Photo-a-Day Challenge
My Soul Aches
My week minus two days in photos
Sunday brought storms to our area of Florida. Although we had plenty of thunder and lightning, all the rain fell around us — not a drop at my house. It was very disappointing since April and May have been very dry.
Just as it was ready to set the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated my back patio.
On the porch, I found our cat Sébastien basking in the waning sunlight.
I took a Monday morning walk with my camera and came across dozens of squirrels who were very cooperative models.
Everywhere I looked there was a squirrel waiting to be photographed!
As I approached the above squirrel, I expected him to scamper off, but he didn’t. He just hung on that vine, not moving, just watching me.
And, an Eastern Bluebird also waited patiently for me to take a photo.
These purple-pink balls are Sensitive Plant aka Sunshine Mimosa aka Powderpuffs (Mimosa strigillosa). They are actually the blooms of a vine that hides in the grass. These plants are native to the states that border the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the southern parts of Arkansas and Georgia.
We are having July temperatures in May. Most birds are absent when Syau and I walk in the intense noontime heat. But, not the Cardinals, they seem to thrive in the heat, racing from tree to tree, branch to branch, chirping and chittering.
We have Quacklings again! The Muscovy family on our lake introduced us to their 12 ducklings this morning. The babes are very small and Mama and Papa didn’t let me get too near, so my photos were disappointing. However, around noon Mama returned with her ducklings and walked straight up our path almost to the patio! I scattered corn for her and the little ones even ate some smaller pieces.
Then, they all sauntered back to the lake and paddled away.
The Whistlers paid no attention to the Quacklings, which has always been the case when Muscovy ducklings come to visit. Oddly, I never see Whistler ducklings.
I have no more photos for this week. Friday morning the Muscovies were back but with only one duckling. Eleven ducklings were missing. I cried. I tried to take a photo of the remaining one and couldn’t.
I just couldn’t.
Friday afternoon, the adult Muscovies returned again. No duckling.
12 ducklings gone. Disappeared.
Maybe, the gator I saw in April is to blame? I don’t know. I can’t think about it. Even today, Saturday, when I walked Syau after a thunderstorm and there were dozens of birds flying around, I couldn’t take a photo. Not one.
Yes, yes, I know, it’s nature and all that. But, honestly, I don’t care about nature right now. I don’t want to engage with nature right now. I need time.
My soul aches.
In July 2020, I started the Photo-a-Day Challenge on Snapshots to help combat the virus blues. I take photos every day and choose one (maybe, two or three) to represent the day. Then add a one-or-two-word descriptor and some narrative. A simple way to observe and preserve.
However, the Snapshot Editors have decided to replace the Photo-a-Day Challenge with a monthly one, so Weeds & Wildflowers is now the official home of this challenge. If you want to participate and are not a writer for W&W, leave a response below, and I’ll add you.
Please note that Weeds & Wildflowers does not have the same word and photo limits as Snapshots.
Want to join the fun? It’s all about noticing and appreciating your environment and sharing it with us, as these photographers and story-tellers have:
Erika Burkhalter / Eileen Vorbach Collins / Anne Bonfert / Sasha Meyer / Tracy Aston/ Lisa Bolin / Juan O. Aguilera / David Wade Chambers / June Nguyen / Mia Verita / Susan Alison / LensAfield / Barbara Radisavljevic / Diana Lotti / Barbara Dalton / Kim Zuch / K. Barrett / Sandra Barrett / Shruthi Sundaram / Gustavo Mendez / Olive Wilson / Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms) / Jillian Amatt / Scott Younkin / Penny Grubb
(If you participated in the Photo-A-Day Challenge and your name isn’t listed above, please let me know.)
Thanks!