Great Blue Heron Strikes a Pose

Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.

Wayne Dyer

I count these little glimpses into nature as daily miracles. There was a time when I would not stand still and look but hurry past. Thankfully not any more.

Have a Miraculous Day!

Great Blue Heron - One Step At A Time

A close up of the Great Blue Heron walking up the tree branch

A view with the GBH and the tree.

There is no one giant step that does it. It’s a lot of little steps.

~ Peter A. Cohen

About the Image: Taken 12-26-11 Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Misty Dawn Hosts Camera Critters - HERE

Dark-eyed Junco - Blowing in the Wind

Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion.

~Author Unknown

About the image: I always seem to give "my" birds human characteristics. This one reminded me of the famous Marilyn Monroe image with the white dress blowing.

Taken 11-05-11 Izaak Walton Park, Christiansburg, Virginia.

About the quote: It doesn't really have anything to do with the image - but reminds me that each day we live on this wonderful planet is a blessing!

The Dew Of Little Things

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

~Kahlil Gibran

About the image: Taken 05-21-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

I am unsure of the bug ID. I was really happy to capture him among the dew.

Carolina Chickadee and How to Change The World

Carolina Chickadee - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 10-22-11

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

~Jack Layton

Hummingbird Dance

On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined.

~Lord Byron

They weren't really dancing but it sure was FUN to watch.

Green Heron and His Reflection

Once you really commence to see things, then you really commence to feel things.

- Edward Steichen

Green Heron - 09-17-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Monarch Caterpillar - Look at those Legs!

At first I thought of caterpillar "feet" and then I saw this diagram of a caterpillar's anatomy - HERE - and I see that they are legs. The lighting isn't all that great in this pic - but I thought it was cool how he was holding on upside down.

Saturday - 08-20-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.

-Marian Wright Edelman

White Butterfly - Wednesday Wings

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.

~Soren Kierkegaard
I think this is a Cabbage White Butterfly (please correct me if I am wrong). Seen during my walk -Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 07-02-11

Little Things

Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.

Og Mandino

A Damselfly from my walk 07-02-11

Education of the Senses

We cannot create observers by saying "observe," but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of the senses. ~Maria Montessori

Milkweed Beetle seen 07/02/11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

The Red Admiral Butterfly - Wednesday Wings

Nature is man's teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, illumes his mind, and purifies his heart; an influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence. ~Alfred Billings Street

This Red Admiral was quite cooperative when I saw him on Sunday. I thought at first I had found a Painted Lady (which I don't think I've ever seen) but alas that was not to be. I also saw a Zebra Swallowtail - only the 2nd time I've seen one - but it didn't cooperate for a picture.

Wishing you all a Happy Day!

Mallard Mom and Baby - Friday Feathers

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. ~George Santayana

Spider - with Lunch!

Always show the you in you that makes you the you that you are. ~Chidinma Obietikponah

I know this shot may creep some of you out. A few years ago it would have creeped me out. Now I find it fascinating how the little creatures of the world go about their daily business - just being themselves.

Taken at the Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA - 05-21-11

Wildflower - Dipped in Diamonds

To the dull mind all nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finally able to get out with the camera a bit yesterday. It was so nice to just breath in nature. Hope you all have a Wonderful Day!

Tree Swallows - Let's Talk

It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much. ~Yogi Berra
Captured on 04-11-11 - Izaak Walton Park - Christiansburg, VA

Roots and Wings

(taken April 2009)

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

Everything is Extraordinary

Ladybug from the archives.

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.

~Aaron Rose