Lightkeeper's Journal

Rain

 

Article by Norma Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

For the past month or more, it seems that it has rained almost every day.  Where some places in the U.S. are experiencing drought, we are experiencing a deluge of rain here in Georgia.  

About two days ago, we heard the clap of thunder and looked outside the window deep into the Georgia Pines to see another downpour of rain.  This may surprise some folks; but in all honesty, I've always enjoyed a rainy day.  Of course, the rain has slowed down our photography, but I still find beauty in an overcast, rainy day. It's a necessary part of nature.  In order for us to see green grass and blooming flowers; at some point, we need to see the rain.

 

For many people, rainy days are depressing and gloomy.  For me, it has always been refreshing.  I remember times that we've been in the mountains on a rainy day. There is nothing more romantic than a rainy day in the mountains.  Rain, like sunshine, has its purpose.  

Would we ever enjoy the beauty of sunshine if we didn't sometimes have a rainy day?  Would we ever appreciate the calm of quietness if we didn't sometimes endure the disturbance of noise?  Would we ever appreciate success if we didn't sometimes have a failure?

Therefore rain, with its thunder and lightning, can be a blessing in the wilderness if we are willing to look beyond the unrealistic expectations of today's mindset. Rain can teach us faith, patience and gratitude.  Remember, the rain precedes the rainbow.

 

Isaiah 55: 9 - 11

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

So learn to appreciate the rainy days in your life, whether it's physical or emotional rain, or the sometimes confusing storms of life.  Our rainy days can result in important learning experiences and great lessons of faith.

Sometimes rainy days can force us to use our creativity and talents in ways we had not thought possible.  Storms of life can produce a colorful rainbow of ideas and create surprising opportunities. Stormy seas produce the need to check our spiritual compass and pay attention to navigation skills.  

Let's think about this post today.  Because of the rain, we have these pictures of rain in the Georgia pines. Then came the words to attach to the rain pictures.   If we had not embraced the rain, we may not have a post for today.  

Plus, out of these rain pictures came the thoughts of a legendary Bluegrass song performed by the fabulous Oak Ridge Boys.  Sometimes, it just all works out! 

Enjoy your rainy days, and especially rainy days in the pines!

 

 

 

Copyright 2013, Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

All scripture is King James Version    

When God Makes You Smile

 

An immature female Northern Cardinal with a cool hairdo

Article by Norma Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Sometimes, in the midst of difficult decisions, constant concerns, and waiting for doors to open, God makes us smile.  Usually, waiting is not easy.  Answers don't always come immediately after we pray, but sometimes God gently nudges us and reminds us that everything will be okay.  

The valley of decision can be a deep and impatient valley.  And, it's during those times that we need to look outside of our situation and think about something new and different.  

Carolina Chickadee waits for the male Northern Cardinal to move!

 

On those days, when it seems the answer will never come.....

On those days, when it seems you can't see a light at the end of a tunnel.....

On those days, when you feel discouragement eclipsing your joy.....

God will give us a reason to smile.  

We had been feeling particularly frustrated about a decision that needed to be made.  No matter where we had looked, we couldn't find an answer.  The frustration was like the summer humidity in Georgia, stifling and overwhelming.

 ....and then I looked outside to see the most adorable little Cardinal with her little top-knot of hair standing straight up.  In a single moment, I forgot my frustrations and concerns and laughed out loud as I thought, "Why doesn't my hair gel work like that?"

Nature photography has provided us many opportunities to smile and forget our worries and concerns.  Consequently, today was no different because the Lord wants us to trust Him completely for answers, decisions, provision, healing and protection.  

Hebrews 11:11

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

The Lord wants us to keep the faith.  Therefore, when we're in a tailspin because we can't find answers to our questions or confirmation for our decisions, He sometimes draws us outside in nature, reminding us that as He takes care of the birds and the animals, He will take care of us as well.  God reminds us that everything will be okay......and He makes us smile. 

Our Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Papa) and junior flying off in the background

 

Matthew 6: 27 - 30

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you,

That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you,

O ye of little faith?

 

 

Copyright 2013, Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.

All scripture is King James Version

Boredom

 

 

Poem by Curtis Beaird

Photography by Norma Beaird

 

 

Boredom

The paralysis of imagination

The dilution of curiosity 

The confusion of routine with discipline

 

Boredom

First dampens

Then deadens

Finally numbs us 

to thoughts

of another day

 

Boredom

Ends

If we are lucky 

in a state of refusal

and a leap 

of risk.

 

Copyright 2012, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Our Sunflower Photo was Posted on EarthSky!

 

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

We want to thank EarthSky for posting a photograph of one of the sunflowers that we planted next to the bird feeders.  EarthSky is an Austin, Texas-based online magazine with a current subscription of 246,000 and growing.  

To see our sunflower photo on EarthSky, click here.

 

 

Copyright 2013, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.

 

The Color of the Day

 

The Color of the Day.......Morning

 

Poem and Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

 

Between dawn and dusk lives the color of the day. 

Before the edge of first light, 

 

a light tinged with the tip of fiery orange,

comes the wave of a soft blush 

washing over the blue canopy of a cloudless sky.

The damp earth turns away 

offering the dancing glow of the next promising edge.

 

  

Shadows, long and strong, left by the dark  

creep, then flee, as a gold glow shimmers along the shorelines way

then glistens silver through drops of dew. 

 

Flashes of eternal fire reflect in brass and glass as the sun reveals itself, 

filled with the energy of light 

the power of life. 

 

The soft warmth of an early yellow 

slides up the face of a wall of pines. 

 

The dim and ruddy bark,

it's rough and uneven glow

reminds of shadows gone and the bright soon on the way.

 

Pine needles in the night,

an inky blue by the glow of the moon 

made fresh and green by the coming light.

 

Comes the color of the day......Morning

 

 

Copyright 2013, Curtis Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

 

Georgia Bird Species Update

 

 

Eastern Towhee (Female)

 

Article by Norma W. Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Since the posting of The Exciting Discovery of the Georgia Bird Species, we've had a few updates to our bird species list.  

We've been fortunate to add the following birds to the list:

Purple Martin

Barn Swallow

Herring Gull

Eastern Towhee

Purple Martin "Babies" waiting for their meal

One of the most adorable additions to our list of photographed birds was the entertaining Purple Martin family at a local gas station and restaurant on a busy Georgia highway.  Getting close to the gourds that housed the Purple Martins was not a problem for them at all.  The parents continued to catch and bring dragonflies to the eager babies.  It was an amazing sight to behold! 

The gourds that house the Purple Martins. 

In addition to our "new bird" news, we have changed the name of our photography gallery to Birds and Sky.  We have learned, as we've known all along, that simple is better.  In the case of websites and blogs, the shorter the URL, the better.  Our continued focus is on birds and nature, to include wildlife, clouds, moon phases, sunrise and sunset.  

Even in the photo of an old barn or historic church, we have photographed the building in the context of the nature that surrounds it.  Nature will breathe life into historic architecture or old structures.  Therefore, the architectural photos you see on our website are actually more about the nature that surrounds it than it is about the structure. 

Purple Martin checking on the babies!

 

Happy Birding everyone! 

 

Copyright 2013, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.