After eleven months of being the bane of my hillside existence, blackberries become a sweet blessing.

(I’m sure there’s a life lesson here.)

[First posted: August 13, 2013]

[First posted: August 11, 2013]

Early Monday morning as the light was coming up, I was surprised/delighted/amazed
to find a large owl sitting in the tree outside my window. He did not fly away, even as I edged out the door, even when my camera's flash went off (hence, the red demonic eyes.) He simply stared at me.

I felt in the presence of royalty--and not the tacky British kind of royalty, but a true eminence imbued with stately grace and quiet dignity; a sublime majesty,
royalty possessing the nobility of the natural world.

I live on a hill overlooking the Lewis River Valley,
in a small house crammed with books.

Family and friends joke that it's not a home--it's a library with a bed.

At least I think they're joking.

(Email from Kris Rose: "Not joking.")

[First posted: August 6, 2013]

Sunsets 
stopping us amid our busy-bee lives,
getting our attention,
reminding us what's important.

[First posted: July 30, 2013]

The telefoto lens permits a certain intimacy, while respecting the wildness separating us. Animals, like people, have boundaries for a reason.

[First posted: July 29, 2013]

Aggressive little fellows!
They zip, dart and dive, engage in aerial dogfights outside my study window, or hover in mid-air, tail feathers flaring, glaring at each other in some hummingbird version of Stand Your Ground.

C'mon, guys, there's enough nectar for everyone. Can't we just love each other and get along?

[First posted: July 27, 2013]

I rejoice at the return of the Monarchs.

Let beauty reign!

[First posted: July 23, 2013]

The local gang of raccoons and I have this understanding:

If I don't put fish in my pond, they won't eat them.

It works.

 [First posted: July 19, 2013]

Just grateful to witness it...

[First posted: July 17, 2013]