Beautiful! I love this and I love the perspective!
I was just saying to my sister, laughing about being an “old man,” and how “old” was a concept of time that humans use, but no other living creature is aware of.
Similar to these beautiful waterfowl just living life, as it should be.
Thanks so much, Brian! Oh my gosh, great point - I never thought about the age perspective before, and it's one more thing that is so perfectly beautiful about wild creatures. Just living life 💕
Brian and Sydney, I have loved the ignoring of aging in some of my cats. One was still playing with little things on the floor as hockey pucks in her 20th year! And another continued to trot up and down our stairs well into her later years. It reminded me of how important play is - As a state of mind, as well as for ones physical wellbeing. I always loved that scene in Grumpy Old Men - where Jack Lemmon dances around the kitchen after an adventurous night with a new lady friend! That's it!!! A human at play!
When I open your exquisite photos and read your poetic descriptions you bring such joy into my day and a balm to the soul. Blessings to you Sidney, that your extraordinary talent and heart-felt "plumage" persevere in the choppy waters of these challenging times and that your spirit continues to be enriched by your eye for hidden beauty.
Thank you so much for this little primer on the winter coastal birds, Sydney! I am not very knowledgeable about water fowl, but your descriptors combined with your lovely photos are just delightful. I especially appreciate your thoughts on the young common eider. As an empty nester your words gave me pause and made me miss my boys. Lovely, as always, friend.
Thank you so much, Laura! I get to know them one by one by one, as I meet them. I've met a solid handful of the sweet little water birds over the 8 years we've been near the coast. And still, like any person you might pass in the grocery store, there's so very much more to learn about them even once they're familiar to the sight! Thanks for letting me know about the young eider - I wondered if anyone else would relate, or if it was just me 🤣💕
Magical, as always. I imagine that Common Eider all dressed up for Senior Prom. Next year, he'll be out in the world! I, too, am amazed at how they carry on through the winter. Brrr!
Beautiful photos! You've inspired me to take a trip out to the Edwin B. Forsyth wildlife refuge this weekend to see the waterfowl. I haven't been there in too long!
Yay, Thomas, I’m so happy to hear that! Any time I’ve inspired someone to take an extra moment in nature it feels like I’ve made a difference in the world 🤣 That place looks amazing, by the way!
Thank you Sydney. Oh what a joyful read! I felt like I was right there, sans the cold. I almost felt embarrassed to be reading about their amazing resilience, whilst I am sitting in a warm Aussie summer. So beautiful. Thank you. (A PS comment Sydney. We have about 30 ducks that live on our place in a couple of our farm dams (ponds for Americans). Every morning they wander the paddocks and hold discussions with the wallabies they are sharing the grass with, and sometimes the horses join in. Ducks...amazing).
Thank you, Ian, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! What a wonderful story about the ducks & friends - it’s so delightful getting to know their daily routines. My heart is warmed imagining it, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Teyani! I thought the posture was so beautiful there, too :) I like to use a continuous-shooting setting to take a lot of sequential shots when birds are in motion - because sometimes you get lucky with the moments you capture!
What a lovely post to read! The Harlequin ducks all working together was particularly heart-warming. Your pictures are stunning too. Thank you for sharing this.
So cool! 😎❄️ Literally! Grin. What a pleasure learning more about American bird life. (Repeated bone breakages! OMG!) Another wonderful post. Thank you so much. Stay warm! All the best.
Haha, thanks, Beth! I know, I was quite shocked to learn that little tidbit, considering how painful fractures are for us - yet somehow, they are just able to fold that into their lives, no big deal 😳 Hugs!
Beautiful! I love this and I love the perspective!
I was just saying to my sister, laughing about being an “old man,” and how “old” was a concept of time that humans use, but no other living creature is aware of.
Similar to these beautiful waterfowl just living life, as it should be.
Thank you once again ❤️
Thanks so much, Brian! Oh my gosh, great point - I never thought about the age perspective before, and it's one more thing that is so perfectly beautiful about wild creatures. Just living life 💕
Brian and Sydney, I have loved the ignoring of aging in some of my cats. One was still playing with little things on the floor as hockey pucks in her 20th year! And another continued to trot up and down our stairs well into her later years. It reminded me of how important play is - As a state of mind, as well as for ones physical wellbeing. I always loved that scene in Grumpy Old Men - where Jack Lemmon dances around the kitchen after an adventurous night with a new lady friend! That's it!!! A human at play!
When I open your exquisite photos and read your poetic descriptions you bring such joy into my day and a balm to the soul. Blessings to you Sidney, that your extraordinary talent and heart-felt "plumage" persevere in the choppy waters of these challenging times and that your spirit continues to be enriched by your eye for hidden beauty.
Thank you so much, Kate! Your words have encouraged me and absolutely warmed my heart, so glad to share these nature moments with you 💕
Thank you so much for this little primer on the winter coastal birds, Sydney! I am not very knowledgeable about water fowl, but your descriptors combined with your lovely photos are just delightful. I especially appreciate your thoughts on the young common eider. As an empty nester your words gave me pause and made me miss my boys. Lovely, as always, friend.
Thank you so much, Laura! I get to know them one by one by one, as I meet them. I've met a solid handful of the sweet little water birds over the 8 years we've been near the coast. And still, like any person you might pass in the grocery store, there's so very much more to learn about them even once they're familiar to the sight! Thanks for letting me know about the young eider - I wondered if anyone else would relate, or if it was just me 🤣💕
Magical, as always. I imagine that Common Eider all dressed up for Senior Prom. Next year, he'll be out in the world! I, too, am amazed at how they carry on through the winter. Brrr!
Thanks so much, Maria! Such a perfect analogy :)
Beautiful photos! You've inspired me to take a trip out to the Edwin B. Forsyth wildlife refuge this weekend to see the waterfowl. I haven't been there in too long!
Yay, Thomas, I’m so happy to hear that! Any time I’ve inspired someone to take an extra moment in nature it feels like I’ve made a difference in the world 🤣 That place looks amazing, by the way!
Really nice series, Sydney. I especially like the Harlequins - never seen one before.
Thank you, Neil! They are fantastic little ducks :)
Thank you Sydney. Oh what a joyful read! I felt like I was right there, sans the cold. I almost felt embarrassed to be reading about their amazing resilience, whilst I am sitting in a warm Aussie summer. So beautiful. Thank you. (A PS comment Sydney. We have about 30 ducks that live on our place in a couple of our farm dams (ponds for Americans). Every morning they wander the paddocks and hold discussions with the wallabies they are sharing the grass with, and sometimes the horses join in. Ducks...amazing).
Thank you, Ian, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! What a wonderful story about the ducks & friends - it’s so delightful getting to know their daily routines. My heart is warmed imagining it, thanks for sharing!
The moment you caught the loon in the first photo is so striking. I miss seeing loons. Thank you
And such a great story about the harlequin ducks 🤗
Thanks so much, Teyani! I thought the posture was so beautiful there, too :) I like to use a continuous-shooting setting to take a lot of sequential shots when birds are in motion - because sometimes you get lucky with the moments you capture!
What a lovely post to read! The Harlequin ducks all working together was particularly heart-warming. Your pictures are stunning too. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much, Melissa! Happy to share them with you 💕
I always say, "If only we could be more like birds." Another great read.💕
If only, Grace! Thanks so much for being here 💕
How wonderful to read your celebration of these tough creatures who persist where they are! Daniel
Thanks so much, Daniel! They are such delightful little inspirations, and they don't even notice how much I'm admiring them :)
So cool! 😎❄️ Literally! Grin. What a pleasure learning more about American bird life. (Repeated bone breakages! OMG!) Another wonderful post. Thank you so much. Stay warm! All the best.
Haha, thanks, Beth! I know, I was quite shocked to learn that little tidbit, considering how painful fractures are for us - yet somehow, they are just able to fold that into their lives, no big deal 😳 Hugs!