Before The Leaves

Before the leaves push through their budding cocoons, before their foliage dresses the woods, we make our way again and again to the great outdoors because the heavens declare the glory of God. My children (and whomever decides to join us) race their bikes, stroll boardwalks, and skip through meadows while I attempt to capture the birds before they become hidden among the leaves.  

 

Gratitude:

1324. Tree Swallows

1325. How she was brave enough to try out Meg's big bike. 

1326. How he's ALWAYS up for biking.

1327. Spotting this fellow in the middle of the day. Oh, hello :)

1328. How Meg and Cousin Mackenzie connect through dance and gymnastics

1329. Palm Warblers

 1330. For the bravery of Cousin Bailey (just before that swam bit her :)

 1331. Snapping Turtles

 1332. Yellow-Rumped Warblers (female, I believe)

 1333. for finding love in the woods.

 1334. White-Crowned Sparrows

1335. Chipping Sparrows

 1336. Savannah Sparrows (I believe)

1337. Yellow-Rumped Warblers (Male)

 1338. How birdie wives are never far from their husbands :) Yellow-Rumped Warbler (female)

 1339. White-Throated Sparrows

 1340. Brown Thrashers

1341. Barn Swallows

 1342. Song Sparrows (I believe)

1343. How they taught Mackenzie not to be afraid of the chickadees landing... she just held out a plastic spoon filled with seeds!

 1344. Spotted Sandpipers

1345.  Phoebes and how they sing their own names.

 1346. How there are bigger Bird-Nerds than me (Annie and Glenn) and they're always teaching me.

 1347. How this guy shocks me with his vivid colour each time I see him.

Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)

1348. Finding more love in the woods.

1349. How Hairy Woodpeckers (this one, male) are bigger and have longer beaks than Downys.

1350. How the call of  Northern Flickers can be heard afar off. Makes me go on a hunt for him!

 1351. How Molly was so amused that this Chickadee was turning to pose for me instead of eating.

 1352. Cedar Wax-wings. Looks like they're having a conversation... "You don't say!"

 1353. Wow! Even more love in the woods.

1354. How Maysie and her brother, Calvin, can spot birds quicker than anyone and know their calls.

1355. How she can make a walk fun for all involved and how she must take

 photos all along the way too!

 1356. How this friendly bunny stood like that for a minute in the backyard of Valerie, Ashanti, and Julie's home.

1357. How Valerie and Julie ("my" girls) have changed our lives and taught us so much.

1358. Can you believe there's so much love in the woods?

 

Phew! That's a whole lot of hiking and strolling these past three weeks.