test for signs of life ...

... later, maybe. But for now, I'm still driven by curiosity and knowing what's at the ... end of every untraveled road. That curiosity and the effort required keeps me feeling very much 'alive' ... :-)

comfort among the thorns ...

... are the bluebirds of late winter, silhouetted against an overcast February sky. Behind the art museum in Raleigh lies a bird sanctuary with trails through woods and fields. It is a 'retreat' that 'treats' the retreator :-)

Of course, they always ask permission ...

... :-)

one of my favorite ...

... subjects, and easy to capture, are the birds that frequent my 'feeder'. I've had a huge variety - these nuthatches being one of the most frequent flight masters ... especially prevalent in winter.

it would be nice ...

... and comforting if the 'cease fire' could end as peaceful as a sunset on calm waters. If only ....

Capturing the past few years ...

... involves going back to old digital files (from 2004 forward) and getting them posted in my database (on 'Flickr'). These are mostly shots I never got around to processing back then. I am hopeful that I can catch up on all my older photos AND keep pace with current photos as well. Time will tell. This particular image contains my reflection in the glass (as if anyone cares about that), but still it is fun - just time consuming :-). Who knows? At least I'll have an offsite 'back-up'. More later ...

shuttle diplomacy ...

'It always fascinates me to watch children playing and interacting in the park - their instincts and inclinations ... not really so different, it seems, from that of us adults as we go about trying to resolve our differences around the world...’

golden ...

... seeds in the sun. All of us are ... Where will we blow? What winds will carry us? Certainly ... there will be ... winds...

in another part of the 29 July sky ...

... was this magnificent thunderhead (behind me as viewed from the previously posted sunset photo - vantage point).