Curious donkey friends pause to watch crazy camera lady.

Coming closer in hopes of a snack or a pat.

Lazy days of Serenbe.

Intelligent, soulful eyes of Donkey.  Strong, stubborn, loyal.

Horses alert to visitors who may be carrot carrying.

Racing down hill.

Pony and friends jog as sun sets and temperatures cool.

Life is good in fields of Serenbe.

Mosey life.

Contrasting color, posture, and energy.

“Best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness!” George Eliot

Lambs wool.

Searching snout.

Marco.  Polo.

Even in death there is beauty.

And treasures await you in the forest.

If you keep your eyes and heart and will open.

I found the world alive with brushstrokes of color.

Vivid poppy.

Wispy wildflowers.

Daisies dancing to splash of red.

I noticed beginnings.

Gentle openings.

And the courageous burst to bloom.

Delicate expression.

And bold pronouncement!

Nature reminds me to exist vividly, age gracefully, and accept the changing seasons.

Birds teach me to listen for my own song and to live the questions.

Mockingbird relishes rain.

House finch rests on back porch.

Blue Grosbeak goes to battle with own reflection, reminding me of the times I do the same.

Blue green collaborative.

Mourning dove oversees Serenbe Farms.

Resting a moment before final feeding.

Chipping sparrow at window.

Determined. Grey goose.  Headed to Serenbe Farmhouse Restaurant.  After all, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Serenbe is a sanctuary for birds… and for me.

After a hearty hello, Frick lets the good times roll.

He drops to the ground for a turn in the rich Georgia dirt.

It feels good to scratch his back.

Not to mention that a layer of dirt can help protect against insects.

Shaking dust out of his ears is comical and I laugh.

Silly donkey!

Show’s over.  Time to get up and at ‘em.

On second thought… it feels mighty good down here.

Wherever you are, take a few moments to step outside and witness the wonder. Breathe in and relax for a moment.  Drop to the ground and feel the solid earth beneath you, supporting you.  You just might find a little unexpected peace and joy.

Spring has sprung here in Serenbe.  No doubt about it.  Cold weather is only a memory and potent pollen piles on every available surface.  Fruit trees benefit and bloom.  You may want to temper that deep breath just a tad!

Scrub brush behind Serenbe Grange lake stands naked for a few days more.

Is this the mare who is in heat?  We’ll have to check with Ashley.  She strikes a pose.

Frack, the jack, paces on the other side of the fence, desperate to get to her.

Thank goodness for the vultures.  They keep the smell down around the hogs, cleaning up leftovers the hogs don’t want.

Muddy buddies.

Hogs take mud baths to a new level.  The Spa at Serenbe has treatments that may be more appealing to you.  ;)

I miss the baby lambs so I took a quick trip 4 miles down the road to my Serenbe neighbor’s sheep farm.  This handsome rooster met me.

The chickens aren’t impressed, but the rooster parades around hoping to get their attention.

The baby lambs chase this chicken around the barnyard.  She is a good sport and doesn’t seem concerned.

Her tail is so short that she has difficulty hopping up on the log.

When all the trails have been walked and all the animals visited, why not stop by the Inn at Serenbe for a tasty peach sangria?  You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Spring, Y’all!

http://youtu.be/CBzUC8d62xY

In my previous post, I shared some fun photos of Starsky.   Now watch him in action!  You can view his video at the link above (please pardon grammatical mistake at the end).  Turn on your sound and enjoy!

This is Starsky.  I met him last week and he is a fabulous horse: sweet, kind, playful, and funny.  Today, he showed me his playfulness.  I photographed him from unusual angles.  By approaching Sarsky from a different perspective, I see in ways I don’t normally see.

Too often, I get trapped in my own way of seeing and understanding.  I decide that my perspective is best.  When I am trapped in this way, I block connection with those who see things differently than I.  I miss the lines, energy, and beauty in their perspective.  It seems to me that Serenbe is, in part, about opening to different perspectives.  This expanded view releases us to all manner of possibility.

Starsky delights me; I hope these photos will delight you.

Thank you, Starsky!

Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.  ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

As I head to the Serenbe Easter egg hunt, I come upon bursting bulbs of color.

Hundreds of daffodils waving in the sunlight.

I am surprised to see  so many people at the easter egg hunt.  Children everywhere!

The Easter bunny waves goodbye to the little boy who turns for one last look.

Easter hats add a fabulous flare to the Serenbe event.  B.J. sports flowers and Frida.

Marie and Petey delight the children.

While Petey’s twin relaxes with mom.

Can you spy an eye?  Gus was napping when I shot this photo but he is up and about for the Easter event.  He wags his tail as children reach in to greet him.  He loves the attention.

On the way back from the event, I cross over the bridge to find turtles sunning.

Mating turtles welcome sun and warmth.

This flower is obscured by grasses but a burst of color catches my eye.

Poeticus daffodils brighten my way.

Finally, I am greeted by black vultures in horaltic pose.  Having cleansed death and decay, they shout, “Happy Easter!  Happy Easter!” And so it is.

I see it on my way to the barn.  Yellow bursts of life scoffing the winds.

Cozy horses spending final days in sheltered barn.

Bold flowers bursting from frigid, wet ground.

Delicate, brave blossoms.

Shedding a tear of gratitude that winter breathes its last.

Petals of pink and purple.

Buds promising spring.

Fire ants building nests in rich Georgia soil.

Moss and lichen linger on cold, wet stone.

A young deer steps through woods, beckoning us to follow.

A trampoline surrounded by whispers of spring.

Papa hog in all his muddy glory.

And Petey, warmed by love and light.

And when you’ve given up all hope for spring, there is always a warm cuppa waiting at the Daisy to see you through the final days of winter.

Spring is coming, friends.  Spring is coming.