The Joys of Winter

January 2017 is about done or may be history by the time you read this and we are at February.

The first month of this year has flown by. 

Come sit at the window in my house and enjoy the views I see regularly.Oh,I might even offer you a cup of coffee or tea as we chat.

Those snow laden branches are something I love to see.

While we watch, we may be lucky enough to have a visit from a Red-breasted Nuthatch.He is a little cutie, in my opinion.I've had as many as three of these birds at the feeder at once.

The falling snow covers the branches of the evergreens and weighs them down.

I enjoy watching a heavy snowfall, especially when I know that I don't have to leave the yard.

All the dirt and leaves from fall are covered with a beautiful layer of pure white.

While we watch from the living room window, we are treated to this sight.The sunbeams highlight the falling snow.What a gorgeous scene God created for us to enjoy.

Can I get you another cup of coffee or tea? 

I do hope you enjoyed this brief visit and will join me again, soon.

I'll be looking for you, but until then,remember:

The universe is filled with the evidence of God’s Greatness.

Winter As I See It

As much as I would like to think that we are done with the coldest part of winter,I am also realistic, knowing that we can still get more cold and lots more snow.

Since we are still in the winter season,I will share some more of my recent winter photos.

I hope you find one or two that you like and I trust that the quotes I share will speak to you as well.

Learn to appreciate what you have, before time make you appreciate what you had.

Below— Male House Finches on my yard.

Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back,it simply means that you are two steps ahead of them.

Just remember, even your worst days only have twenty-four hours.

Some of you will recognize this place.This is at Lake Minniwasta,near Morden.I have taken photos here in many different seasons and weather.

A scene from my yard.

Just remember that, in prayer,God hears more than your words— He listens to your heart.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes of your time with me, here on this page.

Let's meet here again, real soon.

Some of My first Pictures

Join me as I take a look back into the archives.

I recently organized all my pictures, and in doing so,I got brief looks at all of them.

I was actually quite surprised at how good some of my first shots looked, so I will be sharing some of them. I may have posted some of these before, but hope you enjoy them the second time as well.

These pictures were taken during the summer of 2005.I had just got a camera a simple point and shoot.I think it was an Olympus.It had some zoom on it, but no telephoto lens.

This is the first ever Bald Eagle I was able to photograph.I was thrilled as could be to get this shot.

I should mention that all of the pictures in today's post were taken in the Whiteshell area of eastern Manitoba.

I've always enjoyed this shot.A small body of water beside the road was all it took for some fantastic reflections.

Jake and I had gone to the Whiteshell for a weekend.The place we stayed was across the road from this beautiful lake.The setting sun made for a lovely picture, in my opinion.

Of course, even back then, in my early photography days,I couldn't just take one picture of a sunset.

The next morning we were treated to mist over the water. This had a more subtle look but was still very pretty.

I will be showing more winter/snow scenes, but I will also keep on sharing some of my earlier pictures and some never before shared shots

Closing thought:

The following seems very appropriate:

God creates the beauty,

my camera and I are witnesses.

Mark Denman

Window on Winter

Many of my photos taken on my yard begin by me looking out the window.I may see something that demands a photograph.Sometimes,I get my parka and boots on and step outside to get that particular shot and at other times,I am able to, or am sort of forced to shoot through the window.

This first picture was not taken through a window, but I looked out and saw this scene and knew I needed to capture it before the wind destroyed it.

A heavy layer of wet snow had fallen overnight,earlier in December.This kind of snow clings to everything and here it clung to the scroll work of the bird feeder pole.Hanging from the pole is the round peanut feeder, now completely covered in snow. 

Since I was outside,I decided to wander around my yard and see if I could find any other photo worthy scenes.It didn't take long to find a variety of them.The sculpted snow on the lawn was one of many scenes that caught my attention.

Some days the weather is such that I would rather stay inside, but that doesn't mean that there is a lack of beauty. Some years ago a dear friend, and she will know who she is, sent me a package of five crystals.They have been hanging in my living room window since then.Sometimes they cast rainbows over the whole room and at other times they just add beauty to a dull day, simply by being there.

I move to my kitchen/dining room area and find another sort of beauty.

This female Pileated Woodpecker visits the suet at the window feeder and then flies to a nearby tree.On this particular day I was able to get numerous shots through the window.

When she flew back to the feeder, she was so close that all I could get was profile shot.I am not complaining about that.It is a treat to see this bird and even a greater treat to be able to photograph it.

Closing Thought:

If you want to be rich, count all the things you have that money can't buy.

The Beauty of a Manitoba Winter

At the time of this writing Southern Manitoba is under a blowing snow advisory, which could reduce visibility and an extreme cold warning, with wind chills reaching to -40 to -45C.This sounds like a good reason to stay indoors and enjoy nature through the windows of my home. The following pictures were taken in December and I was actually outside to capture them.

These are all scenes that I can see from my windows.I don't ever want to take lightly the beauty that is right before my eyes. I will share some quotes I have found from a variety of sources.

 Not every day is a good day.

Live anyway.

Not all you love will love you back.

Love anyway.

Not everyone will tell you the truth.

Be honest anyway.

Not all deals are fair,

Play fair anyway.

This branch is weighed down by the weight of the snow.

Here is a different sort of picture.I stepped out of my door and saw this, turned around and got my camera so I could capture a decent picture. Without looking to the end of the post, can you guess what it is?

Closing Thought:

I pray you will have a day with more blessings than your heart can hold.

Now for the answer to the picture above.

The snow had built up on the deck railing and as the sun hit this snow it began to slowly melt, forming interesting shapes.Shapes that caught this photographers eyes.

Taking a Break from Snow Scenes

I don't know about you, but my eyes need a break from seeing snow so here is a post that began in early fall of 2016.

One place that I don't visit as often as I should, is our local golf course.This is in part, because I don't golf, but that need not keep me from enjoying beauty like this from the parking lot.

When I refer to the Pembina Valley,this is what I'm talking about.There are no hills around here to create a valley.The land is generally flat, but the Pembina River has carved this valley over many years.It is a beautiful sight at any time of year.

I love birds and will photograph them whenever I can.This Red-tailed Hawk was sitting just on the other side of the ditch and allowed me to stop and get several pictures, before he had enough and flew away.

A small marsh which I often visit, doesn't look like much as a rule, but on this day I thought the golden brown grasses and leaves made a lovely scene.

A Turkey Vulture allowed me to get fairly close before taking off.

And we have lift off.

Several Eagles were in the area.I do believe this and the next three shots are all immature Bald eagles.

I just happen to love these birds and that huge wingspan.

Did I take too many picture? Probably,but that is how it goes.I am limiting how many I post so you are spared the excess of photos.

From birds to grasses,I enjoy them all.

Milkweed seeds are ready to take flight on their silvery wings.

The Sumac is not the most beautiful shrub most of the year, but wait until it puts on it's fall finery and it most certainly is impressive.

Thought for Today:
I think the following is timely advice for the beginning of the new year.

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.

Autograph your work with excellence.