Writers and Photographers Curtis and Norma Beaird
Curtis and Norma in Flagler Beach, Florida
Curtis and Norma Beaird are writers and photographers who live in Georgia. Their photography includes birds, moon phases, colorful landscapes, coastal scenes and the peaceful countryside. Most of the birds in their photo gallery were photographed in the counties located in the physiographic region of Georgia's Lower Coastal Plain.
Georgia Physiographic map courtesy of
The University of Georgia Museum of Natural History
Hodler, T.W. and H.A. Schretter. 1986. The Atlas of Georgia. University of Georgia Press, Athens.
Through inspirational nature photography, they share that some of the most enjoyable experiences can be found in our own backyard, at the lake, in a pecan orchard, on a wooded trail, at the beach or in a state park.
They share their poetry and their enjoyment of birdwatching and nature in the context of faith. In addition to their birdwatching and photography, they write about the journey of life with a writing style that is mingled with honesty, humor and a Christian perspective at Lightkeeper's Journal.
As citizen scientists, they carefully document the bird species in Georgia's Lower Coastal Plain and submit their research to Cornell University's eBird. They also participate in the yearly Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning
God created the heaven and the earth.
Curtis and Norma believe that God wants us to enjoy the beautiful world that He has created for us, taking care of the environment and respecting His creation through conservation efforts. Through their writing, they demonstrate, that as we study the miracle of nature and its cycle of life, we learn to examine our own faith and spirituality.
We expand our opportunities for creativity, fascination and imagination while creating a rich emotional and mental environment that stimulates self-awareness and critical thought. Birdwatching creates focus, and a focused mind increases productivity and attention to detail. Surrounding ourselves with nature produces a lifestyle of peace, contentment and gratitude.
Great Egret
Norma in St. Augustine Beach, FL
Norma Beaird is originally from Augusta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Augusta Technical College with Business Education diplomas in two programs. She is also a graduate of Augusta University (formerly Augusta College) with an Associate Degree in Applied Science.
During the mid-nineties, she owned and operated a group travel business, The Wright Travel Group. She planned and directed tours for church groups to attend Gaither Homecoming Concerts and Christian conferences such as Promise Keepers. While working for travel agencies and a group motor coach business in Augusta, she directed and planned tours to Civil War Historic Sites, Callaway Gardens, Las Vegas, the Grand 'Ole Opry and the Billy Graham Crusade.
Her background in group tours led to the unique opportunity to coordinate travel arrangements and accompany a Lobbyist Delegation from Georgia and South Carolina to Washington, D.C. and The Pentagon.
Norma was a contributor to the Georgia anthology, Branches of Poetry, featuring several of her poems that are on this blog. Her Christian-themed poetry has been featured on blogs and in programs and services in the United States and abroad. Her poem, "There's a Lighthouse in the Storm", is a requested favorite.
For 17 years, Norma has developed and served as webmaster for the following websites and blogs. Both Curtis and Norma write, photograph and research for their blogs and websites.
The Freedom Page (2005 - 2008)
Red Dirt World (2008 - 2011)
Lightkeeper's Journal & Poets Love Birds (2011-present)
In 2006 and as an extension of The Freedom Page website, Curtis and Norma produced a CD project in honor of the American veterans entitled, "Because of You, I’m Free". These CD's were given away to soldiers, veterans, their families and friends. They were presented to veterans during church services and Veteran's Day events.
In 2008 and 2009, Curtis and Norma hosted the Red Dirt World Hot Rod Party & Cruise-In in Vidalia, Georgia. Owners of hot rods and antique cars came from all over South Georgia to participate in the popular cruise-in. In addition to the cruise-ins, they hosted rod runs to car shows, cruise-ins and parades in the region.
Curtis on the Savannah Riverboat
Author and Minister Curtis Beaird is originally from Big Spring, Texas. Curtis holds three degrees from Texas educational institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Over a combined period of twenty-five years, he has served in the pastorate in churches in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. For fifteen years, he served as a Vice-President at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. During his tenure at the university, he served as Vice-President of External Affairs and Vice-President of Administrative and Academic Affairs.
During a five-year period, Curtis was a Registered Lobbyist in the Texas State House on behalf of university issues. He was also a member of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives and the Texas Baptist Development Officers Association.
In 1988, he authored Discovering Joshua, a book published by Guidepost in a series that sold a million copies. He has authored articles for various religious publications to include Currents in Theology and Missions, Church Administration Magazine, The Deacon and The Student. For fifteen years, he served on the Editorial Board of Contributors for the Waco Herald Tribune.
While living in Texas, Curtis attended car shows and enjoyed several years as a contributing writer and photographer for Show Stopper, the quarterly magazine of the International Car Show Association.
Curtis is currently serving as Interim Pastor at a Southern Baptist Church in Vidalia, Georgia. He is available to preach or speak at churches, rallies and area events. Both Curtis and Norma are available to speak at meetings regarding the birds of Georgia's Lower Coastal Plain, to share how a person's Christian faith can make a positive difference in relationship to environmental concerns. Plus, feeding wild birds is both fun and a rewarding learning experience. They are engaged in research about conservation and remain vigilant in their contact with state and federal government offices about issues that affect the people of Georgia.
To contact them about a speaking engagement, click here to fill out the form.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
Genesis 1:21
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Our documentation of the Georgia bird species has been a blessing beyond words. Observing bird behaviors and feeding habits, and how the weather affects the avian population, has been rewarding and educational. It has opened up a world of miracles that happen everyday in nature. Observing migration patterns and nesting season is an amazing learning experience that results in lessons of faith.
Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Some folks spend their entire lives entangled in the cares of this world and they never really see a unique colorful bird that makes its home in the forest or in the pine tree in their backyard. They miss some of God's greatest blessings.
Since the first time that we participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count and purchased bird seed and feeders, we now realize that God has led us down a glorious path of beauty, knowledge and enrichment. The following Bible verse is true. When we trust in the Lord, He will direct our paths.
Proverbs 3: 5 - 6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
God loves us. He has breathed life into us. He has given to us a beautiful world, both physical and spiritual Every day that we step outside, we experience God's nature canvas in the sky. We experience His music in the symphony of bird song. He has given us a lovely physical world; and, if we trust in Him, He will lead us into a peaceful spiritual world, out of the darkness and into the light.
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
God's world. Beautiful. Glorious. Eternal.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
All photography on this blog is by Curtis & Norma Beaird, unless there is a guest feature.
All content copyrighted 2006 - 2023, Curtis & Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
All scripture is King James Version.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
