Mockingbird and Grapes

With a twinkle in its eye, this young mockingbird eyes the ripe green cluster of grapes.   When the grapes are ripe, that is the time to set up a relationship.  The symbol of grapes represents a joyous fellowship.

It is known that if a bird eats enough grapes, the bird will take on a state of being intoxicated.  Hmmm!!!  Is this what it takes to build up the nerve to do the ritual mating dance, spreading its feathers, spreading its wings, and stepping cautiously to support balance.  Day and night the mockingbird is heard doing vocal imitations of other birds.  All for a joyous fellowship.

In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the mockingbird symbolizes innocence.

Photo by: Richard Smith

 

Photographing Nature: Squirrels and Birds

The other morning I stood in the woods with my camera.  I heard various birds chirping and rustling through the leaves.  As I scaned the area for a bird at rest, I noticed something clinging to a rotted piece of a limb.  I wasn’t able to make it out with my naked eye.  So I looked through my camera lens to see this baby squirrel.  It looked frightened as it emerged from the hole in the trunk of the tree.  It nervously tested each piece of the tree bark before he planted its feet.  Here he is holding on for dear life.   Natural instinct may have coaxed it along to let him know its time to search for food or starve.

I did end up photographing this Tuffed Titmous and Blue Bird

The photos may not win a prize but I sure enjoy the time I spend with God’s creation and all His love.

Hope you all enjoy!!!

what are the five items you must have on a deserted island?

Five Items

 

My five items I must have are with me at all times.

I need to have vision.  Without knowing what is around me is a frightening situation.  Sometimes it is still frightening to know what surrounds me.  Now don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of beauty to be seen on a deserted island.

I need taste.  Without taste it is dangerous.  I thirst for water.  I kneel down at the pond near the middle of the island.  I fill my cupped hand with water, not knowing if it is salt water or fresh water.  As with the plants on the island, I wouldn’t know if the plant is extremely spicy, bitter, or unpleasant.

Touch is to feel.  What are those strange leaves?  The pointed sides scratched my skin and put a blistery rash on my arms.   The insect I stepped on left a barb in my foot.  Without feeling, my odds of survival are low.  Not able to feel is a threat to life.

What is that sound?  A strange animal with fangs long enough to pierce through me.  If I can’t hear, I can not prepare for my defense.

The last is a smell. I wouldn’t know there is toxic waste near the end of the island or know the warnings of something burning.  I could suspect something is wrong when I see dead fish or smoke, but I would smell them initially.

To answer this classic question:  what are the five items you must have on a deserted island?  I must have my five senses that God blessed me with.

1. Sound
2. Taste
3. Touch
4. Sight
5. Smell

With those 5 I will have the wisdom to apply the knowledge to survive as man survived in the beginning of time.