When Cardinals Appear – An Afternoon Visitor

They say when cardinals appear a loved one who has passed has come to visit. Cardinals are frequent visitors to our yard so it’s hard to say whether or not they’re family members coming for a visit, or just simply coincidental visitors.

Last Sunday as I was in the kitchen meal prepping for the week out of the corner of my eye, I could see this little fellow hanging out on a bare tree limb. He was a perfectly bright red color with a beautiful black mask surrounding his beak. I desperately wanted to snap a few pictures of him, but I knew he would fly away before I could get the camera ready. To my surprise he just kept sitting there, looking around from side to side, puffing up his chest with no sign of budging.

Finally, I pulled out my camera, attached the 200m to 400m lens (the big lens as Michael calls it), raised the blinds and……..ugh! The windows have screens on them! Obviously, auto focus wouldn’t work, so I switched to manual focus. That was a little better, but not perfect. Trying to hold the camera (the big lens is heavy) and adjust the manual focus made it difficult to get a sharp image. Oh well, he was such a pretty bird I decided to make the best of it and kept on shooting.

This guy stayed on the limb for at least 10 – 15 minutes. Was it a family member? Who really knows for sure, but for me personally, just having him hang out for a while brought some comfort and a smile to my face.

Until next time!

donna

“There are Only Two Days…”

“There are only two days in the year where nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and one is called tomorrow. So today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.” ~Dalai Lama

Are you focused on today?

Happy Wednesday!

~donna

“The Earth Has Music….”

“The earth has music for those who will listen.” ~Shakespeare

Are you listening to the music?

~donna

“The Beauty of Life Lies…”

“Surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Take time to enjoy the everyday things around you, not matter how simple they may be.

~donna

Bird Watcher or Watcher of Birds?

I’m not a “bird watcher” per se. I don’t run around in the park chasing birds with binoculars in tow, stretching my neck around trying to catch a glimpse of that unique, rare species which can only be found in the wetlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Actually, I find myself a little perplexed when I see the bird watchers because all they seem to be doing is looking, pointing and scribbling notes but not taking any photos of what they see. But, hey. I’m sure I look a little goofy at times running around with my camera gear hanging off my shoulders, squatting or standing on a ledge to get just that right perspective for the shot.

Having said all of this I do like to sit in our backyard and watch the birds………with my glass of wine and camera armed and ready. It’s something Michael and I enjoy during the warmer evenings of the year. And, if I’m honest with myself these “bird watching” sessions have provided some wonderful photo ops like these from the other evening:

It’s both relaxing and challenging at the same time. I’m always perched on the edge of my chair, constantly checking my camera settings with the ever-changing bird activity and lighting.

So, I guess you could say I fall into the “bird watching” category. Maybe it’s time I brushed up on the different bird species in the area and join up with a bird watching group. Nah, I’ll just hang out with our backyard wildlife.

So, what about you? Are you a “bird watcher” or “watcher of birds?”

Until next time,

~donna

The Greatest Gift You Can Give…..

✨”The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, your attention and your love.” ~unknown
 
As you’re rushing around this Christmas season frantically trying to find that perfect gift, how about taking a page out of this quote? 
 

~donna

~Looking for unique note cards, prints or digital prints? Then hop on over to my Etsy Shop by clicking or copying and pasting this link in your browser: https://www.etsy.com/shop/donnarobinsonphoto

“Kindness is Loaning Your Strength…..”

“Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.”

There are so many areas in our lives where we have the opportunity to show kindness to others by using our strengths to help them overcome a situation.

Do you know someone who could use your strength today instead of being reminded of their weaknesses?

~Donna

Looking for unique greeting cards and photography gifts? Then pop on over to my Etsy shop by following or copying this link in your browser 👉 https://www.etsy.com/shop/donnarobinsonphoto

“Make the Best of Everything”

A while ago I started posting inspirational/motivational quotes on my Instagram Account. I typically post these on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. They’re my way of inspiring and encouraging others through my photography and inspirational quotes. With the New Year in full swing, I thought it would be helpful to share these posts here. Sometimes I add my own thoughts about the quote and others times I find it more appropriate to let the quote and photography speak for themselves.

Below is this week’s quote. I hope you find it inspiring!

Happy New Year!

Donna