Both Saturday Photohunts: Natural and Joy

Natural

Joy

I'm participating in both of the Saturday Photohunts this week and the two themes go together very well. Gattina's theme this week in Natural and Sandi's is Joy. I derive a great deal of joy from the natural world. For me natural joy is the best high around.

In the spirit of the season I'm using photographs I shot from December 4 through December 27 of 2010 which was an unusually snowy December for the part of North Carolina where I live.

The big ice blocks in the top part of the shot above are from the bird bath and my attempts to supply fresh water to the birds.

We haven't had any snow yet this December which is why I thought I'd show you my natural world from last December.

The birds in the shots above and below, as well as in many of the shots I'm using are standing on my deck wall. They give me a great deal of joy.

When it snows, I try to keep the top of the deck wall brushed off because it's a good major feeding station for the birds and squirrels. It may look like they're eating snow but that ledge is full of seeds, fruit and nuts.

The main time I feed the birds is when it's snowing or when it's unusually cold, although I always provide them with fresh water.

I used to have feeders for year round bird seed until I started letting my garden go to seed literally.

At this point, except in bad weather, there is plenty of stuff for the birds to eat in my wild garden and they hoard seeds and nuts in the fall to help with the winter.

However, when the weather is extra cold or snowy, I help them out.

I get so much joy from the natural world filled with the sky, trees, birds, and many other animals that make their home in my wild overgrown yard.

Click here to visit Gattina's Saturday's Photohunting where the theme is Natural. Sandy has taken over TN Chicks Saturday Photohunt and you can click here where the theme is Joy. A big thank you to both hosts for keeping the photohunt going.