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?”
⛳It’s Masters Week here in Georgia and that means the Azaleas are in full bloom. I don’t know how they do it, but I don’t think I can ever remember a year when the Azaleas weren’t in bloom for the famous golf tournament.
While these particular Azalea clusters aren’t from Augusta National, they are from a pretty special person’s backyard……my 94-year-old Dad’s backyard! He has a few of these shrubs, along with rhododendrons that are well over 40 years old! Obviously, he takes really great care of them to get blooms like this!
A popular notecard set in our collection, “Azalea Clusters” includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.
Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this card will brighten anyone’s day!
I don’t know about you, but I have a bad case of Spring Fever (literally and figuratively) when I look at this photo. It was a lucky shot in more ways than one. Lucky, I caught the bumble bee approaching the bloom and lucky I didn’t get stung in the process!
The story behind this flower? It’s part of two HUGE rhododendron bushes my father transplanted from a friend’s home in Mt. Mitchell, NC. Some 40+ years later these bushes/shrubs/trees are still thriving in his backyard.
I took this particular photo last season after spending about 10 – 15 minutes chasing the bumble bee around, snapping photo after photo until I thought I might have the right shot! Once I looked over the photos, I knew this needed to be on a notecard!
Each notecard set includes 8 notecards/envelopes and are packaged in a cream colored, organza, drawstring gift bag.
Keep for yourself or give as a gift, this notecard set will brighten anyone’s day!
We’ve been experiencing some beautiful Springtime weather in Atlanta. The temps were in the high 70’s just knocking on 80 this past weekend and we were running around in short sleeves, shorts and yes, flip flops! Surely the early Spring promised by Beauregard Lee (our resident groundhog) was here to stay?
Nope! Mother Nature has a way of reminding us she is still in control. The rain came in on Tuesday and the temps are starting to dip back down into the freezing zone with our weekend forecast indicating possible rain and snow showers (gulp). I guess it’s a good thing I resisted the temptation to begin my Spring gardening.
But one thing’s for sure with the weather so nice I couldn’t resist the urge to fill the Hummingbird feeders. There have been sightings already in the Atlanta area, so I thought why not?! They haven’t found their way to our feeders yet, but I’m ready for them.
I sure hope this change in weather is only temporary. In the meantime, I’ll be right here reminiscing over these sweet little beauties from last summer’s “30 Days of Hummingbirds” challenge while I find myself impatiently waiting for Spring,
I can’t say that our winter here in Atlanta has been so cold that we had to escape. Afterall, we’ve had some warm, sunny days lately when the temperatures have hit the low 80’s. But winter is winter, and it does get cold, gray and rainy (like today).
By the time February comes along we’re ready for a winter escape. And since Michael’s birthday happens to be at the end of the month, we have a pretty solid reason for a road-trip. This year was no different!
We started with our usual halfway point, St. Simons Island, GA and visited with our dear friends Meg and Bart for the evening. It’s always great to visit our friends and this fun little island. If you’ve followed me since the beginning of this blog, you know that at one time we had a vacation home on St. Simons. You can read about our adventures in these posts:
SSI Casa de Playa – My first post ever and the name of our little beach house. Our friend Meg came up with the name.
Steeples I have Chased – A look at three (3) historical churches located on St. Simons Island
The Nutcracker – A cute little story about our Pecan Tree and an ingenious nutcracker my father brought home many, many years earlier.
Leaving SSI – Our journey on the island was short and this pretty much sums it up!
But I digress. Today’s post is really about our trip to Amelia Island, FL which is located about an hour south of St. Simons Island. It’s a quaint area and we were fortunate to find a hotel on the beach.
The beach on Amelia Island is wide and beautiful. Our first morning we headed out the hotel and walked three (3) miles (a short walk if you know me and Michael). The mist was just beginning to burn off as the sun was coming up.
A beach shot walking back to the hotel. The sea foam is so beautiful, this photo really doesn’t do it any justice!
Later that day we headed over to Fernandina Beach, FL which is about 10 miles north of Amelia Island, but they’re “technically” part of the same area. It’s a quaint little town, one we’ve visited on multiple occasions!
The main street is lined with shops and restaurants and some of the best antique shops filled with all types of local and national history. There was so much to see in each of the shops! But here are a few of my favorites.
Who doesn’t love an old truck! This one was parked outside the first antique shop we went into. I love the rust and the patina on the bumper.
My favorite booth! Just look at all the vintage cameras and how they’re displayed! Can’t you just imagine the stories each of these cameras have captured throughout the years?
I was a little mesmerized by this display case with all the vintage buttons. Do they even make these anymore?
Yes, “Life is a Beach on Amelia Island.”
Sunrise on our last morning. Had it not been for Michael, I would have missed this shot because I was too busy packing to head home.
Do you find yourself looking for a winter escape? If so, where do you go? Are you after more cold and snow or do you head to warmer climates?
Until next time! “Life is a journey, not a destination. You are the artist, paint what you will.”
“Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they have.” ~Budha
I find myself focusing a lot these days on gratitude and this quote really stood out to me. Not from a standpoint of appreciating the “THINGS” I have, but from appreciating where I am in my life. Appreciating my family. Appreciating my friends. Appreciating my health. Appreciating where I am this very second of my life and the time I have been given to experience this chapter in my life.
Sure, others may have more, they may have accomplished more in their careers or experienced situations I never will. But that is their journey not mine. And for that I choose to appreciate and find happiness in my own journey.
What part of your journey are you failing to appreciate that is holding you back from your happiness?
~donna
P.S. If you are shopping for unique notecards, photography or digital prints be sure to stop by my Etsy Shop by following this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/donnarobinsonphoto
“There is no excess of goodness. You can’t go too far in the right direction.” ~C.S. Lewis
I think we need a lot more goodness in the world today. Don’t you?
How will you do your part to bring about more goodness?
Have a great week!
~donna
P.S. – I you’re interested in purchasing unique cards, photography prints or digital prints, be sure to stop by my Etsy Shop. Just click on this link to begin browsing: https://www.etsy.com/shop/donnarobinsonphotography
To participate in the Ragtag Daily Prompt, create a Pingback to your post, or copy and paste the link to your post into the comments. And while you’re there, why not check out some of the other posts too!
Donna Robinson Photography 