From the category archives:

Green Cay Wetlands

Perceptions in Contrasts and Similarities – Wood Knot Face and Hibiscus – Picture to Ponder – v6-issue 30

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 28, 2010

Before discussing today’s Picture to Ponder photos and queries, I want to give a quick “quick heads up” for the business builders among you – Last week I told you about my coach Mollys Gordon’s program for finding your “Just Right Clients” and included a link to her complimentary MP3 download, chock full of information and useful tools. Scroll down below the SRQs for a link to the download page. There is a special offer which expires 7/31

Also, for the aspiring writers considering the possibilities of having a book published, my friend Lynn Serafinn did a webinar interview last week which is available for complimentary download. She is doing another webcast tomorrow, 7/29, where you can have your questions answered. More information is down below the Goldilock’s information.

Also, for the aspiring writers considering the possibilities of having a book published, my friend Lynn Serafinn had a webinar interview last week – available for complimentary download, and is doing another webinar tomorrow, 7/29, where you can have your questions answered. More information is below the Goldilock’s information.

Now on to Today’s Photos -

wood knot in Green Cay with slanted face no eyesMasked wood knot face on side panel of boardwalk railing
at Green Cay Wetlands

hibiscus in shadows at nightHibiscus at night, lit by a full moon and poolside lights

Today’s Photos Story -
I haven’t taken many pictures the past few weeks, so I was trusting that the “perfect” featured photos for today would “show up” in a search through my photo folders.

I could hypothesize why these two became the photos of choice, share the “stories” they may be telling and, for today, I think I’ll leave the “stories” for you to create, if you so wish.

In addition to each of the photos individually, and what they might be expressing, you might wonder why I’ve chosen to feature two such very different images in the same issue. I’ll let you create a “story” of commonality around that also.

Suffice it to say, on my end, I see the two working together aesthetically in terms of artistic composition. I see/feel definite similarities in textures, despite one being a delicate, soft-petaled flower and the other hard, rough wood. There is also repetition of some of the linear patterns in both pictures and even colors that are similar.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
I have, obviously, combined two very different subjects as a unit for this issue of Picture to Ponder. In reflecting on that:

I wonder, are there people in your life who are so different you would never think to be interacting with them at the same time, or in the same room? If one or more persons flash into your mind, I invite you to look further to see where there might be some common ground, or complementary characteristics.

Do you see anything? If so, are there empowering opportunities for everyone that might develop from that, if you put them/you all together?

And are there other elements in your life – any projects – to which you could apply the same, or similar, criteria?

As always have fun playing with these photos queries. Then please share your experiences with us in the COMMENTS section below . I’d also love to read any of the “stories” you made up about the images.

For Business Owners interested in Getting More Clients -

Molly Gordon, my personal coach, did an outstanding teleclass call recently to introduce her new Goldilocks Strategy for Getting Clients that Fit Just-Right. She is offering a 33% discount on the already very reasonable program. This special expires on July 31st.

On the fr*ee call which she entitled “5 Proven Steps to Getting More Clients Even if You’re Allergic to Biz” she went into depth on 5 strategies for doing just that. Chock full of suggestions and details on implementing these steps, you can get an Instant-No-Obligation Download of the MP3 recording of the call at Goldilocks Preview. I highly recommend listening to this call if you are looking to expand your business.

For Writers and Those Who Dream of Writing a Book -

My friend Lynn Serafinn from Spirit Authors would like to know: “What is YOUR burning question about taking your writing or book project forward?”

She will be answering YOUR questions on WEBCAST 2 on Thursday, July 29th, at 3 PM EDT which you can ask when you sign up for the FR*EE webcasts for writers and authors, aimed at answering your questions about writing, publishing, book promotion and beyond.

WEBCAST 1 was last week. Lynn’s very special guest on the first was the “Get a Book Deal Coach”, Stephanie Gunning. Steph talked about how to “Transform Your Spiritual Wisdom into Marketable Books.”

There is still time to participate “Live” on tomorrow’s webcast and/or get the replay as well as a fr*ee download of WEBCAST 1.

To read more about these fr*ee webcasts, and to register your place, see BOOK WRITING.

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Roseate Spoonbills in Green Cay and Intentionality – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 27

by Sheila Finkelstein on July 7, 2010

Last week I mentioned having spent time looking for Roseate Spoonbill photos for you and then went with a different subject. The result of my delaying is that I’ve every time I’ve gone for a sunset walk at Green Cay Wetlands this week I had the pleasure of enjoying the Spoonbills even more. I now have new photos for you.

Last week, I also mentioned my expanding into coaching moms in deepening connections and communication with their young children while having the same freedom of “play” with them that the grandparents have. The date has been set for an introductory open phone call with two moms with whom I’ve worked. We will be “meeting” by phone (Skype is possible also) next Wednesday, July 14th at 2:30 PM PDT/5:30 PD EDT. I will be interviewing Sus and Tracy and there will be time for spot coaching with a few people on the call. For more details and place to get a reminder, plus the call recording, see Child Connections.

Lastly, for the artists among you interested in Proven Strategies To Set up A No-Stress, Successful Social Media Act for selling your art, Ariane Goodwin, creator and facilitator of smARTist Telesummit has a special offer, ending tomorrow night, for 50% off a social media bundle. See Using Social Media. The material is actually good for anyone here in business who wants to know more about using Social Media to expand.

On to Today’s Photos -

Roseate Spoonbills in a tree in Green Cay Wetlands

Roseate spoonbill shoveling

The top photo is of two Roseate Spoonbills, at dusk, on a tree skeleton in Green Cay Wetlands. I’ve included the photo below it to show the brilliance of the pink plumage and also give a sense of the rapid movement in the blur of its head.

Because the Spoonbills do not stay still, I decided to also share them with you in video format.

If you pay close attention to the above video, at approximately 15 seconds you’ll see a feather fly off to the left. Toward the end a Black-necked Stilt walks across the Spoonbill’s reflection.


Near the beginning of the above video you will see a couple of Spoonbills spread their wings showing their brilliant pink color. To see Spoonbills parading, click on Spoonbill Parade to bring you to my YouTube page. Sorting by “date added”, on the right, will show you the four most recent Spoonbill videos I did.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
I’m somewhat at a loss for “queries” as I start to write this section, so I’m thinking, “What lessons are we getting from the Spoonbills?” As I look up at the first photo, I see peace and quiet. Then I reflect on the almost, always-in motion, constantly sweeping bill, behavior of the Spoonbills.

I, thus, invite you to look in your life. Are there places where you are in constant motion? Is there a part of you that’s still while other parts of you are rapidly “moving”? What does it look like when you rest? How does it feel?

Then, thinking about the Spoonbills and how they went suddenly from a random group to an intentional line-up, moving in parade style, to an adjacent location, I’m moved to ask the following. Is there any place in your life now where you can line up parts of yourself, and perhaps, others to move with the same focused, single-minded determination that the Spoonbills had? Note, they did come right back, presumably with “mission accomplished.”

As always have fun with these queries and looking/seeing. Also, please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

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Commonalities – Regal Faces in Clouds and on Boardwalk – Picture to Ponder – V6 – Issue 24

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 16, 2010

It is my intention for today’s message to be brief. When you scroll down and look at the two different photos you may wonder at their relevance to one another. Usually I look for a theme and, using art principles, I always attempt having them hold together and relate both visually and aesthetically to one another

Not wanting to intrude on your individual responses, I’ll expand further in my notes below the photos.

Today’s Photos -

profile in the clouds at sunset from a balcony in Boynton Beach

Princess or angel in a wood knot

To give reference to the perspective from which it was shot, the top sunset photo was taken from the balcony of a penthouse apartment in Boynton Beach, FL.

Although she looks somewhat pained, I love the regal, queenly appearance of the woman in the clouds whom we see in profile facing to our right. If you enjoy exploring further, you might see the second much smaller profile face in her “neck.” It, too, faces to the right. Then there is the one on our left at the top of her full hat, facing skyward. I suspect you will find more.

The image in the lower wood knot photo brought a quick smile to my face when I almost stepped on it on the boardwalk at Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach. She looks like she is winking at us with the eye on our right. She has the feel of a “Greek Goddess and also an angel, though the wing we see is misplaced. It wouldn’t be attached to her cheek.
RE Art and Composition:
To complete on my thoughts from the introduction, what’s holding together the space that these two photos are occupying is that:

1. The subject of both is women, albeit imaginary ones, and

2. There is a bit of burnt orange in the wood that picks up on the orange in the sunset. Colors in the wood are also repeated throughout the sky and clouds in the top photo.

There is a similar linear pattern in both, though horizontal in the top and vertical on the bottom.

Today’s Photo Story -
No story today beyond what I’ve shared above in the photos and, as I see it, there is plenty of “juice” for many stories. Why not have fun and make up some of your own.

If you have children, or know any, I invite you to share these photos with them and listen to their observations and stories. And, certainly don’t neglect the “children” within the adults in your world. Please invite them to have fun with you also.

No more words on either. I invite you to BE with each, fully for a moment or two, less or more, and simply experience the images.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
Today, I also invite you to reflect on your responses, or reactions, to today’s photos. Did you see the faces I saw? Did you have judgments on my observations on the photos, or other things I might have said?

If so, was your response, or judgments, part of a pattern that you can identify and match to other situations in your life? If so, is there anything you can take from it, remind yourself of, and/or acknowledge yourself for, to further empower yourself in those areas or others?

And, as I stated last week, and at other times, it’s all made up. What stories are you making up in your life today? Are they serving you? providing fun? openings for interactions with others?

Thanks for “playing.” As always have fun with these queries and looking/seeing. Also, please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

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Sh*t Happens – Find the Beauty – Branding Passion per CRUSH IT! book message

by Sheila Finkelstein on June 12, 2010

Thanks to my friend, Lynn Terry, in whose Elite Mastermind Group I participate, I learned about Gary Vaynerchuk’s book CRUSH IT! (Why Now is the time to Crush It and Cash in on your Passion). Based on Lynn’s review on her blog, I purchased the book. It came quickly from Amazon and I’ve been enthralled. It’s been a fast, powerful and empowering read. The thrust of the book is about learning “to navigate the digital waters of social marketing to build a business and promote a personal brand based around what you love most.” (p.14)

As I skim the pages now to look for my highlights I see numerous pink strokes on “personal brand” – “The thing that most people don’t realize is that in today’s world your business and your personal brand need to be one and the same…” (p. 28) So as I’m reading, I’m considering, once again, “What is my passion? Where is it?” I’ve done countless courses and reading on this and…. Then, Clunk!, I remembered the photo I took that I was so excited about the day before -

I sent this out to some friends, with the tag, “Sh*t Happens – Find the Beauty”, and I realized this IS my passion and my brand, “Finding the Beauty in Whatever Shows Up.”  As a young child my favorite books were those in the POLLYANNA series.  In later years, I came to recognize that it was her always finding the positive in any situation was what drew me in and quite possibly was instrumental, in part anyway, in shaping my future.

Thanks to Gary’s CRUSH IT! I feel like I’m standing in a more powerful place as I’m crafting/refining what’s next for me, at least in the speaking of it.  I’m not sure I’m comfortable in standing in “Sh*t Happens – Find the Beauty” as my brand in those words AND it’s something to play with – have fun with.

The book is full of concrete and specific ideas for using Social Media and other strategies to monetize and more.  I was familiar with much of it and there was some great information new to me.  Lastly, just before breaking to write this post, I read Gary’s suggestion to put our brands on t-shirts. “What fun!” I thought. “I wonder if anyone would buy and wear a “Sh*t Happens – Find the Beauty” t-shirt.” “What the heck,” I decided.  And I put the image on some T-Shirts in my Cafe Press Nature Art Gift shop.  While at it, I added another image and message – “Fish or Fowl? Change Perspectives” – Changing perspective is always big part of my message and, you can see, rotating the above photograph, 90 degrees, creates a whole different image and experience.

In the top photo, I saw the “bird” in the upper left, facing to the left. Then someone pointed seeing the same shape as a bird facing to the right going through the top of the head of the “bird” facing us.  I hadn’t even noticed that frontal bird until I downloaded it into my computer.  So, as I write, the top photo has 4 birds.  How many do you see?

Then in the rotation of it, as I prepared the photos for t-shirts, I immediately saw the “fish” (formerly bird) in the lower left.  For now, I’ll say the larger image is a fish also. What are  your interpretations?

Adding to my passion is sharing this with you, reminding you that there are many ways of viewing the same thing in our lives, both our interpretations and then those of others… none of which are “RIGHT”.

Here are the resulting images now on t-shirts.  You can find them at Nature Art Gift Shop

As always, have fun with this and enroll others in having fun with you.  Be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments below.

I’d also very much appreciate your thoughts on “Sh*t Happens – Find the Beauty” as the marketing brand for my work.  Many thanks in advance.

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Red-winged Blackbird Inspires Celebration – Picture to Ponder – v6 – issue 20

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 19, 2010

For today’s post, I’m moved to share a recent red-winged blackbird photo from Green Cay Wetlands. It’s the photograph that “popped” out as the one wanting to be featured, while I was working on creating videos. It also became the final slide, with data, on the one I created with me talking on the boardwalk in Green Cay Wetlands.

In the completed video I also incorporated a slideshow of photographs from Green Cay, demonstrating the possibility of respite from Nature photos. You can see it on the Picture to Ponder testimonials page. Notice also, that I’ve now created this as a page for people to subscribe to Picture to Ponder.

If Picture to Ponder makes a difference in your life, I’d appreciate your passing on the link for that page – www.picturetoponder.com/testimonials.html

If you enjoy the bird and would like to hear his voice, plus those of moorhens and limpkins in the background, I put another short (one-minute) video (2 red-winged blackbirds) up of two then one. It’s fun to watch the single bird’s body swell as he “chatters” as you come to the end of the video.

Today’s Photo -

red-winged blackbird in Green Cay Wetlands

Red-winged blackbird on the railing at Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach, FL -

Let’s view him as a symbol calling greetings and congratulations to all the upcoming Graduates about to embark on the next stages of their lives. Today’s Photo Story -
Today’s red-winged blackbird is also a way of my acknowledging my beautiful granddaughter Kaitlyn’s graduation from High School this week.

Seven years ago, when she was 11, she used my camera and got a wonderful picture of a blackbird in Wakodahatchee Wetlands. It seemed to be years before one stayed still long enough for me to get a non-blurry picture. For that photo and others, see Kaitlyn’s Photos. You can click on any one of the images for an enlargement and then use the arrows to continue viewing.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
As in life, today’s bird, could be labeled, or viewed, in many different ways. Because of the usual, past “elusiveness” of the red-winged blackbirds I’ve encountered, I am enjoying seeing and labeling this picture as a symbol of celebration and acknowledgment.

I invite you to look into your life for some of the triggers and memories that come up for you. Which are causes for celebration? Are there any which bring up negative memories that you can now put a different “spin” on?

I also invite you to look around you in your environment to pick something, natural or otherwise, that you can deem a reminder for celebrating.

As always have fun with this and please post your responses in the COMMENTS below.

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Shadows and Light – Nuts and Bolts – Anchors in Life – Picture to Ponder: v6 – Issue19

by Sheila Finkelstein on May 11, 2010

Today’s Picture to Ponder photos are a little different from our usual flowers, birds and/or reflections and may not be considered by you as “pretty” pictures. They are the result of “ponderings” I’ve been in for the past week. See “Story” below.

The bottom line is my often times repeated observations, “where there are shadows, there is light” had surfaced. “In order to have shadows we MUST have light.” This thus was the underlying observation, as I glanced toward the front door at the end of my foyer yesterday. The pattern below below popped out at me. Sunlight was coming in the sidelight windows casting shadows of the plant in its path. The second, railing and exposed screw photo, suggests, to me, noticing the anchors in our lives.

Also, the shadows and light theme, seems to be fitting to acknowledge the official launch of CHECK MATES, today, with several bonuses for those who purchase it today.

“Despite the growing awareness of such conditions, stereotypes persist…and an inspiring (and inspired) group of writers have boldly decided to do something about that. Together, they have compiled a groundbreaking new book – a collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by People with OCD. See Check Mates for Bonuses and Purchasing information.”

Today’s Photos -

light and shadows on front foyer floor

exposed screw on railing in Green Cay drill into wood knot

The top photo is of Light and Plant shadows on my foyer floor.

The lower photo is an exposed screw anchoring the top of the boardwalk railing in Green Cay Wetlands. Though there is not much in shadows here, I do love the coloring and the rhythm of the patterns in the wood.

Today’s Photos’ Story -

At random times the light and shadows observation “hits” me. Last week, on one of the Awakened Wisdom bonus calls, I asked Patrick Ryan a question in relation to the “meaning” of something someone had told me. It related to something Patrick had said. Not knowing me, he said he couldn’t answer the question.

What he suggested was that I take a walk in Nature with that question in mind and pay attention to whatever showed up. (Almost sounded like I was speaking.) He said I could find the answers in that.

I don’t know that I found the “exact answer” AND the first observation that hit me, before even going out for a walk, were the shadows of outside plants, dancing on my patio in the midst of large blocks of light. The shadows danced; the light stayed bright and stable!

Later on in the day, when I went for a walk on the boardwalk at Green Cay Wetlands, the first thing I saw was a collapsed spider web still holding firmly on to the top and bottom of upper and lower boards. So now a reminder of the “stabililty” in my life came into my consciousness. After that, in addition to my usual noticing of wood knots, screws and nuts and bolts started surfacing into my field of perception.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
Bottom line query today:

In your life do you spend most of your time looking at the shadows, or do you focus on the light, allowing the shadows to simply help define the light that’s there?

If you are intrigued with the thought of shadows, my friend Renee Barnow wrote on Groundhog Day, here in the US, “Seeing Your Shadow” on her blog. In it she put forth two queries:

“• Ask what is good about your shadow, for those of us who are uncomfortable seeing our shadow and

• Move into even more sunlight with your shadow, which will be with you anyway as, “You take yourself with you wherever you go,” and see what shows up in the brilliance of the sun” See Right-Line Blog.”

Lastly, since I did bring up discovering “screws and bolts” as anchors in life, I invite you to look at those components which lock the components of your life together and support you.

If you find yourself in occasional states of fear, as have a few people I’ve coached recently, I invite you to pay particular attention to the latter.

I suggest that you also use self-acknowledgment, a daily diary of at least five things for which you can acknowledge yourself. This is one way of setting up, or adding to your “tool box.”

As always have fun with this and please post your responses in the COMMENTS section below.

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Year-end and New Year’s Reflections from Night Crown Heron and Dancing Children – Picture to Ponder – v5-48

December 29, 2009

I’m taking a quick break from family time to wish you a Joyful, Healthy, Peaceful Prosperous New Year.

The Night Crown Heron seems to be pondering? Reflecting? Have you taken the time to reflect and acknowledge your accomplishments in 2010?

Will you to be stepping lightly into 2010 or taking a leap?
And, in celebration of both the [...]

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Picture to Ponder 5 Year Birthday – Images in Nature – Vol 5 – Issue 45

December 9, 2009

REMINDER _  I will be interviewed on Blog Talk Radio by Amethyst Wyldfyre this Friday, December 11th at 4 PM Eastern US time. Amethyst has entitled the program “The Gifted Hand, The Gifted Eye – Fine Arts for the Holidays: Interview with Sheila Finkelstein” I’d love for you to join us. Please bookmark SHOW. You [...]

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Focus and Direction – Alligator, Wood Stork, Turtle and Spatterdock Root – Picture to Ponder: vol 5 – issue 39

October 29, 2009

For whatever reason, I’m moved to integrate Today’s Photos and Self-Reflecting Queries as one unit in this issue. Your feedback on the format would be appreciated.
When I downloaded and looked at my photos from a recent walk along the boardwalk in Green Cay Wetlands, I realized that it has been a while since I featured [...]

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Refreshing, Cleansing Sunlit Morning Dew in Green Cay Wetlands – Picture to Ponder – vol. 5-Issue 34

September 15, 2009

Today’s Photo -
Sunlit Morning Dew on a Metal Boardwalk Railing at Green Cay Wetlands in Boynton Beach, FL
This photograph was first featured in Picture to Ponder almost two years ago in Volume 3- Issue 59 where you can see four more photos taken at the same time. All five grabbed my attention as I was [...]

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