March - In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion!?

Isn't this the reverse of what it's supposed to be like?

Sunday Sunsets

Taken December 26, 2010, from Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains, California.

Faeries Friday - Summoning Chant

Faerie Summoning Chant

Come out from your fairy bower,

Come upon this golden hour,

Come to us we beg you please,

Fairies dancing on the breeze.

I don't know if I'd ever be brave enough to summon Faeries, I would be afraid of offending them! I was watching the movie 'Fairy Tale, A True Story' and this chant is used by the two little girls. It's one of my favorite movies. If you haven't grown up so much that your inner child has died, and you haven't seen this movie, give it a try. Although, I can't imagine anyone whose inner child is alive and well hasn't already seen this movie....

(The picture is from the Internet, but I don't know who it belongs to).

Odd Ducks

I had stopped by Lake Gregory last week to see how Spring was coming along down at that elevation. Better than up here, but not by much.

Then I noticed the ducks looked a bit different. When I first glanced at them I thought they were just swimming around like they usually do. But then I noticed they were swimming in circles, and something even more odd...

They ALL had their beaks down in the water! I've never seen ducks do this before. It was so strange. I'm guessing that maybe some sort of bug had just hatched and was floating on the surface of the water, but I couldn't see anything. I drove slowly around the lake and every duck was doing the same thing.

Maybe they had the duck version of Spring Fever?

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Sunlight

Taken March 9, 2012.

Harbingers

I spotted this little guy (girl?) sitting in the sun on a branch of the Box Elder tree. I think this might be the earliest I've seen a Robin, but I can't remember for sure. But, Robins are always a welcome sight!

The new branches on the deciduous trees are greening up, and the tulip and daffodil shoots are taller than I've ever seen them at this time of year.

Though we've hardly had any winter I guess Spring must really be on her way.

Wordless Wednesday

Wild Air

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air."
Emerson

(Photo is of the Mendocino coast, northern California).

Sunday Sunlight

Taken down in San Bernardino on August 5, 2009.

Wordless Wednesday - Ephemeral

Birds and Snow

It's snowing today, yippee! I like it, but I don't think the birds share my love of snow. The little male House Finch, above and below, doesn't look very happy.

Neither does his Missus, on the left.

The Chickadees don't seem to mind it as much, but it takes a lot to get a Chickadee down!

That's one reason why they're one of my favorite birds.

There are plenty of peanuts under the snow, but I don't think this little guy is as willing to push the snow aside with his beak as his siblings. The birds have kept me busy today keeping the bird baths free of ice and full of fresh water, plus keeping the feeders filled with their various favorite nuts and seeds. Our winter has been so dry, what little water there is in the creek is frozen solid. I took a tiny break to try and get some pictures of the birds, but I don't think this Chickadee appreciated having to wait for fresh peanuts so I could take his picture...

Gee...I wonder what he's trying to tell me? Is it, "Hey LADY! There aren't very many peanuts here!" Or is it, "Kiss my ..."

Hmmmmmmm........well, I chose to refill the feeder.

Words to Live By

Sunday Sunlight

Taken in May of 2010.

Ice Sculptures

I had never really noticed how intricate icicle interiors could be...

until I took this series of photos,

getting closer and closer with each shot.

Worlds within worlds, color upon color, sculpted by wind and water working together. How could I not have seen this in all the years I've been looking at, and admiring, icicles? Looking closely through the lens of a camera can really make one aware of things previously unseen.

Beautiful Winter

It snowed a bit more during the night, and some trees found the extra bit too heavy. But trees that bend will rise again once the snow is gone.

Little animals left their tracks as they passed by my studio steps on their way to somewhere known only to them. All night long, the wind was having a tantrum. The temperature dropped to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, and I prayed that all the little creatures would find safe, warm, dry shelter.

But it's 36 degrees Fahrenheit now and the snow is starting to melt, slowly freeing branches from their burden.

Fantastical icicles are forming everywhere. This one is on the empty Hummingbird feeder.

Beautiful Winter...I am so glad you're finally here. Please, don't be in a hurry to leave.

Finally!

We finally got a little snow, about 4 or 5 inches. It was wonderful to sit inside and watch the snowflakes falling thick and fast from the sky, sometimes falling straight down, sometimes blown sideways in shifting veils by the wind, sometimes falling in twirling spirals, each snowflake a blessing.
Now, if we can just get another 8 or 9 feet before the end of our 'official' snow and rain season in March, we'll be up to normal. And, if the Sierra mountains to the north of us can get 20 to 30 feet of snow in the same time period California will be in good shape, water-wise. But I really don't think that will happen...

February 14

Sunday Sunlight

Taken in April of 2009.

Wordless Wednesday - Wishing

Oh, How True...

"Cats were put into the world to disprove the dogma that all things were created to serve man." Paul Gray

Women and Granite

"Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will, nevertheless, find me a rock that bends to no wind." Queen Elizabeth I
(The depth of field is deceiving in the photo, as the smallest rock is about 20 feet in height).

Sunday Sunset

Taken July 2008 heading west on Hwy 18.