Second Chance Butterfly

Today as I walked around the Mariner, I spotted an orange butterfly fluttered past me. By the time I got my camera up he was gone. So I just went on my way enjoying the many birds hanging about.

It was time to leave for work. As I made my way to the car, I notice this flash of orange pass me again. This time it landed on the ground. I was getting a second chance to take his pictures.

God is like that. He often gives us a second change to get it right. He knows that there are times we just miss the signs. So He allows a second time and sometime many mores.

I am glad that God gives me second chances. I am glad I got to get the shot of this orange butterfly.

Eagle Photo Shoot.

Today as I headed to base, I forgot to get my ice tea from McDonald. So I turned around and headed back. It turned out to be a good thing.

Sitting on a branch as pretty as can be was an eagle. I love how proud they look when they are perched. He was posing for me and I obliged.

He would turn his head to the right and than to the left. It was like a photo shoot. He seemed to enjoy me taking pictures.

Not really. He was just looking for his next meal. In fact, he did not notice I was there, and that was alright for me.

You never know what God has to show you each day. I was glad that He showed me this eagle. It was a nice surprise.

Squirrel Battle

Every time I set off to take pictures, I have my peanuts handy. I enjoy watching the battles that ensue as the birds and squirrels seek to get their share of the food.

It reminds me of the battles I use to have with my brothers and sister growing up. We would battle over where we would sit to watch our favorite shows. We would battle for shot gun in the car. We battle over candies, sodas and anything else just to get on each other nerves.

I also watched my own children do the same things as they grew. Sometimes I had to intervene to keep it from an all out war. Other times I just enjoy the ingenious ways they would win.

I often wonder about what God must think about the battles He see us do everyday. I imagine He sometimes laughs, sometimes intervenes and sometimes cries.

Each day as I pick my battles, I want to seek God's guidance. But I know there will be times I will be just like the battling squirrels and make God smile.

Squirrel V Peanut Butter

My friend called and asked if I wanted to do breakfast. Of course I am not going to say no. So she came and got me. After a good meal and time together, we decided to drive around to get some winter pictures.

We went through neighborhoods, parks and even her yard. It was not until she took me back home, that I saw the best catch of the day for me. I notice a squirrel head inside a peanut butter jar. He was enjoying every ounce of the sweet delight.

You never know what you are going to see unless you are willing to go out and explore. Today was great because, I spent it with a good friend, had a great meal and got the shot. God is good.

Bird Berries

As I pulled up to the marsh, a bird flew into a berry bush. He watched me for awhile. After feeling that I was not a treat, he began to enjoy the berries. So I keep taking pictures until I got the shot with a berry in his mouth.

I got to thinking how cool it was that God provides food for His creatures throughout this winter. He care enough for each an every one of His creations that He provided for their daily needs.

This helps me to know that my needs are provided for as well. God created me and provides all that I could ever ask for and more. I have a home, a job and a family that I love being a part of. I am truly blessed with many friends and my health.

When I get to feeling low, I just need to look at this picture and know that If God cares enough to have berries for this bird, He cares enough to provide berries for me as well.  

Sharing

Each time that I walk around the Mariner, I put peanuts and bird seeds on the post. I pat the post and call out to the chickadees. They are always the first to arrive. I stay close enough to keep the bigger birds away. This gives them the chance to get their fill.

This fox sparrow was hogging all the food. The chickadee seemed to be yelling at him and saying leave some for me. But the sparrow would not move. Finally the chickadee flew in and grab his share.

I love watching the interactions of the birds. They are so much like us. You have you bullies, your meeks and the get alongs. I am a get along. I try my best to get a long with everyone. But I am not always successful.

I don't always want to share what I have and I find that I can be somewhat a bully. When I get into those molds, I need to look into the mirror and let God guide me. I need to be like the meek and share all the bounty of God's grace.

Happy Green Day

Everywhere I looked, someone had green on them. St Patrick's Day brings out the Irish out of us even if we do not have Irish blood in us.

I put on my green shoes to show my Irish's side. My ancestors were Irish, Scottish, German and many others. I am a hodgepodge of many nationalities.

So from my small piece of Irish blood, I say Happy St Patrick's Day.

My Sign of Spring

Everyone seems to think that when you see the robins showing up in your yard, that spring is near. Not me. It is when I see the osprey sitting on the nest at the Mariner. I know winter is behind me and I can start looking forward to changes that spring brings.

This year was a harsh winter. With all the snow and rain, I hope to see spring burst out in all kinds of colors. I am already seeing what seems a record amount of birds hanging out in the trees. Three new ones this winter.

I know there is more to see, not only birds, but all the little mammals that I have yet to discover. So while I wait in anticipation, I will explore each day. The Mariner has a lot of secrets that I have to fine. This year I plan to fine many more.

Hawk Attack

My friend picked me up this morning after I dropped my car off at the garage. We had breakfast at IHop, shopped and went back to her place to wait until my car was ready.

As we got out of her car we heard a lot of  commotions above us. It was three hawks chasing each other. Since I had my camera in my hand I proceeded to try and catch them in action.

Do you know how hard it is to take pictures of a moving object, must less three? I kept missing shots after shots.Than my camera would not focus. The times that it did, they were out of the camera view when I took the shot. I got very frustrated.

When one of the hawk landed in the tree, I was able to focus on it and get this shot.

My life is like that a lot. I try and try to get things right, but some how miss getting the shot. When I land my eyes on the Tree of Life, Jesus, I get focused and things turn out the way He had planned all the time.

I need to be ready everyday to look to Jesus first. When I do this, than my life's pictures comes out just right.

Bending To The Wind

The icicles on this building were molded by the windy condition.  Instead of going straight down, they curved into the building. It must have taken a combination of melting, refreezing and wind to get this effect.

We all have been dealing with the severe cold and icy weather. More is on the way. Yet we need to bend to the conditions. We need to adapt to the ups and downs of this season in our life.

Through out my life, I find that I have had to bend many times. God had to put some severe weather conditions in my path to mold me. The results makes me a better person.

I am so ready for spring to show its face. Until than, I will do my best to bend with the winds that God sends my way.

Red Head

Today after leaving church, I wanted to drive around before the falling snow added more inches to the area. So I drove to the pond off of route 40. I am always checking on the wood duck that lives in the pond.

But today there was something new. I spotted a duck that had a red head. This was so cool. I took several pictures of this duck, some ring-necked ducks, a coot, plus the common Canada geese, mallards and the wood duck.

I asked my grandson what he thought the red head duck might be call. He said "A red head duck."

When I got home, I got my bird book out and looked up this duck. Guess what it is called? Yep!. A redhead duck.