Red-Winged Blackbird Migration in Georgia
Article by Norma W. Beaird
Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird
We want to update everyone on why we haven't posted in a while. We've been busy trying to update our photography website with more of our birds, nature and Coastal Georgia photos. Sometimes, you have to stop and just concentrate on one thing at a time!
We have been photographing the many species of birds in Georgia. In addition, we are focused on the continued migration of various species of birds going South for the winter! However, there is much more on the improved photography site, to include Savannah scenes and the fun and eclectic Tybee Island. 
In thinking about this time of year during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I further realize that we have a lot to be thankful for. In May, our house was burglarized. A laptop that contained over 9,000 photographs and a lot of Curtis' writing, was stolen, in addition to other items that we dearly cherished.
For a couple of months, this burglary literally shut us down. It was difficult to write, photograph or even be creative in the smallest sense of the word. We had been violated; and at the moment, the burglary was all that we could concentrate on during the day. "Lock it up or hide it" became our motto to live by! So much work over the last seven years was lost in few minutes while we were at a doctor's appointment.
Therefore, we just kinda kicked back and mourned our loss for a while. In May of this year, about two weeks before the burglary, we had gone to the Savannah Tall Ships Challenge to photograph the beautiful tall ships that sailed into the Georgia Port. We had so much fun and enjoyed meeting fellow tall ship enthusiasts as we took our places to photograph at an area on the Savannah River near Fort Pulaski.
U. S. Coast Guard Eagle (WIX 27)
After we returned from Savannah, we didn't begin to work on our tall ship pictures right away. Usually, when we return from a trip, we get started on uploading our photography to our website. But for some reason, we just didn't do it. Now, we know why.
During the burglary, the burglar not only stole Curtis' laptop including the 9,000 photos, he stole all of the flash drives that were laying around on the desk, to include current bird pictures that we had worked on for a while.
If we had immediately worked on our tall ship photos and placed them on the flash drives, they would have been stolen, and we would have lost a ton of hard work. Therefore, we are so grateful that we waited until now to work on our tall ship photos. The Lord works in mysterious ways; thankfully, we didn't lose any of our tall ship photography!
In the spirit of the season, sometimes, you just need to take a drive to explore and enjoy the countryside. One day, while I was busy with one thing or another, I remembered that it was about that time at County Farm Plant Company in Baxley, Georgia......that magical time of the year when they have greenhouses full of the most gorgeous poinsettias you've ever seen!
Red Poinsettias, Ice Punch Poinsettias, Maren Poinsettias, Polly's Pink, Monet Twilight and Red Glitter!
As we walked into the magnificent greenhouses, the incredibly vibrant burst of color seemed to turn up the volume on holiday cheer and shouted, "Merry Christmas!" And...... thanks to Gina at County Farm Plant Company, I've learned the proper names of these lovely holiday flowers!
Curtis and I went through the huge greenhouses and photographed the most beautiful Christmas scenes you could imagine......a sea of Red Poinsettias surrounded by Asparagus Ferns and Macho Ferns!
How could anyone leave without being in the spirit of the holidays, especially after viewing a sea of red and green? If you're ever in Baxley (Appling County), you must stop at County Farm Plant Company. 
During this holiday season, let us all remember that the birth of Jesus Christ is the true reason we celebrate Christmas. The Source of real peace, love, hope and joy....... is Jesus.
Luke 2: 11 - 14 (King James Version)
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Copyright 2012, Norma W. Beaird. All rights reserved.
