Drops of Beauty #251

December 24, 2024

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” - Charles Schulz

Hello friends! It’s 12/24/24 and that has to be my lucky day because 12 and 24 have always been lucky numbers for me. Wonder what the day might bring?

I chose the quote above because my approach to December this year has been to spread kindness wherever I can, mostly by giving unexpected gifts—to the hygienist, the receptionist, the woman at the checkout counter, the trash truck driver, the mail person, my neighbors, and my friends. It’s been soul-filling to see someone smile at an unexpected little act of kindness.

I love that I can spread a little joy through these posts as well! Here are some choices for today:

It’s looking like a cloudy week here, might be drawing on the “reserves” in my photo library! Sunrise from December 10, 2024.

One of my holiday gifts this year, an eared grebe! I rarely see them, maybe (if I’m lucky) once a year. Apparently they are even more rare in December because eBird flagged it.

She’s called an eared grebe because in breeding season she has a beautiful ruffle of golden feathers that look like an ear going back from her eye.

The eared grebe is distinguished from a horned grebe (shown here) because the peak of her head is forward over her eye while this lovely guy has his peak further back on the head. The eared grebe also tends to look like they are sitting “up” because there are more fluffy white feathers under the dark ones.

She was trying to figure out what exactly I was too.

So far, the goldeneyes keep running away when I get anywhere close.

The blue jays will always hang out with me though!

Cedar waxwings always make me smile. I imagine punk-rock or heavy metal music might be their jam.

Robins by the hundreds are also winter companions. We are so lucky they winter here!

Among the bustle of robins and cedar waxwings, I will often find a few titmice flitting in and out.

Male cardinals are expert hiders, but that red really does stand out this time of year regardless!

It’s easy to tell this photo is a month old now as there’s not that much green! Dark-eyed juncos are everywhere but they hide in the grass or the leaves and don’t pose as often as I’d like.

Always trying to catch the golden light of the rising sun against black feathers of the crows.

Adding another photo from that great sunset last week. Who knows, maybe we’ll have another this week?

The moon will be more of a sliver the next time the clouds clear.

May you be open to unexpected moments of joy and connection through the holidays.