Mulch in Rows and Eagles and Crows

I know it isn't the greatest photo, in fact, I think it was the one shot through my van window this morning. I drove down a road I hardly ever travel, these days. I was actually thinking I might see a hawk on a phone wire.

I have never seen anything like it - those mounds are long, long rows of mulch that stretched the length of the field - a field which would normally be plowed and ready for planting - and they are about 5 ft. high!

As I came over the hill, driving on a very narrow country road, the sun was on my right, and I could see these mounded rows and the activity of what turned out to be the silhouettes of HUGE birds - lots of them! By the time I got close enough to see what was going on, got my van stopped (in the middle of the road), opened my window and got the camera aimed, there were about a dozen eagles taking flight into the morning sun! It was a heart-stopping sight.

I was lucky enough to get this one decent shot - it all happened so fast. As it turned out, there were also about 20 very big crows or ravens - all very big birds. Talk about an adrenalin rush first thing in the morning.

There's no way to tell you what it meant to me to see an eagle this morning, (let alone a dozen of them), AND a rainbow (I mustn't forget to mention)- but, suffice to say, the timing was... incredible.

I Love Swallows...

....and, I always have.

When I was a little girl, growing up on the farm in Nova Scotia, I eagerly looked forward to spring when swallows would build their nests in the barn loft. Nothing was more exciting to me, at the time, than watching the process from mud, hay, and feathers, to eggs, to fledglings.

I caught this flight sequence about a week ago. It happened so fast, I'm surprised I got as many shots as I did! No, they're not the greatest, but I just had to post them for a couple of reasons.

When you watch swallows, you know that they fly at break-neck speeds! The swallow in flight is amazing - and this one flies so close to the house! I can't help but wonder if it is not showing off for the swallow sitting on top of the house - who is also amazing, in that, it never takes its eye off of the one in flight. So darling! (You can click each image to get a closer look.) *(well...I thought you could - it appears only the 2nd photo will enlarge - wonder why?)

"She" watches the approach......and ZOOM! "he" flies right under the eves...
...off he goes...

...She never takes her eyes off him!

Colors and Surprises of Spring

There's such a wealth of color in these Spring days;

from the floral purples....

...oranges and yellows...

...to the stunning mating plummages of the birds!

I saw my first eastern bluebird this year and was able to get a few quick shots at him.

I have longed to see one in real life since I became acquainted with it on Jayne's blog last year.

I was not disappointed. It is the sweetest little bird

and, as is often the case,

the timing was perfect.

(photos taken by Di with Canon Rebel Xsi - 250mm and 50 mm - April 2010)

I Love Spring!

The Cherry Tree is beginning to burst into amazing blossom-ness. The snow white clusters are stunning against the blue skies of Spring.

The sight simply makes my heart want to burst into song!

The bird houses are being claimed - one by one. I see birds carrying bits of nesting material into the little cavities.

The dawning of the day resounds with hundreds of voices and songs.
No matter what yesterday was like, nor what is facing me in the day, those moments of avian arias carry my soul into a different world - where all is well - for the birds do not worry about all the things we worry about. They are well acquainted with their Creator

who loves them and takes care of them - all the time.

(photos by di - 04-09-2010 - Canon Rebel Xsi, 1/1000, ISO 400, Tv)

Easter Sunday at St. Luke's

It was a glorious morning of
celebration!
What joy to know
Christ is no longer dead!
Alleluia!

He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary
For me He died
For me He lives
And everlasting light and life
He freely gives!

(Thank you, Ivars Krafts for this iPhone photo - Sunrise in South Dakota)