Category Archives: Birds

New Wildlife Photography: From Sweet Ducklings to Majestic Peacocks

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  • “Waddle and Wonder”
  • “Crowned in Color”

Nature has an incredible way of surprising us—sometimes with its quiet sweetness and other times with its dazzling display of color. This week, I’m excited to share two new photographs that capture both sides of that beauty: a tiny, fluffy duckling and a proud, colorful peacock.

The first image, titled “Waddle and Wonder,” features an adorable baby duckling exploring a muddy patch. There’s something so pure and joyful about its little adventure—it’s the kind of moment that instantly makes you smile. Perfect for nursery décor, nature-themed spaces, or anyone who loves a touch of cuteness at home.

On the other end of the spectrum is “Crowned in Color,” a striking photograph of a peacock in all its glory. Its shimmering feathers and regal pose are a reminder of nature’s artistry and elegance. This piece brings sophistication and vibrancy to any wall, whether in a living room, office, or gallery wall collection.

Both prints are available in multiple sizes and make wonderful gifts for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. Whether you’re drawn to the soft charm of the duckling or the bold beauty of the peacock, these photographs bring a touch of the wild into your everyday space.

You can find “Waddle and Wonder” and “Crowned in Color” in my Etsy Shop—stop by and explore more nature-inspired art!

Thanks so much for visiting, and may these pieces bring a little joy and inspiration to your day!

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Thoughtful Thursday Special Bonds

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I have a delightful story to share with you today. In my backyard, under the oak trees, I have a bird feeder and water dish. One day, I heard a bird sounding off with five short whistles. I found it cute and mimicked the sound. Little did I know, this would be the start of a special relationship.

The bird turned out to be a red cardinal. We began whistling back and forth to each other, creating a unique bond. Whenever I filled the feeder and changed the water, I’d whistle five short notes, and the cardinal quickly learned that this meant it was feeding time.

This routine continued for months, and the cardinal grew increasingly comfortable around me, even coming very close. Then he disappeared for several days, and I worried something had happened. But one day, after I whistled, he returned briefly and then flew off, only to come back with a female cardinal. They started visiting the feeder together every morning and evening. I realized they must have a nest nearby because they eventually took turns coming to the feeder.

The real surprise came when the cardinal returned with his mate and two baby cardinals. Watching the parents feed seeds to their little ones was heartwarming. The babies, were noticeably a bit clumsy at flying but quickly got the hang of it.

Now, the babies are all grown but still visit the feeder. Whenever he’s hungry, the cardinal comes to the feeder, sings me the most beautiful song, and waits for the seeds. This special bond puts a smile on my face every day.

Forming special bonds with nature can be profoundly enriching, whether it’s hearing birds sing, the rustling of leaves, or enjoying a garden in bloom. These connections remind us of the natural world’s beauty and harmony, bringing calm, wonder, and happiness, and inspiring us to protect and cherish our environment.

Hope you enjoyed this post today, thanks for stopping by!!

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Make sure to check out all the slides below:

Shop Update – New Laughing Gulls Photo Available

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Check out this delightful photo of two laughing gulls! Capturing them against the coastal rocks in the Bahamas was such a joy. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the refreshing ocean breeze in this photo. These beautiful birds truly brought a smile to my face, and I hope they do the same for you!

This charming snapshot is available in my Etsy Shop in 5×7 or 8×10 inch sizes to add a touch of nature’s joy to your space.

Thanks for your support!!

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Shop Update – New Plover Photo Available

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Immersing myself in the serene beauty of the beach is one of life’s simple pleasures, and there’s nothing quite like watching the graceful dance of shoreline birds. This is a moment in time I captured of a plover on the Florida West Coast, foraging for food upon the pristine sandy shores.

What’s truly remarkable is the individuality and vibrancy that each bird exudes—a testament to the fascinating diversity of nature’s creations.

This beautiful print is available in my Etsy Shop in 5×7 or 8×10 inch sizes to add a touch of coastal charm to your surroundings.

Thanks for your support!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Bird Rescue

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It’s funny but you would think all the birds in our neighborhood have our address memorized. Whether they’re hungry, thirsty or need help, they know exactly where to go.

Last Saturday, hubby came home and saw something odd in the street in front of our house. When he took a closer, he saw it was a young bird, a fledgling. You could tell he wasn’t doing well because he was slumped over. It was getting dark so we put him in a box in the garage till morning because the rescue center had already closed for the day and mama bird was nowhere to be found.

We tried giving him some water but he refused so we just kept him safe for the night. First thing Sunday morning, we took him to the South Florida Wildlife Center where they rescue over 10,000 animals every year.

I couldn’t figure out what kind of bird he was. I’ve seen these birds a lot on my walks and the adults are gray with a bit of brown and a black patch on the head. They have pointy beaks and are everywhere here.

After searching the internet I finally found a bird that looked like him. It was a gray catbird.

Apparently these guys make a call that sounds like a cat’s meow and thus their name. They are masters at mimicking the calls of other birds and are known for singing beautiful songs. Sometimes they sing for as long as 10 minutes at a time. Very impressive!

I found this short video on Youtube that gives some pretty interesting facts about these birds.

I called the Wildlife Center to check up on the little guy and they confirmed he was indeed a gray catbird. They did everything they could but sadly weren’t able to save him 😥

I was really saddened by the news because I had high hopes. We gave it our best effort and sometimes that’s just how it goes. That’s life I guess. I will say that I keep my eye out for these catbirds on my walks and really appreciate their beautiful songs even more.

I hope that you get to enjoy these beautiful birds in your neighborhood too. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Yellow Crested Night Heron

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Yellow Crested Night Heron Fledging

I was very blessed this spring to watch these beautiful birds make their nests high up in the oak trees that line our streets. A few years ago we started with only 1 nest and now we’re up to 5 nests in all. As I went on my daily walks, I was eagerly watching each nest as babies began showing their heads one by one. These new birds have now taken up residence in our neighborhood and I see them often by the lakes.

When they were very young we would come home at night to see them walking in the middle of the street. I guess they were still trying to figure it all out. They would even visit me in our backyard every now and then.

These herons forage for food at dusk and into the night. However, you may also see them foraging during the day. They tend to walk slowly on land or in shallow water and will sometimes stand completely still waiting for dinner to come to them.

Yellow Crested Night Herons are primarily found in the Southeastern parts of the United States. Adult herons will lay anywhere from 2-8 blue-green eggs in a nest. Both parents will incubate the eggs for 21-25 days. Once the eggs hatch it’s up to both parents to feed the babies. They haven’t been studied enough so there is no data as to when they take flight and leave the nest. Fully grown they measure 1 ft 10 in to 2 ft 4 in. They are simply beautiful and amazing to watch.

I hope your enjoyed this little snippet about the Yellow Crested Night Herons and are able to see some. These are some of the photos I was lucky to get on my walks.

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Beyond even the darkest clouds the wide, open blue sky goes on forever. Trust, let go, and allow yourself to take flight. So fly! Only then can you soar.” ~Martta Karol

Baby Mocking Bird Rescue

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You never know what the universe has planned for you. It always amazes me how the timing has to be so perfect in order for things to happen. Yesterday morning I went on a walk with my hubby. On our walk I was busy looking up in the trees for our new herons. Thankfully, hubby was looking on the ground and saw this tiny little chick just sitting in the middle of the road.

We quickly scooped him up and got him out of danger but weren’t having any luck finding the nest or mama bird anywhere. He was too small to be on the ground and on his own, especially on a busy street. We ended up taking the little guy to the South Florida Wildlife Center where they will care for him and release him when he’s ready. This also gave us the opportunity to donate to the center for all the great work they do. I love their slogan: “Saving Wildlife in our Urban Jungle.”

Sadly I’ve seen quite a few birds that have died this summer. The National Audubon Society sent out an email blaming the extreme heat for killing lots of babies. Although there’s no one better than a mama bird caring for her young, the odds were stacked against this little guy and the staff at the wildlife center agreed we made the right choice to bring him in. It was a small deed but nevertheless a good one and it felt great saving this little life!

I was surprised that we still have little babies like this in the middle of summer. Always thought this was more of a spring time event. Do you have the same where you live?

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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