Sunday Stroll

We went walking on the golf cart paths.
We were looking for Red-headed Woodpeckers.



We found blue skies, Yellow Shafted Flickers

and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

A pair of Bald Eagles flew over the car.

They are nesting less than two miles from my backyard.

I shall be keeping an eye on this pair.
It is exciting to have them here in the city.

Yo-yo temperatures

I awoke to the sound of thunder and rain.
The temperatures began to drop.
Yesterday the high was 67 degrees.
Today it is 27.

A thin sheet of ice covers my world.

It is cloudy and too cold to go walking.
I took a brief yard tour when I fed the birds.

A Lady Beetle was in the bouquet of flowers
my husband brought home last night.

I miss the bugs!
I miss walking!

Searching for blue

On Christmas day we saw a Blue Bird
perched on the corner of the garage roof.



I am looking for the Blue Birds today.
I am looking for blue,
my new favorite color.
My color for the New Year.



I heard the sounds of children playing,
hoops and shouts
and all sorts of merry making.




It was 63 degrees.
The kids were in tee shirts
and jeans.

Out too, was Yoda.

Boxing Day

A southern breeze brought
the temperatures up
to 60 degrees!
I went walking.

Mockingbird was in the backyard when I returned home.
It is strange to be outside in my short sleeves.
Thundershowers are in the forecast.

It felt good to walk. I need to walk every day.
I think I will take another spin around the block.

Christmas Eve

Today I remember Christmas Eve.
Today I celebrate the delight.
Today I have wonder
and glee.



And so I walk,
and look at memories.




Ribbon trees inspire.

Blue skies draw my eyes higher and higher.
The bird's sing in my heavenly choir.

I hear her laughter.

I hear her glee.

My Mother loved Christmas Eve.

Happy Christmas!

In search of berries

I walked up to the woods this morning.
I put the macro lens on the camera.
I was searching for berries.

Right as I walked into the woods I saw a Brown Creeper.
I wished I had the telephoto lens!
Nice to know they are near by.

A flock of Robins fluttered about.
I was rather pleased to get this good of a photograph with the macro!

Finally berries!

The walk was good!
Next time I will bring the long lens!

Sunshine and snow

I bundled up and went walking.
My cold is somewhat better.
I needed the fresh air and the sunshine.

I have a new camera and a new lens.

I put the lens on my old camera to see how it would do.
It is an 18x-200x lens.

Very nice for walking!

The lens is not too heavy and I have lots of range!

Northern Cardinals

I walked up to the woods.
It is my favorite place to walk.

I was greeted by Cardinals!

My backyard is filled with them too.
These are Northern Cardinal Days!

I stopped at the little pond.
It is so wonderful to see the Mallards.
For years this pond was too polluted for ducks.
A small amount of restoration and the wildlife returns.
It is warm, 55 degrees and windy.
Rain is coming in. Snow soon to follow.
I may not be able to walk in the woods for a few days.
I have a cold but I wanted to walk. I always feel better after I walk.

It's beginning to look like Christmas

The pumpkins and scarecrows are slowly
being replaced with snowmen
and ornaments.




I walked down the street.
The day warmed to 50 degrees
and although I had outside decorating to do too
I wanted to get a quick walk in.

I enjoy seeing the neighbor's decorations.

I trimmed the pine tree when I returned home.

Visions of sugarplums dance in my head
as I decorated the window boxes with pine boughs and suet cakes.

Christmas is coming!

To the woods

It was sunny and no wind.
The temperature was 45 degrees.
A pleasant day for walking in the woods.

I checked on the Mallards in Little Pond.
So pleased they have returned this autumn.
I sat on the bank and watched them for a few minutes.

A White-throated Sparrow ate berries near by.

A female Red-bellied Woodpecker was looking for bugs.

A lovely walk in the woods.

Sunny and 60 degrees!

It was 60 degrees when I went walking.
So warm I took my sweater off.



I was delighted to see Dandelions!



I just walked down the street
and around the block.



I wanted to be home on my deck in case a butterfly happened to emerge.

I was thrilled when the Question Mark did!
I would love a couple weeks of 60 degrees!

An Indian Summer day!

Brrr...

I waited until noon to go walking.
I was hoping to be out in the heat of the day.
A slight breeze from the north made the air crisp.
My face felt cold before I left the driveway.

The wind harp hummed in the breeze.



I noticed leaves today.




and the seed pods on the Southern Magnolia.

I chased a cat out of my neighbor's yard.
I saw my reflection in their front window.
My new hat kept my ears warm.

Indian Summer

The southern breezes
brought the temperature up to 55 degrees.




Once the clouds began to break apart
and the sun came out
I went walking.

I took my gathering basket.

Spent seed pod and berries will look pretty
in my potpourri bowl.

It is Indian Summer.

No excuses

It has been a week since I walked.
I think the rain and cold kept me indoors.

This afternoon the wind shifted to the south.
The clouds broke up and the sun peeked out.

I put on my walking shoes and took off for Cave Springs,
the little wooded area near my house.

Near the entrance to the nature center a garden is planted.
I was amazed to see an iris blooming.
It has been well below freezing at night.

I walked for an hour.
It felt so good!