“the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you” – John Greenleaf Whittier
Black Neck Stilt fact – the ratio of leg length to body size is second only to the flamingo.
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/267703.John_Greenleaf_Whittier
Mom has done a good job here – nine ducks almost big enough to be on their own. The mottled duck is a Florida native.
“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.” – Henry David Thoreau
Summer patterns have arrived and we are blessed in the mornings with clouds in the east. Due I believe to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. I kept this picture despite the artifact from the lens. Kind of looks like a camp fire.
As for the second picture there were spoonbills, glossy and white ibis, great egrets and more – all deciding on a fly around at the same time. wonder why?
Quote found at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/morning
I’m as much intrigued by the branches as the young hawk. I wonder if anyone has done a study about how much of a hawks day is spent watching!
“None of Nature’s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild.” – John Muir
Nothing ugly about a swamp – just a thoughtful quote. Okefenokee swamp is the largest swamp in North America. The Seminoles called it the land of trembling earth. Very impressive, although the small bit I was able to see was completely altered by man through canal digging and wood harvesting.
quote found http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/favorite_quotations.aspxat
The bluebird is either a juvenile or female – the males are completely blue.
The European Starling was first brought to the US in the early 19th century by Shakespeare enthusiasts. Now among the most numerous song birds in the country. Wonderful coloring.
We will be leaving Tennessee after this. Next couple of posts will be from the Okefenokee Swamp on the Georgia – Florida border.
“The perch swallows the grub-worm, the pickerel swallows the perch, and the fisherman swallows the pickerel, and so all the chinks in the scale of being are filled” – Henry David Thoreau
This was my first encounter with cliff swallows, they build their nests from mud under bridges. Probably used to build them on cliffs but…. This park was in Kingsport, TN.
Can’t say enough about Thoreau, he saw the connections in nature at a time when most folks were just killing stuff.
Quote found at http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/swallows/
Successful birding trip to Tennessee. ID’ed many new species. Lots of history from the late 1700s and early 1800s as this area opened up to exploration by westerners. Saw some working coal mines, which are odd, because there are 50 or so cars in a parking lot and one small building underneath a coal elevator. At first I was curious where the people were – it was far too remote for a park and ride.
Finally music wise I got to go to the Ralph Stanley museum in Clintwood, Va, something I’ve wanted to do for years.
“Why do you try to understand art? Do you try to understand the song of a bird?” – Pablo Picasso
I found taking photos difficult in Tennessee – number one the birds were smaller and faster. Also, the mountains and trees seemed to block me in. I guess I just need the wide flatness of Florida.
Quote found at http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Bird_Song/
This little guy was singing his heart out. He’s sitting on a 4 foot high tube that has plants in it apparently creating a habitat for birds. There are several rows of these at the park.
Picture This by Frank 