32 Comments

if you want you can take pictures of berries and I can try and ID them. Your calling poison ivy berries bird catnip is very interesting to me.

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I am filtering out black Friday emails. If I don't buy, I save 100%!

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So true!

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"The flocks of robins have gotten quite large and the trees are producing a nice bounty of berries for them". What trees are supplying the berries? And I have to revise my thinking that pelicans are a warm location bird. Have to learn more about Rumi.

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There's quite a few trees and bushes with berries. Juniper berries are very popular, as are poison ivy berries (which I call bird catnip). The pear trees also have berries that the robins, chickadees and cedar waxwings seem to love. There are others - I don't know their names though! And yes, I've had a pelican here on the ice in mid-winter before! I think they can stay quite warm in those feathers.

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Living in Oregon, our air often feels "soft"--that gentle, water-heavy atmosphere of a place with relatively mild temperatures and lots of precipitation. Not having spent much time in the midwest, I would assume your air is more harsh or at least brisk. Interesting to find that I'm wrong! I always find sweet surprises in your blog. AND I'm looking forward to the big reveal in your next installment!

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Now this is an interesting way to think about how the air feels! I lived in the Seattle area for most of a decade. The air does feel different. Our air is more varied. In summer it can be thick with humidity. Wind helps in summer and can be quite harsh in winter. So it can be brisk, or harsh, but sometimes winter air is just - crisp? it's almost - light. Thanks San!

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I like that quotes from Rumi. Last year Toronto had an exhibition of Rumi and his life, it was a wonderful experience to read and understand his philosophical thinking. Your photo of moments always uplift my spirit. Thank you.

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The Rumi exhibit must have been interesting! Thank you Nancy!

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Do stay warm!

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I am bundled up in many layers! If only I had feathers, lol. Thank you Linda!

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Lovely photos Karen!

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Thank you Sandra!

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I love the Killdeer's "onyx necklaces."

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Oooh, I love that, onyx necklaces!

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Beautiful images Karen. I really like the Gull and Killdeer interactions and your captions! ;)

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Thank you Neil!

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Yes, Karen's captions are "capt"ivating!

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Thank you Michael!

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They must be something interesting to be in such a straight line! Must be coots who just graduated from Coot Marine Academy showing off their precision formations! Civilian coots are such a messy gaggle in contrast!

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LOL. Well now I really want to see coot marine academy! These are just about as opposite of coots as you get with water fowl, lol. Much bigger and white!

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Wishful thinking on my part. I so wanted them to be coots! Especially military trained coots!

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Karen, your "drops of beauty"remind us to remember the first important lesson our parents tried to teach us: "Pay Attention". And once we do, the world stops spinning and the deeper our attention, the deeper our compassion. And it is not that long before "love" becomes the bridge between us and everything. And soon we live as if "everything is a miracle"... because it is....

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Thank you Clark. I love Mary Oliver's line, "Pay Attention. Be Astonished. Tell about it." Everything is a miracle. That any of this exists is a miracle.

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Thank you Michael...

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Well said, Clark

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Looks like swans??? And yes…all the sale ads today are ridiculous 😳🙄. So was very happy to find this email👍👏❤️😍🥰😊. Beautiful photos and glad your fingers stayed warm🥶🥶. I need to get out and walk off that big meal from yesterday but still too cold this morning 🥶🤷‍♀️(33 degrees at 8 am). Love how you brave the elements….🥰👍👏. Maybe I will get out there after it warns up a bit before the Chiefs game this afternoon ❤️🏈🎉. Edit: I see on your other post you said they are pelicans… I almost guessed that answer but zoomed in and changed my mind😂😂😂😂😂

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So close for sure, and you're right, pelicans! I'm so glad you found this email Sharon! Oh, you should see my mitten setup - fingerless gloves under two layers of mittens with a hand warmer when it's below freezing! Plus I'm wearing wool leggings under lined winter pants, a turtle neck, two hoodies, a hat, a balaclava, and a big parka! Lol.

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You are definitely dressed for the cold👍❤️. I would think it gets really close by the water especially if it’s windy😍❤️🥰👍

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It's funny, in the summer it is cooler by the water but in the winter it's the opposite! The water is warmer than the air so it's a little warmer in close to the water.

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Thank you for the shots of beauty--better than coffee shots!

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Thank you Janisse!

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