Lightkeeper's Journal

Cardinal Climbers are Climbing & Attracting Visitors

 

The amazing Cardinal Climber vine will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.  In this picture, you can see the pollen on the lovely bright red flower.  

 

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

Story and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

We planted the Cardinal Climber seeds in mid May.  It takes approximately 90+ days for the flower to bloom.  It does take a while, but it's well worth it.  We actually over-planted the seeds so that we would have an explosion of red blooms.  We also planted late because we were attempting to time it just right for Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration.  During this time of year, birds are flying south to their winter location.

   

A Cloudless Sulphur butterflylands on the Cardinal Climber.  

Butterflies love the Cardinal Climber!  

We see these little yellow treasures flying all over the yard and all over the Cardinal Climber.  

 

Every day, we walk outside to see more blooms!

Cardinal Climbers are native to North America, Asia, South Africa and the West Indies.  They are members of the Morning Glory family.  The South is the perfect place for planting Cardinal Climbers.  Cardinal Climber plants need full sun to reach their full potential.  They prefer rich, well drained soils, and they need to be watered frequently during dry periods.

 

And, the moment finally arrived.  

There she was....

a beautiful and young Ruby-throated Hummingbird female.  She is friendly and excited to see the abundance of Cardinal Climber blooms.  She has been a regular visitor for several days! 

 

We love to have fun and experiment with our photography.  In this picture, we had sprayed the Cardinal Climbers with a fine mist of water.  We were very careful to use a fine mist.  This created little water droplets that add a unique dimension to the picture.  

 

 

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds,

migration fills the skies,

with yellow Cloudless Sulphurs,

and the many butterflies.

 

They fly south for the winter,

'cause the chill is coming soon,

We hope they stop and visit us,

They know that we have room.

 

For in the yard, we're ready,

with the Cardinal Climber vine,

our flying friends are welcome,

to come visit us sometime. 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.    

Birds and Peace

 

The Osprey was working on his seafood dinner when I decided to take his picture.  He didn't particularly appreciate the interruption, but he allowed me a great portrait of him and his stylin' hairdo!  After I finished, he took his fish and went to eat in peace.   

Sorry Mr. Osprey, but I couldn't pass up this photo opportunity.  

  

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

During these times of crime and crisis, stock markets and store closings, polling and politics, we look to God and His creation to find an avenue of peace in the midst of chaos. After all, the evening news does not provide us an escape from the constant barrage of "Stocks are falling" or "Who is leading in the polls?"  If anything, it adds to the stress that has proven to cause physical problems and worrisome consternation.  

So, how can a bird help us?  No matter what is going on in the world, a bird is still a bird.  They continue to migrate, mate, nest, raise babies, feed babies and migrate again.  If bad weather is coming, they make adjustments and fly to a place of safety.  If they can't find a suitable place for nesting, they keep looking until they do.  In other words, they don't stop and they don't give up.  

The Canada Geese are flying to their evening roosting location.  

 

In order to find peace, we must "keep on keeping on..."  We must make adjustments when necessary; and, if bad weather is on the horizon, we go to our place of safety.   We continue to work and feed the family, move when necessary and migrate to that refuge of spiritual tranquility.  As a bird flies ahead of the storm, we must move away from the cloud of bad news that surrounds us on a daily basis.    

So, like the bird....

Stay alert, take care of the family, spread your wings and fly to your place of peace. 

After a swim, the Anhinga spreads his wings to dry out his feathers and warm up.  

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

 

Billy Ray and Jed - The Showdown at Le Avian Cafe

 

Billy Ray, the Blue Jay, and Jed, the Northern Mockingbird

These two had a showdown over the VIP table at Le Avian Cafe.  

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

Billy Ray finally backed down and gave Jed the VIP table at Le Avian Cafe.  

Of course, Jed can be rather convincing....and territorial.  

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

The Homestead

 

 

The Homestead

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Poem by Norma Beaird

 

The goats and the roosters,

the ducks and the geese,

the hens and the guineas,

the fence and the trees.

 

The cabin and pasture,

the tractor and shed,

A day on the homestead,

with Mavis and Fred.  

 

Miss Mavis cooks biscuits,

while Fred milks the cows,

and gathers the hen eggs,

and pushes the plow.   

 

Their homestead is busy,

there's no time to waste,

The time's quickly changing,

and they must make haste.

 

They moved to the pine trees,

 and deep in the woods,

with oil lamps and cast iron,

and plenty of food.

 

 Their country is changing,

 and it's getting worse,

and freedom is riding,

in a long 'ole black hearse.

 

For freedom is dying,

and fear rides the wind,

the changes are coming,

and they're 'round the bend.

 

So Fred and Miss Mavis,

will homestead and farm,

and gather up hay bales,

for their weathered barn.

 

And they'll count their blessings,

and spend time in prayer,

while reading the scriptures,

in their rocking chairs.  

 

The times, they are changing,

but God's Word is true,

while skies may be stormy,

the Lord's sky is blue.

 

 So Fred and Miss Mavis,

will live free and dine,

when rich folks are losing,

their money and minds.

 

When freedom is buried,

and money is gone,

and chaos is reigning,

and life is all wrong.

 

Their homestead is quiet,

the table is spread,

with bounty and blessings,

the family is fed.

 

Like Fred and Miss Mavis,

let's trust God today,

and cling to His promise,

and He'll make a way.  

 

The times may be changing,

but cast fear aside,

Prepare and be faithful,

and He will provide.

 

 

Psalm 37:25

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Entire Chapter of Psalms 37 can be read here. 

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

 

God Meets Us Where We Are

 

Wood Stork flying away.....

Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord:

and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

 

Photos by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Story by Norma Beaird

 

I want to share a story that may help to build your faith. Sometimes, God meets us right where we are. Sometimes, He uses the simplest things to let us know that He is near and knows our innermost thoughts.

A few weeks ago, we were given the opportunity to have a personal tour of a popular National Wildlife Refuge on the Georgia Coast to see a rookery of Wood Storks. We were so excited, but then realized that we couldn't work out the schedule to take the trip. Needless to say, Curtis and I were both disappointed because we were going to have an amazing opportunity to photograph Wood Storks. 

Anyway, we were feeling a little discouraged as we were driving down a country road here in Montgomery County.  Backing up for a bit of history.....as most everyone probably knows by now, Curtis and I have been documenting birds in Montgomery County for 3.5 years. We submit our reports to Cornell University's eBird. We had seen a Wood Stork at Little Ocmulgee State Park in Telfair County over a year ago, but we had never seen one in Montgomery County; thus, the opportunity to get a personal tour of a National Wildlife Refuge was extremely exciting.

So.....back to our disappointment and the story......we ride down this certain country road a lot. On this particular road, we have seen birds like turkey, crows, cardinals and owls, but the trees are so dense in this area, that you don't see a lot of birds in the pines. Anyway, here we are riding in the Jeep....and Curtis says, "What is that in the middle of the road?".....and then he stops. We had a camera with the long zoom lens, so I said, "I'll get the camera!"

We couldn't believe it - it was a WOOD STORK!!!  He was walking down a country road. We had NEVER seen a Wood Stork in Montgomery County, much less on this road.  What are the odds of driving in the country and seeing a Wood Stork just casually walking on the other side of the road?

So, my lesson for today......God knows the desires of our hearts, and He knew that we were disappointed that we couldn't work out the schedule to go see the Wood Storks; therefore, He sent one to us. I must say that my faith was increased. We are grateful to God for sending us a beautiful Wood Stork in the most unlikely place.

This story lets me know once again that......no matter how big or how small, God cares about our concerns, joys, disappointments and requests. He cares about every detail of our lives. He truly cares for us. He has the hairs on our head numbered (Matthew 10:30) and He knows the birds that we want to photograph! 

This picture below is not completely clear because it was taken through the windshield, but that's okay, because God sent us a Wood Stork!

A Wood Stork is walking down a country road in Montgomery County, Georgia.  When I got out of the jeep, he turned and walked into the grass.  I guess he's a little camera-shy! 

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.