A splash of joy, a moment of wonder & video #100 | Aug '25
Published 8 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
August 2025
šFrom My Nest to Yours
Hi friendāwelcome! Iām so happy youāre here.
This little letter is where I share joy, reflection, and seasonal wonder from my nature-loving corner of the world. Whether you're a backyard birder, a butterfly admirer, or someone who just enjoys a moment of quiet beauty now and thenāyouāre in the right place.
šæNature Right Now
Itās molting season for Northern Cardinals! If youāve noticed a few scruffy faces and patchy feathers hopping around your yard, donāt worryātheyāre not sick. Theyāre simply going through a natural phase of renewal. Like other birds, cardinals shed and replace their worn-out feathers to maintain insulation, flight efficiency, and overall health.
I always find it reassuring to watch the messy parts of transformation unfold like that. Thereās beauty even in the in-between. Iāve spotted a few at my feeders latelyātufts sticking out, faces patchyābut still as charming as ever.
A little scruffy, still stunning. This molting beauty is just between feathers.
āØReflections of Wonder
Thereās something quietly wonderful about seeing birds up closeāreally up close. Watching them flit around the yard is one thing, but noticing their tiny claws grasp a perch, the intricate details in their feathers, and the way they tilt their heads when they pauseāit all makes me feel like Iām getting a secret peek into their world.
Lately, Iāve had a few of these moments thanks to a window feeder thatās become surprisingly popular with some of my regular backyard visitorsā¦including the cardinals! Itās brought me so much joy. In those moments, thereās no distance between us. Just connectionāand thatās a happiness all its own.
If you're curious about the feeder, Iāve partnered with Kingsyard to share a 20% off discount. Just use code NATURECOURT at checkout on their Amazon page here.
PS ā If you missed my video about this feeder, I shared a sweet story about a brave little wren and a few other curious feathered friends. It was a slow and patient process, but one that ended in a really touching way.
This also turned out to be my 100th YouTube videoāwhich makes it extra special to me. You can watch it here:
While editing footage for my upcoming white ibis video, I came across an older clip that immediately made me smile: a white ibis taking a very enthusiastic bathāsplashing, flapping, and fluffing in total delight. Iād shared it before on YouTube, but rediscovering it felt like a surprise feathered bonus tucked into the work.
Editing these videos is a labor of loveāsorting through hours of footage, making sure the audio comes through clearly, choosing music, and shaping it all into something that feels joyful, true, and worth sharing. Moments like this remind me why I do it. Iāve included a photo I snapped of that moment below so you can enjoy it too.
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