Shine On

Even though you're not here, sweet girl, you still shine on. I miss you.

A walk at Scudder Pond

We took advantage of a break in the rain and took our walk at Scudder Pond yesterday. We've been there a few times this week, weather permitting, and each time ran into Joe, who is president of North Cascades Audubon Society. He is extremely knowledgeable and a fabulous photographer! And he turned us on to the goose on her nest, almost hidden in the cattail rushes. The goslings will hatch any day, so we've been their daily to monitor the progress.

Our first trip this week we saw a pair of eagles (they have a nest in the park), redtail hawk, turkey vultures, redwing blackbirds, a goose on her nest, mallards, a male hooded merganser, a male rufus hummingbird perched on a limb, and song sparrows. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone, so pictures were not good. Yesterday, however, with regular camera, I got a few decent pictures, and we visited again and learned some camera tricks from Joe. And saw some new baby mallards and their mama traveling across the pond. 

Today we saw papa goose floating among the lily pads a bit away. AND, most exciting, an barred owl nest... we saw feathers but weren't sure if it was the owlets or mama... although I was lucky enough to see one of the adults in flight as we came near the nest tree. I did not get a picture, however... too excited. We'll go back, now that we know where to look. This type of walk a couple of miles from our house, is one of the reasons I love Bellingham.

Mama goose on her nest... with her head up to enjoy the brief sunshine.

Hooded Merganser working his way along the edge of the pond.

Hooded Merganser joins the two mallards who have been busy feeding the entire time we were there.
 

Female red wing blackbird, just before she disappeared into the cattails where she’s nesting.

Male red wing on guard. There are several pair in the pond area, and they are protective of their  area.

Not the best picture, but here's mama and baby mallards making their way along the pond.

Progressing With Change

Well, an interesting DailyOm horoscope today.. perhaps it's time to totally let go of certain things causing ripples of discord in an area of my life. Ah yes... let go, move on. I remember that tune. :)

Progressing With Change
Aries Daily Horoscope April 29, 2011

Your own dedication can surprise you today as you cling to certain commitments in the name of custom. Though you are likely determined to remain loyal, you may be dismayed to see your devotion begin to waver over time. This can be the result of the simple fact that your values are changing as you yourself change. Consequently, the commitments you once made may no longer be in accordance with the ideology you have currently adopted. Easing any conflicted feelings you may today have can be as easy as looking critically at the events unfolding in your life to determine what aspects of these circumstances no longer match up with your values.

 
We become much more flexible when we accept that constancy is only possible up to a point because change is quite often a necessary element of personal growth. While we may feel driven to stay loyal to a single course of action or to see a challenging circumstance through to its conclusion, such a choice will not always be representative of a track that will lead us forward on our individual journeys.

Still Silly

Yes, I'm still a silly drawing person... just signed up for Carla Sonheim's Art of Silliness 4. Anyone wanna play too?
http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/silly-4-registration-is-open/

I can't figure out how to post a video here... but here's a link to the commercial. Check it out! http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/a-silly-commercial/

Earth Day Views

A day late, but these photos are from an walk with my sweetie down a trail to Squalicum Beach on a beautiful sunny and mostly warm Earth Day.

At the trail end on the beach, there is a piling board walk that extends out into the bay.

Looking out across the bay, as we're heading down to the waters edge.

I love looking for rocks in interesting shapes, and saw this heart shaped rock as we wandered about.

Heart was the message of the day. I found another while I wandered along the shoreline. This one came home with me.

At the end of the tunnel

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can see it. I'm almost there...

In the garden this morning

Hey weatherman! It's the middle of April. What's with the snow?

Check out this give away

Just wanted to pass on information about an awesome give away by Vicki at 2 Bags Full. She makes the most incredible nests!

You must check her out:
http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-spring-celebration-nest-give-away.html

Thinking of Jen

I held her close for only a short time, but after she was gone, I'd see her smile on the face of a perfect stranger & I knew she would be there with me all the rest of my days.

from Story People 

Happy Birthday baby girl. I miss you. 

Bleeding Hearts

An early bloomer in the garden. I just love how they are blooming even as the greenery is starting to grow. Pretty little bleeding hearts.

Masks

Sometimes I wonder if what I remember is really what I remember... or if someone has talked me into it.

I don't have the memories of my childhood in the great detail as some of my siblings and friends do. And it doesn't bother me. I like to think that as I've grown, I can let little details go. Who cares who said what in 1980? How does that have any bearing on what I'm doing this very minute? The past is past. I guess I let it go? Maybe I'm blocking? Why do I need to remember?

That's not to say I don't enjoy hearing stories about my family ancestors... although maybe that is all altered memory too. It’s cool looking at pictures and seeing the "grands" and "greats" and “aunts” and “uncles”  when they were young, and knowing from whence I came.  It's the gossipy little details that aren't important. 

The past is past. It's not now. Now is now. There is nothing else in life but THIS exact moment.

Let go of the rest and go on...