I live in a beautiful world

After work today, I sat outside on the back patio because it was such a beautiful day. The weather has been absolutely pleasant since we had the violent thunderstorm that came barreling through in the wee hours of Monday morning. My neighbor told me that her family actually took shelter in their basement which should give you some indication of how powerful this storm was. But it brought much cooler temps along with it and the pleasant weather continues. As I sat in my chair, I read the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine {thanks, Daryl!} while listening to the birds sing.

I kept hearing a hawk screeching but it didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary and I continued to turn the pages, marveling at all the wonderful food that I would probably never make but always want to try. After about a half hour, I noticed that the sound of the hawk was still there and oddly enough, still coming from the same place. It was coming not from the sky, or from the branches of a tree and so I got up from my chair and walked toward the sound. And I was surprised to see a beautiful hawk sitting on the fence line about 50 yards from where I stood. And wonder of wonders, there was a bluebird bringing food to her babies in one of the houses along that same fence line. I had no idea a family had set up housekeeping in this box and so I went inside to get my camera.

Every time I see a hawk doing something out of the ordinary, I think that it’s my husband trying to tell me something. In this case, it would be to come and look – the bluebirds have hatched. Do you think that’s crazy?

 

Regardless, I went inside for the camera.

If bugs gross you out, I apologize. But birds gotta eat, you know.

 

I didn’t have to wait long until she came back to the nest and was able to capture several images of her bringing bugs to her little ones. Observing the birds with my camera on hand remains one of my favorite calming things to do. And I find it really interesting that different birds have such distinct personalities. The female bluebird will consistently bring food to their babies 90% more times than the male will. Maybe the male was just standing guard because I had moved my chair closer to the nest – I don’t know. I just find it interesting.

 

All of the photos here are of the female because the male, although he had food ready in his mouth, either stood guard further down the fence line, or flew and perched nearby.

With the food in his mouth the entire time. He was NOT coming to that nest (which is why I eventually left).

 

But she had a job to do and she did it relentlessly.

And she did not seem to care that I was sitting nearby.

 

I live in a beautiful world.

 

 

The grass is over a foot high, but oh well. I just hope the lawn service hasn’t forgotten us.

 

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All of the images in this post were edited using a free sample pack of actions that I am loving right now. (They’re my new favorite). You can download them here for Photoshop CS 2-6, PS Creative Cloud, and PS Elements 8-12.

Little Lusker – Elements of the Sea

I used Blue Whisper, Stellar, and Tropical Punch today.

 

Hope your week is a stellar one, my friends ~