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

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

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

Wild Bird Wednesday

 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~