Scenes Along The Way

As most of you know,I love to drive along the roads in my area, seeing whatever there is to see. Most of the time I don't have to go far to find something of interest and worthy of a photo.

Today's post is filled with many pictures, all of which have been taken on my travels around my area.

Milkweed is beautiful, whether in bloom or later as the seed pods open up.

I have seen more deer this year than probably at any time before.Usually the does are the only ones that I see.This fawn is feeling somewhat protected by the grasses and weed he is in.

I have actually seen and been able to photograph a couple of young bucks this year as well.

On a recent drive near to where we lived for 20 years,I saw this cow. I have called them Oreo Cows,but shortly after getting this shot,I heard on the radio that this is a breed called Belted Galloway. The things I learn while listening to farm news.

In a small hamlet where my mother grew up,I saw this house. It has likely not changed much in many years.I don't think anyone lived in it now. This is not the house my mother grew up in, that one burned down many years ago.

The house may be old but the Hollyhocks are still blooming beautifully.

The Western Meadowlark is common around here.This one was so busy preening he didn't mind me taking a picture.

He finally looked up to see what I was doing.

While waiting for the sunset,I spied this piece of equipment. I am  not a farmer and have never been, so I had better not name this, as it would likely be wrong.I just liked the unique lines of it.

I do believe this is a Swainson's Hawk.

A small butterfly on the Tansy.

This is a Black Swallowtail.He was far away from me so I have had to crop the image significantly.

These a re a few of the sights I have seen ,while driving on mostly back roads in Southern Manitoba.

Closing Thought:

Dear Lord,I’m so grateful that You love makeovers as much as I do!

You know my heart and You know my messes,failures and wounds.

Please create a clean heart in me today,Lord.

Would You do a new and beautiful thing?

In Jesus’ name I pray,Amen

The Many Faces of Manitoba

Living in Manitoba,is,if anything, never boring.The weather changes quickly and so do the scenes we see.

This past summer we had quite a bit of smoke in the air and that brought some interesting and unique sunsets, like the one seen below.

Summer storms often come with tall billowing thunderheads, but not always. One day as I was watching the weather,I knew I had better get out of town to where I could get better pictures. No we did not have those towering clouds, instead,it looked like a mountain range to the west.Those smooth dark clouds looked deceptive.

Here is another shot of this smooth cloud rolling in. In the end we had some rain, but nothing of great significance.

While watching the sky is a lot of fun,I must not forget the beauty around my feet.The wild Bergamot is very pretty.

Another wild flower, the Mexican Hat is very showy.

One last look at the sky.I find sky/cloud watching so enjoyable.Each day brings new beauty. This one looks like it could dump some rain on us so we had better find shelter.

Closing Thought:

It’s not how much we have,  

but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. 

Flowers For A Rainy Day,Or Any Day

It is a rainy day here today, but that is good. It was getting very dry, so the rain is welcome and for me, at least, so are the cooler temperatures.

With these things in mind,I thought that some of the flowers from my garden this past summer would be in order. I will let the flowers speak for themselves and will add some quotes that I have found.

True wisdom begins and ends with God.

Be an encourager.The world has plenty of critics already.

Friends are God’s way of taking care of us.

A flower doesn’t think of competing with the flower next to it. 

It just blooms

This pot of Pansies was blooming on my neighbours yard.

I also found this beautiful dark lily on the same neighbours yard. 

I must say that I have some of the most wonderful neighbours, not just because they allow me to photograph their flowers, but just because of who they are.

Closing Thought:

Life is Like a Camera

Just focus on what’s important,

capture the good times.

Develop from the negatives 

and if things don’t turn out - 

just take another shot.

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Views Along The Way

Back in early July,I made my annual trip to Red deer,Alberta,for Canada's Gospel Music Celebration.

As expected the event was wonderful, the music uplifting and meeting old and new friends was a thrill. Today,I want to show you a few scenes that I was able to capture along the way.

We,I went with two other friends, spent a night in Swift Current,Sasketchewan,I won't go into the details of that, just to say that I have noted the hotel and will never stay there again. You know that I like to find the positive if I can and the next morning I was out of my room early and noticed a good sized patch of Tumbleweed near the hotel. The next two pictures show you what I saw.It was a patch of beauty in a less than desirable location.

I think this is so pretty.

Upon looking around,I noticed a couple of other flowers and took a moment to capture their beauty as well.

After breakfast it was time to head down the road again.This is what I saw for mile after mile.It may look boring, but I find it peaceful and also beautiful.Yes,we did see some animals, mostly domestic cattle, but that too has some beauty. I spotted several Antelope,but had no chance for a photo.

Stopping at the side of a busy highway may not be the best idea, but when a scene like this presents itself,I had to do what I had to do. I love the layers of color in this scene. The yellow in the background is a field of blooming Canola.

On the way home a few days later, we were treated to this scene. The setting sun was painting these storm clouds with such beautiful colours. Once again,I had to stop to get a few pictures.

After being away from home for one week,I was happy to go home.I love going away, but home is still the best place to be.

Closing Thought:

We can’t always choose the music life plays for us but WE CAN choose how we dance to it.

On a Day In June

I keep showing pictures that are from a couple of months ago, but I guess that's OK. 

We all enjoy reliving good days and these pictures are from just such a day.Let me explain.

A friend and fellow bus driver and I were asked to transport most of the children from one school to a nearby rural park.The children love this day, it means they get to roam around and explore.

I of course knew that there would be several hours of waiting, so my trusty camera came with me.

All the following pictures were taken from the grounds of the park we were at.

Our Manitoba people will recognize it as Stanley Park.

Often times I find myself looking for that spectacular flower, but this single head of grain shows that beauty is seen even in the simple things.

While relaxing in my lawn chair,I noticed these flowers. The clover makes a nice backdrop for the lone Dandelion.

The park has several picnic shelters and a pair of Barn Swallows felt that this was a good place for a home.Since they had a nest there, they allowed me to get fairly close and capture these images.

This picture is taken with a flash, because it was not very well lit in there.

Isn't he cute?

Mama was faithfully doing her duty, sitting on that nest, keeping the eggs warm.

This is a well treed park so we could not look to the west from where we were.One of the teachers drew my attention to the fact that there were weather warnings out.I took a short walk and looked west, only to see these clouds bubbling up.We knew that it was time to get those children rounded up and into the buses and home to a safe building.

The weather was not severe, but it did rain so they might have gotten a little wet.

Closing Thought:

{I may have used this before, but it's still a good reminder.}

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

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The Beauty of the Canada Thistle

It's no secret that I love the flower of the Canada Thistle.

In this, my first post of September,I will share several photos of this flower.

This image gives a wider view and shows the plant.Yes,it is very prickly and not one you want to accidentally run into.

A close-up view of the flower, shows the details.I can't really explain why I love them, and perhaps I don't need to.

The bud starts out mostly green and, again,very prickly.

As the flower slowly opens it begins to reveal more of that beautiful purple center.

Another look at this beautiful flower, which is disliked by so many.

Closing Thought:

The beauty of creation, reflects the beauty of the Creator.