ice fishing...

...by crows

there was the approach to the ice...

landing onto the targeted area... the first crow being joined by a second...

then bickering over the role each would play... i've never known crows to be so enamoured with ice... to actually fly onto it... walk on it... isn't that unusual?  i was so fascinated by their behavior...

and finally - drilling commences...

"you pick... i'll keep watch" he said...

"i'm making progress..." the other responded

and so it went - between the 2 of them for a good long time... while a 3rd crow flew around in the near distance...  i'm not certain what they were after - or hoped to find... i couldn't see any kind of fish or seed or anything underneath there... but they were adamant with keeping after it - i lost track of time after the first 10 minutes or so - they, making clicking noises every few minutes to keep me posted about their progress as i stood on the shoreline.  i began to get worried about his beak getting hurt with the constant drilling - yet he didn't seem to care. i don't believe he ever found anything or laid claim to whatever they thought their target was... the purpose seemed more one of determination than anything...

for me... it was another demonstration in the arena of nature doing funky things - providing free entertainment and amusement for those observant to their whims... being amazed at what grabs their fancy and occupies their attention...  a study in the nature of being.

happy day.....

the 3 stooges

i love geese... they are some of the funniest creatures on the planet.  they honk and make a fuss at each - you really have no idea what's going on because they're just gathered around when the honking begins out of nowhere...  of course, they honk in mid-air too to announce their arrival - to let you know they're landing somewhere - in addition to communicating with each other.  they play chase amongst themselves - racing around in water as well as on land... they have absolutely no manners when it comes to eating and will waddle around with grasses hanging from their beaks - not caring what they look like - even though i do tell them to wipe their mouths.  but they are also smart, tenacious, caring and compassionate birds... they protect the little ones in summer, guiding them to safety as necessary - teaching all the while...  my camera has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation of the goose.

as i was visiting a nearby park the other day, a flock of geese came zooming in overhead...  fast and furious - they were honking instructions to each other - trying to balance as they landed on the frozen lake.  it wasn't until i processed the photos that i saw this set - immediately thinking of the 3 stooges.  when you see geese coming in, getting ready to land - their legs do come down like landing gear -  the whole body gets sort of wobbly and shaky... it's a true wonder they don't just topple over it appears so awkward.  however they remain upright; graceful most of the time - with feathers lost and the honking becomes a loud cacophony to the ears...

landings are successful - even if ducks are an interloper every now and then!

happy day.....

the red...

...poinsettia plant got jealous. 

it noticed that the pink had developed new life - with a new bud and little pink leaves i mentioned the other day... not to be outdone, several days later i did what is turning into a habit - a double take... there on the red - was/ is a tiny new leaf in all its glory.  red, dark and saturated and although it appears large here - it's only because i've shot it with a macro lens.  in reality, it's only about an 1/8 the size of my little finger nail... very tiny... very cute...

ahhh... the joy of new beginnings - that are in color... up close and bold - in the middle of winter.

happy day.....

the glory of trees

trees...  full of wisdom - life - energy...  good for the planet!

i have always had a love of trees for these reasons and many more... they fascinate me - with their outstretched branches - providing a hideaway... protection from the elements... giving resources to us.  in that light - i've taken to doing some work with them.  the really nice thing about tree portraits, if you will, is that trees won't run away from you - they don't talk back - there's no attitude to deal with...  and they remain standing where you want them to while you fiddle with settings and such.

enjoy the trees - the sheer glory of them...

happy day.....

portraits...

it's a wonderful thing - to be able to capture the life of nature in its natural state - in the air... on the ground... in trees... on the water - it's all very special and treasured...

ignore my chin hairs

...of a crow

rock dove in flight

honk, honk

 

soaring over water



unidentified birdie hanging in branches



deer on the rocks



soft and dreamy goose



skimming the ice

living in a state where such wildlife is abundant to enjoy every day - and share the planet... is a true blessing.  i am always amazed and of course, carry on conversations with them as though they're my best friends... sometimes much to my advantage - as they allow me to get rather close obtaining remarkable photos.

happy day.....

poinsettia lives on...

...after being stagnant for years - new life has sprung

on the pink poinsettia plant... 

and i'm ashamed to say... i'd neglected it somewhat.  it used to be in my office and hadn't done well - that is to say i practically killed it off... so i clipped it and put it in water and it's been like that forever.  sigh - sometimes it's just what we do, right?

it's hung on that way - with little leaves growing every now and then over the last couple of years - but that's it... just tiny little leaves. looking rather pitiful and forlorn... yet, i've not had the heart to throw it away.

then today - i looked and did a double take... for there it looks like it's an actual blossom forming... don't ya think? the leaves are colored - which hasn't been the case since i first bought it.  i'm so doing the hippy - happy dance... i immediately began oohing and aahing over it and speaking softly to it - to encourage it, you know... can't hurt - i do talk to all my plants but figure now is the time for this one to get some extra special caring.

a new bud - new life - new beginnings... wonderful to see on a winter day in january... so grateful for its appearance.

happy day.....

homemade vanilla extract

it's all about vanilla -

...with just 2 ingredients

i discovered that it's the easiest thing ever to make homemade vanilla extract... and i love vanilla... all things vanilla

...vanilla ice cream
...vanilla candles
...vanilla pudding
...vanilla milk shakes
...vanilla-scented body wash

if it has vanilla in it, chances are very good i will like it - perhaps even love it... without a doubt.  vanilla has a warm, comforting essence - it's sensual while being earthy, yet also makes one feel as though they've arrived home upon smelling it... seeing those little vanilla bean specks brings great joy to me.

some people believe that vanilla is bland - boring - ordinary... they have such a total misperception...

all i needed to do was split open these wonderful organic vanilla beans - and the aroma that enveloped me was overwhelming... i found myself almost drooling - and just about wanted to bathe in it...

however - i digress from the fact that making your own extract requires but 2 ingredients: the fragrant vanilla bean and a good quality vodka... as well as only 3 easy steps...

you split the beans length-wise (3-4 of them) - put them into a small, sterilized bottle (a 4 ounce sized one)... cover to the top with the vodka - that's it.

then you only need to have the patience to allow it to steep for 5 or 6 weeks... shaking once a week... (and refill with the vodka after every use) - it will be a forever extract for you... how cool is that? and much cheaper than store bought.  i should add that the longer you can wait, the more potent the extract will get - so if you're able to last a full 12 weeks before using the precious elixir... the wait will be well worth it.

happy day.....

feathered friends...

they fly around... peppering the sky... catch them if you can...



duck in flight... a mallard, i think...



classic pigeon - but don't count on me being correct...

robin - which surprises me, because i didn't know they stayed through the winter...

seagull - caught over the water...

rock doves - which have the most gorgeous iridescent sheen in the sunlight...

crow - who allowed me to get within spitting distance albeit giving me the eye...

 a flock of gulls - looking for food near the shore line...



canadian geese - coming in for a landing...

keep looking up to enjoy the sights...

happy day.....

new toys...

little kids aren't the only ones who get new toys at christmas time... big kids get them, too... i was the fortunate recipient of a telephoto lens for my camera... it made me do the happy skippy dance of joy let me tell you!  this new lens allows me to bring in close those things in the distance - it so magnifies them, it's as though they're suddenly in my lap... totally amazing. 

with that capability, though, comes a steep learning curve with shooting pictures.  suddenly i'm finding it difficult to get shots in sharp focus - they appear in focus when i snap, but when i download... nada - so lots of them end up being throw aways.  yet i'm having an incredible amount of fun learning - practicing on the fine feathered and furry creatures in the area... trying to catch them in flight - in the air - landing - or simply on the ground.

not bad so far... i will continue to refine - practice - to make more perfect... it all leads to a...

happy day.....

as 2012 begins...

then king darius wrote:

to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

peace be multiplied to you. daniel 6:25 nkjv

may it be a year filled with promise - and hope - and new beginnings...

as i reflect on 2011 - it is how i am wanting to step forward into 2012... refreshed... recharged... renewed... with determination to conquer some challenges that are following me. i feel like the little engine that could - repeating "i think i can... i think i can..." yet, i know i can with god's grace and the strength he gives me - be an overcomer of these things... i have a whole new year for accomplishment. the thought of it - the possibility it represents - makes for...

a

happy day.....