Ella demonstrates proper alignment

It's very important that the nose be aligned with the paws.

Monarch caught "on the fly" #DailyGratitude

Which isn't easy, by the way. I have about 20 photos of empty sky for every attempt.

Update regarding the Young Readers Book Program

For those of you who saw yesterday's blog post about the Young Readers Book Program being launched at the Pay It Forward Foundation, an update. People had some confusion as they tried to donate, because I had asked them to specify that their contribution was for the program, but the menu of "purposes" had not yet been updated to include the new fund.

This has been fixed now, so please do continue to spread the word.

It's a good day to change the world. Right? 

Thoughtful hawk #DailyGratitude

Nice of him to fly into the tree over my head as I was outside with my camera, shooting the sunset. Two photos.

Cloud Painter sunset #DailyGratitude

Just the one photo, then a hawk distracted me.

Cloud Painter with half moon #DailyGratitude

Two photos.

Cloud Painter before the rain #DailyGratitude

Four photos.

Yes, the days are getting shorter... #DailyGratitude

...but that just makes it easier to catch the sunrise.

Hummingbird through the window #DailyGratitude

Showing that flash of color. Four photos.

White-crowned sparrow #DailyGratitude

They always look fat and happy to me. I guess I'd be happy all the time too if I had wings.

Also... bless the little guys #DailyGratitude

Even though they are less flashy.

Underwings #DailyGratitude

A hawk hangs perfectly still in the wind, showing the incredible pattern of feathers on the undersides of his wings. (Two photos.)

Four in one day! #DailyGratitude

After almost 30 years of never having seen a Gulf Fritillary (until a month or two ago) I saw four in one little clump of flowers today. One was surprisingly torn up, but seemed to be making his way through the world just fine in spite of it. (Four photos.)

Only at Lawson's Landing...

...at least, the only place I know...

Paddling on Tomales Bay at sunrise #DailyGratitude

With Ella, of course. Five photos.

Point Reyes

Four photos.

Cloud Painter makes rain... and magic #DailyGratitude

Four photos.

Cloud Painter with kite #DailyGratitude

Dillon Beach, CA

Like a curlew, but not a curlew #DailyGratitude

Anybody remember what these guys are called? Because I don't. (Three photos.)

My favorite from the Cambria Scarecrow Festival

And he's literary, too!