BlueJay

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still."
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) : American Documentary Photographer, Photojournalist

Well I usually don't get many BlueJays to my feeders. I guess they don't care much for the small stuff! But when I put a handfull of dog food on this bench, it didn't take them long to clean it up, starting with the biggest pieces first. I guess because they are so plentiful here in the south we often take BlueJays for granted, but they really are a beautiful bird when you take a closer look.

Armadillo

Well these are not one of my favorite critters but they are one of God's creation. I just don't see why God made some things and this is sure one of those. Ha Ha! So I guess we just have to put up with their digging in our yards and making a passel of doodles and mini potholes all over the place in their search for grubs, worms and other insects.

"If God has created the world, his primary worry was certainly not to make its understanding easy for us."
          Albert Einstein (1879-1955):German born Theoretical Physicists and Nobel Prize Winner



And Spring Arose!

Beautiful spring blossoms at Bay Springs Lake in North Mississippi.

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of it's wintery rest."
   Percy Bysshe Shelley(1792-1822): English Poet

Bad Moon Rising!

I hope everyone noticed the rather large moon over the weekend. Wow! Was it impressive or what? They say the moon was the closest point to the earth in 18 years and from the looks of it at Moon Rise, I believe they must have been right. I couldn't help but remember the song written by John Fogerty with Creedence Clearwater Revival titled "Bad Moon Rising".

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator."
        Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948): Indian Philosopher

American Robin!

Well the American Robin is one of the first birds that move northward in late February to early March after spending the winter mostly along the warmer climes close to and around the Gulf of Mexico. They begin showing up a few at a time and then they just seem to be everywhere. If there was ever a saying that applied to a bird, the following definitely applies to the Robin. I have watched as many a Robin pulled a juicy earth worm from the grass in my yard in February and March.

"The early bird gets the worm."

        American Proverb

Brown and Bare!

The trees and shrubs are showing that first sign of life after a long, cold and snowy winter in the deep south. The buds are emerging from their winter hiding place and each day brings a little more to see.


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(1858-1954): American Horticulturists, Botnists

Cooper's Hawk

Well the birds have been wearing my feeders out with all the cold and snowy weather we have had this winter and I knew it was just a matter of time before the local predators noticed all the activity. Sorry this is not a very good shot but as with most things in nature, you just have to take what is offered. This Cooper's Hawk flew up in the oak tree above where I was refilling the feeders and stayed there long enough for me to go in the house and grab this quick shot through the window before it flew off again. Needless to say, the birds scattered for a while until the coast was clear again.

"The bird hunting a locust is unaware of the hawk hunting him."
               Proverb Quote

Radiance!

" and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory."

         Holy Bible, Ezekiel 43:2

First Sign of Spring!

Well after a winter that has brought us 4 measurable snows in north Mississippi, everyone is looking for that early spring. There are a lot of different signs folks use to indicate spring is on the way, but one sign that is universal in the south is watching for the first flowers to bloom. That usually without fail is the Daffodils of which there are many varieties. One such variety in the southern U.S. is the Jonquill or Johnny Quills as my grandma used to call them. When they burst out of their winter hybernation, you can rest assured that spring will not be far behind. It doesn't mean we may not have more cold weather and yes even a flurry or two has been know to fall after they bloom, but in general terms, "Spring has Sprung".

"Look at us, said the violets blooming at her feet, all last winter we slept in the seeming death but at the right time God awakened us, and here we are to comfort you."
    Edward Payson Rod
    

Abrams Falls!

Access to Abrams Falls is located at the back end of the Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is on Abrams Creek and you get to it by hiking Abrams Falls Trail which begins at a gravel parking area just off the Cades Cove Loop Road. It is a moderate trail of about 2.5 miles one way and follows the creek to this most beautiful waterfall. It is a perfect place to take the family and have a picnic lunch around the pool that surrounds the lower side of the falls. It is about a 31/2 to 4 hour roundtrip hike and you will want to spend some time just admiring the falls. This shot was taken on Feb 19th, 2011 and the flow was good due to the heavy snow melting in the high country.

              We Must Go

"Streams are the arteries of the earth; 
and waterfalls are the adrenaline 
that turns a slow and placid flow
into that incredible and beautiful rush
that awakens every sense 
God gave to man.

For what man or beast can,
upon hearing the first hint
of rushing water as it roars
over ageless rocks,
resist its temptation.

We must go,
and smell its' freshness,
lay eyes upon its' beauty, 
put hand and feet to its' cool
and warm embrace.

We must go,
and give ear to listen
to its' music made,
to taste its' sweetness,
to admire its' grandeur,
to refresh our soul." 
        Randy J. Schultz