The Welcome Party

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.

John Muir

A female boat-tailed grackle in the park where I walked, singing or screeching (depending on your point of view)

hopping around,

and looking for little scraps of food. She was unbothered by my camera and fun to watch.

The first iguana I saw since arriving in Miami Beach- ran up a palm tree beside my balcony. If I hadn’t seen him do it, I might not have seen him at all. His colors blend so well with the tree.

A fish crow contemplates the grass at South Point Park.

A little iguana I’m calling Ignatius perched himself on the top of a palm branch right next to my balcony - he’s been keeping me quiet company almost since I got here.

A beautiful little starling landed on the peak of a house across the alley, singing its heart out.

Ignatius pokes his head from the palm leaves yesterday - giving me a curious (or suspicious) look.

Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.

William Shakespeare

I am always a little nervous about what I’ll find when I come back to Miami. I worry that the people I know won’t be here or that construction projects may have altered the places I know and love. I am sometimes afraid that I won’t find anything new to photograph, and that my photos will become repetitious. This time was no different, but the first morning, when I walked out to watch sunrise, I saw a friend. Then on the beach, I saw another friend. Then, I took my camera out and started noticing the animals. I felt like they were welcoming me, too. I hope you enjoy the photos. I enjoyed taking them!

Thank you so much for being here!

P.S. My technical problems were mostly resolved thanks to my husband, Tom. The new hard drive that I’m storing my photos on got corrupted and he recovered everything and repaired the drive; so… whew!

It has been surprisingly overcast and rainy most of the time I’ve been here so far, but on Tuesday this week we had a beautiful sunrise. This picture was taken overlooking the jetty next to South Point Pier, where some native plants are growing in a protected area.

Winter Joys

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars-and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.

Rajneesh

A tree standing alone on the edge of a dormant field of tall grass

A red bellied woodpecker hanging on the feeder

Give food to the birds, you will then be surrounded by the wings of love, you will be encompassed by the joys of little silent hearts!

Mehmet Murat Ildan

a tufted titmouse holds a seed

Robins wintering in an old apple orchard

I caught a glimpse of happiness, and saw it was a bird on a branch, fixing to take wing.

Richard Peck

Crows chatting and cawing in the treetops

The perfection of an empty nest

I spent my last week in Michigan (for a few months) feeling sad that I had to leave. I had some major technical problems this week, but I still wanted to share some of the pictures I took at home and in my neighborhood before I left for Miami.

Hope you had a wonderful week. Thank you for being here.

Fragility

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals the power of your intense fragility

e. e. cummings

The Doe

She was running blissfully

alongside me, when suddenly

she switched direction -

toward the road where that truck

was moving fast on the other side.

I screamed.

I covered my face,

trying not to know,

but I heard the thump

Of her body

against the grill

and I saw it

Slide across the road

Then twitch. and go still.

I went to her

and looked into her eyes

Just as the light of consciousness

went dark.

Deer are so strong. They are out surviving in weather that would freeze our bones - but this week I was reminded once again how fragile they are, how fragile we all are.

I was really sad and shocked to see the little doe die this week while I was out running, but grateful that it was quick. The driver of the truck stopped to make sure I was ok before he pulled her body off the road and said some kind words over her. We shared this inexplicably tender experience of letting her go for just one moment, then surreally went on with what we were doing before the accident. I finished my run. He kept driving.

The experience has made me even a little more appreciative of the deer that live around me and the fragility of their and all of our lives.

A buck at the edge of my lawn, standing still and staring straight at me-

even when a doe walked in front of him, he didn’t break eye contact.

The waning moon, haloed in its own light on the night of my birthday. I have remembered my own fragility and mortality this week, but also the great good fortune of having a life I love.

Even in our best shape we are a brittle piece of mortality. Your life is a breath, don't waste it.

LeCrae

I am grateful that you are here with me on this journey, friends. Hope all is well with you. See you next week.