Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment.
Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~
Mary Howell Cromer







Friday, October 9, 2015

Returning to Life, and Enjoying the Beauty Along the Way~




I live both in the woods and in a valley and so unless I make an effort I can hardly view a sunrise, or sunset.  The other morning, while waiting on my dogs to get their wiggle on, I could tell the sunrise was going to be special and so I loaded them up and dashed off to my oldest daughter Hillary's lakeside community 3 miles away.  I was quite delighted that I had done so, for it was truly breath taking~



 It has been two weeks since I last posted.  
Our family gathered together with friends last Saturday to have a celebration of life for my twin sister's daughter Tamara/Tammy who passed away on September 17.
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who left such heart warning comments and sent email messages.  You are all so wonderful, and I appreciate you~  
During this same time, my desktop had also been at the "Geek Squad" being repaired/restored, as I had just about burst my hard drive from the seams with over one million images.  Yes I know, huge sigh, what can I say...~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

&

Stewart for:
   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/



 We have a new Interstate overpass just beyond my neighborhood and it gives me, along with others, safe walking, what with sidewalks.  I can now enjoy a 4 mile round trip walk as often as I am able.  Some of these images were taken on that walk~


This is the adult female Red-Shouldered Hawk from this past season.  She was yelling to her mate from a tree across the lane from my home last week.  Reminder that their voice is the loudest raptor call in our country~




On one of our country lanes in Oldham County~


Along my new walking path~





I am the oldest twin by 2 minutes.  That is me on the right and my sister Haze on the left.  It was her youngest daughter Tammy who just passed away~


Like little crosses hanging from the tree in my backyard, are the thorns of a Hawthorn~



Above my Silveit, all decked out with autumnal colours surrounding her~


A walk taken at the Anchorage Trail on Monday.  Meet Judith, a lovely lady that I introduced myself to.  I have seen her riding her bike there before, and her friendly smile has greeted me as well, but I had never stopped to chat before...so kind she is~











I was busy taking photos of the colour layers above and just about missed seeing a Red-Shouldered Hawk fly by me.  Of course I totally missed where it had been perched in a tree right beside where I stood.  That happened 2 more times this week ;(



On my new walks across the overpass, just two miles from home, there is a pair of Red-tailed Hawks and at least a single juvienile from this past season.  On Tuesday, I was held back an extra hour from returning home as this beauty hunted, captured and ate 3 field mice in 45 minutes and then with a full crop, still went down and hunted a fourth one, which he missed~














26 comments:

  1. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

    so many lovely shots. I need to go for a stroll with you (please, please)

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  2. Good morning, Mary,

    What a delight to see all the magnificent, little miracles that you encounter on your walks along the new overpass (with sidewalks, to boot!). You have such an observant eye that is able to focus on the fascinating life around you, and then deliver it to those of us who, like me, are far away from their own pastoral prettiness, and long for the calm that it bestows on our soul.

    The wooden crosses you caught on film captured my attention for their silent serenity, exposed to the elements, still intact, and although tiny, you managed to be mindful of them.

    How lovely to see you and your twin sister, Haze, next to each other; the resemblance is evident, and you share the same warm and gentle eyes! I know that, just as in the picture, you are there for Haze, by her side, especially at this challenging time in her life.

    The landscape photo of Oldham County, and the delicate beauties that dot its meadows, melted my heart this cool and rainy Friday morning. You are blessed to be surrounded by such bucolic beauty every day, to wander in its whimsy and to honour its existence and importance in your life. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

    Wishing you a pleasant weekend, my friend.

    Warm hugs,
    Poppy

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  3. Hi Mary, your photos are so beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the fall colours in the landscape along with the greens which make the fall colours really stand out. We have had some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here this fall. Have a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings, Pam

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  4. Wow! I really don't know where to start with these images... Beautiful landscapes, gorgeous blooms and great bird shots!

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  5. Great photos! (My condolences, again.) I like those little crosses in the tree.

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  6. Beautiful images Mary, and send your sister on her daughter who passed away,

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  7. looks like you have a wonderful trail to walk - glad it is safer for you now. lovely lady you met on her trike. so cute. the sunrise was wonderful.

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  8. Oh Mary, what a beautiful life-affirming post. It does go on. I did not know that red shoulders were the loudest , tho I certainly have noticed they are loud. It is neat you have that new safe place to walk and as you show, there are beautiful things to see as you go.

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  9. Speechless Photos.
    May I express my sympathy at the loss of your niece.

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  10. Hello Mary, I just love all your images. It is nice seeing you and your twin sister together. The sunrise is gorgeous. And I love the turtle, frog and the hawk photos. Wonderful post, enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  11. What a wonderful "new" walk for you! Gorgeous! I'd probably trip over my own feet ... I'd be so busy looking at Nature's wonder all around me! Wishing your family well.

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  12. Hi! Your pictures looks so beautiful! Its quite difficult to take these kind of good pictures! Happy autumn!

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  13. I cannot get over the amazing hawk images hunting....fabulous collages too! Glad you have retuned and feeling a bit better.

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  14. Hello Mary, I'm sorry for the loss of your niece. What a difficult time for you and your family. It's good to be together at such times. I never noticed before how the hawthorn thorns are little crosses. I'll be looking for those on my next walk.
    The lake sunrise is beautiful, as are your wonderful bird photos.

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  15. Mary, Some much to take in. The hawk pictures are great. I'm so glad you have a new walking path with such interesting things along it. I love the weeds taken in late day light. The color is wonderful. Sylvia

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  16. Not only gorgeous photos but such an endearing post. With photos of birds, new friends, and loving family.

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  17. A wonderful post Mary... my thoughts are with you xx

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  18. Lovely seeing you and your twin. I think that Turtle is doing ballet!! Love all your photographs

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  19. Thanks for sharing all the beauties you saw. So sorry for your family's loss.

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  20. I am so sorry for your loss! It's so hard to lose a loved one. God be with you and your family.

    The sunrise is gorgeous...but I have to say a visit to one of your posts is always like watching a nature documentary, or going to a photography gallery or thumbing through a nature book on a nature-lovers shelf...you do such amazing work! One feels like you are in that beautiful world with you. Each shot is a gem. Thanks for taking us there every time! I LOVE so many of these amazing shots!!!!

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  21. Sincere thanks for taking time to visit with me at I'd Rather B Birdin' and leaving such a wonderful comment!

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  22. Hi Mary.

    Well what happened to my comments of a week ago? I swear I pressed "submit" before going on my merry way.

    Yes I'm still about so apologies if you didn't get my message about those million pics you shutterbug.

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  23. Hi Mary, there are no words enough to tell you how very sorry I am to hear of the loss of your niece Tammy. It is always heartbreaking to lose a loved one but a sweet young soul is doubly so. My deepest sympathy to you and your sister and to everyone who loved her.

    Your photos are amazing, each and every one a joy to see.

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  24. Wonderful photos... of people, animals, and flowers.
    Wishing you a lovely weekend. Take care!

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  25. Not sure I have seen the red-tailed hawk before. Such a beauty and so many fine photos. Thanks for sharing :)

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