Thursday, August 22, 2019

Happy Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday

I am thankful to live so close to the reservoir, a lot of our walks with nature are right outside our door. On this day we walked on one of the many fire roads in our neighborhood. It was a 2.8 mile round trip walk. 

Some mornings I am up so early I can see the moon still high in the sky. The moon phase, waning gibbous is 93% visable. 


" Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." John Muir


A look down the fire road, we could take this dirt path all the way to the lake. That hike to the lake would be almost a 5 mile round trip.


Me and my shadow..


Some pretty clouds in the sky. 


Be like a tree.
Stay grounded, connect with your roots.
Turn over a new leaf.
Bend before you break.
Enjoy your unique natural beauty.
Keep Growing.   By Joanne Raptis


We hiked the pine tree loop off the main fire road.  It was a quiet peaceful walk.  

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man." unknown


The forest makes your heart gentle.
You become one with it.
No place for greed or anger there. 

Some of the birds seen on our morning hike, the Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Towhee and a Great-crested Flycatcher.


We saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings, this one was nice to pose for me. This bird was perched in a tree almost right above two Yellow-billed Cuckoos. 





The most common and heard bird was the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  In one area off the trail we saw 3 YB Cuckoos in one tree. I assume it was a Cuckoo family. 🌝🌝



I am not sure what this Yellow-billed Cuckoo is eating, maybe a grasshopper? I could see a lot of grasshoppers on the trail as we walked, the birds should be happy with the food source here. 


This Yellow-billed Cuckoo looks like a juvenile to me. 



I am thankful some birds came out in the open and posed for just for me, lol.
A thankful heart is a happy heart, my eyes are open to the beauty that surrounds me. 
am thankful for all your visits and comments. 


Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday
Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday



Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!

53 comments:

  1. Hello,

    The woods are very pretty. I like the poem about the trees. Beautiful image of the clouds.
    Happy Thursday!

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  2. I DO like the quote from an unknown author. I miss our trees and the wider space, but am thankful we are here and warm and cosy. As always, super birds.

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  3. You surely do live in a beautiful spot Eileen and, best of all, you appreciate (and are thankful for) every single thing about it. I particularly loved that quote: "The forest makes your heart gentle..."
    The Cuckoos and others certainly enjoyed your company along the way and didn't mind their photos being taken at all ;D)
    That's a great photo of the moon. You and your shadow photo is gorgeous too. Hugs and thanks for sharing those lovely moments and thoughts xx

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  4. As fall approaches I suspect that we are seeing the first stages of migration. We have seen three Great Crested Flycatchers moving through over the past few days. You had a great walk, Eileen, and I am sure that the birds were happy to see you.

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  5. Maravilhosa lua e todas as fotos!Adorei a da sombra do casal! beijos, lindo dia! chica

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  6. Such a way to lead life! Wish I could take many of these trails and get to enjoy the blissful nature. Loved all the images and of course the pretty birds and inspiring quotes.

    Have a nice day

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  7. What a nice series! The YB cuckoo is new to me, once again.
    No anger in the forest... so true.
    Have a blessed Thursday!

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  8. ...a beautiful moon to start things off and then it just gets better!

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  9. I try to be in the dirt a lot...but right now, it's a little boggy in Florida

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  10. "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." John Muir


    :-D


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  11. Lovely photos and Birds. I would love to take a hike down one of those paths.

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  12. Wow amazing pics.
    Thanks for the beautiful post.

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  13. Very nice moon shot! You had some really good birds on this walk...I've seen more YBCU this yr than any in a long time....some birds are doing well in this new world we have others not so good...I don't see as many seed birds as I used to but insect eaters seem abundant right now.

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  14. Beautiful walk ..the John Muir saying is just perfect for you! Your dirt road walks are always amazing. And those birds really did pose for you! I’m thankful to you fir sharing them as always.

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  15. A beautiful moon pic, Eileen! I don't think I've ever seen a Cuckoo bird.

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  16. Such a great time, each time I click on your blog I know I'll learn something, be entertained, and just feel the joy! Thanks.

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  17. I'm thankful that you take a quiet walk and get many photos of the critters around you.

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  18. Wonderful forest views, and birds of course! Happy Thursday Eileen.

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  19. Cedar waxwings seem to be so kind in their posing. I saw one yesterday on the roof of a house--unmistakable profile!

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  20. Beautiful photo's! Yes, grasshopper. I have a lot of experience trying to keep them off my flowers. We call it the grasshopper chomp! :)

    xoxo

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  21. Looks like a beautiful trail. Love all your bird photos - thank you for sharing.

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  22. You have lots of good bird company there.

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  23. Hello Eileen,
    So beautiful the moon! Fabulous photo.
    I really liked the photos and thoughts.
    The birds are wonderful. I like them.
    Hugs,
    Ailime

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  24. Your birds are very "friendly". The moon is amazing!

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  25. What a wonderful hike' Love the clouds
    MB

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  26. You're so lucky to be near the reservoir and all that wildlife.

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  27. Love the dirt roads and all the birds. Once again Eileen, an incredible moon shot. You take great moon photos.
    Thanks for sharing all these beautiful photos and have a wonderful rest of the day.

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  28. Beautiful cloud shot. I do like walking on dirt trails in the forest. I find it very healing but these days I seldom get on one.

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  29. Cedar Waxwings are SO pretty.

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  30. Really like the shadow photos. I hope someday there is a meme on shadows.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  31. That fire road hike looks like a great one. You are so fortunate to have so much beauty right outside your door!

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  32. I love your shadows...how sweet! And you've seen so many wonderful birds this week. I am on the look out for a Cuckoo here. Someone told me they had seen one at Pruitt! Enjoy your evening! Love your quotes today too!

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  33. I always enjoy your photos, Eileen, and I admire the fact that you are up so early!!! lol Thanks for linking up today and have a great weekend!!!!

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  34. A beautiful outing. I love moon photographs, and hiking, and seeing things.

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  35. The sentence of John Muir is so true... thank you for sharing

    Have a good day.

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  36. Sehr schönes Zitat. Ihre Fotos sind Augenweiden.
    Ein schönes Wochenende und liebe Grüße

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  37. Pretty moon. And the cuckoo sighting is awesome. But, for some reason, I have to say I favor the 'fun' photo of me & my shadow.

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  38. Great photos! Love the cuckoo especially. I’ll never see one myself. Thank you for posting.

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  39. LOL at the Cuckoo Cuckoo Family line...so funny, I LOVE the Cedar Waxwing...I never get to see them up close and very seldom see them but I think they are so very pretty.

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  40. Thank you for your visit today! I don't know where to begin as these photos leave me speechless! I especially like "Me and my shadow" Have a grand weekend!

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  41. Stunning Photos!! Love That Shadow Shot. Sure Made Me Smile.

    Cheers

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  42. What a great place for walking. Love the John Muir saying.
    As always your photos are beautiful, varied, and wonderful to see.

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  43. Awesome moon shots and love the 'feathered friends' photos ^_^

    Happy Day to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  44. gorgeous birds and a really spectacular capture of the moon. i sleep in now, sometimes i don't rise until 8 am and i am ok with that but i would like to get up earlier!!!

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  45. Always enjoy your photos Eileen, which I know I have said many times before but the moon shot is amazing. Glad you added the larger version at the end of the page. The details are awesome! Have a great weekend :)

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  46. Such a wonderful place you get to enjoy and share with all of us. Thanks.

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  47. love the moon shot,wow! Waning gibbous,first time hearing this,need to read more,thanks.

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  48. those are some great clouds...wondering if they brought rain...I love the tree photos too..not too mention your wonderful bird shots...oh, and the moon...WOW!

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  49. Love those trails and that yellow billed cuckoo! Enjoy the last week of August, Eileen!

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  50. That is such a wonderful moon …
    I enjoyed all of your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

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Have a happy day, Eileen

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