SHARING

Nothing like sharing. A cardinal graciously allows a dove to share his bowl of seeds. Sharing...the essence, I believe, of the spirit of this holiday season.

AFTER THE STORM

Hurricane Irene pounded in and out for a day and two nights. No one was prepared for the havoc she created or --- the flooding. I watched the power of the storm surge on my lawn quickly overcome the door height of part of our house (the "cottage"), sweep into the foyer, reaching the 3rd step at the sunroom and felt sure that its power would crumble the foundation of the entire house. The boarding at the windows held. Cars were moved during the storm to higher ground on the street as I packed bags pondered escape. Logic  overcame my fear. I knew the roads and bridges and would be impassable. Our only recourse would be to remain in the house and hope for the best. The day sky was black, angry and visibility low. The rising water reluctantly slowed its rise upwards as Irene's eye moved over us but didn't retreat for at least another hour or so, until the counter winds began from the west.

It was a storm no one will easily forget in Pamlico. Many homes in Pamlico have been destroyed while others like us are coping with repairing the damage which may take months. And many are assessing why they live here whether they want to stay.

BEFORE THE STORM

Some folks would never live as close to the water as we do. It has its drawbacks especially when there's a hurricane like Irene surging towards us. Then there are days watching the dolphins go by...not usually this close except with binoculars. After all, we are at the mouth of the Neuse River which opens into the Pamlico Sound. One never tires of the beauty and grace of these lovely creatures. Before my friend, Estelle passed away, we would excitedly call at an alert to each other to look out the riverside. This dolphin was heading up river. We are choosing to stay by the river when Irene passes by.

DOG DAYS & DRAGON BOATS

The 2nd Annual Dragon Boat race happened last week in Oriental and we are still in dire need of rain. It should be about 99 degrees today - maybe 100. Unless some much needed rain gets here, farmers may well lose the crop of soybean across the street -- the bushes are wilting.

The flip side, of course, is that the ditches are dry and way less mosquitoes. But, the birds need water and I bought a better "watering hole" for them.

ESTELLE'S TREE

It's amazing how one's mind works. I got up this morning and for some reason decided to look at the series of osprey shots that I took over a year ago. I recalled how these big wings flapped by the sunroom...I looked out and saw this big bird land in Estelle's dead pine tree - two houses down. Estelle kept this dead  tree in her yard by the river -- keeping it, she said, for an eagle to land. I felt sure that this bird was Estelle's eagle...never having seen an osprey. I checked it out with my binoculars and rushed for my camera. It had a big fish in its tight grip.

Something told me to look up the date that Estelle passed away. I knew it was July a year ago. Sure enough, it was almost to the day when I last saw her. She died a couple days later. And,  I believe a storm took down the dead pine tree shortly afterwards.

Here's to a lovely lady!

Beach Fun....

...appropriate for July. But, it's still enough to warm my heart that others are out there relaxing. This was my photo that won 2nd place last week at the Beaufort County Arts Council Photo contest. It is titled "Beach Figure Series: Family Fun"....taken earlier this year.

I'm "grandma" again to my second set of bluebirds. There were 4 eggs a couple of weeks ago. A couple days ago, there were...what looked like...newly born babies. I saw Mama Blue bringing in food before it got real dark.

The killdeer activity seems more this year than usual. Lots of feigning of broken wings going on and their familiar cries. But, haven't stumbled upon a nest yet.

Cattle Egrets Visit Again

For the past couple days, a dozen or so cattle egrets have been feeding in the open fields down the road. Such neat little birds! When I first spotted them, they looked not much bigger than gulls. They're very shy...when they saw me coming on foot...they flew and I had to pop off a few shots driving slowly in my car.

Super Moon and Spring is Here!

The super moon rising over the water of the Neuse River was spectacular. No photo of it but I did find several  old paintings of mine that I though I'd lost in the move --- painted over ten (10) years ago -- of a moonflower. Moonflowers actually won't really start blooming until about August. This little painting is in watercolor. Last week, Mama killdeer laid her eggs in my rose bed and seems content despite the  neighborhood dogs running around. It might be the same pair who nested their eggs on our roadside grass last year and decided that getting closer to the house was safer. Killdeer are a type of plover and it will be two months before they hatch -- babies come out running. In the meantime, Mama and Daddy take turns sitting the eggs --- they are remarkable in their patience.

Red Wings Rising

Traveling near Mattamuskeet recently, a flock of black birds rose out of the grass...we stopped the car and I caught the flock rising to the sky at late afternoon.

Administrative work with the Council is taking a toll on working with my own art. 

January Sunrise

View over the Neuse River from left of the sunroom. As I've observed for the past six years...at this time of the year...many ducks come here to spend the winter. Sometimes, mid-river,  a long ridge of dark specs sit out there. The scene warms the heart in these wintry months. My schedule has been so hectic that my blogging has been limited.