~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #108 ~ Sanctuary ~

Posted on August 8, 2020 by

Over the course of 35 years nurturing the flora of my back yard, it has become a bird sanctuary.

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Tall trees, medium shrubs and ground cover provide safe haven for Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits, Oregon Junco, Spotted Towhee, Bewick Wren, Song Sparrow,

Anna’s & Rufus Hummingbirds, Northern Flicker, Northern Crow, Steller’s Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Red-crested Kinglet and in winter 2019, a Snowy Plover.

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koi 2Bird baths, a pond and well-stocked feeders attract birds year round.

 

leaves 2In summer, at the end of the day, I sit in my leafy bower sanctuary and enjoy the abundance of life around me.

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

 

https://tranature.com/2020/08/01/lens-artists-weekly-photo-challenge-108-sanctuary/

Posted in Birding, birds, Gardening, landscape gardening, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, photography, plants, trees | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Brown Pelicans and Friends ~

Posted on August 5, 2020 by

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Pelecanus occidentalis

Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

Posted in Birding, birds, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #107 ~ Winter ~

Posted on July 31, 2020 by

As autumn gives way to winter, colder days with wind and rain,

bare branches

stripĀ deciduous trees bare.

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A crisp icy fragrance bites on the edge of the breeze, hinting ofĀ frosty nights.

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Queen Anne’s Lace has scattered her seed – ice crusts the edge of life.

~~~~~

Sometimes we have snow –

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the kind that swirls in soft fluffs, enveloping our world in quiet peace.

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Beagle heaven, especially when there’s a nice warm fire at the end of our walk!

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When snow graces Daphne blossoms, winter begins to melt into the promise of spring.

~~~~~

Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

 

Thanks to Leya for inspiration. On the hottest week we’ve had here in Vancouver, USA, remembering the crisp edge of winter truly was a refreshing challenge!Ā 

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/lens-artists-photo-challenge-107-winter/

 

 

 

Posted in Beagles, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, trees | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Northern Red-shafted Flicker ~

Posted on July 29, 2020 by

 

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Colaptes auratus

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

Posted in Birding, birds, landscape gardening, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #106: Autumn ~

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

 

October 14, 2019

Summer blossoms fade, as fruit and seedĀ ripen into autumn’s brilliance,

while fields and gardens bulge with nature’s bounty.

corn stalk

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As our sun sets ever-farther southwest,Ā days shift cooler –Ā nights longer.

 

Rich cinnamon scentsĀ from fallen fruitĀ and withering berries swirl with woodsmoke upon a chill breeze,

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underfootĀ brown maple leavesĀ crunch

releasing their crisp essence.

~~~~~

Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

 

Thank you Tina for featuring my “Spring” offering when you introduced this week’s theme. The seasons go round and round, and are quite definitive in the Pacific Northwest!

https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/lens-artists-challenge-106-autumn/

 

 

Posted in Gardening, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, Poetry, trees | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on July 23, 2020 by

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

Posted in nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #105: Spring ~

Posted on July 15, 2020 by

 

When threat of frost is almost past,

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as hydrangea leaves sprout and daffodil blossoms swell within their green sheaths, a new year begins.

With fresh life emerging, I creep out of winter’s cave to embrace being once again.

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wind-stirred chimes tinkle

pink plum petals swirl

fragrance of rain in the air ~

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vine maple dances

limbs stretch lithe in shell-grey sky

birds call for their mates.

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As spring soughs to summer, and our daily work is done, we rest in soft sunlight.

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

 

Here’s to Tina and Lens-Artists for this week’s photo challenge!

https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2020/07/11/lens-artists-challenge-105-spring/

Posted in Beagles, Birding, birds, flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on July 14, 2020 by

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

Posted in nature, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #104: Summer ~

Posted on July 10, 2020 by

 

Hydrangea blossoms

Ā  Ā  Ā shades of blue velvet richness

mood indigo ~

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From rich vibrant tones to soft pastel hues, Hydrangea are one of my favorite summer show-stoppers!

Birds, are everywhere in my summer gardens. They keep the grounds free of bugs and are a delight to watch as they glean and raise their young.

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At the end of a day, I love to relax on the love-seat by the pond and enjoy the light filtering through vine maple leaves as the sun lowers into the west.

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Water – the essence of life. Ā From running through sprinklers as a kid, to still going fishing with my family every year, water is a central summer feature.

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It has been a cool beginning of summer here in Vancouver, USA. Today the temperature is predicted to reach a high of 80Ā° f (27Ā°Ā c) for the first time this July!Ā 

Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.šŸ¾

 

Thanks to Amy for this week’s Lens-Artists weekly photo challenge!Ā https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/summer/

Posted in Birding, birds, flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on July 8, 2020 by

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Wishing everyone safeĀ harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.

šŸ¾

Posted in Birding, birds, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific ocean, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment