“According to the attention restoration theory, spending time in nature relieves the stress and metal fatigue caused by the ‘directed attention’ that work and city life require.”
from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine (January 2016)
It was a rather sluggish sort of day, blah and tiresome.
But then I read the National Geographic article and thought, I need, I really really need to get outside. I put on my warm layers and went for a walk.
When I returned home, I was delighted and surprised to see a rare flock of blue birds by our pond.
“Should I bother getting the camera?” I wondered.
I quickly made up my mind, walked up to the house and grabbed the camera, half expecting the birds to have flown away, but praying that God would give me the opportunity to take a few nice bird photos. He gets all the glory……..for His gift to me, and now to you, in seeing and admiring the pretty little birds he made and provides for.
Bird photos are tricky but the nice thing about them is they take some concentration and determination, both of which are good for pulling oneself out of ones thoughts and cares of the day, and into what is seen through the lens. Getting manual mode just right, the lighting, seeing the shadows and sunshine fluttering and falling, watching for a bird to land in just the right spot.
You give to them,
they gather it up;
You open Your hand,
they are satisfied with good.
Psalm 104:28
See the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of much more value than they? Matthew 6:26
It wasn’t all bluebirds, either. I saw robins, juncos, a titmouse, finch, blue jay, and goldfinches. They were eating the seeds off of the dried autumn grasses and bushes.
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!” Matthew 6
In my deepest troubles, I frequently would wrench myself from the persons around me and retire to some secluded part of our noble forests. John James Audubon
*****
you are loved.
Good to be Home 
So beautiful.
It was a relaxing few minutes for me to read this post and see the beautiful little birds! So thank you! I’m glad you got your camera. I very much relate to the quote at the end. My clearest, deepest, most strength building thoughts come about in nature when i’m there by myself.I’m not sure if everyone can relate to that as I think personality might play a part. I’m an introverted extrovert. Or rather my life requires of me to be busy with people all day long. But my soul needs solitude. Perhaps a balance of both:) I don’t know because I just live life…a good laugh, a good nights sleep and some time in nature solves a multitude of problems!!
Beautiful! Thanks for joining my instagram! So glad I found you there!:)