Bird

I woke up hoping for a sign. I am always happy for an indication of His beauty. Can it be through the simplicity or the most intricate of detail?

The Best Part Of Me

Simply spoken, “Mom, we don’t need that chair. I can stand.” My son is thoughtful.

The chair was not in use, but I respected my son’s wishes. The best part of me I can say with quiet certainty are my sons.  

I just had a wonderful trip to the southeast where my son is attending an amazing university. I decided to visit and ‘pick’ my son up. This was to spend time with him before flying to our home in Seattle.  

It was a great adventure capturing the sights ( birds duh!) and sounds as noted in the photography on this post. 

I am learning life is not all about fast pace as I once thought.  The quiet moments speak to me more and more.  This past week I attended a memorial for a friend from my nursing days here in Alabama. Her life was one of simplicity, the love of nature,  and putting others above herself.  She served  through her church in her later years after retiring with 40 years as an RN. We could learn a lot from this lifestyle.  As I met her great grandsons, I knew right away with their respectful mannerisms–the best part of her was still here on this earth.  I bet she would have agreed. 

Photos by Alesiablogs in the great state of Alabama. 

The Case Of The Missing Fish

There is a story here, but you have to think deep or perhaps very shallow. You choose. 

Life involves much contemplating. Fred the heron from the PNW is listening carefully and will make a decision soon.

Ok. I guess I didn’t get that. What did you say? I am all ears. 

Got it! Yep. Your mine. 

Dumbfounded Fred is sad. There is always next time. Well. Not always. Perhaps Fred there are bigger fish to fry. Your turn will come.  Life brings rewards at times and sometimes we are left empty handed. Fred’s face says it all. No words needed. 

Thanks from Fred for dropping by and attempting to fish with him. Wish him luck!  I think deeper waters brings a prize!

Ospreys In Action

One of my best photographs I have taken.  I am moved really about the way I caught the birds in action.  It is as if you are looking at the anatomy of the birds as they reached out toward each other. Thought provoking. 

Ten Hawaiian Experiences

  1. I would be remiss to not mention food only because what is a vacation without unique food experiences.  Poke ( pronounced Poe -Kay ) is raw tuna or ahi.  Foodland makes it very good and so does Food trucks near Chinaman’s hat! I had the best poke from a guy who buys it fresh from the fish auction. Rib lets from Helenas or Highway Inn are amazing also.  Leonard’s bakery is a must stop if you have a sweet tooth! You never had a better donut in your life. Please rent a car to drive to these great eating spots! Their is a truck parked on the other side of the island also serving Leonard’s pastries.  God I wish I had ate more then one!! Last but not least – I recommend trying bonefish in gravy.  I had this at the Highway Inn. This is authentic cuisine which is a fave of the locals and now I know why. Bonefish is hard to catch! Ask any fly fisherman trying to catch one of these silvery skinned strong fish who fight hard when they are reeled in even by the most experienced fisherman. 
  
2.  The next logical stop is a great hike to burn those calories off after eating so good!  That would be diamond head. The photo above I took on the initial hike up looking down toward the man made  Tunnel to get inside the volcano which is where the adventure begins.  After you spend a good hour and a half hike with plenty of water and  macadamia cliff bars- you will find yourself overlooking the most gorgeous views of Oahu. This national park is visited by at least a million people a year! I met one man who runs it 4 times a week up and down for exercise! Wow. Now that is a motivator. 

   

  View from the top of Diamond head! Worth the hike! Don’t ya think!!!!!

3. Seeing  the firework show done every Friday at 745p by the Hilton is a must. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset while sipping on a Mai Tai sitting on Waikiki Beach culminated by the sky lit up by fireworks. It is Nivana! 

  
4.  Rent a car to go to The Polynesian Culture center.  My dollar rental magazine had a coupon for buy one get one free into this awesome attraction! That was a $60 savings and worth every penny. Don’t ya think my smile indicates that! 

  

5.  Don’t forget to enjoy nature. The birds are adorable. 

  
6. Enjoy the environmental aspects of the islands by checking out the rich coral, fish, and rich history found in what lies beneath the sea. Ok – maybe it’s just those hot chicks on surf boards. Even the dude surfer seems to be about to fall off his board staring those girls down! 

   

7.  Go explore the island by driving leisurely down perhaps the Wainae Coast.  You will experience a slower pace, but I must warn you that there is heavy traffic at times so being patience is a must. I found it worth it. The views were worth it on the secluded beaches we found to enjoy. 

  
8. Make sure to take in some history by seeing  Pearl Harbor or visiting the rich history of the military bases.  There a few ways to enjoy this. One is by tour guide that I think is a must if you are short on time.  My favorite way again is by renting  a car. It is fairly easy to snag a free ticket to ferry across to The USS Arizona Memorial.  Warning: windy weather can cancel ferry service . Get there by 630am and you are sure to get on a ferry as the wind will not have kicked up that early in the morning.
  
9.  Make sure to visit one of the five botanical gardens. I was mesmerized by the beauty at Wahiawa.

  
10. Please think about going to the Aloha Bowl on either Wednesday , Saturday , or Sunday. You will definitely enjoy the opportunity to save money on a souvenir that could cost you half of what you might pay in downtown Honolulu. 

Please return soon as I will expand on a few of these tips in the next couple of blog posts!

  
My room was so comfy!!!

Ocean Watching

  
People talk a lot about people watching. I suppose I spend my time more bird watching , but in Hawaii I had extra special views. This egret sums it up nicely. I ocean watched. 

  
I truly admired this woman who never stopped to look at anything else, but the beautiful waves coming from the Pacific Ocean here on the island of Oahu. This is as peaceful as my mind can get. I enjoyed being on the island during the pipeline surfing contest .  Swells got as high as 70 feet. The islands had not seen that in 50 years. Fortunately the surfers were able to compete!  For myself and my traveling companions, we were content watching the surf! Scary seeing those guys and gals riding the waves, yet spectacular too. I promise soon to post some adventures I had on this trip. It was truly a wonderful time had by all. 

Monday

Photography is never boring. I find beauty in everything. 

   

 Flowers. Sunsets, and nature in general bring me into my happy place.  How about you?  

   
 
Sunsets in Hawaii are amazing. 

  
Cattle Egret are found neat Chinaman’s hat where cows are nearby.  The egret love to eat the bugs off the cows. 

  
The red-headed cardinal sure met my fancy! 

The Gift Of Musical Birds

   
For several days, I have not slept well due to increased pain.  I had a call yesterday from a counselor friend of mine  checking in with me. I had not written on this blog much and really most do not know the true reason I stopped. I would share it, but to share the reason would give validity to nonexistent boundaries.   
I am giving no one or nothing any validity who has tried to demonize my writings or felt offended.  We humans are easy to judge when we should be looking at ourselves instead.  This is my life and I own it.  My family has always been my world and I have always put them above me and many times I have put my friends above me.  

  
Last night I was asked by a new friend, do you love  yourself? I could not answer. It made me sad that  I did not have enough respect and love for me. The good news I realized God loves and I could work on loving myself more and understanding whose I AM. 

In the meantime- through tears because of physical pain, I shot these photos in the rain in my backyard.  Don’t worry- I am seeing my doctors to help me with the chronic and acute discomforts I have.  Just making it real.  Be looking soon for photography from Hawaii where I will be taking in some much needed sun!  I am not a tourist type so you will not find those kind of shots on my blog as I believe vacation is not about rushing from one tourist activity to another. Instead you will see photos through the eyes of randomness of what I enjoy on The Sandwich Islands. I lived there and seen a lot already, but I bet my new camera just might find a cool surfer dude to photograph! Yes. I am back looking at mens’ butts. 

 
  

 

Who Is Watching Who?

 I question myself a lot. Do you? This eagle has purpose. Do we? The next meal may be in sight for this eagle. Do we know our purpose? Are we driven toward what is most important?  Call me a dreamer.  I am glad to be one. 

Photography II -EAGLE

My camera was so happy coming across this eagle high up in the massive trees that surround the area I live in.  Go to my Instagram named Alesiablogs to see more photos soon of this bird and others.   I consider this a blessed viewing as typically these guys are mostly down by Lake Washington.  I live five minutes from where they nest,  but it was great seeing him hanging around my home.  I love living in the Seattle area!! What a joy to view nature at its best.