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Noelle Bouvier Photography, Chandler, Chandler, AZ (2026)

04/23/2022

Mothers....

Today is my mother's birthday. I would have to look, but if she were still living, I think she might be 100. I lost her to cancer many years ago. I love restoring old photographs. You can see the before and after photographs. I colorized this photo as well.

So, Happy Birthday, Mother. I wish you were here, so we could celebrate. One day....

04/22/2022

At the Last Second…..

I was working on a photo project for one of my photography classes, and I chose the theme of spring. I so wanted a bird in with the collection, but I was unsuccessful at securing a good shot – or any shot at all for that matter. After a couple of hours of photographing other subjects for the project, I decided to call it quits for the day, bird or no bird.

Then, at the very last second, a small avian flew to a branch and stayed put, allowing me a few moments to take some pictures. And then, another bird did likewise.

I’ve learned throughout the years that blessings often show up at unexpected times or at the last minute when all hope of a blessing has been lost. There are moments when I do go home empty handed as I walk this journey of life. At other times, I might receive what I want right out of the gate, but most often, waiting and a tremendous amount of patience are in order.

As impatient as I might get, I do admit that waiting for God’s perfect timing brings the best and most joyous of life’s gifts.

03/06/2022

Grateful for the Shot....

Someone told me I needed to try and place my birds in the "Rule of Thirds." Frankly, I'm thrilled when I get one in the frame. Most of the time I get only a wing or its bottom half, which is not the best view of the bird.

I was not looking for birds in fight on this particular day, but when I saw a few of the pelicans flying by, I "gave it a shot." It's not the best in the world, but, like I said, the bird is in the frame, and I'm pleased with that.

12/25/2021

Countdown to Christmas
Day 25: Christmas Day

Who better to usher in the King – the Lion of the tribe of Judah – than the king?

On this night, the roar of the lion transcended beyond the five-mile radius, breaking into the peace while ushering in the promise that prophecy was now fulfilled.

“For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord!

The Lamb of God – the Lion of Judah.

Merry Christmas! On this special day we celebrate the birth of the Lion of the tribe of Judah: Jesus Christ. I hope you have enjoyed the countdown to Christmas, learning a tidbit or two about the celebrated wildlife as well as some practical application we can use for our own lives.

May you and your loved ones have a blessed and wonderful Christmas day and a far better 2022 as we still muddle through the challenges of life.

I am grateful we have The King to help us through, loving us every bit of the way.

12/25/2021

Countdown to Christmas
Day 24: The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and the wildlife were restless with anticipation for an exciting night yet to come. Sleep? There was none. Hunting? Put on hold. Instead, they waited for a signal from the heavenly realm that only they could understand.

Finally, all the matriarchs in their respective habitats raised their trunks toward heaven and trumpeted in the night of wonder. And the wildlife became silent. They listened as the voices of angels declared in their hearts the birth of a Savior. A Savior for mankind, a Savior who would one day make it possible for them to once again lie down with the lamb.

As the angels finished their message, the wildlife began theirs. The cheetahs chirped and the lionesses caroled. In their land, the tigers chuffed their praises to heaven while hyenas laughed with joy. The leopards’ voices sawed through the holy night air while camel mothers hummed songs to their young.

And while orangutan mothers held their young close to their heart, a mother in Bethlehem held her Son close to hers.

And then, silence. On this most holy night, there was another voice yet to be heard.

To be continued....

12/24/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 23
Celebrating the Ostrich

The world’s largest bird never takes flight, but is able to sprint at over 70 km/hr. All of the herd’s hens will place their eggs in the dominant hen’s nest; yet, each hen knows which eggs are hers. The eggs are also the largest eggs of any living bird. They are 15c long and will weigh as much as two-dozen chicken eggs.

The male and female take advantage of their respective coloration when incubating the eggs. The female has a drab coat that blends in with the sand during the day while the black male goes nearly undetected at night. After the chicks are born, both parents take part in rearing their young.

I am reminded that we all have different gifts, abilities, and experiences that when used cooperatively among one another serve to benefit all. I can use my gifting to help in one area while another helps in an area he/she has experience in. When we work with each other instead of against each other, we bring peace and harmony to the table and the work gets done.

12/23/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 22
Celebrating Birds

Birds. We photograph them (or try to at least), build feeders for them, provide water baths, and in general enjoy them and the beautiful music most provide. A group of birds, no matter what the kind, is referred to as a flock.

Some birds, like the crow, rival human children in intelligence. They have excellent memories and can anticipate future events to solve problems. Caledonian crows remember specific people and cars and are capable of developing grudges against specific people and cars. And, along those lines, I was surprised to learn that the beautiful swan will hold a grudge and be aggressive toward those who have been unkind to them.

Very much so for humans, holding grudges is a bad habit that creates problems for not only the grudge holder, but also those that the grudge is held against. It serves no purpose to live with animosity toward an individual, refusing to forgive.

We celebrate the birth of Christ, knowing that some thirty-three years later, He would sacrifice His life in order that we might have forgiveness for our transgressions, including those grudges that often develop into more destructive behaviors.

Personally, I’d rather trade an old sack full of grudges for the beautiful gift of peace. Now, that’s a song worth singing.

12/22/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 21
Celebrating the Parrot

As is fitting for a chatty and social species, a group of parrots is called a pandemonium. Not wanting to miss out on anything, most parrots can imitate sounds, so they are well able to fit into the environment they are in and communicate.

As pets, these intelligent and social birds are fairly high maintenance. They need a tremendous amount of enrichment and attention or, when bored, will start to pick up bad habits. They are also known to pluck out their own feathers when stressed.

No one likes boredom, including humans. Kids get antsy, teens act out in some way, and in general, we lose our motivation and s***k when bored. We need enrichment in our lives and the opportunity to express our creativity and grow. I pick up the bad habit of being lethargic when bored, allowing myself to get into a slump. I, too, can do a fair amount of feather picking when stressed, which is another aspect of boredom.

Yet, this is the season for hope. It’s the season for miracles yet to be found. It’s the season in which we embrace the unexpected as did the shepherds when the sky opened and a plethora of heavenly host announced the birth of Christ.

I have learned that it’s best to replace boredom with expectation – the expectation that there are, indeed, many of God’s gifts that are yet to come in their perfect season.

12/21/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 20
Celebrating the Butterfly

A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope, perhaps because their wings are transparent, covered with thousands of scales that reflect the various colors of their environment as they fly about. A butterfly actually has four wings with the wings closest to the head being the forewings and those closest to the rear, the hindwings. All four wings will move in a figure eight pattern during flight.

Butterflies taste with their feet, which may seem odd. However, their daily activities include mating and eating both of which require landing. Their taste receptors help them find the perfect plant on which to land in order to receive the nutrients they need to survive. Their diet is liquid, however, since they are unable to chew. They drink nectar or some other variation of a liquid substance like mud puddles! A butterfly can’t live on only sugar; they need the rich minerals and salts that are found in mud puddles.

Likewise, I can’t live on only the sugar experiences of life. I need some of the mud puddles – the darker experiences, if you will, to keep me balanced and growing. It’s not the highs of life that produce the most growth. It’s the lows – those times when I must totally depend on God to help me through, teaching me along the way.

12/20/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 19
Celebrating the Cheetah

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world, and a group of cheetahs is called a coalition. The entire body of the cheetah is a work of art, but since this is day two of my discussion on focus, I’ll “focus” only on the head. Their heads are small and their faces are flat. Their eyes have binocular vision. Their dark teardrop markings serve as an anti-glare mechanism.

When in flight, the cheetah’s gaze is unfaltering. Its head locks and the eyes are fixed on the prey. The eyes never waver. There’s no getting distracted and looking here and there. Their eyes are on the goal and that’s where they remain. I encourage you to watch the Youtube clip: Cheetahs on the Edge – Director’s Cut|National Geographic for a good look at its focus during the hunt.

At times, I need to lock my head and fix my eyes on a goal and not get distracted by the naysayers and those offering little encouragement. I need to stop looking here and there, second guessing my abilities, my choices, and my goals.

Yes, there is a time to focus on the entire picture, and a time to be laser focused on what needs to be accomplished. The trick is in keeping all the world’s noise out of my life, so I’ll be able to distinguish the proper time for each.
,

12/19/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 18
Celebrating Reptiles

Today and tomorrow I’ll talk about focus, because I was so focused on practicing my technique of shooting through plexiglass, that I failed to note the species I was photographing. In fact, I wasn’t even aware of how pretty her surroundings were and how the blossoms enhanced her skin until I viewed the picture on the computer. This is an example of not focusing on the entire scene.

So, let’s pretend she’s a lizard of some sort, because you’ll enjoy knowing that a group of lizards is called a lounge. Reptiles are covered in scales and nearly all are cold blooded. Reptiles will use a variety of methods for defense: camouflage, hissing, biting, and avoidance. Lizards are unable to feel cold or warm, so when the weather gets cooler, they move slower. When the temps fall below 40 degrees, a green iguana will stiffen and appear to be dead. However, he’s simply cold and will thaw out in the sun.

Okay, back to focus. I often become so focused on one situation, one problem, or one challenge that I fail to see the entire picture. In doing so, I miss some of the beauty of working through the situation. That beauty is known as growth and character building.

God provides many blossoms to be enjoyed throughout life. I only need to stop fretting about the technique of life and appreciate its very essence.

12/18/2021

Countdown to Christmas: Day 17
Celebrating the Capuchin Monkey

Capuchin monkeys are said to be very cute, but this little guy was clearly having a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” when I visited the zoo. In every photo he was snarling about something. However, it’s the holidays and don’t we have a classic named A Christmas Carol with Ebenezer Scrooge?

Their group name is a troop, and they are so named because they resemble tiny Spanish Capuchin monks with their white faces and dark brown robes. The monkeys make their home in the trees traversing through them during the day and sleeping in them at night.

Capuchin monkeys are the most featured monkeys in movies, and speaking of movies, let’s get back to Ebenezer Scrooge. With all the challenges of the past two years, it’s not hard to get a little testy at times. We seem to be a little grumpier and stressed, snarling at folks when we should be offering a word of kindness.

Like Scrooge, who became most generous and thoughtful by the end of the story, so can we undergo change. Scrooge changed after three angelic visitations, but we can do so simply by making the decision to be kind to a hurting world.

Noelle Bouvier Photography

04/23/2022

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