At last! After a week of peeking around corners and trying to stealthily sneak a few frames of Gazelle on the nest, I arrived for my morning snoop when she wasn’t there! In this process I’ve discovered something new about myself. I would make a terrible spy. Espionage is absolutely not my strong suit. I’d be captured or killed within 24-hours I’m sure. America is far safer with me at home. Continue reading
Since nothing new is happening in our nest, and I’m completely paranoid about bothering Gazelle too much now that she’s incubating eggs, the kids and I decided to go for a nature walk. We headed off into the woods, the munchkins toting their magnifying glasses while I lugged along my biggest lens. Continue reading
Another morning, another trek down the path to find Gazelle stubbornly unmoved from the nest. (sigh)
We started spitballing names for the baby birds yesterday. Continue reading
We recently picked up a book from the library entitled “Dear Mr. Washington
by Lynn Cullen. It is a humorous look at the story behind Gilbert Stewart’s famous portrait of the first President. This one.
The book follows Stuart’s children as they attempt to follow George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior on Company and Conversation while the President sits for his portrait. These rules (110 of them) were copied down by Washington by the time he was 16. Continue reading
Gazelle has been sticking very close to the nest the past couple days. As in…she’s always on the nest when I take a peek around the rocks. I try not to disturb her as I’m sure keeping eggs warm is serious business. Nobody likes to be bothered at work. Especially this girl. She gets very antsy if I get close to the nest while she’s on it. Which is all the time. All. The. Time. I wonder if birds store up fat for brooding like other animals do for hibernation. She did seem a little, um…fluffy when I took her portraits a couple of days ago. Unless Gazelle has a man bringing her food, I don’t see how she’s getting anything to eat. Poor thing. Growing babies while on a diet? That life is for the birds. Hahahaha! Continue reading
I consider myself decidedly unartistic. I’m not sure that’s even a word. Spell check is giving me the squiggly red line. However various online dictionary resources tell me it’s an adjective meaning lacking artistic talent. So, I’m going with it. My art deficient self stumbled upon a YouTube channel that I absolutely love. It’s called Art for Kids Hub and each video gives step-by-step instructions for simple drawings you can do with your kids. Continue reading
The bird known as Gazelle had her agent contact me late yesterday afternoon. She complained that her client’s reputation as a Dark-Eyed Junco, and image as a beautiful, multidimensional creature were seriously jeopardized by the release of my “completely unacceptable and unauthorized photographs”. She called my photos shabby, grainy and insulting to the very nature of the Dark-Eyed Junco. She informed me that Gazelle would be more than happy to come in studio to sit for a few portraits if I would treat her with the consideration and care a bird of her elevated neighborhood status deserved. Terms were reached. Gazelle proved to be a most accommodating model. Continue reading
For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
Psalm 50:10-11
I got to know one of God’s birds a little better this morning! Continue reading
I’m in a mild panic. There are no new eggs in our nest today and I’m wigging out slightly that taking pictures yesterday has scared the momma bird off. Why do I feel so worried about this? I mean, in the grand scheme of life, this is not a big deal. So why am I wracked with guilt?
I have genius friends. I’m so blessed. Here’s my sad attempt from earlier today. Fuzzy around the edges because there’s not enough light coming in. I think those are eggs. But I’m not sure. They could just be rocks.
Dissonant Symphony 