Llamas in Lewisville
Rivermont Llamas on Yadkinville Road in Lewisville, North Carolina is home to a number of llamas who spend their days grazing and basking in the sun.
Diverse Population
It’s not every community that can boast of an outstanding llama population among its fine citizenry — but Lewisville can!
When traveling west on Yadkinville Road from Winston-Salem, you’ll eventually drive by the home of some prestigious llamas on your right, just shortly before crossing the Yadkin River. Their home is actually Rivermont Llamas, which is located at the original home place of Sattsgate Farm.
Photo Sessions
As I mentioned in Lessons from a Llama, my first encounter with the llamas occurred one day in February when I spotted several of them being backlit by a gorgeous sunset. I managed to click off a few good shots of them before the sun dipped out of sight. But to round out my photo coverage, I knew I’d need to return on another day.
A few days later, I pulled off the road at Rivermont Llamas, where some of the llamas were standing at the front fence basking in the morning light.
As I approached the llamas, to my disappointment, they scurried off toward the middle of the field. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a long enough lens to cover the considerable distance, so it appeared doubtful that I’d get any decent shots of the timid llamas.
Patience Required
On a hunch, though, I decided to hang around for a bit, and I began walking the perimeter of the property. Every time I glanced at the llamas, they were all watching me intently. I just kept walking. Time passed, and the llamas remained huddled in the center of the field — still watching me.
Meanwhile, I happened upon some beautiful low-hanging tree blooms, and I spent some time photographing them. (Those photos were featured in the Springing Forth post.) When I finished photographing the tree blooms, I resumed my walk around the edge of the property.
I was on the verge of calling it quits, when — all of a sudden — three of the llamas began making their way toward me. It was as though — after much deliberation on their part — a consensus had been reached among the “head honchos,” and they had finally decided that I was “safe.” So here they came!
CLICK to learn more about the LLAMAS and to view the PHOTO GALLERY
Lessons from a Llama
A llama in Lewisville, North Carolina appears to bask in the light of a brilliant sunset.
Stunning Discovery
I might never have shown you this photo had it not been for a conference I recently attended called “Shame Off You.” The conference, held at Reynolda Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, addressed the symptoms of and the path toward freedom from the effects of shame.
Led by Senior Pastor, Alan D. Wright, the conference was based on Pastor Wright’s book, Shame Off You. One of the “quizzes” we conference attendees took contained 24 statements that we were to mark as either “true” or “false.”
Once everyone had completed the questionnaire, Pastor Wright informed us that all of the statements were “false.” I was stunned because I had marked 20 of the 24 statements as “true.” Simply stated, those 20 statements represented false assumptions that I’ve built my life upon. One of those assumptions is:
“Perfect is always better than good.”
I’m slowly realizing that if I continue to measure my work, my goals, my relationships, and even myself against a self-constructed model of perfection, I’ll miss out on the “good” opportunities that will come my way. While I accept this concept in theory, in reality, it’s not easy to implement.
This “perfection” issue surfaced again this week when I considered whether to share the above photo with you.
CLICK for more on perfectionism and lessons from a llama
Just Curious
A redbird sits in a tree near the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, North Carolina.
The Redbird
I couldn’t help myself — I was curious. I wondered whether the redbird I wrote about in the Birds of a Feather post would be waiting for me if I ventured up to Shallowford Square again.
Sure enough, as I approached the Veterans Memorial yesterday morning, I spotted the redbird singing away at the POW-MIA monument! I couldn’t help but smile at that animated little creature.
I know very little about the habits and instincts of birds, and this experience has piqued my curiosity. So I have TWO IDEAS:
IDEA #1
If you’re a birder, can you shed some light on the territorial instincts of birds? I’m particularly wondering whether the redbird’s behavior is typical. Please share your knowledge in the Comments section.
IDEA #2
If you’ll be passing through Lewisville and feel a bit curious yourself, how about stopping by Shallowford Square for a few moments and see if you spot the redbird on or near the POW-MIA monument? (The POW-MIA monument is at the base of the black-and-white POW-MIA flag flying at the Veterans Memorial at the Square.) Then report back here in the Comments section and let us know if you saw “Red” — or not. I think this would be a fun experiment!
It’d be great to hear from some of you! Now, for one last photo, please continue to the NEXT SECTION. CLICK to see Red giving me the eye
Birds of a Feather
A redbird guards his territory at the Veterans Memorial at Shallowford Square.
Looking Everywhere
Clouds were moving in, and I was getting a little desperate to capture at least one good photo. I’d already been to several locations around Lewisville and had taken a few half-hearted shots, but I knew that none of them was particularly outstanding. The overcast light simply left most subject matter looking bland.
Even the beautiful trees in Shallowford Square that were in full bloom looked dull. Still, I walked around the Square, scanning the area for photo possibilities — and I felt my anxiety rising with nearly every step I took.
Creatures of Habit
As I approached the Veterans Memorial, I spotted a redbird sitting on the POW-MIA monument. When he saw me, he immediately flitted to one of the nearby oak trees. I didn’t think any more about him, and continued surveying the area, looking and hoping for something that could become an interesting photograph.
Moments later, the redbird flew back to the monument. All the while, he was twerping the cardinal’s melody. Then he flew to a tree that was only a few feet away. I thought, “I wonder if he’ll fly back to the monument.” Sure enough, he did.
I began to think that perhaps this little redbird was going to provide the shots I needed for the day. So I sat down on the ground, about 20 feet from the monument, focused my long lens on the top of the monument, and waited.
What transpired for the next 30 minutes or so became a drama of two curious creatures watching each other! To read more of this tale (and to see a few more photos), please continue to the NEXT SECTION! CLICK for more on this fine feathered friend
