Drops of Beauty #162

January 2, 2024

Let the Beauty we love be what we do. There are a hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. - from The Essential Rumi, translations by Coleman Barks with John Moyne

Every new year it seems strange to write a new number. 2024. Here is how it started on New Year’s morning - the sun was back there somewhere:

Such a long stretch of cloudy mornings. I am so grateful for the birds I saw today, the “regulars”, the stalwarts of winter. Thank goodness for the chickadees, robins, cedar waxwings, ring-billed gulls, coots, mallards, blue jays, finches, crows, cardinals, yellow-rumped warblers and a few more I’m sure I’ve forgotten. This year more than ever, I am thankful they are here.

Here are some favorite photos from December:

Goldfinch in the berries

Apparently ready for the photographer to move along.

House finches getting in on the berry action too.

Mrs. and Mr. house finch

Hello sweet chickadee

Carolina wren finally let me take his picture

Good thing I was quick!

Have to be quick to catch the yellow-rumped warblers, they are always in motion.

But sometimes they pose for a clear shot.

So grateful for cedar waxwings who make me smile.

Ruby-crowned kinglet, another bird that never sits still.

Welcome to 2024. Let’s hope it’s a year of peace.

Thank you friends for being here as we start this new year together. May the quiet of winter hold you like a hug.