Thursday, July 23, 2020

Happy Thankful Thursday!

 Hello everyone,

Hubby and I decided once again to get out for a long car ride. A good part of our getaway was just being in the car, we were not around people at all. So we felt safe.  Our snacks and drinking water in the car, we had a nice time. 

 "Happiness is nature's beauty and tranquility."



It was a beautiful sky day, puffy white clouds here and there. We drove on the wildlife drive at Bombay Hook NWR, checking out the views and birds.



 The American Avocets are common birds seen at Bombay Hook NWR in the summer.


Three GB Herons,  actually there was a 4th Great Blue Heron standing off to the side.  A family of herons.


 The Great Egrets are a pretty sight to see. 


Three Mute Swans floating by.  



 The larger tern is the Caspian Tern, I am not sure about the smaller Tern. Maybe the Common Terns?


 The Killdeers are so cute, I love their big eyes. 




"Spending time in nature is healing energy." 

  You can almost always see the Egrets in the trees along the wildlife drive. 








"Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted."

 It is great to see the Purple Martins doing so well..


"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy."




I am thankful to get out and enjoy nature and the great weather.

My reading has slowed down some, here are my latest books:

To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear is # 14 in the Maisie Dobbs series.

Currently reading, Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt. It is the first in the Afton Tangler series who also writes the Tea Shop series in the name of Laura Childs.




I hope everyone is safe, happy and healthy! I am always thankful hubby and I are both well!



 
Live simple and be happy!  😊 Take care, keep smiling!


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!

123 comments:

chica said...

Que beleza de passeio com teu marido e deve te sido bem relaxante como essas fotos mostram.Lindas todas,adorei! beijos, ótimo dia! chica

MadSnapper said...

I'm choosing the Martins as my favorite today there's something about those photos pet Draw Me In. So glad you got out for your drive and wow that's a lot to see on a drive if I drove for an hour I couldn't see all that all I would say is houses and houses and houses

italiafinlandia said...

The Avocets are awesome, with their peculiar bills.
Thanks for sharing views of your drive. Nice and tranquil places.
Have a good rest of week and stay well!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great Egrets have been uncommonly scarce here this year. I have yet to see one.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Chica, we enjoyed the car ride and a change of scenery! Take care, have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
It felt good to getaway, a change in scenery is needed. Thanks for the visit and comment. Take care, have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! The Avocets are pretty!
Take care, have a happy day!

Tom said...

...you sure saw some wonderful feathered friends.

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!
Amazing place and wonderful views!
So many different species of birds!
Great captures of the Great Blue Heron and the Egret birds!
Thank you for sharing!
Have a lovely day! Take care! Stay safe!
Dimi...

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

Beautiful photos! The Great Egret and the Mute Swan are so pretty!
Have a nice day!

Marie Smith said...

So many of these birds I’ve never seen. The Killdeer is a new one I’ve recently seen here. Thank you for sharing these beauties.

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, I love these posts where you and hubby go on a journey to a NWR. Really enjoyed the photos. Thank you for sharing. Hope you have a happy day today and rest of the week. I'm working on a post for Saturday's Critters. :-)

Barbara Rogers said...

Beauty is certainly available all through nature...and even in our back yards! We may need shelters, but mother nature provides for all her creatures in her own way. Oh my, I didn't know I was going to be philosophical when I started writing this. Loved seeing your car trip birds! Thanks for comments on my blog!

R's Rue said...

Love it.

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
What beautiful photos and collages you could take, when you drove the car.
The last photo is my favorite.
Best regards Irma

RedPat said...

It was nice for you to be able to get out and stay safe at the same time, Eileen! You got some great pics!

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful Eileen ~ nature is healing and wonderful photography ~


Live each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Gayle said...

Haven't heard of the Avocets. Thanks for sharing them. Happy Day.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Nice to go for a car ride with your hubby plus get to enjoy nature along the way. I am not familiar with the Avocets but enjoy your pics of them. I always love seeing heron, egrets and swans. Your pics are beautiful! Happy your are healthy.

Karen said...

Lots of great birds!

At Home In New Zealand said...

Really love your quote of "spending time in nature is healing energy" - that is so true. Glad you both had a great outing :)

The Furry Gnome said...

Wonderful place to visit!

Penelope Notes said...

Great post! Those who to live in thankfulness are wise as even the simple things we forget to be grateful for, like a good meal or a walk, would be sorely missed if suddenly taken away.

Elkes Lebensglück said...

I love your trips to this place with the beautiful bird life and you were too.
Yes, you can only be thankful for nature and treat it that way!
Thank you for these wonderful photos!
Take care and stay healthy, hugs Elke

Sondra said...

Awesome spot to visit...I tried to see the leg color on your small tern, not sure to be honest..could be immature Least tern..Nice to see Swans out in the wilds!!

Debbie said...

what a GREAT spot!! the herons look as if they are having an intense conversation, the egrets look like they are ignoring one another!! the avocets are so pretty, i'm not sure i have ever seen them before!!!

i'm glad you got out and spent some time there!!!

photowannabe said...

What a banquet of photos. The variety is quite amazing.
Hubby and I need to get out desperately...I am too antsy.
Sue

Red said...

When we have to stay close to home , it's good to get out and see some birds.

Meditations in Motion said...

Oh, those avocets are so cool! I have not been to Bombay Hook in several years. I always liked going there and driving around the loop to look for birds. Thanks for sharing the photos. I enjoyed them!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love Maisie Dobbs and wonder if there is anything new by the author, J. Winspear. My hubby and I just finished the new David Rosenfelt book Muzzled and it was very good. Love those Egrets in the tree...isn't that funny! I'm SO ready for a day trip! Hugs!

eileeninmd said...

Hello David,
I wonder why the Egrets are scarce there. Thanks for the comment,
Take care, have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Yes, I enjoy seeing the birds. Thanks, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Dimi,
I appreciate your kind words and comment.
Take care and stay safe!
Have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit! Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the visit and comment.
Have a happy day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie!
Have a happy day

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John! I love most parks, especially to see the wildlife.
I look forward to your Saturday Critter post! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Barbara,
Lovely thoughts and words, nature is beautiful everywhere.
Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Irma,
It was nice seeing all this wildlife right from the car.
Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Carol, thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Gayle, The Avocets are a pretty shorebird.
Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Judy,
Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Take care and stay safe Elke!
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Have a great day!

Nancy J said...

Just to be away for a short while is so refreshing, during lockdown , we once drove up town, round the block and home again. Everywhere was deserted, but to se a different street was good.What we take for granted. Love those egrets, a big bird to perch on a skinny branch.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sondra,
It is a great place for birding.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank You Debbie! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sue. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Red,
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,
Winspear is a great author and I also love Rosenfelt's series.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean,
Yes, a change of scenery is needed. I tend to get cabin fever, it is nice just to get outside.
Thanks for the visit and comment. Have a great day!

Ailime said...

The nature is very beautiful and your walk yielded beautiful photographs of the birds.
Beautiful places are always present.
I loved it!
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Ailime

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

a beautiful day with birds

William Kendall said...

Your take of the herons is my favourite.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Pretty shots of the avocets. I used to take rides for granted, but now they seem like a treat!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

As usual, great photographs. I love your saying about time in nature is healing energy. It really is I think.

Bill said...

Beautiful birds always a pleasure to see. Thanks Eileen and have a nice evening.

Rose said...

I so enjoyed seeing these. I have not seen a Great Blue Heron in ages because we have not been out very much.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Taking long car rides is a good way to "get away" form being home all the time. I loved all your nature quotes. Seeing Egrets in trees always makes me smile as they look so decorative.

Sharon said...

My first visit to your blog and what a lovely day trip. I love finding new blogs from people in states other than my own (TN). Such fun to see life in different parts of our country! I'll be back.!

HappyK said...

I like the Killdeers!! I think they look like little roadrunners when they run! :) So Funny.

Joyful said...

Beautiful photos Eileen. Some of your shots remind me of a trip I made to several lakes in Kenya many years ago as it was the first time I'd seen so many birds at once. Have a wonderful weekend. xx

Tanza Erlambang said...

birds look so wonderful in flocks....
love Avocets....beautiful

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Yesterday we had to do a couple of unexpected errands around town. It felt great to be out, even for a half hour. I like seeing what you saw on your wildlife drive, Eileen. Thanks! :-)

rupam sarma said...

Helllo, Just read your post. Beautiful pics.
Stay well.

Kay said...

You saw some nice sights! I've never seen more than one heron at a time -- lucky you!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Perfect photos and quotes to go with them - What a fun trip! I'm here in Tennessee, and if we make it to the Smokey Mountains this weekend, maybe I'll have some perfect photos too!

Angie said...

Eileen - your quotes and pictures suit each other so well. Thanks for the inspiration! Love the shot of the martin with its young one! Don't they always have their mouths open at that age?

ellen b. said...

You really have the knack of finding spots with great bird viewing. Look at all those herons together. Enjoyed all your photos. By now it might be Friday where you are so...happy Friday to you!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Wonderful images of the Avocets and the Great Egrets Eileen.

Little Wandering Wren said...

A great idea to get out for a road trip - We are going on one this weekend. I hope ours is a wildlife drive too, although we could do with not bumping into any elephants!Have a lovely weekend.
Wren x

Nancy Chan said...

Beautiful landscapes and birds sighting from your walk. It is good to be out enjoying nature around you. Happy weekend.

NatureFootstep said...

what a wonderful trip you made. I really would have liked to be with you. Wonderful shots of the Avocets.

Lieselotte said...

Glück ist die Schönheit und Ruhe der Natur - ein Zitat,das alles aussagt! Danke für die Mitnahme auf euren Ausflug.
Ein schönes Wochenende
♥liche Grüße
Lieselotte

Klara said...

lovely photos; love the quotes as well, so true.

Hootin Anni said...

Exceptional birds today Eileen. Those above us are in great numbers here, in Spring. We see the same birds you have (except for swans. Must be too hot for them here)

A Bit of the Blarney said...

My what a wonderful time you had and how beautiful are your photos! It is great to just get away! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Thank you for your visit!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ailime! Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol! Take care, stay safe!
Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Yes, going for a car ride is a treat.
Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Yogi!
Take care, stay safe!
Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Rose,
It is nice to get outside.
Thank you for the comment.
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Pat!
I do enjoy seeing the egret trees!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for visiting Sharon!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

LOL, the Killdeer do look funny when they are running.
Thanks Karen! Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Penny!
Take care, stay safe!
Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Susie
I do enjoy the car rides, it is good to get away from the house.
Thanks for visiting. Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Kay,
Thanks for the comment.
Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Kim!
Enjoy your vacation!
Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Angie,
Yes, the young ones do seem to have their mouths open all the time, looking for more food.
Have a happy day and a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Ellen!
The wildlife refuges are great places for birding.
Have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Margaret,
Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Wren,
Enjoy your weekend trip!
Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nancy!
Take care, stay safe!
Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Monica,
I wish I could show you my favorite birding spots, you would like them.
Thanks and enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Lieselotte,
Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Klara!
Take care, stay safe!
Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Anni,
It has been really hot and humid here too.
Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment and visit!
Take care, stay safe! Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful.

Cloudia said...

I'm thankful for you and these wonderful times you share!

steph said...

you are so lucky to be so close to that kind of a preserve!!! I think I would be there everyday!!!! Enjoy...and thanks for sharing the photos.

Ela said...

Your posts and photos are always beautiful! Thank you for showing the beauty of nature!
Happy weekend :)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Thanks for sharing these photos- and we, too, love to get out and ride..it's my new mini vacay thing to do! Have a great weekend!

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs 😊
What a nice day you had.

All the best Jan

eileeninmd said...

Thank you! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia! Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Steph! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ela! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Terri,
The car rides are great, it is nice to see different scenery.
Thank you! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan! Have a great day and a happy weekend!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That is such a rich (in nature ) place to walk and now I se3 that it is a great drive through as well! We also drove through a wildlife refuge this week , but not one with as many lovely birds. Our Florida home is better for birding, but I am very glad NOT to be there right now as I’m sure you can imagine.

Jeanie said...

Herons and egrets. Two of my favorites and splendid photos of both!

Happy Monday!

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