Tag: natural sanctuary

Waiting on the return of the honeybees

black and white photography, Uncategorized

One of the things that I miss during the cold weather is the honeybees. We have all heard of Colony Collapse Disorder and the importance of the honeybees to life. Thankfully the latest reports say that the numbers of honeybees are on the rise.

Last year the honeybees were so plentiful that I could hear the buzzing from inside the house. The wildflowers were so thick with the honeybees that it looked like the wind was blowing. I’ve come to love these little ladies for all the hard work that they do and I’m looking forward to seeing them again soon.

A Peaceful Day On The Lake

Color Photography, Summersville Lake, Summerville, travel, West Virginia

Sitting on the bank in the warm August sun last year. Small birds swooped down and skimed the surface of the lake as they picked off insects. Dragonflies and Damselflies dart around and occasionally hover to check out the large creature in a fedora that had wondered into their hunting grounds. A large carp lazily floats up to surface and rolls back into the murky depths. Small feet scurrying across the forest floor. The dry leaves make it sound like a bear romping but it’s only a squirrel. He runs up the trunk of one of the trees so he too can get a good look at me. Then disappears with the flip a bushy tail. A shadow zips across my field of vision. It’s a red tail hawk. “That’s why the squirrel left in such a hurry ” I tell myself as I shade my eyes from the sun’s glare. The busyness of every day life melts away from my soul in the warm summer days by the lake.

Reel Life

Color Photography, Thoughts and Musing

There’s no better thing on this Earth than to be a ten year old boy with a fishing rod, a lake and no responsibility. The little guy in this photo ran into frame and had nothing on his mind except for getting a hook in the water. I was struck by the thought of a “Reel Life”. That’s not a typo. Reel life should always be part of real life and it’s only going to happen in “Reel Time”. Even if you’re not interested fishing at least make time to get close to nature. Human beings are just as much a part of this planet as any other wildlife. The time spent in fresh air and sunshine is not just good for the body but it also does wonders for the soul.

Great Blue Heron On The Gauley River.

Color Photography

Today being St Patrick’s Day I just had to post something green. The Great Blue herons are often seen quietly stalking the shallow waters looking for a fish to nab. You don’t really know excitement until you’re crossing a footbridge and a huge dinosaur sized bird with a six foot wingspan nearly knocks you into the water. However, when not buzzing about the heads of unsuspecting pedestrians they are quiet and graceful. They always bring me sense of peace and I love just sit and watch them wade the shore. They were a bit of a rare sight in the 70s and still considered endangered. We’ve got one that walks our property in the summer. I hear it call more than I see it. But just knowing it’s around somewhere gives me sense of peace.

A Short walk in the park.

Color Photography, Thoughts and Musing

After yesterday’s post about the tragedy of the swan and loss I want to get back to my normal outlook on life. It might seem odd after writing about the need for community and companionship to then blog about how much I enjoy solitude but the secret is a life with balance. I have previously said that my highway to heaven is a dirt road. A nice forest path will do even better. Even if it’s a boardwalk in a park. Just escaping from the chaotic noise and replacing it with the song birds and occasional tree frog does wonderful things to my soul. The image above was taken in the Fall but in my heart it’s always Springtime in the forest. Just thinking about it brings me to a point where I can almost smell the earthy aroma of the moss growing on a fallen log. I can hear the scurrying of tiny feet in the dry leaves. Insects are buzzing about the trunks of the trees and as they pass through the filtered light their wings are backlit giving the impression of fairies living in the woods. For a moment there’s the thumping of a grouse beating the air to establish his territory. The breeze occasionally shifts and brings the scent of wildflowers. The chaos and clamor of so called modern life is a whole world away and there is peace. Just beyond the trail is a large rock or a log that is the perfect spot for sitting. Taking time to enjoy nature is like listening to God’s whispers.