Winter Scenes

I mentioned in the last post that I had gone out on a photography outing with a friend.

Today I will be sharing a few more images from that day.

A few days prior to this we had had some freezing rain.This left a sheet of ice on almost everything.

Here the grasses had remained undisturbed and so still showed that icy coating.

I thought it looked rather pretty.

We had wandered onto an abandoned yard site. This was one of only two buildings still upright.

I think this might have been the house.The interesting thing about this yard is that I remember the people who lived here.They had been immigrants from Russia,and lived very simple lives.

I recall hearing how they still had a lot of fear of being captured by the government,even though now they lived in a peaceful country and community.The old couple has long since passed on to where they do not need to fear anything.

I have no idea what this could have been.It must have been part of a building at some point,years ago.

The rough bricks were falling apart and the trees have grown up around the last part of a wall.

This reminded me of an old fort,a wall to hide behind as you watched for the enemy.

Looking east of this yard,this was the view.Early mornings could be quite spectacular from this vantage point.

As I wandered around the old yard I noticed this little scene.

A piece of snow was caught and held up by a few blades of dry grass.

Nature creates it's own beautiful scenes.

Thought for Today:

Even in winter an isolated patch of snow has a special quality.

Andy Goldsworthy 

Friends and Photography

On November 17,a dear friend of mine called first thing in the morning.

Her question was, 'what are your plans for today'? I replied by asking what she had in mind.

Turns out she wanted to spend a good part of the day pursuing photography and she chose me to join her.Let me just say,that I got ready in record time.

Sally picked me up just before 8:30 in the morning and off we went,no destination in mind,but looking for photo opportunities. 

After a hearty breakfast,we headed  out in search of that perfect photo.

We each took numerous shots of old buildings and the surrounding landscapes.

By afternoon we had made our way to the Pembina Valley.Of course I love this place and there is always a picture or two or more that needs to be taken there.

I like how the road winds its way through the valley here.

On our way to the valley we walked to an old farm site to get pictures of the buildings,which I will perhaps share at another time.The snowy landscape looks cold,but it was a beautiful day,with just a few clouds in the sky.

Even though it is months before the hawk migration begins,I know of at least one place which is almost certain to have a couple of Eagles.We were not disappointed,as we saw several adult Bald Eagles and this immature. 

We have had some colder days,but at the Pembina River there was still some open water.I enjoyed this snowy scene,with the rocks all covered in a smooth blanket of snow.

One tree is refusing to let go of its leaves.It made for  a pretty sight against the bare trees and snow covered hillside. Once again,I was shooting into the sun,but I really liked the effect on this tree.

Thought for today:

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone,

but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. (I would add,and in the snow)

Martin Luther

GOD of WONDERS

I am not quite sure how to begin this post,but here goes.

A while ago,I received an email asking if I would be interested in submitting some photos for an upcoming calendar.Of course I was interested and promptly picked a couple which I thought might be suitable. I sent them off,thinking this was probably the last I would hear of this.

It wasn't too much later when another email came requesting more images,which I chose and sent.

Long story short,Back To The Bible,Canada has used five of my images in their 2013 calendar.

Here are the images used and a little about them.

This picture is the first one of the year,January.

I probably took it in January as well,a year or two ago.

September shows this image.I captured this one this past fall.I love that blue sky,which shows off the yellow of the foliage.

October shows our lake,Lake Minniwasta.On this sunny day the fall foliage was at its best.

A beautiful sunset is on the November page.

I thought that there were just enough clouds in the sky that day to make it very pretty.

This is the oldest picture in this bunch. It is on the December page.

I took this one several years ago,southwest of Morden.That old wagon sat there,just begging to be photographed.

I am humbled to think that my pictures were chosen for this project.

I love Back To The Bible and what they stand for so that makes it extra special to be a part of this.

The title of the calendar is as my blog title says,God of Wonders.

We truly do serve a God of wonders.

Birds and a Bee

Getting new pictures has not been happening as often as I would like,so back to some earlier shots we go.I just realized that I have reached 300 followers.WOW! I would never have thought this would happen,when I first started blogging.Some of you are new here and some of you have been friends for a long time.I appreciate each one,whether long time friend or new. Thank-you so much for taking a moment of your busy life to visit my place.I hope you come often and that you enjoy what you find here.

A lot of my bird photos are taken right from my deck,as you can see in today's pictures.

I figure that if I can get the birds to come to me,instead of me going to them,that makes my life pretty easy.Put out peanuts and the Blue Jays will come.I don't easily get tired of seeing and photographing the Blue Jays.

Isn't he a handsome fella?

I like to try for action shots and this can give all kinds of interesting results.

I am not sure what he was doing here,perhaps getting ready to take off,but whatever it is,I like to see him suspended in the air.

Another bird I love is the Black-capped Chickadee.No matter how many pictures I already have,I keep on taking more.When they come for a drink at the bird bath,I can usually count on at least one shot.

This one seems to be giving me the look that says,enough already.

It is rare for me to catch the Blue Jay sitting in a tree,but on this day I was lucky enough to get at least one picture like that.I would have liked a little more sunshine on him,but this will have to do for now.

I was getting ready to snap a picture of these Mums,when I noticed the little green wasp on them.

I can't recall ever seeing a green wasp like this,but he adds a nice touch to the flowers.

Thought for today:

Family isn't always blood.

It's the people in your life who want you in theirs;

the ones who accept you for who you are.

The ones who would do anything to see you smile and

who love you no matter what.

A Day At Stanley Park

Time for a few more pictures from fall.

Actually each of these was taken on September 22,just south-west of Morden.

A short drive from town is a small park,called Stanley Park,so called because of the name of the municipality in which it is located.

This park has some picnic tables,a small playground,a few baseball diamonds and lots of trees.

On this day I was there all by myself,which is how I like it.Don't get me wrong,I love being there with friends,but I prefer to have few other people there.

As I was wandering around I spotted these rose hips.They provided a bright spot of colour.

I found that there was not much colour,but then I should have expected that.The main trees in the park are Oaks which usually don't show a lot of colour.

A small stand of Birch trees,gave another bright spot.As the sun hit them,they glowed.

I enjoyed being in the presence of these solid Oaks.The sunlight was creating interesting shadows under the trees.One tree has scene it's last fall,but no doubt it will be used for bonfires in the park.

As I stood at the top of a small rise,I could look across to see another group of Birches.

I guess this was one of those times where I needed to 'look' for the beauty,but I did manage to find some.

As I made my way home,the long way,I might add,I saw this guy.

This deer was enjoying a good feed in a grass and wildflower filled meadow.He did not seem to mind my presence and finally stopped eating,to look at me and gave me this picture.

I think it may be young animal,you can see a few spots on the shoulder.

As I think back to two years ago,when I said good-bye to Jake,my heart aches.

I know that he wanted me to continue with the photography and so I want to do that.

I have to also remind myself often that God has left me here for a reason,so I want to fully live the life God has for me.

Early Snowfall

November First! 

Wow,where does the time go?

Today I take you back  a week or so,when we had a nice dusting of snow.

This kind of snow creates no problems,but makes for some pretty pictures.

A few leaves on the ground look so much prettier with a little snow on them.

The Mountain Ash often keeps most of it's leaves all winter. They look especially nice coated with snow.

I have said it before and will say it again. I am a kid at heart and get really excited with that first snowfall. I even turned on sone Christmas music.

Does this not look Christmasy? The red leaves of the Sumac and the white snow?

I am always thankful for the evergreens on my yard,but even more so when the snow falls. The boughs catch the snow and look so decorative.

The snow came a little early,so a few Maple leaves were still clinging to the branches.

Here you can see the falling snow in the background.

Of course the snow is all gone now,but it is only a matter of time before we will get more.The next snowfall may well stay with us for the remainder of the winter.That is alright with me,bring it on.

Thought for today:

You'll find when you smile,

Your day will be brighter,

And all of your burdens

Will seem so much lighter.

SMILE