The Many Faces of Spring

Springtime in Manitoba has many faces. One day it can be warm and sunny and the next day may well bring snow.One thing we know for certain is that the cold and snowy days won't last too long.

Today I take you back to about the middle of April,when our lake was just beginning to thaw.

It was a fascinating sight to see the lake filled with these icy shards.

The setting sun cast a warm color over the still mostly frozen lake.

A closer look revealed some interesting scenes in the water.

At the spillway the water was creating interest. My Granddaughter,already in her pyjamas, enjoyed watching the water.

Zooming in I found these interesting patterns created by the water.

Of course, looking toward the sky can result in more photos taken. In this shot, the moon is obviously not full, but still pretty.

 On a different day the moon was full. The clouds gave it a softness that we don't usually see.

 Back at home the Red-breasted Nuthatch visits the bird bath. I love the fact that these birds are regulars on my yard all year.

 On a sunny day this spring,I spent some time enjoying the sights at the lake.The seeds of this Milkweed plant have long since left, but the empty pod is still quite attractive.

Of course, when a Bald Eagle flies by, that is always a thrill.

From the large eagle to the small butterfly, all are worthy of my attention.This was the first butterfly of the season for me,so it was extra special.

Closing Thought:

The God who created the universe is the God who loves you.

Gulls to Geese

Warning: If you happen to not like birds, now is a good time to click away from this site.

I do hope you choose to stay a while as I share some of this spring's bird photos with you.

Yes,the first few pictures were taken when it was still quite cold and the water was frozen.

Where there is one gull there are more than likely more.They seem to like congregating in large flocks and making a lot of noise.There were not that many birds here but most often there are. Sometimes I wonder just what the 'talk' is all about. Since I am not a bird,I guess I'll never find out.

With careful aiming,I could get a picture of only one gull. I do think they are quite lovely in flight.

I know that this bird is always a thrill to watch and photograph. The majestic Bald Eagle is one of the most easily recognized birds and one most people like.

From one of our largest birds, to a small one. The Dark-eyed Junco is just plain cute.

Here is another bird, most everyone recognizes and also likes. The first Robin of spring is a most welcome sight and their song is beautiful.

A male Mallard is one of the more common ducks, but still one that causes me to raise the camera again and again. Is there ever a time when a photographer says, no,I've got enough pictures of that bird? I don't think so.

Spring brings back long V's of Canada Geese. Their well known honking means that spring is here.

They are also quite feisty in spring and skirmishes happen regularly. This one is just stretching those wings, but the remaining pictures tell a different story.

All is not peace and quiet in the goose world.

Lots of water and wings everywhere.

Stirring up the water.

Closing Thought:

It's never too soon to be kind. 

Good-bye to Winter

Winter has left us, at least I hope it has so it is time to post some of my last "frosty" scenes.

Oh,I may re-visit winter when it gets too hot in summer, but for now, this will be the last wintery post.

All of the pictures were taken during the last few days of March,so keep that in mind. By now I am seeing green grass outside and the sunshine is warm and very pleasant.

An early morning visit to Lake Minniwasta,gave me this shot. These two were resting in the morning sunshine.

The lake was still all covered with ice.

The morning sunlight was creating shadows on the frozen lake.

I'm always looking for birds to photograph. This is one I had mixed feelings about.This is the Stars (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society ) helicopter leaving our local hospital. I am thankful we have access to this service, but also know that someone inside this chopper is very sick. That particular week we had this helicopter in our area at least four times.

 A spring visit to the Pembina Valley was perfectly timed. The river had just broken up.

That swift water would have been icy cold.

Everywhere I looked there were huge chunks of ice.I had to take pictures, so here are several of those shots.

This one reminded me of a crystal. It was the cleanest one I saw.

Closing Thought:

Every day may not be good,but there is something good in every day.

Domestic and Wild Animals

I tend to post more bird pictures than other animals, so today I try to make up for that.

The first two photos are ones where I was glad to have a telephoto lens. I am a big chicken when it comes to large animals. I do think that they are beautiful, just don't make me get too close to them.

A leisurely drive along a familiar road, brought a sighting of a different sort. 

This big bull was standing in the perfect light of early evening and I thought he was rather handsome, as long as he stays on one side of the fence and I on the other.

Closer to the fence and the road, was another bull.This one has such curly hair on his head.He seemed inquisitive as to what I was doing.

Wild animals are the ones I get more photos of. During late winter the White-tailed Deer come out of the bushes, looking for any kind of food.They likely were finding some leftover sunflowers on this field.

Of course, when I stop the car, they immediately start to run away, so this is most often what I get.

Just west of my home town is a Bison farm.I find these animals quite fascinating,psossibly because they are enclosed in a very secure fence. Driving by there one day just about at sunset,I was able to capture this scene. I hope to get more shots of them and hopefully some of the young which will be born a little later.

Closing Thought:

The following thought applies to birds, flowers and even the animals:

Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator.

Happy Easter to All

Happy Easter to all.

Easter and spring is a time of new life and rebirth.With this in mind, please enjoy some photos from a year ago, of new life emerging.

I am using the words of a song called When They Found Nothing to share the meaning of Easter.

If you are so inclined, you may click on the link to hear my friends Legacy Five sing this song.

Legacy Five singing When They Found Nothing

THEY WATCHED AS SOLDIERS NAILED THEIR SAVIOR TO A TREE

THEY WITNESS ALL THE ANGUISH THE AGONY

THEY WAITED FOR HIS FATHER TO RESCUE HIM BUT THEN

HE CRIED OUT IT IS FINISHED THEY KNEW IT WAS THE END

THE STONE THAT SEALED THE TOMB HAD FINALLY SEALED THEIR FATE

FOR ALL THEIR HOPES NOW LAY WITHIN THAT BORROWED GRAVE

LEFT WITH ONLY QUESTIONS THEY PONDERED ALL HE SAID

BUT ANSWERS DIDN’T MATTER, FOR NOW THEIR LORD WAS DEAD

THEY BEGAN THEIR FINAL WALK TO SAY ONE LAST GOOD-BY

BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE TOMB THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THEIR EYES.

WHEN THEY FOUND NOTHING, THEY FOUND EVERYTHING

IN AN EMPTY TOMB, THEY REALIZED WHAT CHRIST HIMSELF HAD PROPHESIED

THAT DEATH COULD NEVER HOLD THEIR KING

FOR WHEN THEY FOUND NOTHING, THEY FOUND EVERYTHING

HALLELUJAH HE IS RISEN

HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LAMB

WHO CONQUERED DEATH AND HELL WHO DIED AND ROSE AGAIN!

WHEN THEY FOUND NOTHING, THEY FOUND EVERYTHING

IN AN EMPTY TOMB THEY REALIZED WHAT CHRIST HIMSELF HAD PROPHESIED

THAT DEATH COULD NEVER HOLD THEIR KING

FOR WHEN THEY FOUND NOTHING

THEY FOUND EVERYTHING

THEY FOUND EVERYTHING! 

Look Up!

Spring has arrived and so have many of the birds. The hawks and eagles are the first to make their way north and since I live fairly close to a major migratory path of these birds,I get to enjoy this every year.

Here is a beautiful Rough-legged Hawk.

I don't think this bird needs an introduction, but the mature Bald Eagle is a majestic sight each year.

What is better than one Bald Eagle? Two,of course.

No,not a hawk or an eagle, but some Canada Geese.These guys obviously came back a little early and the water was still frozen.

Not all things that fly in the sky can flap their wings or are birds. The joke at the Hawkwatch site is that this is a "Gas-hawk". I happened to like the looks of this plane in the blue sky. i wonder where it is headed.

Keep those eyes on the skies, you just might see something of interest.



Closing Thought:

Bless others and prepare to be blessed.

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The Wonder Of It All

I have said it before, but it bears repeating, each sunset is beautiful in it's own way.
The following are all sunset pictures, but the same holds true for sunrises.
Today I will share the lyrics to an old song called The Wonder Of It All. I trust that even if the pictures are not fantastic, the words to this song will bless you.


There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder of sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me.

There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,

The sky, the stars, the sun;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is a wonder that has only begun.

Refrain

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

OH THE WONDER OF IT ALL!