Our first winter holidays in North Carolina were amazing! Our walks were few and far between, though, due to all the other activities. Time to get back on track and back to the blogosphere.
Look back on Time, with kindly Eyes —
He doubtless did his best —
How softly sinks the trembling Sun
In Human Nature’s West —
~ Emily Dickinson
(The Poems of Emily Dickinson, #1251)
I think if I’m going to photograph more birds we will have to visit more gardens than forests. The trees seem to be so much taller down here and my zoom lens just doesn’t reach those high perches to capture the winged creatures that well. But I’m including this bluebird picture anyway to remind me how nice it was to see and hear a few of them, way overhead, that day. 🙂
Happy New Year, Barbara!
Happy New Year to you, too, Eliza! ☀️
Oh Barbara, I think that it is a beautiful photo of a blue bird. But I do understand that if only that blue bird was closer. Lucky you to see and hear them!
I love the long shadow photo of you and Tim with his cane.
Glad to hear that you had lots of activities to keep you entertained. It is always a pleasure to see one of your posts.
Thank you, TD. Sometimes I get so greedy about wanting the perfect picture. 😉 But I was very excited to see our shadows that day and Tim suggested the one with him holding his cane out like that. I hope you and Yorkie had a nice holiday!
Nice shot of the bluebird quite high in the tree! Enjoying that he was there was the best part. He and others certainly saw you, hehe. Gardens with the brushy bushes should be easier. They definitely don’t strain our necks so bad!
Thank you, Donna! It seems the best luck with bird photos I’ve had so far has been in the botanical garden and its properties, and the bushes right outside my windows at home. I hear the birds singing in the woods but they’re pretty elusive. Good point about our necks!
It will take a year of living in the woods to experience all the differences in nature, and then you will gradually familiarise yourself with all the newness around you. So much to look forward to and learn about! I look forward to seeing the new birds you discover in your travels. <3
Yes, it will take a year to see it all. I’m looking forward to the spring, which starts sooner down here, and I’m told it’s so pretty I will love it. Since we came here at the start of summer we may have saved the best season for last. 😉
Happy New Year! I love the bluebird — we might have then here, but I don’t recall ever seeing one. I imagine you are seeing different things from what you’re used to … and how lucky for us, getting to enjoy the scenery through your camera’s lens!
Happy New Year, Debbie! I have a feeling there are a lot of interesting birds way up there because I can hear them. Just wish I could see them better! But I’m trying to learn to be content with enjoying what I can see with my trusty camera lens. 🙂
Happy New Year, Barbara! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the holidays. I know what you mean about the trees. I have a difficult time with the tallness of the trees, too.
Happy New Year, Robin! Sometimes I get a very sore neck from looking up those tall trees for too long. But it’s quite evident that there is a lot of things going on up there. 🙂
I like that poem Barbara and I can at least enjoy the bluebird vicariously through you if I don’t see one of my own. 🙂 I like your long shadows too. I took some long shadow shots on a walk I took at Heritage Park on Veteran’s Day. It was a beautiful, sunny day and there were more leaves down on the ground than on the trees. I took some fun long shadows that day which I may keep for that post or use them in a Wordless Wednesday post. I even took a picture of my shoes since the shadows were so long that I could not include my feet in the shot! I’m glad you enjoyed your first holiday season in North Carolina, making it well worth the move.
I’m glad you liked the poem, Linda. I like how she personifies time as someone doing the best he can with what he has available. Your idea of using long shadows on a Wordless Wednesday post is a good one. Especially if the shadows are falling on colorful autumn leaves. 🙂 I’m thinking getting ready for the holidays in a new setting was refreshing somehow, especially the decorating part, which I love. My creativity got stimulated and I’ve started coming up with all sorts of ideas for other areas in my life, too. Seeing the grandkids’ faces light up was the best part. 🙂
I did like it. Just think – this time last year you had made your decision and had begun downsizing and boxing up many years of memories. You made such a great decision and never looked back.
It was a good decision, even though I have my moments of missing my sister and the ocean terribly. We’re doing better than I would have thought possible.
I hope your sister can go to visit you sometimes Barbara. Is she close to retirement age – would she consider moving to North Carolina?
She is close to retirement age and she is starting to think about it… so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 🤞
That would be wonderful Barbara – I hope that happens for both your sakes!
Thank you! Me, too! 🙂
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your Blog about Sarah Bramble. I first came across Sarah’s story while reading the Journal of Joshua Hempstead. As you mentioned, there are so many unanswered questions about Sarah’s situation, family, place of burial, etc. We unfortunately will never know the whole story.
You photographed a rock outcropping where you mention the hanging took place. Do you know this was the exact location are is just assumed, since it seems logical?
Thanks again for bringing her story to light and giving her the respect and remembrance she deserves.
All the best,
John Pelham Schwartz
PS Can I feature your blog story on my Facebook Group Page?
Colonial Grit
Hi John, The rock outcrop was pointed out to me by my sister, who is a senior lecturer at Connecticut College, but I don’t have any other way of corroborating the location. I don’t recall any other huge outcrops like that near Gallows Lane, but who knows? Yes, please feel free to share the post on your Colonial Grit Facebook page. It looks very interesting.
Thanks Barbara!
You’re welcome, John!