I’m thrilled to share a new gem from my photography vault—a stunning wall art print of Hogpen Gap along the Appalachian Trail near Helen, Georgia. With a vibrant blue sky and tree branches framing the scene, this image captures the serene beauty of the mountains, bathed in the rich hues of peak autumn foliage.
Available in high-quality 5×7 and 8×10 inch prints, this piece is perfect for bringing a touch of natural beauty and tranquility into your space.
Add the elegance of this majestic mountain view to your home! Visit my Etsy Shop to order your print today and transform your decor with a glimpse of Georgia’s breathtaking heights.
✨ Mark your calendar: The Holiday Cyber Sale in my Etsy Shop runs from 11/18 – 12/3. You won’t want to miss these deals!
There’s something truly magical about gazing at majestic mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, capturing the vastness of nature in a single breathtaking view. 🌄
I’m thrilled to unveil my latest additions from the vault: stunning photographs of Georgia’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald, nestled in the heart of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. At 4,784 feet, these images capture serene moments of nature’s grandeur. Available in high-quality 5×7 or 8×10 inch prints, these photos are perfect for adding a touch of natural beauty and tranquility to any space.
Bring the elegance of these majestic mountain views into your own home! Visit my Etsy Shop to order your print today and transform your space with a piece of Georgia’s breathtaking heights.
Thank you for your continued support—it means the world to me!
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“…there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.” ~Walt Whitman
Over the years, I’ve accumulated thousands of photographs—some noteworthy and others not so much—along with an extensive personal library 😅 Recently, I came across one that truly stands out.
I’m thrilled to unveil my latest photo from the vault, “Proud Peacock. This vibrant and majestic peacock photograph captures a stunning peacock perched high up in a tree. Available in my Etsy Shop in high-quality 5×7 or 8×10 inch prints, it’s perfect for adding a touch of beauty to any space.
Experience the sheer beauty of this majestic peacock! Visit my Etsy Shop today to order your print, and transform your space with the elegance of nature!
Thank you so much for your continued support!
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“Just as a peacock spreads its glorious feathers, nature reveals its true beauty in the simplest of moments.” ~Debasish Mridha
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!!
Few natural wonders evoke the sense of awe and wonder quite like Niagara Falls. Located on the border between the United States and Canada, this magnificent waterfall complex is a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature.
Spanning the Niagara River between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States, Niagara Falls consists of three breathtaking waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. Together, they form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, making Niagara Falls a must-see destination for travelers from around the globe.
The sheer magnitude of Niagara Falls is best experienced up close, whether by taking a thrilling boat ride on the iconic Maid of the Mist or embarking on a scenic helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of the cascading waters. Feel the mist on your skin and hear the thunderous roar as millions of gallons of water plummet over the edge, creating a spectacle that ignites the senses and leaves an indelible impression.
But Niagara Falls offers more than just breathtaking views. Surrounding the falls is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Explore the lush landscapes of Niagara Parks, home to picturesque gardens, hiking trails, and stunning vistas overlooking the falls.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply a moment of awe-inspiring beauty, Niagara Falls offers something for everyone. Soak in the majesty of nature’s masterpiece, and let the timeless allure of Niagara Falls leave you breathless and inspired.
Hope you enjoyed this post today, thanks for stopping by!!
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“Their roar is around me. I am on the brink of the great waters—and their anthem voice goes up amid the rainbow and the mist.” ~Grenville Mellen
The first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere is coming this Monday, March 20, 2023 and it will run until June 21, 2023. You may have already noticed the warmer temps moving in, birds nesting and beautiful flowers beginning to bloom. Also, on this first day of Spring the hours of daylight and night are almost equal. It always takes some adjusting to the new longer days ahead.
On my lovely morning walks I’ve seen many squirrels busy building their nests. You can tell the difference between a bird and squirrel nest from the ground because birds primarily build their nests with twigs. Whereas squirrels use fresh branches with the leaves attached. You may also notice a lot of small pieces of fresh branches with leaves on the ground.
This was a photo I took with my phone of a squirrel nest. They’re easily seen once the leaves dry and turn brown. Squirrels can have anywhere from 2-4 babies usually between the months of February to May. They have a hefty appetite and will eat their own body weight every week which is about 1.5 pounds. I love watching them in the mornings with their high energy, it motivates me on my walks 😊
Have you checked your yard for signs of any new babies that may be coming soon?
Hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by!!
Lavender is one of my most favorite herbal plants. There are several varieties, each with a slightly different scent that produce beautiful lilac colored flowers. It has a delightful scent making it the most popular form of essential oil and it has a lot of medicinal benefits too.
Lavender came from the Latin word lavare which means to wash; and yes you guessed it, lavender was widely used in ancient Rome, Greece and Persia for bathing because of it’s disinfectant and antiseptic properties. It was also believed to purify the body and mind.
Dating back to ancient times, lavender has been used to combat a variety of ailments including:
boosting moods
headaches
acne
hair loss
insomnia
anxiety
stress reliever
eczema
dry skin
insect bites
wound healing
helps prevent digestive issues
reduces inflammation
You can use lavender in the form of tea, extract, essential oil or the plant itself. For example, chamomile lavender tea is a quick fix for a sleepless night. You can also put a few drops of essential lavender oil on a tissue and slip it inside of your pillow case to help you drift off into a somber sleep.
Lavender is an all around wonderful herb. I hope you’ll give it try. Just remember herbs can be more potent than we give them credit for so use them in moderation. When in doubt, check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Thanks for stopping by!!!
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“Laughter, joy and kindness are the herbs to gladden the heart and delight the soul.” ~Unknown
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!!!
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
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?
Flowing Waters Art 