A cold wet mix of ice is pelting the skylight falling from the morning grey sky. Winter brown grass dots last nights dusting of snow, as a couple doves peck at sprinkled crushed corn on the ground. Roosted on bare lilac branches a family of cardinal’s brilliant red plumage pulse puffed-up against the arctic winter air.
With both hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee I take a moment to appreciate the simple details of the beauty and joy my backyard friends bring each day outside the studio window. Today temp– high 20s tonight dropping down to 5. That’s cold beyond cold it’s freezing. Stay well my friend!
I can identify with this small chipmunk that has dug his way out of a deep dark hole
trudging through the stones that have burdened and held him down.
Now wildly uninhibited, merged out of a silent solitude taking risk to explore,
and experience the joy and beauty that a waits in the light.
photograph by Pam Applebee
Kayaking the scalloped rock edges of shoreline meandering along bestowed euphoria, a sense of peace and contentment. Charming little country cottages nestled between acres of trees. Hummingbirds kissed red bee balm, while a pair of loons played hide-n’-seek dived in and out of summers warm water.
Dry dusty dirt back roads homed farms with colorful silos, emerald cornfields and grazing cattle. Wide open fields bundled bouquets of black-eyed susan, and sprinkles of white and golden wildflowers. The sultry days ended in lemon sunsets gave moments to pause and reflect, fell a sleep to the wailing of loons on the pond.
I spotted a nest of baby catbirds tucked away in the evergreen aside the front door porch perfectly placed in clear view. I’ve watched the three tiny little vertebrate’s transparent skin grow a covering of pinfeathers over the last nine days, as their momma roost on the rhododendron close by. They’ve brought a big bundle of joy and wonderment to life, and over the next couple of days the fledglings will take flight leaving the nest out into the horizon. My hearts wishing I could slip them in my pocket and carry them a little longer.
The morning is overcast in gray with a soft mist of rain. The air is cold for an April spring day. Outside the studio window colorful birds alike rainbow burst, flock to the feeder. Others clutch with hunger thru the fallen cracked seed strewn about, like tipped over breakfast granola across the kitchen floor.
The Architect and I are totally transfixed by the variety of birds roosting in the yard this year. So much so, the spirit of studio chatter thru out the day has become, “Oh look look look!” “Did you hear that, sounds like an Owl?” “Honey, quick quick get your camera, look what’s out here!” All the rush of activity is so awe-inspiring, and such a welcomed delight after the long winter months.
In the up and coming weeks I hope to get a few snaps, of the artistry involved in the ornamental molding of the Chickadee’s nest; pretty amazing!
Have a blessed week and stay well my friend!
