Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

...who's the fairest one of all?



A Splash of Splendor...

...against a clear blue sky.

Quercus spp.

As a northeasterner, when I think of an evergreen,

I think of pine, spruce, and fir trees.

But here in Texas,

they have Live Oak trees.

And they are beautiful.

I saw this quote on the header of a wonderful blog,

In the Sonoran Sun, which I visited today.

Perhaps because I'm here,

exposed to the interminable sprawl of a cement city,

a landscape I'm so unfamiliar with,

this quote really spoke to me.

There are some who can live without wild things

and some who cannot.”

                                  Aldo Leopold

        "Considered by many as the father of wildlife management 

and of the United States’ wilderness system,

Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester,

philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast."

Deep in the Heart of Texas

It is with great delight that I have returned

to TX to spend time with my daughter

and escape the ravages of a northeast winter.

Sadly, land surrounding the cities

is being eaten up by cement,

like oozing molten lava.

But there are still pretty country scenes,

typical Texas-style.

This gorgeous property is for sale, soon to be swallowed up
 by encroaching development.



This scene brings back memories of my childhood,
traveling the state by car, to visit all the relatives.
It's a big state.  We spent a lot of time in the car!


So much has changed throughout the course of my lifetime.
I'm not a proponent of developement. 
Some of it seems so senseless.
How many shopping strips/malls
with the same stores
need to be built?

How many drugstores should a smaller community host?
The 4th Walgreens has just been built in this community,
and that doesn't take into consideration all the others
that are available within the city limits.
Heaven forbid someone might have to drive 10 whole minutes
to get to the drug store.

And while I'm venting a little,
I think they should build a solid wall of doors
around the perimeter of the stores,
so everyone can park closely
and not have to walk more than a few steps.

(Blogger is not cooperating this morning,
and 2 pictures are all I have the patience
to try to include.)



Scrap-a-holics Unite

I interrupt this nature blog

to introduce a month of fun, scrappy quilt projects

sponsored by

It's already begun,

so hurry over to Jodi's site

and catch up!

There's something for everyone

every day of the week!

 

Happy New Year

Egypt Falls
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

It has been my pleasure to visit blogs of every color,

from birds and nature,

to quilts and crafts,

to poetry and photography.

I've made some special friends along this journey.

I have been inspired and motivated by each and every one.

Perhaps that's why I've been too distracted to post on my own blog!

Happy New Year to you all,

and a great big heartfelt thanks

for being a part of my life.



The Magic of Nature

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone can look forward

to a happy, healthy New Year.

~karen

Book: The Atlas of Birds

I migrate, like the birds, and am sometimes difficult to keep track of.  This book was waiting for me at my Maine location when I arrived today, having missed me in the spring by just a few days.  Since it was published in July,  I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting the review directly from the Princeton University Press, so as not to waste any more time!!  Someone you know might just enjoy this book as a Christmas gift.  So, without further adieu, may I introduce you to:

The Atlas of Birds, which captures the breathtaking diversity of birds, and illuminates their conservation status around the world. Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations--from flight and feeding to nest building and song--have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth. Maps of individual journeys and global flyways chart the amazing phenomenon of bird migration, while bird classification is explained using maps for each order and many key families.

Conservation provides a strong focus throughout, with maps illustrating where and why birds are most under threat, and what is being done to protect them. Separate sections examine key factors influencing their distribution and endangering their survival, from deforestation and climate change to invasive species and the cage-bird trade. Bird groups most affected, such as island endemics, are highlighted, while a fascinating chapter explores the complex historical relationship between birds and humans, with maps and data for everything from poultry farming to birdwatching.

The maps are supported by an authoritative text that uses the very latest data and case studies from BirdLife International. Packed with sumptuous photos, original diagrams, and imaginative graphics that bring the numbers to life, this book is a stunning and timely insight into perhaps the most colorful and intriguing group of organisms on our planet.

• The premier illustrated atlas of bird diversity, behavior, and conservation
• Features full-color maps, photos, and diagrams
• Covers bird evolution, classification, and behavior
• Describes the complex relationship between birds and their habitats
• Explores the impact of human activities on species survival
• Illustrates where and why birds are most under threat--and how to protect them

Mike Unwin is a nature writer and illustrator whose work has appeared in leading publications such as Birds, Bird Watching, and Birdwatch. His many books include the RSPB Guide to Birdwatching and Southern African Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide.

Source:  Princeton University Press