SIGNS OF SPRING

I was outside on our patio taking pictures of these bright beauties---

trying to capture bits of Spring emerging when a heard a rustling in the pear tree above me --

and there they were, a whole flock of these glorious birds! They are Cedar Waxwings. They travel in groups, and are rarely seen alone. This particular bird feasts on wild berries but I think they were in our yard for water. We have lived here for five years and I have never seen these birds in our yard. I was just giddy with delight! But, when I moved ever so slightly, they flew away before I could snap a picture. Darn it!

I wanted to see if they would come back, so I sat very still for a while. Waiting-- listening-- watching. And guess what? They came back! I think there were at least seven or eight of them perched in the tree. I was sitting quite far from them so I really had to zoom in to get these shots.

As I sat there observing the beautiful wonders of nature, I just had to smile to myself. It is the simple things in life, that make me happy. It is amazing what you will discover when you stop, slow down in life, and just listen. I don't think I do that enough, but I will, because life is too short.

As the saying goes---stop and smell the roses, or in this case, stop and watch the birds!

Happy Friday!