Where Is Winter?

I just want to know, where is winter? This is the first year that we have not seen any measurement of snow. I did see a few flurries today. Just like this winter wren, that took me many days to get a shot of, the snow is hard to find.

There is still a chance that before the end of March, we will pay with a blizzard of all blizzard. It has happened before. Not that I am looking forward to a bad snow storm. But, I do like getting pictures of snow covered trees and bushes.

Getting the picture of this cutie winter wren took time. I know that I have to wait and keep a look out for the opportunity to get my snow pictures. Until than, I will be happy to seek out the God's creatures.

Where is winter? I do not know. I know that it has not shown up here. I know that others have seen epic snow storms. When we will get ours, only God knows.

Half Way

I had to send my favorite camera away to get it fixed. So, in the mean time, I have to use the dreaded camera. The problem with this camera, is that the shutter does not work right. I only get half a picture.

The bottom half is always black. I have learn to work with this limitation. I make sure that the subject of the picture is always  on the top. just like this king fisher flying.

I myself, have many limitations. I wear glasses, wear compression stockings and many other things to make it through the day. These limitations are minor compared to others who deal with more difficult ones.

I am in awe with those who have to use things like wheelchairs, walkers and braces to get around. Those who are blind, have hearing problems and unable to talk, gets my respect, when they accomplish more them I do with these issues.

My learning to deal with the dreaded camera and getting this picture, is small to these people who have learn to find the best part of themselves to deal with their limitations. They focus on the good and leave the rest behind.   

Showing Off

I love to walk the boardwalk. I always take the time to stop and check the ground under the boardwalk to see what happening. This time I got a bird showing off.

Why was he showing off? He might be trying to attract a female. Maybe he was trying to scare away another male. I think he was just having fun.

When I tend to show off, it is to just have fun. There is just too much misery in this world. I need to let off some of the steam. Showing off is just what I need to make it through the day.

If I am at work, church, or walking the boardwalk, I enjoy a good time watching the many co-workers, church members and God's creatures showing off.

Little Birds

Today, Shawn message me that he would be walking around Mariner Point Park. Shawn is a young man who I gave a camera to several years ago. He has taken that camera and shot off some of the best pictures of small birds. I can say that I kind of envy what he has been able to do with that camera.


Here he is all decked out ready to get some great shots. My grandson was glad to see him. The last time we have been together was in the beginning of summer.


It was a good day to get several small birds at the park. This song sparrow was glad to show off his spot. The first picture was of one of my favorite bird, the black-capped chickadee.



The Carolina wren was ready and willing to make a showing to get one of the peanuts I put out. There were white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, red-winged black birds, and a downy woodpecker.


The park was full of birds of all kinds. One of the surprise of the day was an egret. Not a small bird by any means, but still a bird. I could not get a good picture to post. It was still cool to see one this time of the year.

I am glad Shawn contacted me. It was a good day for birding, seeing an old friend and getting out with my grandson.

Lunch Surprise

One time while walking around Harford Glen, I was surprise by what I believe is a female yellowthroat. One minute, the branch was empty. The next, there she was with lunch.

She must have pulled it out of the ground. I watched as she enjoyed this nice juicy bug. Of course, you would not see me taking part in this meal. I do not even like the idea of touching any bugs. Taking pictures of bugs is fine with me.

I have to say, I do like getting surprises. I like being surprised. When an old friend shows up at my door, a package is delivered or an unexpected check shows up in the mailbox, my heart skips many beats.

Every time I see others get surprises by unexpected things, my heart skips a beat for them. It does not matter if the surprise comes in a small package or a large box, It is always worth it when it comes from the heart of a friend or family.

The yellowthroat lunch surprise, was a nice surprise for me. I look forward to the many more surprises that each new day will bring.

Baltimore Butterfly

This is one butterfly that I do not think I will get to see anymore. At least, not at the park where I took this picture. It is known as the Baltimore checkerspot. For years the park ran a program to slow down the decline of this now endangered species.

The past two year, I did not see any. This was sad. I had hoped that the program would have worked. The Baltimore checkerspot is the state official insect. We should not give up on them.


I did manage to get the cycle in pictures. I know what plants they like, the white turtle head. I even got them mating. With the help of one of the women who was keeping tabs on the butterflies, I got pictures of the eggs.

I can only hope that somewhere else, there are other parks or people working hard to revive this tiny little insect. In the meantime, I will keep searching for the Baltimore checkerspot.

Squirrel Or Chipmunk

When on vacation, I am always in search of any chipmunks. They are so small and beyond cute. But, there are times that I mistake the ground squirrel for a chipmunk, like this one here. They are small, cute and looks just like a chipmunk.

It was not until I got a book of mammals, that I found out that this little critter was not a chipmunk. With out the help of the many books on birds, mammals and bugs, I would make all kinds of mistakes identifing them.

There is another book that helps me. The Bible helps me to identify what is right or wrong. With in the pages of this Book, I find the answers to many questions.

Squirrel or chipmunk, the answers are there in the many books that I have. I just have to open the pages to find them.

Bird Head

This gorilla seems to be thinking, "Why me?" The kingbird felt that his head was the perfect perching place. You could kind of say that the gorilla is a bird head.

How often in my life have I felt annoyed at the fact that something, like the kingbird, got in to my head. No matter how much I try to shake it off, it would just stay perched on top.


Of course in real life, I would be excited if ever a bird would decide to land on my head. I have had dragonflies, butterflies and many other bugs using my head. But a bird would top the chart.


Whatever life puts on my head, I might be thinking, "Why me?" Yet, I will just shake it off and keep moving forward. But, someday, I hope that I can be a bird head.

Beach Bubbles

Once, while walking near the beach, I noticed that there were bubbles growing out of the sand. They were so cool. I had not seen this before and the effect of the mixture of the sand and water made for a unusual sight.

I wanted to capture this piece of art on film. Well, really on a SD card. Even though I got several shots off, it does not do the bubbles justest.


The lighting was just in the right position to give a glow to the domes lining the water edge. They were like clear marbles magnifying the sand below. I wished that I could have collected them all and put them on display.


I hated to leave the beach bubbles. Yet, I know that I will them again. When God shows me His wonders, it is a gift that He keeps on giving. As long as I have my camera on hand, I will seek to share His wonders from shore to shore.

Sunrise And Sunset

Some time back, I went with my photo group to take pictures at a farm. We went early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Than, right around dusk to get the sunset.

I am not that great at getting myself in the right position to get a great sunset or sunrise shot. So, I set out just to enjoy taking pictures of anything. Toward the end of the day, I spotted this doe out in the field. It was hard, since she blended in so well with the vegetation.

Being there as the sunset was a pleasure. Yet, it was harder to get any pictures. The time of the sunrise was a bit easier as the morning grew brighter.

Sunrise or sunset, the day spent with others who enjoy taking pictures as much as I do, made this day a day I will never forget.