Nature Reset

     You ever just need to press the reset button? Nature does that for me, it's my reset. It makes all the toxic, stressful, and exhausting thoughts stop. So I treated my friend to some nature, we haven't seen each other in a while and we, just immersed in nature, smiled, shared some great moments and let the birds treat us to a show.
     Feathers, flashy colors, and friendship is a wonderful thing, and I was so happy to share my happy place with one of my very best friends. We traveled to Elizabeth Morton National Wildlife Refuge and gave her the chance to feel the magic that birds bring with them.

A black-capped chickadee alights on my friends glove. Assessing the morning offering of black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seed.

Tufted titmouse also were happy to accept our generous offering. They made their voices heard when the supply ran low, and we listened and restocked our palms with a morning treat.

My friend fell in love with the tufted titmouse- their feathery do' won her heart.

Can you blame her? These little birds are heart melters!

Another happy customer were the white-breasted nuthatches. 

At another portion of the trail, warmed by the sun, many birds were soaking up its rays. And they also happily accepted some seeds we placed on the railings of a small boardwalk. This song sparrow jumped out for a snack when the blue jays weren't being pushy, or grabbing the seeds they'd knock onto the ground.

The least skulky song sparrow ever,

This red-bellied woodpecker wanted in on the action too... just waiting for the right moment.

The blue jays were just as blue jays are-- pushy. 

A beautiful, perfect, female cardinal.

The moment came- time for red-bellied woodpecker to cash in.

Those perfect claws, for creeping up the sides of trees or for grabbing onto a railing stocked with seeds.

A group of 8 turkey also were not shy. Happy to see some wild turkey, they are so beautiful.

They are not gentle feeders, they just messily grab for whatever you have in your hand.

The only time you can get a perfect tufted titmouse portrait.

I was so happy and delighted to share this place and time with my friend. The birds get so close that your 500mm lens is useless, so here is some video footage I put together of some bird magic. What a great memory this day will be, I hope everyone has the chance to share happiness with good friends.