The Meaning of Thanksgiving

THE TRUE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING

The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship. Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man. Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, the Pilgrims composed The Mayflower Compact, which honored God.

Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. “. . . In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that reinforces an intimate relationship with God.

I found this meaning online and wanted to share this with you all. I sometimes feel we, as Americans, have forgotten the path that brought us here to this great United States. Perhaps we have forgotten God, faith, friendships, relationships. To embrace those in need and less fortunate. To know that every person, no matter the color or nationality, is welcome here in this great land we call America. So for this one day, I wish for you a bountiful feast with friends and family and more in an effort to thank God for all the riches he has bestowed upon you and yours. Be safe, be happy and God Bless you in your journey no matter where the road takes you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Boblink, Life Bird #2, Duck River Unit

The Duck River Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge is a huge haven for birds who love grasslands, reeds and endless fields of wildflowers. Yesterday, I captured this beauty along the side of the road where the grasses were a tad taller. As I neared him, he would fly off obviously. He was accompanied by four or five other Bobolinks. This is a second life bird in one day for me!

Sorry for the very cropped image and horrific background, but I had to share as this Bobolink's markings are so unique. A yellow backed head and white wings. I read Bobolinks breed in the north central and north east areas of the United States. They migrate to the Southern states. The Duck River Unit would be a perfect habitat for them to breed. No doubt why they chose to stop over here. When I can't identify a bird in the field, I snap images and crop tightly in my software to identify them. This was the only descent image worth posting and I only post it as it's a life bird. I couldn't help myself. My bird life list is growing. It's a scorcher today if you are in the Midwest and especially the South in the States, so hydrate. ENJOY!

Beauty of Winter

A beautiful red Cardinal sits perched on a tree in Mustatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in the dead of Winter. I had paid a visit many years ago to the refuge. Earlier that day I had visited Ewing Bottoms to photograph the Sandhill Cranes. Afterwards, before heading home to Louisville, I drove the route around Mustatatuck once. The only images I captured on that drive were several photographs of this beautiful red Cardinal perched high up in a tree. I had never posted it until now. I can't think why, as he is such a beauty. ENJOY!

In Search of the American White Pelican

Several years ago I visited Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Refuge during the Winter in search of the American White Pelican. I had read they were Wintering there on a website I frequent, www.bird.aba.org. I spent several hours trekking up and down the gravel and paved roads in the many wetlands that make up the refuge in search of this bird.

I photographed Trumpeter Swans roosting on a nest in the largest wetland area of Goose Pond. I also captured images of male and female Northern Shovelers, as well as American Coots and Canadian Geese. I even photographed Sandhill Cranes, and two Whooping Cranes, that had made a stop over on their way South, yet no American White Pelicans. I had decided I had failed in locating the Pelican even though I had read they had stopped over at the refuge.

Just as I was about to leave, I turned onto one last gravel road I hadn't taken yet to make my way to the far northeast side of the refuge where a large wetland was situated. As I approached the water I began to see line after line of American White Pelicans out in the middle of the wetland huddled together in groups as they often do. Other Pelicans were landing, taking off and floating on the water.

I left my car and walked quite far out along the elevated bank of the wetland getting as close as I could to the birds. They were bigger than I thought they would be and really beautiful with black tipped wings you only see when they are in flight and a large knob on their beaks. I was so glad I hadn't given up in my search.

I had found the American White Pelicans and had it been a warmer day, I would have gotten tons more images that day, but instead I only took about thirty or so in various perspectives. Still it was a treat!! I hope you enjoyed my look back at the American White Pelicans as they Wintered in Goose Pond. And least you think I have forgotten, HAPPY NEW YEAR! ENJOY!

Great White Egret, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia

Spending time at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was absolutely a hoot for a gal who loves to photograph birds, especially wading birds. There were so many Great White Egrets which I photographed over the course of several days in resting pose, stalking pose, wading, going after a catch. You name it and the number of Egrets were phenomenal.

I photographed the Great White Egret, the Snowy Egret, the Cattle Egret, as well as the Tri Colored Heron, the Little Blue Heron, the Green Heron, and even some distant images of a White and Glossy Ibis. I was also excited to get some nice Oyster Catcher images which I wasn't expecting at all. This gorgeous Egret blessed me on a particulary bright, sunny day by resting and preening on a dead tree branch next to an inlet that runs along the driving route through the wildlife refuge. I cropped it heavily to eliminate some of the 'noise' from the various branches poking in all directions. Purchasing a longer zoom lens prior to leaving on vacation was definitely the best idea I've had in quite a while. I hope you'll stop by often in the next few weeks as I'll be posting many more images from my trek to the wildlife refuge in Virginia. ENJOY!