Manifestations at Sunset

"The world is charged with the grandeur of God." - Gerard Manley Hopkins

I took these photos on the last evening 

of a staff retreat at Salter Path, N.C. 

Transformation was the theme. 

Praying Mantis to Mystery Flower: 10 Days

A praying mantis waits for prey on a nasturtium in the veggie garden.

I'm glad I photographed this butterfly
 because I haven't seen one since. Where are you, butterflies?

The veggie jungle

Bees of different varieties are obsessed with the flowering oregano.

The red hibiscus flowers turn into umbrellas. Rain, rain, rain -
we've been getting late day storms nearly every day.

Daylilies remain stunning.

We took a spontaneous 24-hour trip to the beach at Salter Path, N.C., 

when we got the last room available at our favorite retreat center. 

Swimming held by the waves and walking the beach is a prayer.

Beach at sunset

Beach at sunrise

Blackberry picking

A mystery flower emerges from a tall plant with iris-like leaves.
Can you identify it?

Sun's Rays

Emerald Isle, N.C. 

I've been in a bit of a dark place lately, waiting for the sun to break in. 

Random Exotic Photos

I have been away in Florida on somewhat of an Internet-free holiday. I took lots of photographs. Too many, perhaps, because now I have to decide which ones to include in my next post. In the meantime, here are a few random photos to enjoy - photos that are not predominantly brown!

Roseate spoonbill and ibis, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Brassolaeliocattleya Momalani Rainbow 'The Gypsy'

New Year's Eve sunset, Fort DeSoto North Beach, Fla.

Seabirds on a Florida Beach

Bird-watching brings peace. The mind's chatter stops. Wild birds teach me something too deep to articulate. 

Snowy egret fishes in waters shaded from the noonday sun.

Fort DeSoto Park, encompassing five barrier islands on the west coast of Florida south of St. Petersburg, is a bird sanctuary. The green-blue shallows with schools of fish and white sand beaches lined with mangroves and palm hammocks invite birds. 

After consultation with the bird book, I'm inclined to identify this as a little blue heron.

Sanderlings never seem to stop skittering from the waves.

With a surge of delight I notice a large bird perching on a nest of sticks atop a tall cement chimney next to the old fort. A closer approach confirms it is an osprey.

Ospreys' nest

Another adult osprey approaches the nest, and the parent lifts its wing. The ospreys seemed unconcerned about the photographer far below. 

When I walk around to the other side of the chimney, I see three osprey chicks perched close to the edge. In the photo below, two of the youngsters hide their heads.

Osprey chicks

The white ibis' long beak allows it to dig deep in the sand.

I got out the bird book for this one, too. I believe it is a willet.