One of the selling features of my home of 3 years on James Island was that I have an Eagles Nest behind my backyard fence. Eagles are still protected so no one can build behind me. I love all the trees in my backyard and looking out into the woods behind them. I learned quickly of the “ee ee” sound the eagles make. I hear them often but their nest is hidden from view. I have so wanted to capture a photo of one of them flying overhead or landing on my fence or tree. (That was a dream). I have recently come to discover that they like hanging out on the top of the lights on the soccer field next to my house. I ventured over with my zoom lens and lo and behold, he was there. Resting majestically atop the lights. I asked permission for a photo shoot. And even though he didn’t “look” happy, I sensed he was OK. The “backdrop” wasn’t perfect, but finally I felt closer to the majestic, free energy of this beautiful creature.
Happy Birthday Angel
As I was walking along Folly Beach last weekend, I spotted a woman walking along the water’s edge with two balloons in her hand. One was a Big yellow smiley face and the other was a Happy Birthday balloon. My attention was drawn to the smiley face flying against the water and the blue sky so I took a quick shot of it with my zoom lens. As I walked several yards behind her, I initially thought she had just come from perhaps a birthday breakfast and was carrying balloons from that celebration. I quickly realized that her body was moving slowly and I could feel her sadness penetrate the salty air. Tears began to fill my eyes as I watched her walk into the shallow water, look to the sky and release the balloons. I said a prayer with her and for her and for whomever she was sending that “Happy Birthday” message to. It wasn’t until a few days later when I downloaded photos from that beach walk and realized that you could see what was written on the Smiley balloon. “Happy 14th, Fly High Sweet Angel”. It is in moments like these that I know for sure- we are all connected.
New Year Blessing
One of my favorite poems by John O’Donohue is the Blessing for the New Year. I took the background photo when walking along the beach a few days after the New Year. And what a year it had been. The foggy mist seemed to carry the weight of all the stress and fear held by so many. I prayed as I walked in the calm of the morning mist to bring John’s intention of hope and faith to all….
Blessings to the Neighborhood
I must have walked this road hundreds of times. Sometimes with camera in hand. “Stalking the light” as I often say. Camera in hand-ready for a possible new image, another miracle to pop into view. COVID has brought additional silence and a bit of sadness this year. However, when the light shines through the gray, there is always room for miracles…
Making the Best of It
I am so blessed to call the west of Ireland my second home. I love the Irish people. I love their humor, their resilience and the way they always make the best of things. Especially the weather! I have taken hundreds of photos over the years of Lahinch beach. I never get tired of watching the kids learn how to surf. Waves or no waves, a bit of warmth from the sun or raining and freezing, they are up for it. Focused, resilient and finding the Joy in it all.
Jonathon Livingston Seagull
Every time I see a seagull soar I think of the beloved book which so moved me when I was a young teenager, “Jonathon Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach . It was and still is a classic. The seagulls I observed in the Algarve (Alvor), Portugal this week seemed to be a bit more ‘confident’ than I have seen before. Perched on top of the huge rocks in the sea and on the sand ,they seemed to be guarding their kingdom. More interested in protection than food. On my last day, one perched himself right on my balcony railing and just watched me. By the time I grabbed my camera he was gone- only to now be walking above my sliding glass doors. So pensive, so serious. I wondered what he was thinking. I thought of Jonathon’s story…and hoped he, too, would have a happy ending.
An Irish Spring Sky
This was one of those spectacular Irish days where the sky is blue and the sun feels so warm on your skin. and the wind is soft and gentle and gracefully whispers gratitude around you. These are the days that I fall in love over again with this part of the country, this part of the world.
Dromoland Castle Golf Course
The Man in the Red Jacket
I struggled whether to post this image of a homeless man . But I wanted to honor him. Honor his soul’s journey that led him to this place. Honor the boy he was and the desperate man he became. i watched him for a while- sip his beer and then put his head down. As if wanting to hide from the world while at the same time wanting to be “seen” by the world. I felt his loneliness, I witnessed his despair- yet I knew nothing of the life inside the red jacket. The heart that beat beneath soiled shirts and legs that ached behind ripped trousers. The man in the red jacket gave me a gift that day—profound gratitude for all I have been blessed with this lifetime. Namaste, my friend.
Easter blessing
A few weeks ago I was driving through Mt. Pleasant from downtown Charleston and was looking for potential photographs for our Leadership guidebook soon to be published. I came upon a garden center with many stone statues out on the corner. Stopped at a red light, I gazed over at the statues looking for one that may "work". Nothing caught my eye. I then realized my gas tank was on empty so I pulled into the station across the street. As I was pumping gas into my car, I looked over at the garden center statutes again. This time I was looking from a different angle. I noticed the sun was shining down on a tree in the middle of some old iron pipes and a few more statutes. As I followed the sunbeam down with my eyes, my mouth dropped upon. There He was- sitting under the tree, amidst the rubbish around him. He seemed to be smiling as he took in all the beauty around him . Projecting a calm and peacefulness in this world so desperately needing his compassion and grace. I grabbed my camera from the back seat and holding my zoom lens, I looked into his eyes and whispered, "Thank You". Easter blessings...
Soul Conversations
My New Year solo retreat in Florida brought several unexpected events. From chilly weather to technology challenges, I found myself practicing the art of "letting go" on more than one occasion. It was a time of stillness, deep reflection and gratitude. As always, just walking along the beach was a welcome therapy. On the only day it was actually warm enough to feel the ocean touch my skin, it was though everyone in the area came out to be healed by the elusive warmth of the sun. I stood for a while in the cradle of a sand bar- mesmerized by the mysterious way the sea and sand dance with each other. Up ahead, I noticed two friends sitting in their beach chairs. Their bodies and hearts seemingly protected by a circle of water, holding them separate and safe in their conversation. I was speaking to the sand, listening to the ocean; they were speaking and listening to each other. Soul conversations... deep and rich in any form.
An Irish Sanctuary
Having a home in Co. Clare for 17+ years, I had probably visited the Cliffs of Moher more than thirty times. This was the first time a dear friend brought me to the "other "non-tourist" side of the cliffs. I was so moved by the stillness, beauty and magnificence of my surroundings. Looking through my lens I felt like I was staring at a portal or gateway into another time and place. A magical realm where I was sure the"ancestors" were playing.
Charleston PRIDE
Charleston PRIDE 2017~ I was reminded today of our human capacity to embrace our individual uniqueness and beauty. There is a joy so waiting to be expressed beneath the surface of our fears. And when that is released , our world, the world lights up. The energy downtown was electric today. An outpouring of creative and joyful love. Acceptance, fearlessness, and our "Oneness" fully filling the streets of our belonging to one another.
Charleston SC
It was one week since Hurricane Irma brought her fierce winds and guided our tides to rise to dangerous levels across the peninsula. I was reminded last night walking around the now dry and still streets of downtown Charleston how life is one massive ebb and flow. We breathe in the joy of a moment and try to exhale the pain that may come our way. We rise with life, we fall with death. And somewhere in those middle moments we breathe deep and take in the still beauty that lies around us.
EL Camino Santiago
Although I had planned to capture hundreds of images along my journey on the Camino, I found that "being" in the present moment overshadowed my usual tendency to grab my camera and capture an interesting or beautiful image in front of me. This photograph is one of the few I took along the trail. It touched me with a deep sense of peace and served as a reminder of our "oneness" with each other whichever path we choose to walk.
