Hitting Send

One of the first things I noticed about Costa Rica were the brightly coloured butterflies drifting about the lush green jungle. As the travel van transported me through the windy mountain roads, the sugar cane fields squares standing out against the valley floor behind us, fertile rainforest surrounding us, I couldn’t help but delight in the occasional emerging butterfly. These Beautiful and enchanting creatures have always held a special place in my heart, and I was thrilled to learn of a butterfly sanctuary not far from the village in which I am staying.

My friends and I grabbed our cameras and headed to the local butterfly sanctuary, hoping the rain would hold off long enough to get in some great viewing and pictures. Sure enough, we were Blessed with an abundance of mariposas, as they’re called in spanish, lazily floating about the flourishing plants. There were smaller red ones darting between lavish overgrowth, and more elusive blue-winged Beauties which I tried to capture to no avail. I knew that patience was key, and stayed still, awaiting the opportunity to acquire my perfect shot.

While visiting an enclosed space full of these delicate insects is an Amazing way to see them, and provides many great photos, I am enchanted by the way they flutter by throughout the day. An orange mariposa was flitting about me as I made my way down the street this morning, adding its Loveliness to my day. Little white and yellow butterflies danced along the beach with me when I visited the Gorgeous oceanside yesterday. They make their way through restaurants, cafes, and local shops. That is one of the many gifts this spectacular country has to offer. It’s a Joy to share with you, my Dear Readers, and there will be many more treasures to come, I’m certain.

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

As the rare collection of Iris plants residing on the property began bursting forth into spectacular blossom, I grabbed my camera in an attempt to capture their Beauty. There are about three hundred species of Iris in the World, many of which are natural hybrids. They take their name from the Greek word for a rainbow, due to the vast variety of colours in which they bloom. Most of those I was fortunate enough to capture blend creams and purples, though there was also a Lovely yellow variety, and the white “Ring Around the Rosie’ flowers were sharing their remarkable grace.

Ring Around the Rosie

I’m told they need to dry out very thoroughly between waterings, as they do not do well sitting in moist dirt. Unlike the rich dirt in which one would Loving place their tomato plants, the Iris plants prefer to be in sandy dirt which can dry quickly. They also need regular pruning, as the paper-like covering around the blossoms can be peeled back to reveal a second bud waiting beneath. They flower twice yearly, but the blooms tend to be fleeting Beauties. Another reason I was Grateful to capture their elegant charm to share with you, Dear Reader.

Tahitian Dream

The shape of the Iris allows for a special relationship with pollinating insects, its outer petals forming a perfect landing pad for flying insects. This also allows an opening for access to the nectar, showing the mutually helpful exchange between bug and flower. It also makes the Iris a Gorgeous addition to one’s garden and home.

Drama Queen

Secret Service

Panama Hattie

Love and Beauty Blessings,
Antonia

While the first thing I noticed about moving to a retreat center/animal sanctuary was the Sacred Heritage tree, the first sound I heard was most definitely the cacophony of the many, many Amazing birds in residence. There are so many, Dear Reader, I admittedly have felt a bit overwhelmed by them all, and have thus gotten to know them at my own sweet pace. It’s been a DeLight to explore the various parrots, pheasants, doves, finches, peacocks, swans, emus, ducks, geese… you’re getting the picture, right? There is a plethora of Beautiful birds on this property. I could not begin to show you all of them, in their often brightly coloured spendor, but I set out today to introduce you to some of them.

We shall begin with Sydney, for he’ll introduce himself as soon as you make your way across the stretch of lawn in front of his cage. “Hello?” he’ll call, “How are you?” Nice manors, don’t you think?

Beside his cage are the other parrots, all of whom were very patient with me as I photographed them. I was particularly Grateful to the Sweet Votan, whose willingness to open her stunning blue and sunny yellow wings was particularly touching. Many thanks, also, to the animal handlers who assisted in the venture. Here are the parrots they showed me:

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read tweets about, and/or seen pictures of, Roy. I fell in Love with him instantly, and am still fascinated by the twenty-year-old European turkey who wanders freely about the property. He stays within one area, his black and white feathers standing out as he crosses the main lawn, sits by the dining hall or stands outside the birdcages to flirt with the peahens. He gets very excited when guests come to stay, and is also an avid music fan. When tunes can be heard in the main dining area, Roy will puff up his feathers and gobble for ages! hehehe The sounds of his “gobble gobble gobble” across the grounds cracks me up. It really does.

There are quite a few different types of pheasants on the property, most of whom preferred not to be photographed. Except, that is, for the Silver Pheasant, who wandered right up to greet me.

I think I saw the giant Emu eggs before I met the birds themselves. There are a male and female who reside here, and they’re two of the oldest Emu’s in the World. They are very sweet and curious. Isn’t he super cute??

Another of my favourites to spend time with is the Swan, Luxor. She’s a black swan, who’ll elegantly glide across the pond to greet visitors. She Loves to chat, and has even been known for singing along, if you sing the right melody to her. I think she’s Lovely, Lovely!

Of course the peacocks and peahens are a Joy to behold, in their magnificent array of brightly colored iridescent feathers. If you look closely, you can see one of the peahens curiously looking out from behind his skirt. I’m certain she’s the very same peahen I witnessed having an escaped outing on the roof recently. Yes, I tweeted that pic, too!

All of the birds are a part of my days here, whether it’s the soft cooing of doves, or gobbling of Roy, or strange squawking from one of the parrots. I am Grateful to witness their Spectacular mating dances, and to be amongst such Beauty and charm. They really are Amazing animals. I hope you’ve enJoyed visiting with them, too!

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky.

I recently made a journey to my BeLoved, Beautiful Northern California for the Holidays. As my bus made its way through the San Francisco/Bay Area, I was Amazed by a Glorious rainbow display, very much like the above picture. WOW! Well, I Love to share Beauty! “Look at the rainbow!” I declared, trying to get any and everyone on the bus to share in the joyous Beauty! People looked!
Hey, yeah, pretty!

The man sitting in front of me turned around and asked me where the gold lay.

I looked out at the rainbow, then back at him.

“I suspect it’s all around us and we just don’t see it,” I replied. And so it is…

Over Mountains

Lakes

Over major cities (Sydney)

Lovely Towns

Farms

And, Oceansides

Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail.

~Navajo Song~

Glorious waterfalls (Iceland)

Also Iceland

Over Lake Superior

In Missouri

Also Missouri

Islay, Scotland

Bare Island, Australia

The true harvest of my life is intangible – a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched.

~Henry David Thoreau~

These rainbow pics were taken in places dear to me:

Delightful Harlem, the Netherlands

In the Dutch Countryside

Switzerland

In Sonoma County

BeLoved, San Francisco

Over Beautiful San Francisco, taken from a boat

Gorgeous Mendocino Cove

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.

~Lord Byron~

Lastly, with Lightening in Arkansas WOW!

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never [lose] sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

~Gloria Gaither~

Love and Blessings,
Antonia

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