It started with something I was reading . When I was reading Sue Halpern's book I came across this quote... "Cape May point in New Jersey is a draw for birders, sheer numbers of migrating songbirds raptors and water fowl could darken the sky. 400 bird species have been identified there. John James Audubon had spent time in the nearby swamps and marshes executing some of his well-known bird studies." (pg 177) And that is why...all because of this quote that we ended up taking a family vacation in Cape May last year. I know, I know, it is a whole year later that I am posting it, I wanted to, but weddings and other shoots kept me too busy to post. We just came back from our visit this year to Cape May and so I wanted to dig out last years photos before I post this years. 
"He whispered that there were was about five million butterflies above us." (pg 48) "The sound of their wings was startling then, like spontaneous clapping. It erupted, and arced, and fell away." (pg 109) 
"A monarch swims through the air." (170) 
We made some friends at the Cape May conservatory and they told us where the locals go to see all the butterflies. Following the tips we ended up at a home of a retired couple. They have a wonderful garden that attracts so many butterflies that more are tagged there than at the conservatory. The kindness that this couple showed us added much to our experience. She invited me into her home to show me the machine they use to weigh the butterflies. I imagined living in Cape may and going to visit her regularly, sitting on her bench and watching the butterflies. She restored something in me...hope. It was incredibly refreshing to be around people who are genuine, who are not trying to be nice, did not seem to be looking for anything in return for her kindness. She had a true sense of the word welcome. Both her and her husband seem to be healthy and at peace and enjoy other people. I have met people who are kind, but their heart isn't really in it. This couple seemed to have something spilling out from inside of them, not something they are working at, but something that just flows. It was convicting and inspiring to spend time with them. While in their garden there were butterflies everywhere...they would fly so close to my face I could almost feel their wings against me cheek One paused on my hand before going to the next flower. 
I was with my back to the kids taking pictures of the birds when I turned and saw Steve. I knew what he was doing even from the distance. He had his arms around the kids and he was praying with them, thanking God for the sunset they were about to see, and for the vacation we have had so far. 
Entertaining himself in the hotel room. He skipped this entire weekend. 
Secure 
Waking her up with the sheets, just so we could hear her laughter 
Sat on a bench here and watched the dolphins
I stood in the water for an hour with my journal in hand. The wind was whipping my hair around my face, the sun hot on my neck was so bright it made everyone around me look like dark silhouettes and the water silver. I tallied the butterflies as they flew by, 200 in one hour. When they get high enough they act like a kite with soft movements making the fluctuations of the wind visible. When they drop they fold up their wings. It is hard to keep count as they float past me, there are so many. Often I see the shadow of their wings on the sand before I look up and see them. 
"It is not simply our ability to think, to be rational, that distinguishes humans from other species, but our ability to be irrational- to put stones in our pockets because we think they are beautiful." (pg 9) 
Generations | 
this blesses me!
