Yep, we just did it again. It seems as as normal as staying home.There is so much to miss leaving The Holler.
The year round Holler hummers are brave in an non-conformist way, they choose not to migrate thousands of miles across the Gulf of Mexico, but to stay year round with us at The Holler, despite winter temps that frequently fall well below freezing and could easily kill them.
Other migrating travelers visit us seasonally.
There are four hummers that lived at The Holler year-round this year. These are two of them. They rely on our feeders and bugs to keep them alive year round.
Now we have flown off before the full complement of spring unfolds, missing all The Holler spring has to offer. Don’t worry, family remain at The Holler while we are away, to take care of all our critters including the birds.
I look forward to blogging as I travel and hope you will come along with me.
You make traveling a lot more fun and interesting!
3 Flights, 22 hours traveling time, and here we are,
ready to head further east.
Cheers to you from ancient Athens~
(Please do be patient iwth me if I am slower in responding, or unable to follow your blogs as closely as I would like, due to the realities of travel.)
Great pictures, keep them coming
Will do & Thank you!
Amazing photos! WOW
Ah, honored!
Gorgous pictures! Enjoy Athens👍
Thanks much Martina, it is a fascinating city~
👍I was there in 1967!
Everything is wonderful, the bird, flowers, and the houses. Way to go Cindy. 🙂
Hugs & gratitude to you Ranu~ <3
Envious! 🙂
Looking forward to your photos, sharing your trip with us. Hope the jet lag fades fast. 😉
It is in full flower now, so looking forward to it easing up! Hugs to you Eliza~ <3
Cindy, the first shot is simply stunning.
How on earth did you capture this?
I was referring to the first hummingbird shot. Really beautiful.
Love & practice! Works with most things I guess. Thank you for your thoughtfulness~
Would you mind sharing the details?
Camera , lens, setting etc?
No probs if it’s a ”professional secret”?
🙂
Great pics! I’m looking forward to more from your trip.
So happy you are joining me! <3
CAPTIVATING! As Usual Cindy. ~~dru~~
Ah, thank you!
Welcome to Athens!:)
Wonderful to be here!
Incredible photos as always! 😍
Very kind comment Andy & much appreciated too~
Cheers ☺️
Have a fun trip Cindy! I am looking forward to reading your travel post!
Yay! I am honored. Cheers to you~
Beautiful photos both of your ‘hood and abroad. Looking forward…
So glad you are & thank you~
Athens is great. If you have time, don’t forget to visit the National Archeological Mueum, to watch, among many other beauties, the bronze horse with boy. Have fun on your trip!
Thanks much and we are heading there today. They moved it from the last time we were here~
Fantastic!!!! Looking forward to the cornucopia that is your blog.
Be safe & have the best time!
Hugs to you dear friend~ <3
Beautiful pictures as always. Safe travels 🙂
Thanks my friend and thank you!
Your photographs of Nature are amazing!
Honored! <3
So exciting … Can’t wait to see more of your travel photos Cindy!
I am so happy you are joining me Val! <3
Lovely mix of photos
Very pleased you enjoyed them & thank you~
Ah, Cindy, welcome! Hope you have a lovely time here! 😉 Beautiful shot of the Acropolis! 🙂
Such a wonderful country. It is so good to be back!
Have a wonderful time, Cindy, wherever you are heading. Athens is a great start. Your hummers are brave! Love the fritillary and those blossoms are so delicate!
Delicate yet determined, a winning combination!
We all enjoy your migrations from longitude to longitude, please don’t ever forget your camera. I understand your sadness leaving the Holler; the other residents, subjects of your camera work, may miss you as well.
Ah, such a thoughtful comment. Thank you!
Love the humming birds and look forward to posts from your travels!!!!
Very happy on both counts! Thank you~
Gorgeous Photos, absolutely perfect. Well done. Enjoy Athens. ☺☺
So kind of you and thank you too!
The flowers are so gorgeous and of course the hummers look so cute. I am surprised to learn that they decided to hang around even they could not survive the winter. Perhaps, they start to adapt.
I think they do adapt as long as they have a steady supply of nectar!
I guess your house is the major suppliers 🙂
Yay!!! Welcome Cindy!!! I wish you a lovely stay here <3
Feel free to ask for anything, I'll be delighted to give you some info ))
Cheers!
So kind of you and so appreciated too! I love your beautiful country! <3
😀
So beautiful Cindy! Enjoy and be safe!!!!✌💗
Thank you my friend & be well~
You’re welcome. 💗
I know you’ll you have a great time Cindy. We loved Greece. There is so much history there to see.
Leslie
It is a remarkable place and I am glad you have been here~
🙂
I know the Holler creatures miss you, but your fans can’t wait for the next travel episode. I have never been to Greece but know your photos will be spectacular as always. 🙂
You are a sweetheart Dor. Cheers to you~
I suspect with as much galavanting around as you do, there must still be somebody back home to enjoy the Holler and keep those critters flying. Sounds like a win-win situation.
Yes, The Holler is never alone, nor are The Holler critters~
Beautiful photos, Cindy and I look forward to following you on your travels!
Oh good! I look forward to having you along~
I love Athens but it’s just in ruins!
Laughing……The like these old treasures over here!
Wow. I hardly know what to say. Have a fantastic trip and your pictures are, as always, incredible. Thank you.
Thank you much for your kindness my friend~
Amazing photos; great! 🙂
Have a good time.
Frank
Thanks much my friend & cheers to you~
I just remembered a joke about “German English”
“Sorry, I am late.” “I am sorry too.” “I am sorry three.”…
Have a nice weekend.
Beautiful photos as usual and so glad to see my favorite hummingbirds still hanging around!
They missed you!
You are a migratory, animal. What else can I say Cindy. But I certainly understand missing the Holler. Peggy and I left last March to review my 10,000 mile bike trip and missed a whole season of beauty here at our mountain retreat! Enjoy your journey, and of course I will be along with you. –Curt
So happy you are coming along & cheers to you Curt!
Wow, fantastic photos! You should get an award for this.
Humbled by your thoughtfulness!
Okay I see your mojo was on steroids with this post! You always manage to knock my socks off as it were, but this time my sock flew off all the way into the next county!!! What amazing photos my friend!!! You are indeed a bird whisperer it seems!!! Have a blessed and wonderful time on your new adventure. I pray for safety for you wherver you go. Love and hugs, Natalie 🙂 <3
Love & hugs and blessings back to you Natalie~
Thanks missy❣😘
fantastic captures my friend…:-)
Honored~
1974 I spent a month in Athens and the northern islands. I know SO much has changed since then, but I did love those islands and the Greek people in general. Cheers!
What a wonderful experience! You must have so much you could tell me~
For another time, Cindy 😉 Enjoy!
Your photos are prize winners as always. I want to scoop up the butterfly and the hummers. I don’t know how you do it. I’m excited for you traveling to Athens. I’m an armchair traveler now so I shall sit and wait to be amazed. 🙂
I am so happy you are joining me! You make the experience richer~
Beautiful images! Enjoy Greece and wherever you are heading next!
Will do & cheers to you!
There are some seriously gorgeous photos in this collection starting with the opener. And the hummingbirds! Have a wonderful time!
Alison
Thanks much Alison and cheers to you and Don~
What amazing adventures you have Cindy! So pleased to be able to come along for the ride 🙂
I am so happy you are coming along Liz! Cheers to you~
Fabulous photos! You are so talented at capturing the hummers. 🙂
Thank you! I love them!
Cindy, I’m so thankful for your sense of adventure (whether you’re exploring the outdoors at home or abroad). Beautiful close-ups once again!
The hummers are back here as well and we do have a small group that stays year round, probably thanks in part to the dense neighborhood evergreens providing shelter! 🙂
It is wonderful having them as constant companions! I am so glad you are experiencing this. I miss them already~ <3
Great photos Cindy, wish you many beautiful experiences in Athen 😀
Gracias y abrazos amiga mia~ <3
Muchas gracias, Cindy <3
<3
Stunning captures of the Hummers, Cindy. I wonder how many shots you made before you ended up with these beauties … 🙂
I’m terribly envious of your travels. Sigh. I’m an Aquarius, born to travel and make photos. We should meet at the port of Athens for a cup or a glas. 😉
Have fun in Greece. I believe this capitol has lots of fascinating modern architecture as well as the iconic “old stones”. Are you touring some islands of Greece as well?
Wishing you both a wonderful holiday,
hugs**** from The Fab Four of Cley x
Yes, it would be wonderful to meet up in distant locale! We will need to compare itineraries to see if we are ever in the same place. We are visiting some of the islands we missed on our last trip here as well as heading into more of Eastern Europe and Croatia. Cheers to you four & all the best to each of you~ <3
Sounds lovely, Cindy. Wishing you happy and safe travels and unforgettable experiences. <3
<3 <3 <3
Absolutely stunning, Cindy
Ahhh, so kind & so appreciated!
Oh you’re in my home country! Hope you enjoy Athens – despite the current ugliness, her beauty still resists!
Athens is beautiful. I only see beauty. This is my second time here and I love the city and I love Greece and am so looking forward to seeing more of it. I woke this morning to a beauitful parade right in front of my hotel!
Oh, this must have been a rehearsal for tomorrow`s parade on the National Day! Looking forward to your beautiful photos!
Really! If this was practice, the actual parade will be phenomonal because I was very impressed with the practice! <3
Once again, great pictures! Congratulations. Hope you enjoyed Athens.
Thank you! It is a wonderful city to explore~
Welcome to Greece Cindy.. 🙂 Glad I saw these pictures – they always make happy no matter what!
Have a great time.
The most wonderful city! I love it here and I love the Greek people. So helpful to us and there was a big parade I watched from my hotel window today! Heading out for some Spanakoptia now! I <3 Greece!
Great Cindy – I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 The parade had to do with one of our 2 Independence Days which is tomorrow – from the Ottoman empire!
Enjoy Spanakopita…lol…!! 🙂
We knew it was some sort of National Holliday. Thank you for explaining this to us! Thanks so much and I will enjoy the spanakopita & maybe some Mousakka too! <3
Wonderful! 🙂
Thank you kindly!
es ist schön heute, also genieße den Tag
Vielen danke mein lieber Freund! <3
wünsche ein schönes Frühlingswochenende
Cindy, Athens! I hope it is still the way is use to be 15 years ago, the last time I was there. Send lots of pictures!! I envy you, but, have a wonderful time and where are you going next? K. D. 🙂
I was last here in 2004, so we just missed each other! It seems just as wonderful. We are heading off to some of the islands we missed last time in a few days….Would love to share some photos with you & cheers to you~
Cindy…I would love photos (you do fabulous photos and tell me about the islands, we only went to Mikanos (sp?) and it was wonderful. Cheers to you too! Karen
I’m blown away by these beautiful photos, my friend. \\\٩(•́⌄•́๑)و////
You are a good friend and I love your \\\٩(•́⌄•́๑)و////!
( ◜◒◝ )♡
Greece?? How wonderful! Cindy, you’d better believe I’m coming along to see the sights with you — thanks for letting me tag along!
Yay! I love traveling with you! <3
Gorgeous photos Cindy. I would be happy at the Holler or Athens! That is wonderful how you have created a sanctuary for the hummers to stay year round.
A sanctuary for all the critters, incluing us! It is wonderful that you would be happy wherever you are Brad. <3
Thanks for the creative optimism Cindy! 🙂
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Cindy Knoke is going to be sending us wonderful photographs of her travels including from Greece where she is currently. She has left her beloved Holler with its wildlife and stunning flora in capable hands and shares with us photographs of her home coming to life with Spring.. I am sure we will be treated to some wonderful photography in coming weeks.
You are a source of continuous light in the lives of so many. Thank you my dear friend. Hugs & gratitude to you! <3 <3
Looking forward to your travel photographs Cindy.. wishing you sun and safe journey. ♥♥
<3 <3
I can’t wait to visit Greece! Be sure that I will be hovering over your blog just like these hummers. Wonder how you managed to capture them 🙂 Have loads of fun!
Hoover away! I will be honored. Happy weekend to you~
Oh my, do I need to go to Athens! Beautiful photos of the Holler friends and the start of new travels. I can’t wait to follow along. 🙂
I am so glad you are coming with me! It makes the trip more fun~
I wish I could actually fit in your suitcase. 🙂
What beautiful pics, please enjoy Athens and look forward to more pics of delight. x
So glad to be traveling with you and Happy Friday!
🙂 🙂
These pictures are wonderful, Cindy.
Honored you enjoyed them & thank you so much~
Looking forward to joining you on your travels, Cindy.
Yay! So glad you are coming with me! Cheers to you~
Wow so beautiful!!
Very happy you enjoyed and cheers to you!
The Holler friends are great to see! Oh how I adore that hummingbird photo 🙂
I adore people who adore hummingbirds! 🕊️
Safe travels. And enjoy the sights, and scenery as always.
Thank you Joyce all the best to you and yours! <3
Have a wonderful trip.
Merci beaucoup mon ami! <3
The detail in your photographs is stunning, Cindy. Wishing you happy trails and looking forward to your travel shares 💚
So pleased you are traveling along with me and hugs to you Tina~ 🕊️
Beautiful photos, as usual, Cindy. 🙂 — Suzanne
Muchas gracias mi amiga y abrazos! <3
Hello Cindy! I’m going to miss the pictures from The Holler, but I’m sure the photos you’ll take during your travels will be scenic and interesting as well. Have fun! 😀 xx
What a sweet comment Vashti! Thank you so much & cheers to you~ <3
Wow, you take such stunning photos, Cindy, in such detail too! Thanks so much for sharing them with us 🙂
Thank you so much more for appreciating them & cheers to you Judy~
What beautiful photos! Thank you
Thank you more for appreciating them & cheers to you!
Lovely photos, do enjoy your trip to Greece.
Thanks so much and all the best to you!
Cindy dear your work is exemplary/ You take us with you where ever you go 🙂 beautiful photos <3
I am honored that you travel with me my friend & thank you sincerely~ <3
my pleasure Cindy <3
Welcome to Greece! I hope you have a great time! 🌺
I am loving every second and thank you!
I cannot help but travel with you, Cindy! You take me to amazing places I could never get to see. <3
I love traveling with you my friend! You make the trip more fun~ <3
Nice pictures.
Remember; no landing without an aircraft. People will think that you’re Mary Poppins. 😀 Oh supercalifragilisticexpialidocious even though the sound of it is really quite ~
How did you know Mary is my idol and my role model!
Everything’s a holiday with Mary. 🙂
She makes the sun shine bright~
Wonderful photos as always, Cindy. Have a great trip. 🙂
Thanks much my friend & cheers to you!
Reblogged this on SUSANNE LEIST.
Can’t wait to chat with you via email when I return about your planned trip for next year. Thank you Susanne for your thoughtfulness! <3
What fun! Where’s Waldo (Cindy) now?? Athens. Perfect. Enjoy your time there. Can’t wait to see your photos.
So happy you are traveling virtually with me Patti. You make the experience richer! <3
My bag is always packed. 🙂
<3
Pingback: Almost Flown Away – Visual Fling
I will love travelling with you, Cindy, courtesy of the virtual travel company! Re the hummers, are you saying that they would migrate to warmer climes, but choose to stay behind because they prefer your company and your food to flying away with their chums? I wish I could attract some to my garden in the south of England, as I’d look after them very well 🙂
Laughing. I think they would love it at your house and I know you would love them too! They are just the most awesome family members. They never complain about anything! And yes, they do choose to stay year round. At The Holler, there are the feeders, and oodles of bugs which are a big part of their diet, as well as orchards and lots of flowering plants. But the feeder definitely sweetens the deal! Hummingbird populations are increasing after a period of decline, due to the prevalence of back yard feeders, so I think they are actually important for the species, as long as people keep them clean and free of mold.
It would be tragic is such a beautiful species of birds died out, so I’m thrilled to hear that their population is flourishing once more, due to the care of some most dedicated people, such as you 🙂
If you ever visit California, you must come visit them. They are so tiny and yet not the least bit fearful of humans. They follow us around the garden and sometimes when we go for a walk, they come along! <3
That is so sweet. How lovely to have birds following you around 🙂 I wish I could afford to come to California.
I would love for you to come. I could find you really cheap flights!
Even cheap flights might be beyond me just now! You will have to hope that I become a bestselling author 🙂
If the world operated properly, you would be a best-selling author!
möge es für uns alle eine gute Woche werden
Vielen danke und Frohe Woche!
Wow! Athens is one amazing place. Cindy, I admire your intrepid travels with so many wonderful sights to see! Hope you are ecstatic, safe, healthy and careful. . . 🙂 🙂 <3
Hope the same for you my friend and thank you too! <3
Oh, your flowers, 4 hummingbirds and your family will keep the home fires burning, so to speak. . . Enjoy your travels all is going smoothly, Cindy. xo peace and blessings!
<3 <3
Inspired by your brightly colored photo of the butterfly, a quick interpretation in watercolor. Have a lovely trip!
https://visualfling.com/2017/03/26/almost-flown-away/
I am honored and hope the horrid wifi will let me open it soon! Thank you Lucy~
Beautiful
So kind & so appreciated! Hugs to you~
So exciting Cindy!! that young accordian player is adorable. I’m hoping you have the best travels ever! Can’t wait to see more photos! Bon voyage! xo
You are a sweetheart Rhonda and I am so happy you are virtually traveling with me! <3
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
Springtime calls for migration…even amongst we human beings! Cindy is visiting Greece and points further East – I can’t wait to see photos of her destinations!
😎
I love traveling with you my dear friend! Hugs to you & Happy Friday~ <3
I hope that you’re doing well, and enjoying the sights, sounds, and local delicacies!
*HUGS*
🙂
Wow- I do know the feeling. It’s always so hard to leave our little island. When we do, we have so much fun traveling… and then we are also so very happy to come home! Can’t get any better than that. I’m so grateful. Enjoy your time away… cheers… x wt
So wonderful to hear from you Wendy & you know exactly how I feel. Home does start to be the planet too though, and it’s occupants, human and otherwise, and that is a very nice feeling. Hugs to you my friend~
Thank you, Cindy. 🙂
Thank you for the like Cindy. 🙂
Scrolling down to have a look at the treasures I’ve missed.All your posts and your stupendous photographic work is an oasis,a paradise for the beholder!Have a brilliant and creative day,dear Cindy 🙂
Your lovely comment made my heart smile. Virtual hugs and thanks flying to you! <3
My pleasure,dear Cindy! <3
<3 <3