtiums, sweet peas, snapdragons— are multiplied as I arrange little bouquets that sit on the counters and on the table tops; as I photograph the arrangements; and then as I 'play' with the photos and take delight in details and nuances of colour and light while processing them and preparing them for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by my photo blog and enjoying some of the things I see... And let me know what you like to see and share.
Yellow rumped warbler
A springtime treat— the arrival of the Yellow Rumped Warbler.
The shy little birds have been visiting our feeders quite regularly this past week.
Nature’s Spotlight
This morning’s walk in the forest was a delight with the sun slanting through and highlighting the shapes of trees and roots.
A couple of times I simply had to stop and note the way the sun was highlighting a particular place, as though it was important for us to look and see the lines, the design, the light and shadow.
This photo is one of several I took at those moments, noting what nature’s spotlight was showing me.
What ‘Nature’s Spotlight’ has pointed out to you today?
A week of mornings
Every morning has its own unique colours, patterns, textures. I delight to take photos at each day's start.
This particular gallery is from February 18 to 27, and shows something of the range.
Morning Light
The view looking to the north from our Point this morning is much less gold and ‘way more pink than the view to the east. But both are awesome.
The reflection of the clouds colours on the smooth calm water, the patterns of the clouds, the quiet broken only with the sounds of eagles calling, seals and otters splashing— a fine beginning to the day.
a gathering of Surfbirds
These lovely sunny afternoons are a delight. And the shorebirds are arriving for the winter. Among them are these Surfbirds, gathered at the shore in significant numbers, and these ones seem to be 'consulting' at a small tide pool...
even in the stillness…
Standing at the Point this morning, I was again enjoying the golden colours of early morning and noted the stillness of the water. It was broken only by a few ripples which alerted me to the family of three otters swimming toward our boat anchored in the bay (centre frame). The otters each climbed in, and dived back into the water several times. Lovely to watch, though I expect they left us some smelly goodies.
My enjoyment of the morning was augmented by noting again that in the stillness and quiet there's constant, though often unseen, or unseeable activity —even playfulness— though it looks so quiet.
What has caused you to notice this constant activity around you, even amidst the apparent stillness and quiet?