It’s amazing how much time I have these days. I’ve been staying in one place for several weeks now, forcibly slowed down from my usual go, go, go mentality. I can’t go see all the things “out there” so I am noticing more of what is “around here” and especially in my current backyard.
That little lizard at the top of the post? I was looking at the new batch of iris blooms last week when I noticed it jumping from table to patio post. And then it did that little thing where it stays stock still and displays a red pouch. I’ve been watching these lizards for a few weeks. They do the display and then wait a few minutes before they do it again. I quietly aimed my camera and waited it out to get the shot.
Yesterday, after a friend and I did a little photo shoot in the backyard, I noticed this little blue flower. It was hidden away in a corner of the garden, almost overwhelmed by the leaves around it. I took the time to get closer and take its photo, as if I was a portrait photographer.
Just now, I looked up to see a bright red cardinal perched on top of a wrought-iron garden stake. He stayed for only a half minute. I might have missed it if I was busy with doing things or going places. And then a hawk swooped low, gliding silently across the backyard, and disappeared over the neighbor’s fence, in less than 10 seconds.
I suppose some people might be bored staying home for weeks at a time, only going out for grocery runs. It’s a novelty to me, though, after four years in motion as a vagabond and many years before that as a working road warrior. I was so busy moving for so many years that I forgot how to stay and to observe the life around me. Turns out it can be pretty interesting.
“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
Oh yes.
You are so right about how interesting it is in one’s own back yard. We have all kinds of birds and critters flitting and cavorting. We could sit for hours just watching and listening. we are lucky to be ’sheltering’ here in Osceola, WI. Glad the critters are keeping you entertained. Love the lizard.
PS: I love the Pooh quote too. 🙂
Oh I loved this, every bit of it. I have often said that people miss stuff all the time in their efforts to get so much done. (That’s always been my excuse to avoid housework.) When I used to run with a group of women I was the one that kept pointing out birds, or flowers, or light on a leaf. They used to ask me to write a ‘nature report’ after each run, and that was so much fun. I’m glad you saw the good stuff you saw, the lizard guy is amazing!!
This is what I call to stop and smell the roses. 🙂 My previous service dogs were a go, go kind of walk on their free time. But my current dog the smartest of all of them, simply wants to explore on her free time walk.
Nice. Sometimes the simple things can bring joy! Today, a bird noticed one of our bird houses. Don’t know if it was suitable, but I’ll just keep watching.