When a Mockingbird Calls

On January 22, 2015 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life14 Comments

I think you must answer…

When walking by our big window, I noticed the cat notice some back-yard birds. She rushed to the window sill and crouches for the attack. Pretty sure, she forgot about that thing called glass. I laughed at her and then looked to see what visitors we had.

And there he/she sat. All prim and proper in the holly bush. For this post and lack of bird anatomy, I will call her she. As SHE was very dainty, and soft. She seemed to enjoy the soft rain. I wanted to go get my camera, but I knew as soon as I did she would fly off.

But she didn’t.

It’s been raining here. And when, I walk from the office to the kitchen. There she is. Enjoying the rain. I didn’t see her get throaty or sing-song. She seemed fairly quiet for a mockingbird. She didn’t seem to mind when the dogs were let out or I peeked at her from the window.

I made a Bob-White whistle and she dove into the bushes. Only to emerge after checking to see if the coast was clear. I guess she met one too many of those fellas.

So this was our rainy day excitement. A little Northern Mockingbird visit.

Isn’t she sweet?

Birds of the Dallas Zoo

On April 16, 2014April 16, 2014 By AngeliaIn Posessed by Nikon20 Comments

Of all the animals and sights to see at the Dallas Zoo, I had no clue I would fall madly in love with the birds of the zoo. These photos represent a small chink in the variety and multitude of the birds on exhibit there.

In fact, these photos are from only ONE of the exhibits, specifically, the bird aviary in the Children’s zoo section called, Travis & Zach’s Birds Landing. What makes this exhibit even more unique is the beautiful garden the birds live in and how all the birds have been hand-raised.

I think the birds had me at the very first flush of feathers right in the entryway.

Hello friends.

A fella that knows how to find the best perch.

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I made a friend. #dallaszoo #love #iphoneonly #instafun #zoo #birds #nature #fun #cute #selfie #selfportrait #birdonmyshoulder #imapirate #smile #dallas #texas #igtexas

A post shared by Angelia Hardy (@angeliahardy1010) on Apr 10, 2014 at 3:59pm PDT

My friend and guide of the exhibit.

Hope you enjoyed their charm as much as I did.

Wordless Wednesdays

Weekly Photo Challenge: Companionable

On July 5, 2013July 5, 2013 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life17 Comments

I’m fashionably late on the Weekly Photo Challenge by the Daily Post on WordPress. Believe it or not, I started it a WEEK ago. I almost decided to skip it since today is a new challenge, but then I thought…whatevers…I’m running a week behind. This is my life right now.

Maybe one day I will catch up with myself and your blogs and everything else my heart yearns to do. Until then, I’ll just keep straggling along.

The challenge ~~this~~ last week is Companionable. Don’t you know the featured post is of a lovely fur friend? And don’t you know how much I looooove my dear fur friends??? Oh my gosh, do I ever! My daily companions and office mates as I telecommute to work every day from the room at the front of the house and the desk with the two computers and my dear fur kids all around me. Every day. A mine-field of snips, and snores.

So, of course, that is too easy and I would go overboard. Maybe a future post about my life as a corporate travel agent while simultaneously operating a doggie day-care. Good stuff.

But for now, I give you companionship through my eyes. What I see, and witness with my vision and my heart. There is something beautiful about being a companion. A rare and unmistakable bond that we may not always appreciate until it is shaken. But once on solid rock? Look out, it is for life.

Sea Turtle Love.

Wishing he had Jessie’s Gril.

Parakeet Love.

A little companionship from the Fort Worth Zoo.

A captured heart.

A loving bond.

A bold committment.

Sealed with a Kiss.

Nothing says companionable like a beautiful wedding. Images from a sweet union I helped photograph a few weeks ago. Such a privilege to be part of this joyful celebration, along with many adoring family and friends.

Mom.

Someone for everyone.

Be mine.

Some duos and groups from the beautiful Clear Lake in Houston, Texas.

The girls. Companions for life. Like it or not. Ha.

Our roots say we’re sisters, our hearts say we’re friends. ~Author Unknown

My dear, sweet companion (the one with no fur). I almost didn’t post this photo (because I am in it..ahhhh!). But he is my true friend, my life companion, and so much more. I really can’t imagine life without him. I can honestly say…putting my full trust in someone was not easy, in fact, near impossible. But I am glad I did and I am glad I chose him (and he, me!).

I couldn’t end this post without ONE last companion. My granddaughter to my daughter.

See….they have been constant companions for 31 WEEKS.

And I think they will be constant companions for quite a long time after another 9 weeks as well. Just not in one body.

I, also, had to include a photo prop to mark the day. Last Sunday (we take weekly photos on Sunday of her pregnancy) marked the SEVENTH year of my youngest step-daughter. We thought it would be cute for the baby to one day look back at how little her Auntie was at the year of her birth. And is Sydney the cutest pregnant girl or what???

Friends, have a wonderful weekend!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wildlife

On May 11, 2011May 11, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, Posessed by Nikon36 Comments

I spent Mother’s Day at the Fort Worth Zoo with my daughter.

It……….was………amazing (except for the blistering heat). Actually, the heat made the animal waterfalls very tempting (kidding – um, sorta).

The zoo was perfect for this challenge (and for my wildlife photography class).

I tried to take different angles and views. Truth is? I filled up 4GB memory card.

That was a first for me.

In my defense, I love animals. Growing up, my dad would send me magazines that I would read cover-to-cover about the animals in them. The beautiful pictures and articles let me share a passion with a dad that didn’t live with me (my parents divorced at three).

My biggest regret was not collecting his encyclopedia’s on animals when he passed away. Not for their value, but for the memories of looking at them with my dad.

So Dad, this is for you. You would have loved these animals and probably been able to tell me things about them not even the display would know.

I did sneak in a few pics from my earlier trip to the zoo. They were just too good not to share. The rest were taken on Sunday. I got a Tamron 70-300mm lens for Nikon. I did hand-hold all these shots and truthfully, I’m just not the steadiest of hands (you get the steadier ones). It will take some getting used to, but I was really happy with some of them, especially the Bald Eagle. I am fascinated by the iconic American symbol of strength.

I have another wildlife trip this weekend to Glenrose Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The animals will be out (basically in a bigger cage) in a more roaming habitat.

I can’t wait!

Happy Wednesday! I hope we all roar into the weekend (heh!).