Snow Brr..irds Time Away

"a friend always leaves a trail"
*Aboriginal saying

Today and in past weeks I have captured scenes
of old man winter working his charm
covering my world in a blanket of snow

The cold Canadian winter season ends for me today!
Dear husband has retired and a new chapter in life together
is waiting to be explored!
My fractured ankle has healed well and now..
with our 2 cats and packed bags we begin this journey with
a road trip..
*some of you may be asking why not fly.. my fur babies
are special to me and kennel boarding for 2 months or flying in cargo
is NOT an option!

We head to the desert mountains of Arizona!
*
Our trip will take 5 days travelling through the states of
Michigan. Indiana. Missouri. Oklahoma. Texas. New Mexico

and finally into Arizona.
I look forward to the opportunities to expand my photographic
experience and certainly will share photos of interest with you!
We will arrive in time to enjoy the most spectacular display of
small miracles and boundless beauty of Spring time in the desert!
*
My son and 2 grandchildren live in Scottsdale.
We look forward to relaxing and rediscovering the world of
make believe with hugs and kisses laughter and the sound of
Happy Feet!
*

I return to my garden bench in May when Spring days evolve
into Summer blossoms!
*
My life is enriched in many ways.
With blogging I have made connections with others around the
globe who have taken the time to leave encouraging comments
and share with me lovely random acts of kindness.
I have had opportunity to meet a few in person too..
*
While in AZ I plan to meet up with a creative spirit
Gemma who some may already know.
In April I will be meeting
12 more passionate artists known to many in Bloglandia as
the "glitter sisters"
Lisa Oceandreamer Queen of Hearts is one..
a loving spirit that you may know!
Blogging certainly has become a networking of meeting friends!
*
* I *WILL POST once I arrive at my destination and have time to get organized ..
in the meantime give me a wave as I pass by your state!
Having a new lap top with me I will keep in touch
with your individual blogs!
I leave you with Nature Trail..my quiet place..my photo journal
of birds squirrels and the beauty of nature that nourishes my soul.
*
*I have made arrangements with a neighbor to feed my
many birds and squirrels and check my snail mail while away
*
See you in a few weeks with postings from the desert!
hugs naturegirl

My Photography

my flower
*
"One of the most attractive things about the flower
is their beautiful reserve"
*Henry David Thoreau

my Maggie
*
"Photography takes an instant out of time..
altering life by holding it still"
*Dorothea Lange

*
Friends come back on Sunday as I will tell you of
a new photography journey that I am about to have!
Yes I know I am teasing you!
hugs naturegirl

A Quiet Place

"True silence is the rest of the mind and is to the spirit
what sleep is to the body..
nourishment and refreshment"
*William Penn

"Yesterday is history"...

"Tomorrow is a mystery"..

"and today..
Today is a gift that's why we call it the present."
*Babatunde Olatunji

*
Some places hold beauty beyond description..
it is a feeling I have as I capture the true splendor
of the winter wonder that surrounds me!
*Enlarge the photos and feel my emotion!
*
Having been cooped up with a fractured ankle for the past
several months.. I can't get enough of the outdoors!
I walk along Lake Ontario which is close to my home
*Yes.. I am being careful when walking in the snow

A Light Heart

When flowers bloom bright

the heart feels light!

my fur babies
Babie 3 yrs old * Paisley 9 yrs. old
we share a bond of trust and affection
only a cat lover understands the nature of the magical
bond between cats and humans
*
Litter box rule for cats:
When using the litter box be sure to kick as much litter out of
the box as possible. Humans love the feel of kitty litter
between their toes.

The Hawk

*warning*
with these action and behavioral images I am
stepping outside the boundries of traditional
wildlife portrait photograhy
*
Abraham said in a recent post:
"Hawks strike their prey so fast and hit so hard that there is
literally an explosion of feathers from the impact.
The g-force so asronomical that victims are broken almost
featherless & unable to escape the talons around them."
*enlarge the image only if you are NOT sqeemish

I commented to Abraham that I normally look away
or chase the hawk away from my fence near feeding stations
but this time I was not horrified and did not turnaway
but with camera in hand watched through the window for
the first time this unique moment of natural behavior

this Coopers hawk taught me to respect one of
Natures survival intincts..
the circle of life
*
"God gives every bird it's food but He does not throw
it into it's nest"
J.G. Holland
*

Babie continues to stare back at the hawk
there is a sound of silence in the garden
no chirping not a bird in sight
only the feathers gently picked up by the chilling wind

"There is no death. Only a change of worlds"
Chief Seattle (Seatlh) Suquamish Chief
*
Abraham Lincoln thank you for your knowledge that you share and
for your stunning and extraordinary Nature photography
that always creates a sense of emotion for me.
To all nature lovers visit
Abes blog oldmanlincoln
you will be truly amazed!
* tell him I sent you

After the Storm

"There is no companion so companionable as Solitude"
Henry David Thoreau

Valentine's Day and Give away Winners

Happy Valentine's Day!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by my 300th post
One world One heart event give-away
Your overwhelming response and your comments
touched me deeply
So many of you commented here for the first time and I hope
it's not the last. In doing so you gave me an opportunity to
make new acquaintances exploring your many worldwide blogs!
To everyone who participated in the event
I am inspired by your kindness your creative energy
and your generous spirits!
*
Lisa Oceandreamer our hostess who organized this event
Thank you for dreaming that our world of bloggers can come together
by giving and sharing of hearts and in doing so
spread a whole lot of love!

The two winners of my giveaway..
Evelyn at Staten Island Burger Blog who is
on a quest to find the best burger in Staten Island
and
Cat at Catworx an artist nature lover and archeologist
Congratulations to you both!

Babie it's Cold Outside!

St Francis .. Patron Saint
of animals birds and the enviroment
wears his snow blanket as he watches over the activity
in my garden

despite the deep freeze with temperatures of -11C
the morning doves arrive for a feeding bringing their message of
peace love and blessings

braving the frigid temperatures in search of food
a new visitor Mr. Possum arrives and fills up on peanuts
*photo taken at night hence the dark look of the snow

surprising me a lucky ducky arrived on the scene..
lost and hungry he quickly fills up on scattered seeds
*
*we sheltered this Mallard for a few days
in the garage overnight then brought him to the local
wildlife shelter realizing that he could not fly..
he does have a broken wing and will be cared for until the Spring
then brought back to our neighborhood to be released!
I live near a wildlife conservation park

Babie it's (((COLD))) outside!
I'm beginning to feel like Dr. Doolittle
*
"Have as your goal to do your best and to make a difference..
we are in the world to make a difference and
everything we do changes the world"
Oliver Wendell Holmes
*

Foot Prints in the Snow

After an overnight snowfall of 30cm. I could not resist
following the footprints in the snow and witness firsthand a
winter wonderland of white
come walk with me ..

into a silent world hushed by a blanket of snow
I cross the bridge and see
all around me there are shadows that are cast by trees..
cool blues the dominant hues and a bright sunny sky

I look over the bridge and see
a stream courses through the snow
*enlarge images to truly experience the magic!

this walk with nature led me to the lake shore and I stood
in awe as peace grips my inner being!
There is something magical about snow-covered evergreens
set against a deep blue sky!
**
~ an update on my fractured ankle ~
Having a walking air cast and able to bear full weight on my
ankle as of last week I am now out and about with a cane
capturing some of winter's magic!
I am now recieving physical therapy at a clinic and there's
no stopping me now!
My indoor hibernation since Dec. 12/07 is OVER!
WHOO HOO!!
YOU encouraged me with your well wishes and that
certainly helped with my overall healing!
I am so very grateful to YOU all!

"gratitude is the memory of the heart"
Jean Baptiste Massieu
*

Morning Sunshine

good morning sunshine!
photos are a view through my windows

"throw open your window and let the scenery of
clouds and sky enter your room!"
Yosa Buson
**
It certainly was a weekend filled with sunshine visiting
and meeting and sharing the love that was circulating
within the blogging community!
The OWOH event was and still is a wonderful way
to meet gifted friendly spirits!
There is a spreading of Joy and I thank you all
for leaving comments on my 3o0th post and I'm
pleased as punch to meet the many new visitors that stopped by!
*

300th Post GIVE-AWAY

To celebrate means to mark an occasion or moment
in time in some significant way.
Today I have reached my 300th post!

*
Listening to my own inner voice to create and share
the sights that speak to my heart through photography,
never did I imagine when I began blogging that
I would be blessed in meeting kindred spirits, photographers,
fellow gardeners, gifted artists, writers, crafters and decorators.
All with passion enough to inspire and motivate me!
It is with a sense of awe and gratitude
that I come away from visiting your blogs.
With a total of 61,135 visitors to my blog to date with your
comments I feel rewarded and encouraged!I am able to travel
and explore the world through connections and friendships
I've made with you and share common interests and passions!
Each of your comments touch me personally and I am grateful to you!

To mark my 300th post
I join in the fun and participate in the
~ One World One Heart Event ~
hosted by Lisa Oceandreamer @ Heart of the Nest
*click here to find out more about this global event.
Meet and greet other bloggers whom you've not met
and enter all the spontaneous generosity happening
with their individual give-aways!

~ a butterfly stretches out its wings ~
*
*My GIVE-AWAY*
above glass pane with butterflies to hang in your window
as a reminder of new beginnings to celebrate the Joy of
everyday!
*take a closer look in the first photo or enlarge
p.s. I did not make the glass panes I purchased them
**
I have *2 glass panes to GIVE-AWAY!
YES *2 of you can win!
All you have to do is leave a comment..
lurkers come out from wherever you are I'd love to meet you too!
Newcomers to my blog WELCOME!
*if you do NOT have a blog leave me your email addy
so I can contact you should you win
*
*DRAW ENDS WED. Feb.13/08 midnight
**WINNERS ANNOUNCED Valentine's Day Feb. 14/o8
picked by random number generator
*
scatter Joy
hugs naturegirl
*
dear friends more reason for me to celebrate..
see the post below!