(Oyster)-Catching Happiness

 I was thrilled to catch a flash of yellow (legs), then red (long bill) on the beach the other day, and then count 1, 2, 3, and 4 oystercatchers on the beach. Even more thrilled that they waited around while I skulked closer and closer with my camera (I’m really beginning to want a telephoto lens). Notice how the comically long bill echoes the colour of that freighter’s hull.

On its own, that bill’s a charmingly discordant bright note in an otherwise rather dun seascape.

 Eventually, they tired of my paparazzi antics and took off, but I enjoyed every minute they hung out here, and I look forward to their return. Oystercatchers and happiness are closely related phenomena!

This has been another Word-less Wednesday production. I hope you have enjoyed it. Also hope you’re Catching Happiness yourself. . . care to tell me how?

10 Comments

  1. Iris H
    21 November 2012 / 6:44 pm

    What beautiful photography and what a wonderful place to live. What I find most interesting about your blog is the way you can move from WIW posts to more serious topics – wonderfully varied. Not a blogger myself but really enjoy catching up with you and getting your take on life.
    Did you ever show us what you wore to your son's wedding? maybe I missed that post

    • materfamilias
      22 November 2012 / 10:23 pm

      Thank you so much, Iris — I'm so pleased with your comment as this is what I hope to do: show the WIW as part of a wide range of interests.
      As for what I wore to my son's wedding? I'm still hoping to find that someone, somewhere, got a photo of that. We still haven't seen the official wedding shots, so maybe . . .

  2. Elizabeth Musgrave
    21 November 2012 / 6:54 pm

    I caught some happiness today with an hour in my shepherd's hut, under my new blanket, listening to my Welsh language site!

    • materfamilias
      22 November 2012 / 10:23 pm

      Oh, that sounds like a glorious hour — thanks for describing it!

  3. Lorrie
    21 November 2012 / 7:37 pm

    I'm catching happiness at my sewing machine today. Love the whirring sound when things are turning out just fine. Today's one of those days!
    I think oyster catchers are so fun to watch. Their red/orange beaks really do attract the eye.

    • materfamilias
      22 November 2012 / 10:24 pm

      I haven't sewn for so many years, but I remember that sound well — enjoy!

  4. Raquelita
    21 November 2012 / 7:59 pm

    These photos are just gorgeous and make me feel very serene. You live in such a magical place. I caught some happiness by sleeping in this morning longer than I have in months and am continuing to catch some by enjoying the light streaming into my kitchen while I linger over a cup of coffee.

  5. Melanie
    21 November 2012 / 10:19 pm

    I thought you were speaking of oystercatching people. The bird is so much better! What a brilliant few moments. I'm glad you had your camera.
    Today I am happy because I got two free yogurts, Oikos brand, in a promo giveaway when I went downtown. Does happiness from gifts of advertising make me shallow? Who cares? I love this yogurt!

  6. Anonymous
    22 November 2012 / 11:11 pm

    Hmm…"catching" happiness–not like catching a cold of course (although on second thought maybe it is catching), but perhaps akin to the satisfaction of catching a ball and tossing it back. Or perhaps hapiness is simply flowing by and we have just to reach out and gather it in. Quite a verb you've chosen–food for thought. Elle

  7. Unknown
    22 November 2012 / 11:23 pm

    Beautiful photos and an amazing location. Gorgeous.

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