Little Bird - Big Leaves

Above - So small against the big leaves

Below - a closer look

I believe this to be a yellow-rumped warbler.

Hearts In Nature - Tree Bark Heart

Cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger.

~Unknown

About the image: Taken 12-02-11 - Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, Virginia

I love finding hearts in nature!

Mockingbird and Autumn Bokeh

May the sun shine all day long,

everything go right and nothing wrong.

May those you love bring love back to you,

and may all the wishes you wish come true!

~ Irish Blessing

About the image: Mockingbird on the fence - Taken 11-03-11 along Deerfield Trail - one of my favorite walking trails. Shooting into the sunlight is not always a good thing - but I liked the bokeh that developed in this one. For more info on Bokeh - click HERE

Brown Creeper Excitement

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.

~David Attenboroughv

About the Image: Taken 11-03-11 as I walked along Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, VA. It was only my 4th ever sighting of a Brown Creeper - which made it a VERY exciting day for me. They blend in so well with the trees and normally stay on the shady side that I usually have to ID by silhouette. Such neat little birds!

Monarch Caterpillar - Focus on Potential

Focus on your potential instead of your limitations.

Alan Loy McGinnis

About this shot: This was taken on a foggy morning early in September. My sister was visiting and we found this little guy on a morning walk. With little sunshine, I had to shoot this on a high ISO - 1600. I hope he survived and lived up to his potential to become a beautiful Monarch butterfly.

Autumn in the Forest

The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.

~ John Muir

Male Cardinal and Autumn Bokeh

Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow,

There comes a festival season

When nature is all aglow.

- Author Unknown

Male Cardinal - 09-25-11- Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, VA

Squirrel on a Branch - Happiness on Your Heels

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.

~ Bertolt Brecht

Squirrel from my walk - 09-24-11 - Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, VA

My happiest moments are spent outside - breathing deeply of nature.

And A Big SHOUT OUT to SNAPPY DI - Click HERE to see the wonderful gift I won.

Thanks Snappy Di! I LOVE it!

Ladybug - Strolling Along The Lace

If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things,

This is the best season of your life.

- Wu-Men

Ladybug strolling along the aging Queen Anne's Lace

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly - A Different Look

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

~Wayne Dyer

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly looking right at me - from my walk 08-13-11

Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg, Virginia

Summer Scenery

This was taken yesterday during my walk with Mom along Deerfield Trail. A typical summer scene in our little country town.

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

Black Swallowtail Butterfly - Wings on Wednesday

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleonora Duse

Hummingbird Moth with Transparent Wings

In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.

~Marc Chagall

Very busy here and it has rained a LOT - so another one from the archives.

Hummingbird Moth - August 2010 - Deerfield Trail

Beetle Close-up ~ Macro Monday

I'm passionately involved in life: I love its change, its color, its movement. To be alive, to be able to see, to walk, to have houses, music, paintings - it's all a miracle. ~Arthur Rubinstein

A very colorful beetle - not sure of the ID - seen last summer 07-14-11- Deerfield Trail, Blacksburg Virginia

Please visit Lisa - HERE - for more Macro Monday Images.

Dragonfly - Close-Up!

The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson. ~Orison Swett Marden

Hoping to see dragonflies soon! This is one from last summer -06-02-10 Deerfield Trail, Blacksburg, Virginia

A Magnificent World

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself. ~Henry Miller

Wildflower from the archives - June 2010 - Deerfield Trail - Blacksburg VA

Eastern Towhee Close-up

Eastern Towhee surrounded by Spring.

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare; To-day the glint of green is there; Tomorrow will be leaflets spare; I know no thing so wondrous fair, No miracle so strangely rare. I wonder what will next be there! ~L.H. Bailey

Friday Feathers ~ Just Ducky

Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeated again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!

~Og Mandino

I have no idea what kind of duck this is. ID help is appreciated!

Wednesday Wings - Wings of Spring

Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine. ~Jeffrey Glassberg

My first butterfly "capture" for 2011. This was taken Monday 04/04/11. I had seen a few butterflies but hadn't been able to capture any with the camera. I must say that these lovely creatures really do bring sunshine into my life. In fact - this little guy was taken in a bit of shady area - but the sun came out and started shining on the very top of it's wings. Not sure you can see that in this shot - but it was quite a speical moment!

I am TERRIBLE at the ID on these little guys. I think it may be a Spring Azure.

Taking the Moment

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. ~Gilda Radner