Hans & Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge

December 27, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

“What kind of camera is that?” “A Nikon.” “What are you doing?” “Taking pictures of the birds. Do you like birds?” “Yes. Which ones?” Our inquisitor is no more than five, a tiny boy in blue windbreaker, jeans and running shoes. He climbs atop a wooden bench to get a better look. “Whoa, there are […]

Packery Channel Park

December 22, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Exploring is something Ric and I love to do. He will pour over the web for hours researching points of interest, and I happily follow along. Some places do not meet our expectations and others exceed them, soon becoming favourites. After driving along the beaches of Mustang Island we have come to The Packery Channel […]

Friday Follies: Yoga Pose

December 21, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This is how I feel doing yoga. (For Proscenium’s Friday Follies.)

Recipe For Renewal

December 21, 2018.Reading time 1 minute.

Base Ingredients: 2 weather-weary and travel worn Canadians1 extra long motor homea site by the water Add: 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Anhinga 1 Great Egret and a Kingfisher Let set for several days until dust has settledand birds have become accustomed to featherless. Enjoy! (Submitted for my weekly challenge: recipe. All images are from […]

A Stellar Outing

December 18, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

A victorious screech greeted our arrival at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. Overhead an Osprey toting his catch flew by landing on the rail of the nearby water tower. In the centre of parking lot a small garden played host to a number of different butterflies. Last year, they were just planting […]

Wildlife Refuge Take Two

December 15, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

The sun is shining and as we pull into the office area, a flash of bright red catches my eye – a vermilion flycatcher. I hop out and aim my lens towards the bush where the bird has landed. A swoop of large, mottled brown wings cuts off my view. A kestrel settles in a […]

Friday Follies

December 14, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

This bird knows where to nap! (For Proscenium’s Friday Follies.)

A Decision

December 14, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Despite flash flood warnings the rain has subsided without too much fuss. We are waiting on the arrival of friends from back home, and having tidied up, I decide to take advantage of the break in weather and put my camera to use. I step outside just in time to see a cormorant swim by. […]

Re-evaluating Plans

December 11, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Over lunch, we google places of interest nearby. Aransas Pass is just north of Corpus Christie on the Gulf Coast. Every major road takes us by waterways, and we have seen numerous shore birds, and even dolphins, just in our drives. I am making mental notes of all the places I want to visit. “I’m […]

Acclimatizing

December 8, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The birds and I rise early, wanting to catch the morning rays. A heron stands sentinel in the distance as fish jump up and down along the canal. The flurry of activity at this hour seems to be concentrated farther along. The air is nippy, and I’ve worn a sweater and a jacket. A small […]

Present Distance

I’ve lived the fog of distance –life’s highway a series of hillsdestination without promise Have learned that acceptance gains perspective,that climates change, and hope sustains,and that in the stillness dreams renew. Now I travel quieter paths, appreciatespace, have surrendered to a slower pace –certain that this too will change. (image my own)

Floral Balm

Of Trauma Born

Goodbyes tarnishfaith, like ashesscattered My heart grows dismissal,craves a balm of connectionseeks quiet harbour Remind me what it feels like to be safebreath nurturing life,love a rhythmic flow In meditationI reach for peaceimagine salvation But this wayward chaosunrestrainedcements me in doubt Tainted intentionsI lift up to the Universea tempest without hope My soul incubates malicea […]