An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
While having my second iron infusion today I received a message from my neighbor, Kristin, that a bald eagle was hanging around the cottonwood tree just outside our front door. They were still there when I returned. I assume they are here because we have several bird carcasses located around the city ponds due to the avian flu and we have 3-4 carcasses on the ice of our ponds now. Bald Eagles will hunt just about anything they can catch, including mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels; birds like ducks, geese and coots; reptiles, including turtles; and amphibians; even carrion. Kristin said she saw them pick at one the carcasses. Sure don’t want this bird to die of the avian flu. Love these birds even though they look unhappy. I love to watch them fly!
It was a bitter cold, -12 degrees at 6:00 am. Brrr! Don’t think we got above 10 degrees. Brrrr! My infusion went well and again, no side effects. I see where those of you in the southeast have been experiencing summer type weather. Enjoy!
in pre-dawn light
mws
eyes pierce the world of darkness
silent predator
Awoke to a dusting of snow with more possible later this evening. I made my first venture to a coffee shop yesterday with my sister and came home a bit worn out. It was a good experience for me. This early morning image of the owl was taken in 2006 along the Peralta Trail in Arizona while on a visit to see my parents.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
Lao Tzu
A flock of geese flew overhead a couple of days ago on my walk creating that lovely music of theirs. Not sure why it’s music to me when they are flying above and noise when they’re waddling everywhere turning my walks into a goose-poop-boogie dance floor. Some will head south and some will stay for the winter. I’ve come to accept these rituals and behaviors of my feathered friends over the years.
A few years ago on Thanksgiving Day I was taking a walk through the neighborhood when thousands, maybe millions, of geese began flying overhead. There were so many and they were so loud people were coming out of their homes to stand in the street, on the sidewalks and porches looking skyward. I have never experienced anything like that since. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Someone used the word enoughness this past week and it has stayed with me. I am one of those people who always seem to want “more.” So, when she said enoughness, it struck something within me. After some research on it I found the most common definition was: “the state or condition of being enough; sufficiency; adequacy.” But maybe a better definition for me would require changing the word being to becoming, making it dynamic rather than passive. This makes enoughness a part of the journey in life, where I’m content with today, while trusting that tomorrow will also have its enoughness. Living in enoughness we can experience joy and true fulfillment with what we have. There is no need for more, just content in the very moment. Forgive me as I continue to play with words, what they mean to me at this time in life and how I can articulate them, or not.
Monday was a 12 hour day spent in Yellowstone Park. We were able to get a pass into Lamar Valley as it is closed at the Northeast Entrance. They are limiting the amount of traffic while they repair roads. The pass only gave us access from Tower Junction to Slough Creek. That was enough for us to get photos of bison, antelope, this eagle and the beauty of of the park. Here is a link to a map and video of the damage to the roads within the park from the floods in June.
For those who are into numbers, I drove a total of 1,222 miles and averaged 29.8 miles to the gallon. And, for those who are into plays, we were able to see the musical Bright Star at a theater in West Yellowstone called The Play Mill Theatre on Saturday evening. One heck of a play!
Out of the corner of my eye a blurr swooped by my bedroom window, wings and feathers floating through the air. It was two birds, this red-tailed hawk and a flicker. The hawk was trying to land on the handicapped parking sign with prey in its talons. The next thing I knew the flicker was flying away, more feathers were drifting through the air and the hawk was now standing on the ground with a disgusted look. I stepped outside on the porch and watched as it hung around for several minutes then perched on the sign to gather itself together. I finally decided to go get my camera and was able to get a few images. It stayed around for over 30 minutes. Have a super day!
Side Note: A hawk is a symbol of freedom and flight. The meaning of seeing a hawk symbolizes a creative being. Encountering a hawk means you should let your creative spirit flow. It can be through music or poetry or other creative talents.