It was now time for this bird nerd to bird having attended the opening to the 62nd Annual Juried Competition at the Masur Museum in Monroe Louisiana. I love fine art photography, but my passion will and always will be in nature photography. Competing in juried competitions provides me with an excuse to explore America. In my mind it’s a win win!
The museum staff gave me the heads up that the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge was the place to go, so I went. Boy was it cold! But I had hand warmers so it wasn’t too much of an ordeal. The bird photography below was from my recent outing and news flash! I even stumbled upon a most photogenic Golden-crowned Kinglet!!!
I appreciate your willingness to share your photographs with us, in particular, me. It gives me an opportunity to escape the stresses in my life. Re-evaluate what is really important. I am fully in the last trimester of my life; therefore, what is really important at this point? Being a good steward of the piece of property that I call home. Landscape to preserve the habitats of the native pollinators and wildlife. Learn the migratory patterns of the temporary wildlife that may pass through on their centuries old highways. Provide nourishment, and a resting place, maybe even a place to nest. Be more aware, learn their different songs. I gaze at the variety of birds that call your home their own, or perhaps stop by for a brief moment to say, “thank you for noticing me.” Migratory birds, and pollinators, are really struggling to exist. As well as the trees and plants that make their homes. They are disappearing right before our eyes. Climate change has been going on since the beginning of this planet. Species undergo change to exist. Is that what is also happening to us? Economy, war, pollution, greed, laziness, etc. I cannot do much to change that. I can do my part to help the birds, pollinators, and native plants and trees in my own yard. I can enjoy the sounds of nature in my own yard. Hear their “thank you” songs, create habitats specific to their needs. I am continually amazed at what you are able to capture in your lens, a great deal of which is within your own neighborhood, specifically your yard. I spent 32 years living on 10 acres near Canyon Lake, Tx. In one weekend, you captured maybe 15 different birds around the property. I was aware of maybe 5 of them. The others were completely new to me. I was always in such a hurry to even notice. Thank you, Timothy David Harris, for sharing your vision with me. It helps me slow down.