-
COPYRIGHT
-
© Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/Stories with No Books, 2012-2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/ Stories with No Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. NO REBLOGGING WITHOUT PERMISSION.
-
Recent Posts
- Friendly Garden Spider
- Cardinals at the Dog Water Bowl Bird Bath
- Thoughts of a Natural Born Tree-Hugger
- Rising from the Dead in Spring
- Cat Clinging to the Edge of Normal
- Christmas Lion 2020
- Monarch Butterfly Stops in San Antonio Mid-November
- Entomology Summer Camp Hands-On Experience
- Siamese Cat Shelter-in-Place Guidelines
- Covid-19 Life in a Darkening World
- Strong Civil War Connection to Fredericksburg
- The Little Eyes of Texas
- Good Friends and Auld Lang Syne
- Pulte New Home Nightmare
- Labrador Retriever Riding in Style
- Foster Kitten’s Grateful Prayer
- On the Path of Wind and Water
- Christmas Cat on Night Patrol
Blog Stats
- 83,030 hits
Top Posts & Pages
Archives
-
Join 2,253 other subscribers
Links
Category Archives: wildlife
Thoughts on Time
I thought about the new year while sitting in a tree. I did the same thing last year, time matters not to me.Tell me, honestly— Did you see the day pass by the last second in-between, when time inside someone’s … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Nature, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, wildlife
Tagged Elephants, Happy New Year, Honolulu Zoo, New Year
40 Comments
Deer with Hungry Eyes
Ice and snow falling, covering the cold hard ground. Deer with hungry eyes come close to my house searching for something to eat. Many of these deer will not make it through winter. It is sad to see there are … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife
Tagged acorns, food, Ice, Snow, Winter
44 Comments
Worried Birds and Winter Weather
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
Thankful for Life
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 autumn, birds, flowers, food, squirrels, Thanksgiving
44 Comments
Glass Door Relationships
Searching for acorns, a squirrel suddenly saw the man of her dreams sitting behind a glass door. She stopped what she was doing and ran with great excitement to take a closer look. She tenderly touched his soft dark brown … Continue reading
Posted in cats, Humor, photography, wildlife
Tagged animals, Glass Door, Relationships, squirrels
41 Comments
Bluebird House with Chandelier
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 autumn, Fall, Spiders
52 Comments
Thinking about Being
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 Honolulu Zoo
75 Comments
The Hawk Stands with No Fear
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
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal
A long time ago, the Hawaiians named this species of seal “llio holo I ka uaua” (dog that runs in rough water). Now the Hawaiian monk seal has become one of the most endangered species in the world, with only … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Kauai, Photo Essay, photography, Travel, wildlife
Tagged endangered species, Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team, llio holo I ka uaua, mammals, ocean, seals
47 Comments
Behold the Black Swan
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 carp fish, clouds, Oahu, Pond, Swan, Water
60 Comments
Bird Bread Bailout
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
Buck in Birch Shadows
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
Snow Cold Feet
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 birds, bridge, River, Water, Winter
108 Comments
Black-Crowned Night Heron Waiting
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
Honking Attitude
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
Duck Quack Reprimand
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
Reflections and Shadows
On this autumn day, nature recreates itself with duck reflections and a butterfly shadow….. ~ms
Squirrel Dilemma
In a grassy field a squirrel worked all morning burying acorns. But then… children came to play, and the squirrel was forced to run away. The squirrel climbed up the nearest tree and sat on a limb staring down annoyed…… She had … Continue reading
Bluebird of Consternation
On a leafless branch the bluebird of happiness sits glaring at me. Happiness I once was he sang with a voice of cool blue consternation. But you did not notice because your thoughts were focused on decaying, dying leaves. There is more to life than … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, Fall Colors, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife
Tagged Death, Happiness, Life
14 Comments
Curiosity with a Camera
A mother’s concern reaches out, touching my heart. Don’t worry about me, mom through this lens looking…. I am curiosity with a camera Your baby is safe! ~ms
Before I Forget 