I Swear #1LinerWednesday

 

I swear it’s low carb, organic and gluten free…

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Are You a Hero? (Almost) #1Liner Wednesday

 One of the best things about living in paradise is the abundance of nature’s children who live and play just outside the front door. I’ve been watching these Bronzed Cowbirds for a few weeks. While I appreciate the beauty and mystical associations of the family of blackbirds, I haven’t been overly enthralled by them until now. 

Every day they show up after the rains to peck the ground for seeds and bugs. Every day he does his mating dance. She doesn’t seem impressed, however. Poor fellow. I’ve been fortunate to finally get a video of their interaction and a series of photos. The lighting wasn’t perfect at 10 am on an overcast morning. Still, I think he looks magnificent. Maybe she could give him a nod.. 

I edited these using my Google Photos editor which I accidentally discovered is pretty awesome with the newest updates, nearly as good as the Pixelmator Editor I normally use.While I will never get over losing Picasa, this was a nice and convenient substitute. 

Hello…

Is it me you’re looking for?

You’re all I’ve ever wanted..

and my arms are opened wide

Tell me how to win your heart

for I haven’t got a clue..

Let me start by saying..

Her response always seems to be..

Impossible to use only one line. Impossible. 🤦‍♀️

This post is part of  Linda Hill’s One Liner Wednesday promt Visit her blog to meet other bloggers and join the fun.

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It’s a Family Affair #1LinerWednesday

 It’s a family affair, so get outa’ there! 

Ever since we moved to this idyllic spot in Boquete, there have been Yellow Headed Cara Cara nesting across the road. Our neighbor always has a snack for them when they stop by. Now that he is away for awhile we have taken up the mantle. We were wondering why they hadn’t stopped by for a couple of weeks, thinking maybe they sensed our neighbor was gone. It delighted and surprised us when they showed a few days ago with a new little one. Little, well.. it’s almost as big as Mama already. 

Isn’t he grand? I feel like it’s a he. The eyes are already quite distinctive and that is the easiest way to tell male from female as far as I know. The male’s eyes are heavily masked, seeming like they are wearing makeup compared to the plain look of the eyes of the female. How about that ladies? Nature is such a brute to the feminine energy. 🤷‍♀️

Plain, maybe, but she’s got style

And attitude!

Yep, he looks like he’s wearing false eyelashes but that is just his mask extending behind those golden ringed eyes

I’ve learned a lot about how they teach the little one, and the fact they brought it here for an introduction is awesome. We feel honored. We also give good snacks. 😉 The other day I watched it trying its wings and flying from rooftop to tree and circling back. Mama and Dad just watch and wait. Once they showed it where to come for a bite, they made it come alone and watched from the other house. 

“Go on..”

“But where’s the meat, Mama?”

The first time, they fed baby

The next day it was sharing with Mama! 

Junior

Then disaster nearly struck. Yesterday I looked outside and Black Vultures were gathering on the neighbor’s roof. I thought, ‘Okay, I draw the line here, boys’. Then I saw baby perched on the rail beneath them. First there was one, then two, three and four. They were waiting for baby to fly! Mama and Dad were nowhere to be found. Hubs kept reminding me that vultures don’t kill and only eat dead things. Nope. I sensed differently and looked it up. 

Unlike Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures will kill small animals and often present a problem for farmers. 

I opened the door and yelled at them. All they did was look at me but that gave Junior a chance to fly off. Once they realized the snack bar was closed they left. 

Whew! 

“The kid got away, Ralph”

“Hey, what’s up? I thought we was havin’ lunch!”

After Junior flew into the trees Mama took its place, just to make sure..

I’m happy to say no birds were harmed in this standoff. 

I did, however, witness one of the falcons dining on a particularly annoying mockingbird a month ago. 🤦‍♀️

They do arrive quite early. I guess they didn’t get the memo that said we’re retired and like to sleep past sunrise. Mama and baby were back this morning. I hope Dad’s alright. 

It’s a family thing..

This post is part of One Liner Wednesday

Walk With Me #1LinerWednesday

I wanted to share a photo from my hike yesterday but after reading the current US headline stories I think a virtual walk with me through photos is in order. 

I spend a lot of time in prayer for the light beings in this world. There is a force that fears the feminine and is doing all it can to crush, kill and destroy women in whatever way it can. It uses hungry men and fawning women to do its work. It lies, cajoles, barters and threatens its way into power. If it is allowed victory our world will perish. Peace and chaos cannot coexist. It is no longer enough to pray for peace in our quiet closets. We must be the peace we seek and speak out against the manipulations and injustices. 

This hike was on the Pipeline Trail, a slow rising trail that ends at a nice waterfall. We didn’t see Quetzals on this walk although I have seen them before. I hope you feel the peace it brought to me. 

Gentle water flows down the mountain on either side of the trail, adding a musical aspect to the walk

The first part of the trail is quite rocky but wide, so not treacherous. Where the rocks are larger you have to step carefully lest you slip and twist and ankle. The entire trail is a gradual uphill climb but not overwhelming if you are in moderately good shape.

There are several places where you cross the water and you can use the old bridges or the low pipeline crossings. 

“Please don’t throw trash, thank you.”

The trail is like a chameleon, changing its appearance as you walk. It is well worn so there is never a question of which way to go.

The sun through the trees is one of my favorite things. It plays hide and seek in the forest. That is our neighbor and avid hiker behind me. Hubby can’t do these long hikes anymore, but it is nice to find a friend to walk with. 

This leaf was so cool! Both sides have this design but it is more than an imprint. The inside shape is ‘stitched’ from the stem of the same rigid material. 

One of the pipe bridges. 

The trees are so tall and majestic.  Standing under them in the forest gives a sense of ancient connection. They never change, always reaching up to the light. 

Besides the 1000 year old Mexican Elm, the forest is full of very large, obviously old trees

I love the natural made steps. 

Now and then there are sunlit places

Here we are! About 3/4 of the way up stands the most magnificent Mexican Elm. It is over a thousand years old. 

I had to photograph it in two shots! Wouldn’t you love to know what it has witnessed in its lifetime here on Earth? 

The best part is being able to climb over the roots and touch the heartbeat of this gentle giant. 

Awestruck..

This is a Central American guard rail. That was a steep drop and the last time I hiked the trail the rail was not there. There has been some obvious erosion since last year. That path was only about two feet wide at this point. 

The end! Beyond this hollow is the waterfall. Last year there was no water in it and I climbed those rocks the hard way-carrying my Nikon! I didn’t bring it this time, wanting instead to enjoy the trail unencumbered. I passed on crossing the water and climbing the other side but my friend went and said it was very pretty. There is a bluff up there that is magnificent. 

I wish you could feel the peace here..

Yep, these feet were happy to chill for awhile.

While we didn’t see the Resplendent Quetzal, we did get a private viewing of this lovely glasswing butterfly. They take my breath away and are so ethereal.

We saw a lot of other butterflies, including some of the tiniest I have ever seen! 

A bit of pipeline history here. My friend was on oil field expert and was interested in all the old valves and fixtures. I took this photo for Dan 🙂

This little beauty was only about an inch long. It flitted more than a hummingbird but finally slowed enough to give me a photo op.

The views.. oh the views. 

The trail follows farmland and is on private property. This cabbage field had been pretty well harvested but a few remaining plants made for a nice shot

Being in the mountains is wonderful but standing in front of a huge hill like this is always breathtaking, reminding us just how small we are on this world.

Someone edged their garden with sunflowers! 

While we didn’t see the Quetzal on this hike, I wanted to show you my photos from last time so you can see what we missed. 

Well, I had trouble finding last year’s image so I am sharing this one from our hike in Savegre, Costa Rica in 2014. You can see why they call it Resplendent. This is the National bird of Guatemala and appears on their paper currency.  

I hope you find and share peace in your days. Everyone that searches for peace for themselves will add to the peace that exists on this Earth. 

Pray for Ukraine. 🌻💔