Category Archives: Nature

Worried Birds and Winter Weather

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

A worried blue jay came to see me yesterday and loudly proclaimed: “I am here to issue a winter weather warning, so please listen carefully to everything I say. Don’t be fooled by this warm sun, for tomorrow all will … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, birds, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife, Winter | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Thankful for Life

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Standing here thinking how lucky I am to be alive at this time, enjoying a cold autumn afternoon! Don’t need many things or stuff all around me— No matter what possessions I have or don’t have, I’m thankful for life … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

Bluebird House with Chandelier

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Each spring, bluebirds move into the narrow newspaper holder beneath our mailbox. Even though we don’t get the newspaper, it isn’t the safest place for them to live. Without looking, people drive by and shove advertisements over their nest and … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Halloween, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Darkness on Summer’s Edge

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Shorter are the days on summer’s edge, darkness comes early. Night shadows reveal natural beauty destined to fade away. What was yesterday and what is today will soon be no more. So please! When I wither and vanish from sight— … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Summer | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Wordless Language

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Listen! Beneath the setting sun by the water’s edge, trees are telling stories in the fading light.  Creaking and cracking bending in the wind, talking to each other in windswept sighs— their wordless language still unknown to man.      ~ms  

Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Thinking about Being

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

While I was thinking about being and wondering why I’m here, time appeared before my eyes and melted into years. Yesterday, I was so young and now somehow I’m old? I used to do a lot but now….I don’t do … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, birds, Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged | 75 Comments

The Hawk Stands with No Fear

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I looked out of my kitchen window this morning and saw a hawk standing on my porch railing, staring intently at something in the grass. What a wonderful surprise!  I was afraid that I would scare it away if I … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife | Tagged | 111 Comments

Behold the Black Swan

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Behold the black swan floating between images of carps and clouds in cool pond waters reflecting. With regal beauty and form, the humble bow of the black swan took my breath away.    ~ms ***I took these photos on the … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Travel, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | 60 Comments

Bird Bread Bailout

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Back in 2009, when the photo below was taken, the housing market had crashed and different groups were being bailed out by the government for one reason or the other. So when I encountered this flock of birds standing in … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, food, Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, wildlife | 26 Comments

Endless Sea of Imagination

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

A young boy daydreams as he rides a bronze seal on ocean waves created by the endless sea of his imagination.     ~ms The Mysterious Seal Rider Adjacent to Waikiki beach on Kalakaua Avenue, there is a cute statue … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Flowers Blooming Bright

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid
Posted in Haiku, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Spring | Tagged , | 89 Comments

Butterfly Apology

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Yesterday…. We agreed to rendezvous on these pink flowers, but I have no GPS and to my dismay pink is everywhere. Directionally challenged, I’ve been lost for hours searching through flowers while you patiently waited here for me. So sorry … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Travel Agent from Hell

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

I was living on a soft cloud before I was born, enjoying the celestial music of the spheres. My existence was heavenly until a strange man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark cloak, floated in on a hot breeze. He bowed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Nature, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography, Travel | Tagged , , , | 43 Comments

Mushroom in the Woods

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Within light shadows stood orange colors, specks of white, mushroom in the woods. Inedible or edible, bad or good to eat? Is this extremely poisonous or a tasty treat? I don’t know the answer and I’d rather not be dead, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Writing | Tagged , , , | 59 Comments

Shivering Pine Tree

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Shivering pine tree burdened by a heavy snow dripping ice cold tears on spring flowers far below… so tired of winter!         ~ms Just My Imagination ********************************************************************** I said, “Wow! The bent over pine tree in this photo looks like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Snow | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Buck in Birch Shadows

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

In the past few years, I have seen quite a few deer in my backyard munching on various plants. But the summer of 2010 was the first (and only) time that I have ever seen a buck with a full set … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer, Nature, photography, wildlife | Tagged , | 64 Comments

On Wings of Thought

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

In the middle of the night on a mental flight with no luggage or tickets, I’m traveling light on warm wings of thought flying to a distant land where sunlit flowers, beautiful ocean water and stretches of sand invite my wandering soul … Continue reading →

Posted in Imagination, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

Snow Cold Feet

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Birds with snow cold feet quietly meditate on winter’s reflection, appreciating the chance to experience a snowy river. I took these photos during a snowstorm in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The birds and I were standing on the city dock,  near the old train bridge … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 108 Comments

Black-Crowned Night Heron Waiting

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Where land meets water under the Hawaiian sun, a black-crowned night heron (’auku’u) stands with no bait, no lure, and without a fishing pole, waiting patiently for the perfect fish to come swimming by.  ~ms 

Posted in birds, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Dreaming Eyes

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Listen to dark winds caress the leafless tree that stands in moonlight glowing, capturing words of wisdom on cold gnarled branches a thousand dreams old. Open wide your dreaming eyes as thought creates itself here, there, and everywhere wandering without boundaries in … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Nature, Philosophy, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Honking Attitude

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Mary Strong-Spaid

The loudest goose yelled— I thought we were flying south where no lakes are filled with icy cold water. This is not acceptable! I’m not getting in. The lead goose replied sternly— You must remember we are geese from Canada. This is Virginia which … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, wildlife | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Duck Quack Reprimand

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

What? Where is our bread? You brought a camera instead? How thoughtless is that! Now…. Have you anything to say in your own defense before we quack you away? Yes, actually I do have something to say. You don’t need more … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife | Tagged | 45 Comments

Tree Reindeer

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

A rotten old tree dead but still standing cold and riddled with holes, was brought back to life on a cold wintery night when….. Christmas creativity came wandering by with bells, two eyes, and a nose, pine branches and bows … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Imagination, Nature, photography, Poetry | Tagged | 42 Comments

Cold November Moon

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Outside my window on a brightly lit night … See how gently the trees hold this cold November moon in their dark arms. I stand far below looking up from my small world in shadows covered, as  my wandering thoughts go walking on the moon.    ~ms … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Space | 68 Comments

Orange Autumn Twilight

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Mary Strong-Spaid

Cloudy day ending in a sudden burst of light, spilling bright orange into watery shadows as twilight dissolves into darkness approaching on an autumn night.    ~ms

Posted in Fall Colors, Nature, Poetry | Tagged , , | 20 Comments