Monday, March 11, 2013

IDIC


Dark-eyed Junco
No matter how hard I try to switch it off; I can't.  It grows everyday.  Elegant Trogon, Rusty Blackbird, Crissal Thrasher, Mountain Plover, Rufous-capped Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, etc etc.  The list never ceases to amaze me.  The Elegant Trogon arrives in March to find a nest for his partner.  If she doesn't like the nest, he's in big trouble.  Mountain Plovers are in a field and will only be around for a short time before migrating out of our area.  The Rufous-capped Warblers come down the canyon(around 9:15 AM) and then head back up.  The Golden-crown hides within the White-crowned Sparrows near the second dry river bed.  And the Crissal Thrasher? My new nemesis is one shy bird!  Around 8:30 AM for this one:)  But I get distracted so easily with everything else that comes my way:)
Hepatic Tanager
I remember as a boy running into the country fields searching for butterflies, chasing Killdeer, and catching frogs.  As I grew up, I stopped playing outside like I had done as a kid. I never stopped loving the outdoors.  And I certainly never stopped exploring.  But I had forgotten what it was like to be the bird, butterfly, frog or animal.  I didn't lose interest; I just forgot.  My camera has always been a part of my treks.  I look back on those old pics and think, "Really?  I took those shots?!  They're terrible!"
Double-crested Cormorant
My blog began because of plants.  My garden.  My world.  I am trained in the way of plants.  They connected me back to the wildlife again.  As my garden grows and flourishes; so does my appetite for knowing more.  3 years I have blogged now.  It all began with my Oak trees dropping their leaves in spring(normal).  I had thought I'd lose them.  We purchased our place because of these trees.  There was also a side area that was empty, full of gravel and a dead Euc leaning against the building.  I then began my dream of creating a garden.  4 years later, the plants continue to grow bigger and bigger. It's still being worked and reworked but the area has become a magnet for wildlife.
No zoo on these trips.  Nothing but the real deal!  A Javelina drinking from a stream:)
A better camera.  Becoming a docent.  Selling my photography.  Documenting birds.  And meeting new people have changed me in ways that I cannot even begin to explain.  My Spanish ability has enhanced my new passions playing detective out in the wild. This summer I will be heading to Guatemala and other Central American countries for a month documenting birds, plants and culture.  I've been to most of these places before but what is new are the set of "eyes" I have developed. They are now trained for the slightest movement.  I have worked hard this past year and a half learning about birds around Arizona.
As I walk to the edge of the world, I will share with you these most precious moments.  I can't explain the quiet peace within my mind.....the one that erases all the negative matter around me.........I just know that I am on a most sacred quest.  There is a singular focus now.  It's running again in those fields chasing butterflies, looking into the eyes of the coyote and knowing.......it's about being in tune with my surroundings. In tune with my life. And whether I see an Elegant Trogon or not, doesn't matter. Well maybe it does:)  A little.  Okay maybe a lot:) But it seems that something else always presents itself.  The Double-crested Cormorant.  The Plumbeous Vireo.  The Coyote.
Singing with this Sparrow:)
On this 3rd year of revelations, I thank you all for following.  I am excited about this year.  We learn together.  We grow together as a family. But most of all, we sometimes forget the benefits of blogging....the writing, the photography, the learning, the names, the research, and most of all.....the virtual friendships that development.  We represent Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.  One life.  So many possibilities.  Life is indeed the adventure. And if you watch Star Trek, you already knew this:)
In my moments of solitude, I ponder what is yet to come.  I worry about this world.  But I also feel energized about the experiences on each outing.

In my mind.  On a plane.  A boat.  A bus. While riding a horse.  This is the song that plays within my head. When I gaze upon the beautiful animals, I want to protect them from all those who would have them harmed. Because witnessing a coyote, javelina, skunk, coati, or deer in the desert is a magical thing.  People will walk by them and I know they are there. Their secret is safe with me. We can't really see if we walk too quickly.  We can't really hear if we aren't listening. We live in a world full of wonder. PS.  I'll be getting to blogs starting this Wednesday. We are still on an epic hunt which I hope to report on soon.  I'm a bit behind and I'll be stopping by to catch up with everyone again:)


37 comments:

  1. Lovely Chris. Congratulations on three great years. Good luck with the hunt!

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    1. Thanks Laurence! I'm hoping it turns out as planned. Everything is right for the observations. Could be big or a big disappointment....but I'm thinking we're going to hit gold.

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  2. Congrats on blogging for three years. You enjoy a special gift the way you see the world. I love that about you.

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    1. Thanks Gaelyn. And you better be taking lots of birdy bird pics over there:) Although I am in love with all your other shots.....fantastic! I love your lion shot. Not jealous at all;)

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  3. Hi friend Kreesh, i haven't seen you for a long time, i mean hear you, haha! You are so lucky for seeing and be with those creatures. Many are not privileged to even just see them. Take care!

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    1. Hi Andrea, I haven't forgotten you. I'll be stopping by soon:) Thank you for stopping by and checking out the critters. The butterflies are coming back:)

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  4. A good three years...congratulations.

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  5. Chris, it has been fun following your birding experiences and watching your list grow. Your upcoming trip sounds awesome. Wishing you great birding, good luck!

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    1. Thanks Eileen! Birding, as you know, is awesome! It makes me get up early and I never have a bad experience....unless chiggers are involved:) Those things are NASTY!

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  6. Another lovely post Chris with beautiful words and photos :) Congratulations on your 3 years of blogging - your posts have brought me so much pleasure :) Looking forward to your Central America trip later in the year :) Here's to the next 3 years!!

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    1. Thank you!!! And the same to you. Your tales should be made into their own book like the ones you report on:)

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  7. happy 3rd year. sounds like an exciting summer for you!

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    1. Oh.....it should be humid and sticky with lots of colorful birds. Instead of brown numbers;they'll be green ones!:) I'm hoping to pump that lifelist up some more:)

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  8. Congrats on 3 years of blogging. Great series of photos today Chris!

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    1. I agree. They are pretty awesome birds Adam:)

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  10. Oh Chris! What a beautifully written post! I read it once and then again and then read it out loud to my husband. You always write in such a unique way and put such energy into your posts and your enthusiasm for wildlife is palpable. It has been a wonderful three years, congratulations. I also enjoyed all the photos of course and the music is beautiful.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. It has been incredibly exciting to share these stories and pics. What a wonderful life we live....if we choose. Your comment made me smile...and blush a little. I try to do my best when it comes to blogging and I'm glad people appreciate the work. It makes blogging all the worthwhile:) Mil gracias!

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  11. Hearty congratulations on your three years of blogging! Thank you for all the wildlife you have shown us.Todays photos are lovely, and I hope you continue to add to your long list of birds for your enjoyment, and ours.

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    1. You've taught me quite a bit about getting some unique angles on the subject in your photos! So....thank you!

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  12. Hope your quest is successful! Loved reading your thoughts and seeing so much of our wonderful wildlife in this post. I bet you come home from your summer trip with some amazing shots!

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  13. Fabulous post, Chris... Life IS an adventure ---and we all are evolving in our own ways. Having a passion like you have (and like I have) helps --when describing your/our lives to our blog friends... Blogging is marvelous ----and those of us who do have a passion for life are the ones who seem to get lots of comments and followers...

    My favorite blogs are those that, after I read them, I feel as if I have really learned something exciting... Not all blogs are like that --as I'm sure you know... BUT--yours is one of the best... I love hearing about your interests and your passions... WONDERFUL, Chris. Thanks!!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Thanks Betsy! We both are on the same page about all of this. I'm thankful for your friendship. You came up in a conversation today with Kathie about how wonderful it is to be able to follow you and George on your adventures through blogger and FB. Life is so worth living....especially when there is so much to see and experience. Hugs back! Chris

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  14. So nice seeing the growth in friends. Thanks for sharing your journey and discoveries. Here's to more!

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    1. Hello there:) I feel the same. Plants, garden, wildlife....all of it together make perfection. Between Nighthawks, butterflies, turkeys.....your garden is perfection. To many more years of documenting plants and wildlife:) I'm going to try some new butterfly plants again this year that hopefully will do well around our new fountain.

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  15. You captured quite a variety, love the javelina.

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  16. Hi Chris, well said.. great epics of the birds and wildlife.. I wish you wee on your quest. Life is goog when doing the things we love.

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  17. Chris, very well written. It's an honor to be part of your journey!

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    1. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations:)

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    2. Oh...thanks for the clarification. I thought that was what it meant but wasn't sure! ;-) (you need to post a glossary of terms in the sidebar!

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  19. I love these diverse shots. Just beautiful, each one!

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Thanks for stopping by!