A BEACH HOUSE IN BALBOA

I have another nice day planned - with our grandson Cayden.  We will again be going to Big Bear, Green Valley Lake where he likes to take the path around the lake and then back down to Heaps Peak Botanical Garden where he also like to walk and look and count as many bluebird nesting boxes as he can find on the trail.  Then back home.  He wanted a special treat which was to "sleep with gramma" so last night we had a sleepover and watched several episodes of Modern Family which we both love.  Tonight he has to go back to his own bed.  He's still young enough to actually want to spend time like that with us. 

I woke up today hearing the birds, feeling the cool breeze coming in through the window (finally) and realizing that there is a peace I have up here that I don't think I've experienced any where else I was living.  This is a more constant peace rather than - oh I feel peace today - but then the next day - oh i feel a lack of peace and joy... a constant swinging back and forth between fulfillment and wanting something you don't have.   I seem to find peace in so many small ways that every day is a treasure hunt to see where peace and joy will lead me.  It's a good feeling. 


I came upon this beach house that I took a photo of and I always feel so happy when I see it - which reminds me, another trip to the beach is in the works soon - even if just for the day. 

I LOVE THE LOOK OF THESE WITHERED FLOWERS

 Kaitlin, John's girlfriend bought them up to me when they were here over three weeks ago.  Coincidentally we are going down to John's today - but aside from that - I love them in this state - to me they are even prettier than when they first were brought to me - then they were upright and pure yellow - now...they have all shades of yellow.

This may be my new painting on black foam board.  Not sure when I will start it though - ..I will choose the photo above for it -not the one below. 

 I saw this below on an image search for something - ...and thought I'd post it - it's so beautiful.

Soon we  will have our grandson Cayden until Sunday - so another busy period with a grandkid here.

A GOLDFINCH IN MY YARD IN A PRAYERFUL POSE

MORE "BEND" IN JANUARY 2014

When I am in Bend, I try to get out, rain or shine - cold or hot - probably three times a day to walk.  I've been there in three seasons; Spring, Fall and Winter.  I love each season and was surprised  that I actually had the opportunity to visit in winter and took it.  Prior I had thought, why go to Bend in winter when I can experience snow where I live.  My son wanted us to drive up there with him as he was going home from a job down here, and we would then fly back home after a week visiting.  When we got there it had snowed just a little but then the next few days they had ice fog which I thought was so beautiful.


"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."     RUMI

Life's picture is constantly undergoing change. The spirit beholds a new world every moment.  Rumi

What you seek is seeking you  - Rumi

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”  Rumi

 He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.... In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity. ~John Burroughs, "The Snow-Walkers," 1866

Nature looks dead in winter because her life is gathered into her heart. She withers the plant down to the root that she may grow it up again fairer and stronger. She calls her family together within her inmost home to prepare them for being scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. ~Hugh Macmillan, "Rejuvenescence," The Ministry of Nature, 1871

 There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~Ruth Stout

EAGLE IN REHAB AT BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO

I took this photo when we visited the zoo in the last week of June.

I must have taken 50 shots of this guy and his friend - so in other words there were two eagles in rehab.  Also got several Golden Eagle shots and beautiful Hawk shots.

I will be posting different poses at various times with an invitation to those of you who sketch or paint - to join in and paint him in whatever way you want to express your creativity.  I'll post this same photo over on my art blog but most of the photos I post of him will go here as I have many.  If you paint him I'll give a link back to your blog so others' can see your version (that is if you want me to).

I'm thinking of becoming a yearly member so we can get in free every time we visit and they have certain event days - whether it's to do with wolves, birds, bears, etc.

Laura I see where you said you are getting the creative urge again.  Maybe you would like to start with this one - (or not)....smile.

CALIFORNIA SISTER

Along the lake - I chose a bench to sit at and enjoy the view  for a few minutes.  This pretty lady came and sat near me in a tree.  She let me take some pictures.

"The California sister is named for its black and white coloration on the fore wing that resembles a Nuns habit. (Which I still can't see). They are not afraid to open their wings so you can get a look at the top side, although the underside is just as striking, if not more so. "

I have this same type butterfly in the yard every day and she lands right where I've watered - or she seems to land somewhat near the stream of water so it can shower her lightly.

She likes to eat the leaves of oaks

I have better photos that shows the underside of them which is really pretty.

BEAUTFUL BIRD IN BEND, OREGON -JANUARY 2014

I walked out of the back door at my son's house in Bend, walked several steps over to the park and it was an extremely cold day.  By the time I got back to the house after taking a few photos of this bird and walking a block or so my hands were frozen and I could hardly click the camera for any more pics.  The cold didn't bother this bird a bit!

LOOKING BACK TO JANUARY 2014

We were in Bend, Oregon - and to my surprise there were several days when "ice fog" would come through.  The photos I have are so beautiful - and in this particular photo - you can see the ice dropping off the trees.

I will probably post photos off and on interspersed with my nature photos.  I want to get them up on the blog.

KRAMER IS SO CUTE

The Cockatoo is a great jumper but the African Gray parrot I photographed (once again) at the pet store the other day is adorable!  I love his coy poses.

Note:   Ashley is his name.  We went up yesterday to the pet store and I asked. (7-5-14)

"Spirit" Wolf

Spirit is his name.  He lives at the rescue and rehabilitation center along with his siblings.  I guess they can't release them to the wild as they have been too imprinted by humans.  He is loved and well taken care of.  Their compound is fairly large and in a perfect world he would be roaming free. 

Their mother died early in 2014.  Their  names are Logan, Blair, Lucien, Legend, Bayou, Noelle, Sedona, Truck, Nova and Spirit.  Their mother was Wakiza.  They were born n a private facility in a nearby high desert town  and later brought to this rescue rehab zoo.  They have been raised by the Curator and lead  keeper and very loved.

For a yearly fee you can "adopt" one of them so I sponsor "Spirit."  I'll go back every so often just to enjoy watching them and the eagles, hawks and other birds or animals being rehabilitated or cared for as long as they live. 

Here is Spirit.

Well I think it is Spirit - there was a 9 year old girl who said this one was Spirit - she has visited the zoo quite a bit and some how knows their names.  I'll probably not know for sure who is who as they look so similar.

What a beautiful animal!