Chickadee on the First Snow Day
Snow is always magical. And it’s the first day of vegan chili season for me. Life is good.
Young Acorn Woodpecker
They grow up so fast! Seems like only yesterday he was begging for his meals and learning to fly. Soon his eyes will be changing from baby blue to light gold as he transitions into adulthood and finds his place in his colony.
Welcome to your mountain home, young one! May you thrive and find joy here.
After the Fire
In 2018 my mountain community of Idyllwild, California, experienced a devastating wildfire. In the burn zone, nothing remained. But two years later, life is returning. This 2-minute slideshow features some of the wildflowers that were blooming in June, 2020. Some of these beautiful flowers, the fire followers, bloom only for a few short years after wildfires.
In June, 2020, I visited the burn zone on May Valley Road with friends and fellow photographers Jamie Guthrie and Bruce Edward Watts. Jamie and I were fortunate to be in Bruce’s company. He is literally writing the books on mountain butterflies and wildflowers. What a magical day!
Young Bluebird
The mountain is bursting with new life! Teenage birds have left the safety of their nests and are learning how to fly and feed themselves. Their parents work tirelessly as they prepare their young ones for life on the mountain. Such a magical time of year. So grateful to witness the miracle that is taking place all around me.
Swallowtail Butterfly on Lupine
It was a lovely spring morning on the Idyllwild Nature Center trails. Lupine is one of my favorite wildflowers and there they were! And they were enjoying the attention of many of the mountain’s butterflies. So thrilled to get a photo of this beautiful creature, happily pollenating the Lupine in an age-old dance of life.
Violet Green Swallow Checking Out a Nest Site
The swallows arrived awhile ago and they are pairing up for the season and checking out nest sites. They’ve been hanging out in the yard for about a week, and this morning and they seemed to like a cavity in the ancient oak next to my deck. I’m thrilled and hopeful that they will return and share their summer with me.
View from My Window
In this time of pandemic, a number of websites are springing up to encourage those of us staying in our homes to share and connect with others around the world. These sites bring tremendous peace to me, giving evidence that we are all part of the collective of humanity. And that we are loving, compassionate, and kind beings who are open to beauty and connection.
Hoping to post this to the “View from My Window” group on Facebook. Over a million members in less than a month. A coyote appeared and explored the yard. A blessing from the Wild Things.
Messages from Water
The snow formed thin sheets of thin lacy ice as it melted from the roof this morning. I was so happy to see this little heart. Love and Hugs from Water.
Acorn Woodpecker Sheltering from the Storm
Seems strange to wake up to so much snow in April, but there are lots of strange things now. Humans are weathering the coronavirus pandemic by sheltering in place, and the Wild Things are sheltering from the storm in the safety of the cedar tree. Life goes on.