44 Comments

The first sunrise photo is Turneresque!❤️

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Lovely peace❤️😍👍 beautiful photos

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Thank you Sharon!

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Gorgeous captures. Kingfishers are my favorite birds! Thank you for your soothing mantra and blessing, xo

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Thank you Lani! Kingfishers are awesome!

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Beautiful. Photos and words. Thank you.

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Thank you Julie

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Simply beautiful, Karen. Thank you. 💚

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Thank you Sue!

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As I began reading your work (pictures and words) just now, the title of Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem, The Lady Of The Lake, written in 1810 could well refer to you. The Lady Of The Lake. The repeated phrase, “Just for now,” felt like a gentle nudge to savor this very moment. And so I did, Karen. Your work today gifted we readers a chance to hold the reins lightly. And doing so made your beautiful images all the more vibrant. Many blessings to you.

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Thank you so much Gary.

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Thank you Karen!

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You are a gifted photographer and writer ~ it’s been a rough two weeks here~ my sons job was terminated and the company put out nothing but lies everywhere ~the almighty dollar matters more than loyalty ~ 39 years~ my Doctors are trying to keep me out of the hospital ~ pancreatitis ~ and with all this ~your writing was so soothing ~thank you from the bottom of my heart Karen ❤️

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Ah Catherine, I'm so sorry. Sending you lots of prayers and love.

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Check out bird author interview: Joan Strassman, her new book The Slow Birding Journal.

https://awaytogarden.com/really-watching-what-birds-are-up-to-with-joan-strassmann/

Joan advocates for really emphasizing the “watching” in bird watching, not just ticking off names on a list, but trying to see what they’re doing and what inferences you can draw from their behaviors.

Interview done by Margaret Roach, author herself of garden books and her website: awaytogarden.com

She sends out a weekly newsletter which I recommend signing up for

She is also the garden editor of the NY Times.

Enter to win contest for a free The Slow Birding Journal with a comment.

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Thanks Sharon! I think this is why I've never liked the term "birding". I think of it a lot more like connecting to nature and experiencing what's there. Thanks for the links!

Question for you: Can I plant poppy mallow and/or echinacea seeds this time of year? Basically I'm thinking to just plant them so they are there in the spring and see what happens.

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How to grow poppy mallow from seed?

Sowing: For the best germination rates, soak the seed in water overnight, then mix the seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting.

https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/ground-cover-seed/purple-poppy-mallow.html

That sounds like spring planting

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When to Plant Coneflower Seeds

Most echinacea seeds need a period of 8 to 12 weeks of cold moist stratification. You can read more about the process of cold moist stratification here. Basically, this process is to mimic a cold winter so that the seeds will germinate after this period. You can complete this process indoors, or you can plant the seeds as you normally would in the late fall or early winter after the first hard frost, just like mother nature would.

If sowing Echinacea purpurea, known as purple coneflower, a period of stratification is not necessary. You can choose to plant these seeds in the spring after the threat of frost is passed or in fall after the first killing frost. Just keep in mind that perennial coneflowers will not flower during their first life-cycle. You will begin to see blooms during their second year of growth, and in subsequent years.

https://grow.edenbrothers.com/planting-guides/coneflower-seeds/

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Thank you for the lovely bit of calm and joy. It is greatly appreciated at this moment.

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Thank you Lisa

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There is something to be said for 'it is all in our head'. We need to sit back and let it all empty out, while we take in the view of the real world. These views which you provide to remind us of what is real. You are so appreciated, Karen!

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Thank you Sandy! I spend a lot of time trying to empty out, lol.

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Oct 13Edited

Ah , October 8, just for that day, a Monet Sunrise. Somewhere in the United States, and just for me on my birthday.

( and whomever else that would like to enjoy it). Thanks for finding it for me ;).

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OH! Happy birthday! I love this synchronicity!

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Nature is just the cure during these turbulent times.

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thank you Ilona

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Franklin gulls are my new favorite thanks to your beautiful photography. The video brought tears to my eyes - I'm sitting in the early Sunday morning quiet, lots on my mind, and your video settled some sadness for me. Thank you.

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Franklin's gulls are a worthy favorite! And it bodes well that you enjoy them because i have taken a LOT of photos of them, lol. Lots of love to you Mary.

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Thank you, Karen. The sunrise looks like a Monet painting. Thank you for bringing beauty and calm into my Sunday.

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Thank you Victoria

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Beautiful. Thank you

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Thank you Cali!

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