Travel theme: Walking

/ Leya / 25 kommentarer

My first thought is of course my every day dog walking. Walking is also one of my absolute favourite things to do. But, I just have to share this amazing, graceful creature with you.

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Have you ever dreamed of ,or wished, you could walk on water? I thought I only knew of one…who maybe could do that….

But, at sea, swirling around our sailing ship in the Galápagos, I saw this wonder with my own eyes. It is an Elliot’s Storm -petrel. I took hundreds of shots…but only a few shows clearly enough this amazing bird’s abilities – it walks, runs and stands on water.

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The story of this Storm-petrel is enigmatic as well…It is pelagic, and feeds while fluttering and pattering on the water with wings raised. …”…endemic subspecies galapagoensis. Population estimated at many thousands and although a nest has yet to be found in Galápagos, breeding is suspected to occur between April and October. Conservation Status: Data Deficient.” (Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galápagos Islands. An Identification Guide by Andy Swash and Rob Still.)

WPC: Ambience

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

Ambience – Nature is the master of this…I return to late evening canoeing along the narrow water ways of the Amazon basin. The darkness of the forest and the light still filtering in through the canopy. Hitting the tiny inhabitants of the river bed. The sounds of the rainforest tell you …you are not alone.

 

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Thursday Thoughts – Why Galápagos is a Paradise

/ Leya / 38 kommentarer

For many reasons of course. When I think of these wonderful islands, my dream was, and is, that animals can live together without fear, and that they tolerate us humans – they are not afraid of us, but rather curious instead…

I made friends with many animals – but we were not allowed to go closer than 2 metres from any animal. Except from trying to pass them on the paths of course…The wonderful thing is that they approached us instead – and that, is true magic.

This mockingbird was really communicative – jumping up and down on the tree trunk,  hiding, but still keeping an inquisitive eye on me. I know I lost a bit of my heart there…

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The birds here are yellow warbler and mockingbird, then iguanas and sealions.

Nature is fantastic. Everything to me. This time I was really living my dream.

CFFC: Old and New

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

Thank you for being featured, Cee! Always an honour.

This week’s challenge of Old and New made me think of a snapshot taken with my phone as I passed by these youngsters trying out a new shell (!)- of a 250 year-old tortoise. Not a great shot, but – fun!

For more of Old and New, click here.

 

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Happy Anniversary to Lagottocattleya – Leya!

/ Leya / 45 kommentarer

6-årstroféSo, I have an Anniversary to celebrate! I started this blog 6 years ago today. All in Swedish from the beginning. Thank you all in the blogging community who decided to tag along…and many of you are still there! I am very, very grateful to have ”met” you, and  this summer I will have the opportunity to meet another English lady – in the real world – so looking forward to seeing you, Sue!

In my first post, the photo is from Norway, and the text says that a new planet had been found, ”Very important”, the scientists said… But what then…? Then… we would have a new planet to destroy, new life to kill…Again. Nothing in the history of mankind can convince me that we really have learned from previous mistakes. Nothing would make me happier than if someone could convince me that we have…learned…and will not repeat the same story.

Bilradion släpper ut ljudkombinationer som tränger in i mitt påväghemkörningsmedvetande. En ny planet är funnen. Igen. Den här gången är den i storlek med Vår Jord. ”Betydelsefullt”.  ”Viktigt”. Säger man där borta i USA. Men den är för nära sin stjärna, den nya planeten – och således alldeles för het. Ytterst vill man finna liv – naturligtvis. Och sen? Om vi finner liv?  Vi har en ny värld att förstöra, nytt liv att döda, nytt. Om igen. Ingenting hos mänskligheten i mänsklighetens historia kan övertyga mig om att vi skulle ha lärt oss av gamla misstag. Lycklig skulle jag bli – om Du kunde övertyga mig om motsatsen.

Travel theme: Quiet

/ Leya / 23 kommentarer

Travel theme: Quiet

My good life depends on how much quietness and contemplation I can find time for. Ailsa’s theme this week – and every week… – breathes of Life.

My choice today is also for a belated Happy Birthday to you, Ailsa, and wishes for a Happy New Year! Thank you for hosting the Travel theme – always a great joy to read and participate when I can.

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Feel the quiet prescence of this lovely young sealion, standing on the warm beach – just in front of me – with her eyes closed…living in, and enjoying,  the moment. No fears, Mindfulness, the sealion way.