White-tailed Wonder

You have all seen the many flowers and birds I have posted over the years. The flowers, especially are easy subjects as they don't run or fly away. I will photograph a variety of things, but sometimes I just happen to be at the right place at the right time.

One evening a couple of weeks ago,I was out waiting for that spectacular sunset to happen.As it turns out,I can't remember whether it was a beautiful sunset or not.I had gotten pictures that made me smile.

I was west of Lake Minniwasta, near a meadow where Jake often went in hopes of getting that perfect picture of the White-tailed Deer. The sun was low on the horizon, casting that lovely warm, evening light
God arranged for a special blessing that evening, when a number of deer walked out into the meadow.
Here are some does, a fawn and a buck in velvet.

A short distance from there, I spotted this doe, trying hard to hide in the bushes.She has a piece missing from her ear.

Near the meadow is a field of beans and that must be tasty food for the deer.The two fawns can just barely peek over this crop.

Mama decided that they should retreat to the safety of the bush. As they did so, I was able to capture this moment in perfect light.

What I consider my best shot of that evening happened about a mile or so from the rest of the deer.This buck was enjoying the alfalfa crop, but seemed uneasy with my car sitting on the road.

Isn't he a handsome fella?

After these and many more shots, the sunset seemed less important.I was so thankful to have gotten these, especially this gorgeous buck.

A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER? ME? Part Three

Here is part three of my School Bus story. I felt this would be a good time to share another vignette, as I start back to work next week.
Of course the pictures have nothing to do with the text.
All the pictures were taken at The English Gardens this last summer.

This segment is titled:
Road hazards

 Seasons change and the. Crispness of fall has changed to the bitter cold of winter., bringing with it another set of challenges for the bus driver, A soft snowfall the night before has left new loose snow over the fields and roads. Overnight the wind picked up and by morning there is considerable drifting. Hoping that school will be cancelled, the driver listens carefully to the radio, but today at least there are no cancellations. 

Bundling up carefully, he makes his way out to a cold, stiff bus. Brushing snow off the hood and windshield the conscientious driver goes through the regular inspection routine, in spite of the wind and cold. This day brings with it a whole new set of circumstances. The turn arounds at the driveways can become somewhat tricky as snow has obliterated any sign of yesterdays tracks.

Because of years of experience and careful training each pick-up and turn around is made safely. As the bus reaches town limits, the driver breathes a sigh of relief, for the worst driving is over for now and the children will once again be delivered to school safely. The challenges have been faced and met successfully and deep inside, each driver feels a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment for a job well done.  

  The arrival of spring also brings some trying conditions. Where, in winter you try to cope with snow, in spring you face seemingly endless stretches of road that has turned into a thick and slippery puddle of mud. Everyone looks forward to the roads drying up but that usually leaves ruts and potholes to contend with.

Bus drivers are often heard complaining about the roads but if we were honest, I believe we would all admit that when we have conquered a particularly difficult stretch of road successfully, we know that this is what it means to be a professional driver, and that feels good.

Happy and safe travels for another year.

Signs of Fall

Since we are past the middle of August, fall is just around the corner. We can still expect to enjoy beautiful weather, but those early signs of fall are all around us.

Fields of ripened grain are waiting for the combines to come and do their job.

It seems that almost any day when out driving around, I see combines on the field. Those crops need to be brought in while they are dry and ready for harvest.

In the roadside ditches the Goldenrod is putting on quite a show. For those with allergies this may be a bad time of year, but I do love the look of these flowers.

Some flowers, like this Day Lily in my garden is folding up it's last bloom of the year.

Sunflowers are one of our showiest crops, I believe. To see a field of these giants in full bloom is breath taking.

Something To Think About:

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, 

and cold and heat, and summer and winter, 

and day and night shall not cease.

Genesis 8:22 

Flying Flowers and Others

When I go out for either a walk or a drive, I try to have an open mind as to what I might see or be able to capture with my camera.
On a walk at Lake Minniwasta, earlier in June, I enjoyed the peaceful lake scenes, but I quickly realized that there was so much more to see.

A wild rose, blooming right beside the path was reason enough to stop and get a picture.If you look carefully, you can see the little photo bomber in the middle of the flower.

On this particular day, I saw several butterflies.This one looks a little tattered, but still beautiful.

I am not going to try to name each one as I am just not that knowledgeable about these.

This small butterfly is subtly coloured but so pretty. He seemed to be soaking in the warm rays of the sun.

I know this is one sort of skipper. He also was enjoying the warm sunlight.

Did I mention the peaceful lake scenes? Well this is one of them.Oh how I enjoy those quiet walks at the lake in early summer.

Something To Think About:
I love this verse.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 - NIV

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 

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 

American White Pelicans

Warning! 

This post has photo overload.

About the middle of June,I had the privilege of going along with some friends on an excursion to photograph White Pelicans. We had a great time.

Along the way we made a few stops to see the sights.

This old tree root was one that caught my attention.It is lying at the edge of a rivers it may have floated there from somewhere else.I really don't know, but I liked it's root remnants that were still there.

I did say we went to see Pelicans, and Pelicans we did see, lots of them.

Here a squadron was coming in for a landing.

Getting ready for touch down.

And touch down is happening. Looks rather close to the others, but I never saw any collisions, so all is well.

These birds, so graceful in the sky, look rather goofy as they come in for a landing.

All the mist you saw in the background of previous pictures is explained by this picture.These are the locks at Lockport, Manitoba. There must be good fishing for the birds and even the humans at this spot.Down river, were lots of folks in boats hoping to catch a fish.

It wasn't just the Pelicans who came to fish.This Osprey was hunting as well.

It almost looks like he's getting ready to dive into the water.

I think these birds are so beautiful.I only wish he had been flying into the picture, but the action is pretty fast, so I will be content with this.

Yes, he was successful in getting a fish as well.

A trio of Pelicans soars into view. Perfect formation flying.

Something To Think About:

 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap norgather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Matthew 6:26

Friendship and Fotos

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going out on a photography ride with a good friend of mine and fellow photographer. It's always a pleasure to have someone to chat with as we look for interesting sights.

Even before we left her house, I found some beauty.

The lovely Iris had a few raindrops on it, adding to its' stately beauty.

We wandered around the backroads north of Morden.You just never know when that perfect scene will pop into view and backroads are the very best for this.

We found this road, obviously not very well travelled, but this scene caught my attention.

A little further down another road we saw this little old church pointing its' steeple toward that blue Manitoba sky.

Later that same day, I went out in hopes of a pretty sunset. This may not be spectacular but it is still pretty to me.The end of a fun day, spent with a good friend.

 Something To Think About:

I must desire friendship with God more than anything else.

Rick Warren