My Snow Queen

How long I have waited for you to arrive..and you do not disappoint..When I first saw you, my heart started beating. Beating so fast I could not even wait to set the camera on the tri-pod. Thank you for sharing a few moments with me...I'll be back and next time, I hope I'm more prepared for your spendor.  Maybe next time you'll also feel the need to stay a bit longer...oh what a tease you are...

I do believe you are my gift, my sign, that all will be well in 2014... Already my word for the year...Persistant, has paid off...just looking at you brings me joy.

I am most alive in my photography when I am out in Nature...you can't stage it.   It happens or it doesn't, but when it does...there is nothing quite like the sense of wonder that one feels.   And so,  I continue to go...

Hand held at 500mm... ah not as old as I thought.. 

Linking up to KK Friday's Find...

 

White Owl Flies Into and Out of the Field

 “Coming down out of the freezing sky

with its depths of light,

like an angel, or a Buddha with wings,

it was beautiful, and accurate,

striking the snow and whatever was there

with a force that left the imprint

of the tips of its wings - five feet apart -

and the grabbing thrust of its feet,

and the indentation of what had been running

through the white valleys of the snow -

and then it rose, gracefully,

and flew back to the frozen marshes

to lurk there, like a little lighthouse,

in the blue shadows -

so I thought:

maybe death isn't darkness, after all,

but so much light wrapping itself around us -

as soft as feathers -

that we are instantly weary of looking, and looking,

and shut our eyes, not without amazement,

and let ourselves be carried,

as through the translucence of mica,

to the river that is without the least dapple or shadow,

that is nothing but light - scalding, aortal light -

in which we are washed and washed

out of our bones.”

 - Mary Oliver

Comments

[Beverly]

This post is just beautiful!! I love this owl, and would so love to see a real one. But your words about being out in nature and capturing "what is" is so heart-felt! It's always a delight to come by your blog! xx

[Sherry G.]

Oh Cheryl, I am so happy for you!!!!! You did capture such a beauty -- and did so handheld at 500 mm. Wowza! You are good. But so very true what you say -- there is nothing like the magic that happens when you are out there. Many of my photo buddies back in Canada have captured some amazing photos of owls and it always thrills and delights them and everybody that looks at their images. On top of your gorgeous image I love the poem you picked and especially the line, "a Buddha with wings." What a way to start the year!

[Viv]

Cheryl so stunning. To be able to see that and manage to get such an amazing shot and of course Mary Oliver to finish off...

[Antoinette]

Last night I heard an owl, hooting nearby. Oh, how I was praying he would come visit!
Maybe tomorrow at sunset I shall go looking for him. I adore your capture and words.

[cheryl c.]

My lovely ladies…thank you again for stopping by and leaving me your lovely thoughts on my Snow Queen…she will always be one of my favorites and I'm so happy I got to share her with you...

[Gwen]

Just catching up here with your Snow Queen... As I write the familiar city sound of a siren wailing on a speeding car crashes into my room. Outside is dark & rain & the dirt of the city... I can hardly imagine being in peaceful, snowy nature seeing such a majestic bird. Thank you for reminding me that, beyond this huge, sprawling, busy, noisy city, nature still exists & beauty is still present.
Great job on getting this shot!
PS: my word for this year is Independence

[K and S Inn (Kris)]

Breath talking -- wow oh may goodness -- perfect-O!
Hugs

[Julia]

Stunning- Thank you so much for sharing. And I loved the poem. I have never heard it. Beautiful. Years ago, I was driving home, late at night. I was living in the North Ga mountains. I came around a curve and there was a HUGE white owl on the side of the road, just before I reached my home. It was amazing. I just stopped the car and sat there looking at him-(or her?) I finally drove to the house. To this day I have never seen another white owl anywhere. I have often wondered if I was dreaming when I saw that one-