On March 24, 1947, I came into this world. I once asked my mother what was I like – did I cry or smile – on the day I was born. She laughed and said you came in to the world singing. That revelation is startling: not that I was singing, but, because my mother had lost most of her hearing by the time I was born. I have spent my life in song, however over the last couple of decades, most of the singing has been simply for the ears of the animals that I work with, the birds that I photograph and the trees that I lean against.
I do enjoy singing but it is not the driving force of my life. Although, in a way, I feel I am singing as I satisfy my voracious curiosity and am almost driven to share my discoveries. Perhaps I do sing as I talk about soaring bald eagles, nesting blue birds, pennant dragonflies, American field pansies, ancient red oak trees, companion cats, patient dogs, horses I hug and attempt to heal and oh the smiles and the tears of all my friends.
I was asked a couple of days ago how my GoFundMe campaign was going. The nesting bald eagles have so occupied my time that I had not looked lately. So I pulled up the site and realized the campaign was close to the 3/4 of a century point … a 75, just as I am today. So I thought I would bring each of you up-to-date. There is still a distance to go for there to be enough funding for me to have the new camera and the new lenses. It’s been a year since I had a birthday gift to unwrap. Could you help me further unwrap my gift of singing the song of the birds through my photography and help me to continue to share my birthday gift with the world in brand new photographs? If you’ve already helped, my continuing thank you for your prayers and your funds. Please share this notice. If you’ve not joined in the campaign yet, would you consider doing so and as my mother would say: if it’s your birthday too, happy birthday and if it is not your birthday today then have a very happy un-birthday with me. GoFundMe https://gofund.me/9ba7f009

Doc Ellen 75th Birthday

I am glad and very grateful to let you know that my GoFundMe campaign is just shy of the 2/3 point. When thinking of this upcoming milestone, I got to remembering the day I first got to Jordan Lake. I have made a short video so that you too can share in that memory. Please enjoy the serenity of the waters of Jordan Lake with me.

If you have not made a donation yet and would like to do so anonymously, simply click the “private do not share publicly” button on the Doc Ellen Go Fund Me page at https://gofund.me/6643c913

Peace and Grace

Doc Ellen

I watched the shadow of me, camera in hand, against the bright autumn morning of Jordan Lake. Considered briefly the shadow of the long ago accident and then smiled within the light of lake and each of your expressions of thoughtfulness and caring. The sharing of the Jordan Lake Neighborhood with all of you has continued to lift my spirit and helps me cope daily with my crabby left arm. My thanks to all of you for your ongoing support and contributions to my GoFundMe campaign as together we work toward the goal of new photography equipment. I am looking forward to sharing more of Jordan Lake, its birds and its ever changing story with each of you.
Peace and grace, Doc Ellen

Go Fund Me https://gofund.me/42ce37d2

UPDATE: Oh, my! Together we have reached the 50% point of the contributions needed to help me purchase new, lighter photography equipment. Thank you, each and every one who has made a donation and to all for the sharing of my campaign with your family and friends. If you have not made a donation yet and would like to do so anonymously, simply click the “private do not share publicly” button on the Doc Ellen Go Fund Me page at https://gofund.me/6643c913
Peace and Grace,
Doc Ellen

If you are able, would you consider contributing to my Go Fund Me fund https://gofund.me/6643c913? I want so to be able to continue to share the lake with all of you and the new photography equipment would allow me to do just that. Would you also consider sharing this post? Thank you all for your support of all kinds and your delightful comments on my Jordan Lake posts. By the way, did you know that you can contribute via Go Fund Me without your name being posted publicly? Just check the box for privacy. I will be notified of your generosity so that I can say thank you.