A Breath of Nature

Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Bossy Cardinal

"Listen up, peeps- you have 60 seconds to get your fill, then leave"

"Did I make myself CLEAR?!"

"Guess not...."

Photos from

February 2014

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I've heard and seen this Pileated Woodpecker in my back yard since we moved here over three months ago. She's a frequent visitor to the tall pines that surround my home. Her loud, boisterous calls announce her arrival moments before she's seen scooting along the tree trunk of a large pine, seeking a satisfactory spot to begin drumming. I felt confident that sooner or later she would come within close enough range of my camera lens to get at least a "decent" shot of her.

I heard her familiar drumming the other day and I scanned the nearby trees looking for her. There she was- about midway in an old, decayed tree close to the edge of my back yard. I grabbed my camera and started shooting...

I watched her as she rapidly pecked at the old wood for several seconds. She then leaned back and curiously moved her head side to side, looking for a sign of crawling insects. No such luck at this spot- moments later she was gone.

Linked with Stewart at Wild Bird Wednesday

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Chipping Sparrows & Tufted Titmice

My back yard was full of birds today. They were happy to see some sunshine after all the rain we've received lately. Tiny Chipping Sparrows were everywhere- foraging on the ground and flying from feeder to feeder.

I was most thrilled to see a couple of Tufted Titmice and Carolina Chickadees at the tray feeders. I've heard their calls in my back yard for months, but they remained hidden in the shadows of the trees. Finally, finally, finally they've found the bird feeders! It's about time! Some of you were confident the birds would eventually come. "Build it and they will come". Many Thanks for your encouragement :) No photos of the Chickadees today, but several of the Titmice and Sparrows...

"This is good. Seems I'm the only one at the feeder right now".

"Hmmmm, maybe I'll just dive on in!"

"Oh yea, niceeeeee. What a variety, and I can have anything I want!"

"Oh no...looks like company's coming!"

"No, you can't come in! I was here first!"

"Hey, watch it bird-brain! Keep it up and I'm gonna snatch your beak off!!!"

"Yea, that's better- just turn around and go away and I'll finish my meal peacefully".

"Oh, good grief! A bird can't have any peace around here!!!"

"Okay, Chip. On the count of 3 we'll see who gets the first seed. 1...2...3, Go!!!"

"I told ya I was pretty darn fast, Chip! Better luck next time!"

"So you wanna challenge me again, huh? Okay, on the count of 3...."

"I'm minding my own business".

"I try to stay away from the crazies over there...they're some angry birds!".

"Yea, me too!"

"Count me in!"

I spent a lot of my time today going through the boxes and totes of things I was able to salvage from our storage unit (between photo shots, LOL). What a mess! However, I'm still grateful to have these things- some of them are irreplaceable.

Thank you for dropping in. I hope every one of you have a wonderful Sunday!

Linked with Eileen at Saturday's Critters

Friday, January 9, 2015

Solitude

Sometimes, in the midst of our chaotic lives, we need solitude...

a few stolen moments to breathe out the busy world

and draw in quiet communion with self and nature.

Photos taken December 18, 2014. Great Egret on pond in Columbia, MS.

I wish to say Thank You! to those who sent warm regards and prayers concerning the people of my community who were affected by the destructive tornado which struck on December 23, 2014. Your kind words are much appreciated.

I've missed reading many of my favorite nature blogs lately- life has been quite hectic. Longer hours at work and a longer "to do" list at home have consumed most of my time within the last several weeks. I hope to scratch a couple "to do" things off my list this weekend.

Thank you for visiting. I hope your weekend has had a great start! Warm regards :)

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Destruction in My Hometown

On December 23, 2014 at approximately 2:18 p.m., an EF-3 tornado carved a path 12 miles long into our small town. There were two people killed, a young mother and an elderly woman. Dozens were injured. The destructive tornado destroyed or heavily damaged 108 homes and 43 businesses. The path began a few miles west of the Lampton community, where several families resided in wood framed or mobile homes. Many of those families had little, now they have nothing. It then carved into the heart of major businesses along Highway 98, ripping apart brick and steel buildings. Construction businesses, oil companies, retail stores, gas stations, hair salons, pharmacies, gift shops, auto parts stores, an auto detail shop, medical supply company, welding shop, storage buildings and a dialysis center were destroyed or received major damage. As it stormed into the east side of Columbia, it took down dozens more homes, ripped the tops of aged oaks and toppled some of them onto grave sites in the Woodlawn Cemetery, heavily damaged churches, a mobile home park, more businesses and a major garden center. The deadly tornado changed the landscaping of our town and did more structural damage than Hurricane Katrina, back in August 2005.

How does a community recover from such widespread destruction? Where do they begin? They begin with HOPE and FAITH in God and in their ability to work together to restore what has been taken. People from our community, state and beyond have banded together to help each other begin the process of recovery. I've witnessed some amazing scenes the last few days!!! It will take some time, but our tough little town will survive!

My husband and I saw the tornado from a distance as it spun its way northeast, missing our property. I'm relieved that we didn't take a hit. We lost a few things from the storage room we rented in town, but the things most important to me were spared. Still, my heart is heavy to see the scale of destruction in my hometown. Friends and relatives have lost their homes and/or businesses. The beautiful cemetery that holds my mother's grave, as well as other relatives, is hardly recognizable. It breaks my heart to know that there are 65 families who are now homeless. On the other hand, I'm touched by the way the community has come together as a whole at this time of need.

For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, please remember the people of our community...Thank you and God bless!