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Posts Tagged ‘joy’

First daffodil of 2024

Posted in Flowers, Nature, Photography, spring, Winter, tagged , , , , , , on February 19, 2024| 10 Comments »

Nature moves in seasonal cycles, constantly changing as plants and creatures appear and disappear. At this time of the year I begin to look for signs of spring. The calendar tells me that I have another month to wait, but nature does not always follow the manmade calendar.

As I was walking to a craft store on Saturday I was delighted to spot this solitary daffodil poking out of the ground, already in bloom. I snapped this quick photo with my iPhone to record the moment, my first daffodil of 2024.

Whenever I record the “first” photo of any subject, whether it is a completely new one or the reappearance of a familiar one, I am happy to capture whatever photo I can. Later, when I have a second chance, I will worry more about artistry and technique. At that first moment, I am content to immerse myself in joy and wonder—the photo is of secondary concern.

daffodil

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.

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Joy to the world

Posted in Birds, Christmas, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter, tagged , , , , , , , on December 25, 2013| 3 Comments »

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing…”

In this case, “nature” is a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) that I photographed one recent morning, singing with all of its might.

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On Christmas Day, many of us recall the message of the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yet sometimes I feel like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow must have felt when he wrote the words, “And in despair I bowed my head. “There is no peace on earth,” I said. “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

My prayer this Christmas Day, is that we will all be encouraged and blessed and filled with love for one another. Longfellow did not conclude his poem, “Christmas Bells” in despair, but instead ended with these words:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Merry Christmas to all of you.

© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved

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