- Live Fearlessly, Compassionately and Honestly
 
"The moment one gives close attention to anything, 
even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, 
awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."
~ Henry Miller ~ 

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Honey Bee - by Betsy Seeton
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Honey Bee - by Betsy Seeton
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Muskrat - by Betsy Seeton

Communing with nature is such a part of me. I never tire of it in much the same way I never tire of seeing a sunrise or sunset. It's just one of those things that has no expiration date or a "done that, been there" sort of feeling. 

No matter how many times I see birds and wildlife, it makes me feel excited like the way I used to feel when I was a little kid. It's as close to feeling something magical that I get to experience every single day. And I don't have to spend a dime! How sweet is that?! I love that something that is so fun and so soul feeding doesn't empty my pocket book.


All the photos here were taken between May 5th and May 8th of 2011.
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Baby Geese - May 8, 2011
May 7th
I spotted these baby geese this afternoon; 11 babies in all. Mom and dad stayed close along with a relative. (I'm guessing it was an aunt or uncle or maybe just a close family friend.) It's my first time seeing wild baby geese! I was with them for about an hour. No people were around for the first 45 minutes. They all swam close to the shore line and came onto land twice. 

One independent baby swam away from his family and chose his own path toward shore where I was calling out to him. He landed all by himself and then his ten siblings along with mom and dad came after him. I could barely contain my excitement at seeing all the babies waddle on to the shore.
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Photographed on Mother's Day 2011
How do you tell how old these babies (aka gosling)  are? 

"If the baby goose is still all covered with soft down, it is under 2 weeks old.  If you can feel prickly little feathers, it is between 2 and 4 weeks; if you can see some feathers it is over 4 weeks, and fully feathered, it is grown." source: http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id27.html
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baby geese - by Betsy Seeton
From pictures I've seen of baby geese, I estimate these little darlings to be a few days old to as much as a week old. They were wobbly when they waddled. It was the cutest thing. 

I feel so lucky to have seen them. As I was heading back to my car I thought about how the world would be a more peaceful place if more people experienced nature more often and gained a compassionate connection to the land and life. I was filled with the wonder that seeing a baby anything makes me feel. 

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I believe with every fiber in my being that honoring and appreciating nature is an important ingredient in the recipe that could one day bring peace. It undeniably gives me inner peace.
I've come a long way since I first started photographing my honey bees back in mid-February. I have a new (used) lens that allows me to get a couple of inches from my subject. I stood in the pathway to the beehive where the stream of bees were flying in and out of the hive like rush hour traffic and the buzz was loud and thick. There's such a rush of energy all around me when I'm in that zone. I put my hand on the tree right beneath the entrance to the hive near the guard bees. No bee was alarmed. I really think they know me. 
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Honey bee just barely holding on
I often wear black, yet I've heard that's not the color to wear around bees. I've never had an issue though. Some of the bees would land on me, but most of them just flew around me like I was part of the natural environment. I love that. In a world so divided, and our own nation lacking harmony and togetherness, it's comforting to find a place so inviting and to feel like a part of something. I've said it before about my bees, but it's worth saying again. I love how they have a live and let live attitude. More people need to adopt that philosophy, as long as no harm is being done.
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Honey bee gathering pollen from this dandelion - by Betsy Seeton
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Honey bee flying into the tree hive full of pollen on May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton
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Pelican May 5, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton
What a spectacular bird!
"It might seem to be impossible for birds of their size to float on top of the water, but the American White Pelican has the advantage of air-filled bones and air sacs that are located in their bodies. In contrast to other pelican species that dive from great heights to catch food, the White Pelican simply glides around, scooping fish out the water with its immense pouch. As the pelican is bound to scoop as much water as he does fish, the pouch is able to hold about 3 gallons of water. And instead of swallowing gallons of water with his meal, he bends his bill downward to drain the water, and then lifts his head up, to let his catch slide down his throat. An adult American White Pelican can eat approximately four pounds of fish a day, with preferred choices being that of jackfish, shiners, catfish, carp and yellow perch." Source: http://www.birds.com/species/a-b/american-white-pelican/
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Pelican May 5, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton
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AMERICAN AVOCET
  • In response to predators, the American Avocet sometimes issues a series of call notes that gradually changes pitch, simulating the Doppler effect and thus making its approach seem faster than it actually is.
  • Nesting American Avocets aggressively attack predators, sometimes physically striking Northern Harriers or Common Ravens.
  • A female American Avocet may lay one to four eggs in the nest of another female, who then incubates the eggs. American Avocets may parasitize other species' nests too; single American Avocet eggs have been found in the nests of Mew Gulls. Other species may also parasitize avocet nests. Avocets have incubated mixed clutches of their own eggs and those of Common Terns or Black-necked Stilts. The avocets reared the stilt hatchlings as if they were their own.
  • American Avocet chicks leave the nest within 24 hours after hatching. Day-old avocets can walk, swim, and even dive to escape predators.  SOURCE: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Avocet/lifehistory
"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, 
in which you can walk with love and reverence."
Henry David Thoreau
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I think this is a yellow jacket or a ground bee - by Betsy Seeton
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Taken May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton
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This honey bee was stretching and lifting her back end over and over. I don't know what she was doing it for. It looked like she was working out a leg cramp! by Betsy Seeton
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Taken May 6, 2011. This honey bee was hanging by one of it's legs and just barely able to hold on. After this photo, she dropped to the ground unharmed. by Betsy Seeton
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Taken May 6, 2011. This is another photo of inside the hive. It's a busy, busy place! by Betsy Seeton
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Honey bee diving into pollen on this dandelion - by Betsy Seeton
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May 7, 20011 - Honey bee by Betsy Seeton
My goal in all my photography is to capture the personality of all things living. 
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Red Fox Squirrel - by Betsy Seeton
I still had my macro lens on when I came upon this little guy after leaving my bees. I started talking to him and instead of darting off like the squirrels often do, this guy came toward me and just sat like he is in this pose. I asked him to wait while I put on my other lens. I just kept talking to him as I made the switch. He actually sat there looking interested! I love first times ...
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Taken May 6, 2011 - by Betsy Seeton
"Just living is not enough. One must have 
sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
Hans Christian Andersen
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I love the feeling of this flower presenting as an abstract piece of art. The beauty in nature is truly glorious, isn't it?! The colors, shapes, textures, scent and detail are endlessly tantalizing. 
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Turtle Row
More baby geese photos below from Mother's Day 2011
by Betsy Seeton
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