Tree House

Every time that I do go out looking for something to take a picture of, I am also looking in the trees. I know that many creatures make these tree there homes. A true tree house you can say, just like this picture with a nuthatch using a hole in the trunk for her home.

Today, I watched a squirrel gather old leaves to add to her tree house. With the cold weather coming our way, I am sure she was making sure the nest would be warm and comfy.

With all the trees void of their leaves, it is easier to find all the homes. I check each and every nook and cranny to find a hint of a living space for the many animals who call this park home.

I can not wait for spring. That is when I will see many tree houses spring up. I will have my camera ready.

Wren With Attitude

One of my favorite bird is the Carolina Wren. This is one bird that has attitude. For such a small bird, he sure knows how to make his presence know.

Whenever I get near his territory, he begin to sound out an alarm. This is one loud bird. Soon he gets use to me and comes out to investigate. His movement is sporadic, but with purpose. From the ground to the post, to the tree and back on the ground, he flashes his tail announcing his approval of my offerings on the post.

I look forward to my daily visits. This wren with attitude, makes my day.

Exposing Heart

This tree seems to be exposing its heart on the outside. You can almost see the veins pumping the life flowing blood to the heart.

This tree also has long strong roots that holds it in place. These roots reaches deep and far to drink of the water that sustain its life.

As I look at the heart, I am reminded of mine own heart. Do I wear it on the outside, leaving it exposed? Are there blockage that keeps my heart from pumping. Are my roots drinking up the life supporting water that flows to my heart?

When I depend on Jesus, I am sustained by the power of His blood. His heart was exposed for me. He gave His all, so that I can stand strong. Jesus' heart pumps life flowing blood to my life. Without it I would wither away.

Today I give thanks to Jesus for my life. Today, I willingly give my exposed heart to His will in my life.

Turtle Confusion

I think that this turtle is confused. I was surprised to see him out trying to sun himself.

I know that Maryland's weather is unperdictable. This winter has us all trying to figure out what to wear. One day it feels like summer. Than, before the day is over, we are in the midst of an ice storm.

I have my light jacket and my winter jacket in the car, along with my raincoat. I want to be prepared for whatever weather comes my way. Like this turtle, I become confused.

Turtle confusion is contagious, Each day the weather is uncertain. Only here in Maryland can you count on experiencing all the seasons in one day.

Hawk Chase

Today, my husband and I was on a hawk chase. While we were out and about doing our errands, we decided, inspite of the rain, to go and check out what we could find at the Mariner. You know, my home a way from home.

First, we checked out the tree that has been the spot where the yellow-bellied sapsucker hangs out. Not there today. But the nuthatches, chickadees and titmouse made their presence know as I put out the bird seeds and peanuts.

Than we went to the pier where we had seen the bufflehead the day before. Nothing to be seen there. Just a bunch of gulls.

So, we made our why up the path. A young couple past by saying that just a few feet away where two hawks sitting on a tree. Cameras up. We made our way, only to have them fly away without getting off any good shots.

The chase was on. We followed them to the next sets of trees. They were too far inside, that it made it hard to focus on them. Off they went again, one following the other to another set of trees.

This time, as we finally found them, I made my way into the bowels of the trees and bushes to get a few pictures. My husband soon follow and as he went to get his shot, they flew off again.

Dang those birds. Don't they know we just want to take their pictures.

It was time to leave. As we made our way out of the path, there sitting posing, were the two harks. We got our shots after all. I guess they got the message and the hawk chase was done.

Up Or Down

As one squirrel goes up, the other one goes down. I often see this as the squirrels chase each other while playing. It is funny how they seem to jump from tree to tree without any effort. The trees are their playground, their source of food and their home.

Often they are on the ground searching for food that they have hid. It blows my mind how they are able to find the food. I find it hard to remember where I left my phone must less where I left food.

With ease, these adorable rodents entertain me every time I visit. When they go up or down, jump from tree to tree or dash around the ground, they are a delight to be around.

Solitary Bufflehead

Today, my husband went with me to walk around the Mariner. He just got home from being in the hospital.

Friday, it was discovered that he had a blood clot in his leg. Later they also found that he also had a blood clot in his lungs. So, to keep him from laying around all day, we went out just walk a little. As he walked down one of the dock, there on the shore was a solitary bufflehead. It was a blessing for him to be the one to find this rare sight.

I have seen many together out in the water. They have been too far out to get a good picture. This one seemed to not mind at all that we were with in a few yards from her. She was too busy grooming herself.

We only walked a short distant. We got to see our usual birds and squirrels. But. today was a treat to see this solitary bufflehead.

Thirsty Fox

Today, I had an hour to walk around the Mariner before I had to go to work. On hour does not seem enough time to really explore the many locations I like to visit. Yet, I was blessed with many sightings of the inhabitants of the park.

The highlight of the walk was this thirsty fox. I would not have seen him if it was not for the  hooded mergansers that caught my eyes. As I tried to get a picture of the ducks, I notice something coming out of the woods. The fox made his way to the water and proceeded to drink. I was surprise to see how close the ducks came to him. I guess they were not afraid.

The walk started with a sighting of a red-breasted nuthatch, only to be followed by a red-shouldered hawk. Than, I got to watch a great blue heron catch his lunch and spotted a golden eagle resting in a tree not too far away.

Of course, there were squirrels everywhere. I had on my pouch with peanuts and bird seeds. I use this to entice the many other birds among the tree and bushes. For only being at the park for less then one hour, I got to see more than I had hope to see. The thirsty fox being the greatest find of the day.

Teton

One of my favorite place to visit is the Great Teton. It is one of those places that take your breath away when you get to see it on a beautiful day like this one. It makes you realize what a wonderful world we live in if we just take the time to look.

I see the same wonder in my own back yard. I do not have to travel to another town, state or country to find things that takes my breath away. I just have to look out my window. The trees are always full of birds. One of my neighbor has his yard full of the most beautiful flowers of the season. Another neighbor has a bush that attracts the most interesting butterflies and bees every summer.

There is so much to take in when the first snow falls and blankets the ground. I even like it when the area get covered with a thin layer of ice. It makes everything sparkle.

No, I do not have to travel to enjoy the beauty of the Teton. All I have to do is look around my own back yard. There is beauty all around me.

Tree Fungus

I love checking out the many fungus type plants that grow on trees. There are many textures, patterns and colors. It is like a piece of art.

I find that all of God's creations are pieces of art. This includes you and me. When, I look at myself, I need to keep in mind that I am one of God's creation. He made me just the way He wanted. I am no better or no less that any of His other creations.

 Today, as I look around, I marvel at all the beauty that surrounds me. Even the tree fungus, which has their own beauty as well.

2017 Bird Count

Saturday, my grandson and I set out to join the kids of the Harford Bird Club do the yearly bird count. The problem, the weather called for snow. Beside the pending snow, the temperature was bitterly cold. We could not put on enough clothing to stay warm.

In spite of it all, we set off with cameras, scopes and expectations. We were not disappointed. We saw eagles, geese, coots, cormorants and the high light, a northern harrier. All in all we were able to document 19 species.

There kids that showed up formed several groups. While we did not count as many birds as past years, we did get to see some new ones. It was a good day.

A Heavy Load

After one of my outing, coming home, I came across this truck carrying a heavy load. I followed him awhile just to see if the tires would blow. When he made a turn, I half expected the load to shift and cause the truck to crash.

To my surprise, none of that happened. The truck made it to it's destination with any incidents. The driver knew the limit that the truck could hold.

I wonder how often, I put such a heavy load on myself? Am I able to bare the weight of my decisions in life? I like to think that I knew my limitations.

The one thing I do know, that with God I can carry more than my heavy load. With His help, I go beyond my expectation and hold much more than I could ever dream. The heavy load ceases to be a burden.

Fish Freeze

Last week as I made my way around the Mariner, I notice that all along the shore were dead fishes. There were fishes of all sizes and species. Over night, it seemed that all the fishes died from the same thing.

For the next several days, as I ran into others who visited the Mariner, we came up with several possibilities of the poor fellows demise. Poison algae, virus, even some kind of bacteria were some of the stories we would hear were the causes.

So, I went to the source. The only person who could give me the straight answer. I asked the guy in the Mariner office. He told me that it was the result of a quick freeze right at low tide that killed all the fishes.

Everyone had their own theory. The problem was no one had the right one. I learn that it is not good to just jump to conclusion. Listening to the wrong advice, lead to the wrong answer. When I took the time to seek the right advice, I got the true answer. It was a fish freeze that done them in.

Snow Versus Ice

Burr, it is cold outside. If I had to decide if I want to be covered with ice or snow, I would pick snow.

Today as I made my way around the Mariner, it started to snow. I remember several weeks ago the Mariner man was covered in ice. By tomorrow, morning he will be covered in snow.

I stopped by the store on the way home. It was packed. You would think we were in for a blizzard. All the weather man has to say is that four letter word and we all go crazy.

The three letter word, "ice" scares me more. I can drive around in snow. At least, you can shovel that away. Ice, on the other hand is harder to deal with.

Snow versus ice. I pick snow.

I Can Fly

I can fly. This is what the bee might be thinking to himself. The bee should not be able to do this because the wings should not hold his weight. Yet, he defy the laws of physics.

There are many times in life that I find that I can do things that seems impossible. I defy the laws of logic. This is only possible when I put myself in the hands of God. With God all things are possible.

I figure if He can create a bug who can fly against the odds, God can create in me the abilities to do anything.

I can fly. There is no limits when I put my life in God's hands.

Hawk Landing

As I headed to the post office to mail my Christmas packages, I almost ran into a hawk landing on the road in front of me. He was so intent on getting the sparrows in the bush, he did not notice me. I was so glad that I had my camera sitting in the seat next to me.

After the failure of getting his meal, he flew to the light post, where a sea gull kept flying around him almost tauting him. Finally the hawk fly away.

Each day, I hope to see and caught some kind of bird. As I drive around, I keep one eye outside the car searching the sky, light posts and trees for life. Getting a sighting of any hawks makes my day.

This day, this hawk landing was a great Christmas gift for me.

Stand Tall

It looks like this cardinal is trying her best to stand tall. This is not easy to do for a bird. Yet, she is doing it well. She seems to show that she is proud of who she is.

We all can take her example. We are created to be all that we are meant to be. When we stand tall, we are showing the world that we are proud of this very fact. God does not make junk.

I some times forget this. It is so easy to look down on myself. I tend to listen and take to heart when others put me down. It is hard for me to stand tall.

Standing tall only comes easy, when I allow God to show me what He sees in my life. His unconditional love picks me up. His strength keeps me standing against all odds.

As I look at the beautiful cardinal stand tall, I can stand just as tall knowing that God created us just the way He meant.

Looking Back

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Looking back, I can only hope that this coming year, will move me another step closer, to my goal of living a better life.

Whatever, I decide to do, I can not let the past failures keep me frozen in place. When I can focus on my successes, it helps me to look forward to the future. Yesterday is done. I can not go back and change anything.

Tomorrow is not here. So, I can not go there to change my future. I only have today. As, I say good night to today, I can only reflected on what I did to make it the best day that I could make it.

Looking back is not a bad thing. It helps me to take stock. What I do with the knowledge of the past, can make or break my outlook for tomorrow.

So, today, as I look back, I also look forward with renew hope, and give today the best of me.