~April in the Countryside~!

Life has been getting in the way of my photography lately. But because I miss shooting so badly, I just had to grab my camera this weekend and head out...anywhere. A side road here, a dirt road there...

A friendly (hungry?) goat here....

A buff Orpington hen there...

And I backed up the street for this one, a fluffy cat sitting on top of a mobile home roof in the sun. Since no one was living here, I'm sure she was the neighborhood queen.

Saucer Magnolias...

Wet duck feathers.  Ducks' feathers repel water and are covered with a protective oil, similar to rose petals. It keeps them warm and allows them to swim in frigid cold waters during the winter months. And just like on roses, I think the droplets make a stunning display of light and texture.

A red-winged blackbird. I came back to this swampy area to see if I would find the hundreds of lovely blackbirds that had been there last week, but all I found was this guy- and lots of 'skeeters. I did, however, get a really neat video clip of him calling and flapping his red wings...wonder who the lucky lady is!

Sigh....more Magnolias...

A swan in the distance of the pond...afternoon sun and a country fence.

I love the textures and lines on the side of this old barn.

New England is usually abloom with pinks and yellows this time of year, but...unfortunately, we experiences two weeks of well-above average temps followed by a few days of freezing cold. Our cherry, magnolia, and pear trees in full blossom have met an untimely demise.  :(  Some of our daffodils, too.  One weekend without my camera and I feel like I missed them all!  I'll have to be at the ready for the next blooms to appear. 

It's not only flowers that are coming to life....I enjoy seeing all the animals grazing on the roadside and the birds flitting around in mating frenzies. I'm keeping my eye out for baby chicks and goslings, too.

Good thing I have lots of photo blogger friends to keep me the cheery flower pics coming.

Have a lovely week friends...

~Mary

The Cutest Baby Chimpanzee....

My favorite part of a visit to the zoo from last week...

The happy family...above, Dad, Mom and Baby...

The baby is asking his Mom if she wants to play but she's not in the mood...soooo...

I love this one, he is totally showing off!

And exhausted, he takes a snack break.. :)(All photos taken at the Southwick Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts.)

A lesson in Joy, from Maggie May the dog

I want to use my post today to bring attention to a cause dear to my heart- animals. I recently learned that a member of my online photography team, Joy, was struggling to pay some exorbitant vet bills for her beloved friend, companion, muse (and even model!) Maggie May.  There are not many among us who would not do everything they could for their companion animals- but their story is particularly special and more complex than a simple blog post could communicate.  

Above: A Day at the Beach", by Joy St. Claire

 In short, Maggie May is Joy’s best friend, going wherever she goes, intertwining her lovely doggie self into Joy’s gorgeous photography, and acting as her whole family.  In addition to her fame on the internet and on Joy’s Etsy shop of fine art photography, this free-spirited Lab/ Greyhound mix has been giving back to the community for years. She has been featured on animal calendars to raise money for rescue groups, and she was also a therapy dog, visiting local hospitals,  and helping heart patients recover from surgery and treatment. Despite being in two different homes and two animal shelters by the age of 1, Maggie has forgived and forgotten her tough start in life. Joy says that Maggie can be seen around Central Ohio "with her head hanging out the car window" on any given day.

Maggie May has been helping and lending her love to society; now it is time to help her back! After a bout of pancreantitis and complications, she is recovering and eating again and getting back to being her old,playful self. Joy has spared nothing in making sure her best buddy was saved. In the meantime, Joy is left with supporting her health care and recovery which involved hospital stays and lots of medication.  

Above: "Diva Dog", by Joy St. Claire

I recently read a great article about spending money on things that bring you joy, in the August issue of Oprah magazine. Author Martha Beck says, about spending $12,000 to give her beloved golden retriever Bjorn knee replacement surgery, "I paid [for them] without a second thought...Bjorn is to me what diamonds are to whoever wrote that song...a girl's best friend." 

 Above: "Party Girl", by Joy St. Claire

Says Joy, on her Etsy shop, "We love our pets. The quote by Anatole France sums it up perfectly: 'Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.' I like to say that Maggie and I rescued each other. We learned to trust together, we learned about gaining confidence together, and we learned that patience and love can conquer much."

Joy already donates portions of her sales from Etsy to aide the Gulf Coast oil spill recovery, but from now until the vet bills are paid all sales must go toward Maggie’s veterinary care.  Will you take a moment to reflect on the special partnership that our companion animals share with us, and visit Joy’s awesome photo shop to appreciate the beauty she sees in life? With every purchase you’ll be helping Joy and Maggie May recover- in health and finance.  And you’ll be adding  an original piece of beautiful, affordable art to your home that will have a very special meaning that you’ll remember every time you see it. There is nothing better. 

P.S. Joy's photography shop page can be found here...prepare to be lost in dreamy light and the beauty of simple things.