Scribble Picnic. . . . . . . Bird

There are birds, and then there are BIRDS! 

Watching birds in flight brings much joy, but the flightless
 species are certainly interesting in their own way. . . . . . .and 
they're great to hang out with because they don't fly away! 

My rendition of the King penguin - photo edited to a sketch and colored with
 watercolor pencils.

Some of you may already know that I'm a huge bird lover. Sharing my own (well I like to think they're mine) garden birds keeps me busy. I spend an inordinate amount time at the cottage windows. A camera is usually at the ready to capture my colorful feathered friends nibbling at the feeders, bathing in the bird baths and fountain, building nests in springtime, snuggling down in my withered brown Boston ferns in hanging baskets all winter - I don't have the heart to take them down as the Carolina wrens sleep in them nightly - yes, birds take up much of my time! 

I'm not an official 'bird watcher' but have tagged along with authentic birders who often appear in organized groups on expedition ships, sailing to out of the way places on the planet, especially far off islands and coastlines in search of rare seabirds and such. Their excitement at seeing a new to them bird is fun, and they are happy to share all the facts with we neophytes nearby who can't tell one of those huge ocean going birds from another. 

Hard for me to choose a bird to share for Michael's Scribble Picnic theme today - I have so many special ones. I decided to go with the penguin because fewer people see them their true habitat. Found on the Southern Ocean islands such as HERE on South Georgia Island - one of the most incredible places on earth by the way - where I photographed this magnificent bird, along with many more species of penguins on the actual Antarctic Peninsula. . . . . . . penguins in the thousands are a sight to behold. 

The true South Pole location is the only place to view Emperor penguins, the largest of all - sadly I've not quite made it there and doubt I ever will! 
This is my original photo of the sleek King penguin, second largest to the Emperor penguin  - I'm sure you'll agree he's gorgeous!

Hope you join us at Michael's for this week's Scribble Picnic - I know there will
be some beautiful, perhaps unusual, birds to view.

Antarctic memories and FIONA!

Three years ago, at this time, with Christmas celebrations over, Boxing Day a memory,

and winter settled upon us here in the southeast, I was busy packing up to leave on

 the trip of a lifetime to ANTARCTICA to celebrate the 50 year friendship with my 

dear friend Paula. She had visited twice previously and this time invited me as her

 very grateful guest. Fortunately her bravery rubbed off on me and I had no

 qualms despite the distance, remoteness, and sailing on a small expedition

 ship - I was raring to go 'to the ends of the earth' also!

Antarctica, and the entire Southern Ocean, is the most amazing place on this 

planet. Go HERE and HERE to look back at some of the places we visited in 2013. 

Fiona came for Christmas - and is staying!

I was surprised when a large box was delivered and left on the front porch early

 evening a few days before Christmas. Nothing was ordered. Nothing was 

expected. Something exciting was up though!

You may recall my recent post about a fabulous shop we discovered when at 

the coast in late November. 

BAROUKE Exotic Woods Etc.

Perhaps you remember me falling in love with Fiona, a sweet carved wooden
 penguin - go read the story for the details. Seeing Fiona on display, I recalled
 my time among literally a million or more penguins on the Antarctic 
expedition - and one particular young penguin on South Georgia Island
 (Paula and I named her Georgia) who followed us about, chewed on our rubber
 wellies, and became our little friend for several hours whilst ashore.

I kicked myself for not buying Fiona while at Barouke - click on my sidebar - that

 day in Wilmington, and shared that fact in my subsequent post where I wrote

 about the great shop, its fabulous offerings, and its lovely owner Jannett.

I realized later that Fiona could almost be Georgia, without her fluffy 

juvenile coat, all grown up, and that I should have brought her home.

Imagine my surprise and joy when on opening the unexpected box,

wrapped so beautifully and tucked into a bed of white foam (snow?) was

Fiona, along with a lovely Christmas card from Jannett and her husband.

What kind, thoughtful, very generous people - I was overwhelmed!

So, you must admit this is a lovely story - but this is only part of it.

Deeper down in the large box were other new winged friends - yes Fiona traveled 

with companions! There will be another story as soon as they calm down, dry off, and 

allow me to photograph them.

They have been testing the waters in our garden (we had a lot of rain after they arrived)

and their boots are still waterlogged LOL!!!