Looking Forward to Spring

Another month has come and gone.For many this time of year means warm weather and new growth.In some years that is what we experience in Manitoba as well, but spring seems to be on a bit of hold for us this year.One thing is certain, it will come and with it the warmer weather and the new growth.Until that happens,I have chosen a few pictures from last year to share in this post.

I am so thankful that I have an abundance of pictures to fall back on during slow photo times.

Before long we can expect to see these little butterflies out and about, soaking up any warm rays of the sun that they find.

 Sometimes when nature shows a lack of color,buying a small bouquet of colourful flowers helps to brighten the days.I did that last spring and enjoyed capturing their beauty in various settings.

At this very moment, most,if not all of our small ponds are still frozen over,but it won't we long and we will once again enjoy the reflections in any small body of water.

When the warmer days arrive,I will be ready to sit outside and capture more images of my little feathered friends, like this Dark-eyed Junco,from last year.

So far,I have not seen or hear a Western Meadowlark around here but they, too,will be arriving very soon.I love to hear that bright song, belted out from a nearby post.

This is a picture from last year, but this is more of what it looks like around here right now.It is still pretty, but I do have to wonder how the geese feel about it.

Not all is dull and lifeless around here, even now.At sunset time, the sky lights up and displays the most beautiful colors.

Wishing you all a Blessed Easter.

Closing Thought:

If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it.If He had a wallet your picture would be in it.He sends flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.Face it, friend He is crazy about you.

  Max Lucado

The Bald Eagles

Recently I have had the privilege of capturing numerous Bald Eagle photos, so it is time to share a few of them.

This one is either giving thanks for the food or not sure if he really wants to eat the road kill.

One deer carcass is hardly big enough for two Eagles to feed.

Take note of the open bill, indicating that 'words' are being exchanged.

A short scuffle gives me opportunity for some great pictures.

I would not want to be at the receiving end of those talons.

For a moment there seems to be a truce.

It's a great event to get outside and enjoy nature. I find it very exciting no matter how many times I see bald eagles. 

Don't be a pigeon if you were born to be an eagle.

Experience God's altitude for your life.

A brave Crow tried to drive the Eagle away from the food.It was interesting to watch.

In my mind that Crow wasn't too bright.The Eagle only allowed this to go so far and Mr.Crow had to leave.

Closing Thought:

Isaiah 40:31

 but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Snowy Artistry and More

With the end of March fast approaching,I am hoping that we are done with snow for this season.I am, however,realistic,knowing that in Manitoba we could have some more snow, before spring really sets in. In this post I will share some more snow scenes, simply because they are pretty.I hope you all don't mind looking at them.

We all need some eye candy from time to time so here is a lovely Dahlia from last summer's gardens.I am already looking forward to visiting the English Gardens this summer to enjoy all the flowers there.

When the right kind of snow falls, even a fence can become a work of art.

These snowy scenes were captured in early March,but are still pretty today.This was the kind of snow that clung to every branch and twig.

A shrub which, on regular days I might not even have noticed, now becomes a thing of beauty.

A few days after the snow, we had sunshine and that layer of snow began melting, forming icicles on many branches.

These icicles look so much prettier than the fake ones I sometimes see on decorated Christmas trees.
I guess the down side would be that these wouldn't last very long inside.

To end this wintery post, let's step back into September and enjoy a lovely sunset at Lake Minniwasta. This was one of those evenings that was nearly perfect.Lovely color in the sky, a calm lake surface and the quiet peace of evening.

Closing Thought:
The following are some words from a song I love.Think about this.

Your walk talks and your talk talks, 

But your walk talks louder than your talk talks. 

Winter At It's Best

On March 9,I woke up to a world of spectacular winter beauty.I couldn't wait to get out there and try my best to capture images of this.This post has many more photos than usual, so bear with me.I will add the words of a song I love and allow you to scroll through at your leisure.

The song is titled: My Soul Is Firmly Anchored

If you should be interested in listening to this song, it can be found here:My Soul is Firmly Anchored

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES

THOUGH ANGRY WAVES MAY ROLL I AM SECURE AND FEARING NOT

BECAUSE I’M HOLDING TO THE PROMISE WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE PAGES 

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE SOLID ROCK

I READ THE MORNING PAPER AND I WATCH THE EVENING NEWS

THE ENEMY WOULD LOVE TO SEE ME SHAKING IN MY SHOES

BUT I HAVE GOT SWEET PEACE WITHIN NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY

DAY AFTER GLOOMY DAY

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES

THOUGH ANGRY WAVES MAY ROLL I AM SECURE AND FEARING NOT

BECAUSE I’M HOLDING TO THE PROMISE WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE PAGES 

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE SOLID ROCK

(Same picture as previous but with different editing.)

THE WINDS OF CHANGE BLOW HARDER WITH EVERY PASSING DAY

AND IT SEEMS THE LAND IS SHIFTING SAND BUT I’M STANDING ANY WAY

OH I HAVE A FIRM FOUNDATION THAT MY FAITH IS RESTING ON, 

FROM HERE TO THE GREAT BEYOND

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES

THOUGH ANGRY WAVES MAY ROLL I AM SECURE AND FEARING NOT

BECAUSE I’M HOLDING TO THE PROMISE WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE PAGES 

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE SOLID ROCK

MY SOUL IS ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE SOLID ROCK.

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE ROCK OF AGES

THOUGH ANGRY WAVES MAY ROLL I AM SECURE AND FEARING NOT

BECAUSE I’M HOLDING TO THE PROMISE WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE PAGES 

MY SOUL IS FIRMLY ANCHORED IN THE SOLID ROCK

A Little Stinker and More

We are so close to the official start of spring, but,I still have some winter pictures to share so bear with me. During the last month or so,I have noticed some water on the Pembina River.It is frozen over, but somehow some water has come up above the ice.If nothing else, it gives a nice look to the otherwise frozen river.

In my travels around the countryside,I noticed these horses. The late afternoon sun was shining on them. I think they were enjoying the warmth of the sunshine.The centre animal looks mule like to me.

When all else fails, look toward the sky.These clouds created interest on a cold day.

One lone tree on a field, and with a few clouds as a backdrop, it too makes a good picture.

I guess I was set on getting tree and cloud scenes on that day.

 Fast forward to March 5,and we got a fresh layer of snow to make my world picture perfect.

You can see that it was snowing quite hard, but I think there was also some fog with the snow. Either way,I liked how this scene looked on that day.

Same day, overlooking Lake Minniwasta.

I never know just what I will see as I'm on the road. I was not expecting this 'friend' to be out and about already.The Skunks hibernate and since it was not all that warm,I thought he might still be asleep. I did not want to startle this guy so I just allowed him to slowly wander along.

I think that at some point he was tired of this vehicle behind him, so he stopped, turned around as if to say, OK,take your picture already and let me be. I did just that and thanked him as I drove away.

Although this skunk did not spread his 'aroma',we do well to think on the following

Closing Thought:

We are the aroma of Christ,spreading His fragrance.

Let's Go or A Ride

Let's go for a drive on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.There must be room in my car for all of you.

It may be a chilly day, but the sun is shining and the roads are in good condition so off we go.

 We head north of Morden and then turn west, through the small community called Miami,no not Florida,but Manitoba.Just a little further west and then we turn north again along a country/gravel road. We make a left turn and go about a mile west to see this old railroad trestle.

Right near the trestle,I turn my camera to the north and capture this scene.Simple yet pretty, in my mind.

Back we go to the main road and turn north again. I have passed this old building many times and have taken a picture or two,but I need to make another stop.Here is the colored version.

This is the same picture as the previous one, only in black and white.Which one do you prefer?

Now we make our way to a picturesque valley, known as the St. Lupicien valley.There is a very small hamlet by that name.Today I will not show the valley so much but rather a few views that caught my attention. I like this fence line fading off into the distance.

As we drive, this is often what the view ahead of us is. Somehow this scene has added beauty in winter, although,I'm sure it would look great in summer as well.

Those white Birch trees have a special beauty about them.I hope you are enjoying this drive as much as I am. I'm thankful that I can have my friends along for the ride.

You have all been such wonderful company so I thank you with a summer photo of this Cleome.

I hope that we can do this sort of thing again.

Closing Thought:

Good friends are like Stars.

You don’t always see them,but,you know they’re always there!

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