Broad-wings

This morning I got a text from a birding friend that the Broadies were flying! I immediately went outside and there they were! I watched over a 100 head Northward.  Loved seeing them kettle and soar.  Super excited to catch Spring birds!  I also had an immature eagle and a Coop.  Later on I went to the land and saw the Red-tailed Hawk who is nesting on land.  Other notables, were a Bluebird and Pileated WP.  I sat in the sun for a while and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and peace and quiet.  Monty had a ball playing in the river. 

Last night I went over to the lake and was able to see 6 N. Loons.  Dozens of Cormorants and an Osprey were also there.

Love

I never get tired of seeing these guys! Every single time I set my eyes on one, I'm completely transported back to being a kid again! It's always exciting. The chance of seeing one is what is what is getting me outside again every day!  This female is a beauty!  

Toads

I'm glad I was able to get outside and not miss the toads all out and courting. There were dozens up at the lake. Such a special time of year!  I love their song and seeing their cute little faces! 

Osprey

I've been out and about this week birding! I feel so incredibly blessed although undergoing treatment to feel well enough to resume some of my life.  Yesterday I had my FOS Warblers.  Palm and Pine.  There are lots of Waterthrush in all the parks.  Phoebes are nesting.  Today there was an Osprey at the pond up at Cascade Lake.  We have Red-tailed Hawks nesting at our new home site!  Wood Turtles out sunning, Painted Turtles, lots of Peepers singing.  Spring is here for sure!

Navagating life

It's been an incredibly tough couple of months, both physically and mentally.  There is no way you can know how bad a cancer diagnosis will feel, until you experience it. I've been there with my hubby and other loved ones and good friends, but I had no idea how hard this is to live with day in and day out  I think the mental part of dealing with a life threatening illness is far harder then being sick from the treatments. It keeps you up many nights worrying.  I'm still trying to find my way though all of this.  One foot in front of the other, one treatment at a time.  One thing that I've found, is that learning to live in the moment seems to be the best way to avoid living in so much mental pain.  Filling each day up to the brim doing things you adore, eating foods you love and seeing people who make you feel good makes all the difference in the world.  Even if you don't feel all that good, living while you are undergoing treatment is so important.  Do what you love everyday.   I'm lucky that I have so much support and love, to help me get though each and every day, but in the end, it is up to me to find my way and to make myself happy again.  I'm a work in progress.  My hubby is away on his annual motocross trip to GA, one which I made him go this year, he needs to live now too.  He is the one who holds me up every single day. He is my shoulder to cry on and I want him to stay healthy though all this stress.   I plan on starting my Naturalist Class tomorrow morning!  YES YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT......TOMORROW!  I am going to be a kid again on Summer vacation, spending every waking moment enjoying life and nature! 

Today, I took the boy up to the land.  We then did a bird drive.  I sat at the edge of a wetland and listened to Peepers, toads and also a Gray Tree frog!  I crossed a handsome little Painted Male and ran into a birding friend!  He was so happy to see me out and birding!  Yup....I need to do that every single day!

Toads

Yesterday I took Monty for a walk. There are birds singing everywhere! So wonderful to hear their sweet voices. I saw a FOS Veery. I also watched a adult Bald Eagle playing in the wind for 10 minutes. Incredibly beautiful. I drove past the Red-tailed Hawks nest twice and both times I was fortunate to see the pair trade off incubation duties. Last night The icing on the cake moment for me, was when I realized that there were American Toads singing from the edges of my pond. They serenaded me all night long. Such a beautiful comforting song. I woke up feeling blissful.