Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge Week # 22

XingfuMama has a really uplifting challenge for us. We are invited to step back for a few moments each week to find something lovely or to tell of a precious moment in our lives. A couple of days ago, after two days of almost continuous rain, I looked out of my kitchen window to be greeted by this beautiful sight. One of my orchids had been very busy preparing for its fair-weather debut and the twins were dressed in the most glorious attire.

There are so many things in life which fill us with joy and nature seems to provide me with something wonderful every day. Whilst I’ve been sitting on my sofa typing this, I’ve had one eye out of the window, watching the Great Blue Heron parents teaching their young one to fly. How blessed I am to have such creatures almost in my backyard.

If you have something lovely to report, be sure to click on this link. Hope your week is going really well.

Feathers On Friday: Woody On Lookout Duty

Woody wood stork is a large and heavy bird, over 40 inches tall and weighing approximately 7 lbs. Nevertheless, he manages to balance elegantly and effortlessly on a tree branch. I love to watch him in flight with his impressive wingspan and then see how he gracefully lands on exactly the branch of his choosing. His straight, pointed beak can be 9 inches long and is used for building a nest, procuring food and is also an Impressive combat weapon. He’s always a very welcome visitor to our backyard here in Florida.

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend and a very happy Mothers’ Day to all of you who are fortunate enough to be mothers.

One Word Sunday: Lost

Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday-Lost’, got me searching through my Florida wildlife photos, and I quickly came up with four, showing a poor creature that has lost its life. Of course all creatures have to eat to live, but it’s always rather sad to see the ones that have ended up as part of the food chain.

Mr GBH however, looks delighted and obviously doesn’t think it’s sad at all.

He seems to do quite well with his fishing expeditions and certainly hasn’t lost his touch over the years that I’ve been observing him.

You could say that any fish within striking distance of that beak has already lost the battle.

The Cormorant is also very adept at skewering his sushi for lunch. Another hapless fish lost for all time, about to go down the hatch.

I hope you’re all having a lovely, relaxing Sunday. If you have any photos which show something lost or as in my case, of a creature that lost the battle with a predator, just click the link.

One Word Sunday: Symmetry

Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’ this week, is ‘Symmetry’. Without having to look too hard, I found this photo taken when we stayed at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga a few years ago. They aren’t the most comfortable looking seats, but they certainly are symmetrical.

Here’s something that isn’t man-made and far more attractive. My orchids are doing really well at the moment. I have ten of them in flower and this one has had identical twins.

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it very difficult to focus on anything but this atrocious and abominable Russian invasion of Ukraine, but if you would like to join in Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’, just click the link.

One Word Sunday: Odd

Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’ this week, is ‘Odd’. People can quite often have odd things at the bottom of their gardens. Some swear that they have fairies, but I remember an old children’s song which started, “There’s a worm at the bottom of the garden and his name is Wiggly Woo.” My neighbour across the water from us has something even odder than either fairies or a wiggly worm. Unbeknownst to her, there is an alligator happily sunning himself on the sandbank at the bottom of her garden.

He appeared to be sleeping with one beady eye on the look out for anything tasty passing by.

If you have any oddments for Debbies ‘One Word Sunday’, just click the link.

Feathers On Friday: A Congregation Of Ibises

Yesterday our local gang of ibises descended in our backyard. These gorgeous pure white birds vary their feeding ground and move around in great numbers. Obviously yesterday wasn’t a good day for any worms or grubs which were hitherto happily ensconced in our grass.

Those long beaks are merciless in their search for food, and the diners were oblivious to me as I took a couple of photos from my bathroom window.

I hope you’re having a happy Friday and that your weekend will be relaxing and carefree. My hip is totally healed and feels better than normal. Yay for good surgeons! Whatever would we do without them?

One Word Sunday: Rain

The theme this week for Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’ is Rain. We did have quite a nice downpour yesterday, which I photographed through my kitchen window.

Today it’s bright and sunny and I really must begin packing as we leave on Tuesday for South Africa. I’m so looking forward to seeing our daughter Mandy on Wednesday. Apparently, her cat Ravioli is also beside herself with excitement and yesterday was in full party mode to celebrate her 16th birthday.

It’s going to be a wonderful reunion after two years apart.

Wishing you all a very happy Sunday. I’ll post some photos from South Africa soon.

To join Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’, just click the link.

One Word Sunday: Reflection

The theme for Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’ this week, is ‘Reflection’.

Here’s a double version of Mervin Muscovy in a tearing hurry, scooting along the lake outside my bathroom window.

This cute Blue-winged Teal looks as though he ate at least double the amount of lunch that he should have.

Thank you all for the wonderful response to my last week’s ‘One Word Sunday – Old’. I relayed your good wishes to Kathleen, my Mom-in-law and although she has no idea how social media works, she expressed her delight and gratitude. She said, “I don’t know why I’m still here at 108, but I’m not complaining.”

To join in Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday‘, just click the link.

One Word Sunday: Pond

Debbie’s theme this Sunday is ‘Pond or Ponder’. Well nothing could be ponder than a fish pond, so here’s mine through our kitchen window. The photo was taken on a rainy Saturday morning and the goldfish were extra wet and probably pondering whether the raindrops landing on the surface were fish pellets or not. I’m sure they were very disappointed.

We’ll be leaving to see family in NJ on Tuesday so I may not be around on WP very much. Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday and a great week.

To join in Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday’, just click the link.

Feathers On Friday: An Unusual Visitor

I was really surprised to look out of my bathroom window and see this new visitor to my backyard. The Black-crowned Night Heron is usually nocturnal, so its appearance at around midday was most unexpected. It’s the first time I’ve seen one of these and I had to consult my ‘Birds Of South East Florida Guide’ to identify it.

We have our family visiting from New Jersey at the moment and are having a great time together. It’s been well over a year since we saw them, so it’s very special to spend precious time together. Wishing you all a great weekend.