Nature’s Diversity

January 20, 2012

The diversity found in nature is sometimes mind boggling.

Pictured here are two black skimmers and a laughing gull.

Skimmers are apparently the only species of bird with the lower mandible longer than the upper.

Watching them as they fly so close to the water to capture small fish and insects near the surface is a marvel!

According to Wikipedia, "they spend much time loafing gregariously on sandbars."

(gregarious, adj. 1. fond of the company of others.)

Well, it's Friday, and loafing gregariously on a sandbar sounds just about right!

Enjoy your weekend, whatever you have planned!

And remember that you too are part of the wonderful diversity of life.

The second meaning given for gregarious is: living in flocks or herds, but I like the first much better!
Dream BIG!

January 19, 2012

Let's never forget that we are a nation that can dream BIG,

and make those dreams come true.

What are your dreams for our America?

The last launch of the Space Shuttle, Discovery, seen from St. Augustine Beach on February 24th, 2011.
Dolphin Rising

January 18, 2012

Coming up for air.

Thanks to Jake for encouraging me to get my camera out, otherwise I would have missed this shot! Cape Charles, Virginia, August, 2010.
Life is Sweet

January 17, 2012

Life is sweet!

Guess where this photo was taken: Canada, France, Iceland, U.S.?
Your Core

January 16, 2012

Is there a part of you that is the essence of who you are?

A part that is not corrupted by the culture that you grew up in

or the family that tortured you one way or the other?

I call it your core.

It is pure, whole, and located just below your heart, deep inside you.

It is incorruptible.

It's who you really are.

Getting there is a journey of acceptance,

a journey of non-resistance to loving yourself,

warts, craziness and all.

This core is there all along.

It might take your whole life to uncover it,

but it's there guiding and protecting and loving you,

just as you are.
Twilight in St. Augustine

January 13, 2012

What's your favorite time of day?

Your favorite season?

Twilight for me, and autumn.

(Although we are having a lovely winter here in St. Augustine.)
Pelican Sets Sail

January 12, 2012

Does a pelican in the water ever doubt that he can raise his sails and take to the air?

In three powerful strokes, this huge bird is airborne and glides away.
Flying Fish

January 11, 2012

Flying fish in the sky!

Flying fish!

The "Fish Cloud" photograph was not manipulated in any way. Even if I knew how to do that, I didn't need to here. Nature provided.
The Returning River

January 10, 2012

Matanzas inlet…

a gull with a broken wing walks confidently to the edge of the spit,

hitches a ride on the incoming tide and joins a gang of gulls on the other sandbar.

Fish are jumping out of the returning river like skipping stones.

The heron on the distant shore is quiet.

With a flair for the dramatic,

the sun sets.
Big Sky

January 9, 2012

Even here at sea level, we have Big Sky!

(There's a crescent moon hiding in these clouds somewhere,

but I can't find it!)