Manitoba's Provincial Flower

The Prairie Crocus is the Provincial Flower of Manitoba. 

This is an early spring flower, that used to grow in abundance. I remember as a child, picking arms full of these flowers. Back then, nobody considered them that special, because the pastures were full of them. Today this is a protected species. 

These gentle flowers grow, even as the first tiny blades of green grass show up.

It is best to leave these plants right where they are, as those are the best growing conditions for them. 

Every year, I look forward to getting a few more pictures.

 The open flower is likely no more than about two inches across. The petals are a soft lavender on the outside and almost white on the inside, highlighted by the bright yellow centers.

The stem is covered in the softest tiny hairs. I can not say for certain, but I'm thinking it gives some protection from the cold.

I have been blessed in recent years to find a couple of local spots where these flowers bloom.

Provincial flower emblem or not, they are just so sweet. I marvel at the intricate details in these tiny, short-lived flowers.

As we end another month and step into a new one, the following verse is appropriate.

Do not allow yourself to wake up with yesterday’s issues troubling your mind.

Refuse to live backwards, see every day as a NEW chapter.

An Afternoon With Wild Birds

On my last post I invited you to pull up a chair on my deck, today,I invite you to hop in the car with me and go for a ride. We will pretend that it is safe to do so and just enjoy the ride and the company, both the winged kind and the people.

The first bird we come upon is a dark phase Red-tailed Hawk. It was sitting on a fence post, but of course took off quickly. A beautiful bird indeed.

Before even getting into the car again, we look up and see a Turkey Vulture soaring through the sky. Those two-toned wings never fail to give me a thrill. Just magnificent.

Down the road a little ways, we spot a Mallard in the water. As is common with most Mallards, this one was not about to hang around for long. Just before he slipped out of the picture, I was able to get this shot.

We make our way to a marshy area, an area known to have lots of ducks and geese. We are not disappointed with the numbers, but once again, the Mallards are quick to leave.

With one final look at the Mallards as they leave for some other area, we say good-bye and head towards home as well.

Thanks for spending an afternoon with me. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did.

A friend makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

My Backyard Birds

Today, I invite you to pull up a chair on my deck and sit a spell.

I'm sure we would have lots to talk about, but for the most part, we will have to remain silent, so that my feathered friends are not spooked.

It is early in the spring season, so many of the more colourful birds have not yet returned to their northern homes.

The first little bird to show up is the Pine Siskin.These birds are generally not afraid to be near humans. This one has come to get a drink at the bird bath.

As I mentioned, it is early in the season, and therefore the Dark-eyed Juncos are still around. By summer they will have migrated further north for the nesting season. Many people don't like these birds, but I truly enjoy them. Their cheery twittering can be heard among the trees, even as the birds blend into the twigs.

Talk about not liking a bird. Here is one I have difficulty liking, simply because they tend to take over and they reproduce rather plentifully.

One of the first spring birds to return to the back yard is the American Robin. I look forward to seeing them every year. I love their song and they look quite handsome as well. This year, one of the first Robins I saw was sitting near the deck and looking around. I thought he might have remembered the raisins which he had at my house last year. I went to get a handful of raisin, he watched me as I put them on the deck railing. No sooner had I closed the door behind me, he started moving towards the raisins. Don't tell me that birds have a bad memory.

We end this time on the deck with my very favourite bird, the black-capped Chickadee. This bird is around all year and can be counted on to whistle his clear and cheery tune, on the coldest days. In winter when I step outside on a crisp and cold morning and hear that cheery whistle, I have to smile.

I hope you enjoyed watching a few of my backyard birds together with me.

God’s laughter is heard in the song of the birds.

Amazing Nature

Nature is so amazing, but you already knew that. Just in case you didn't or had missed it, I am here to remind you of some of those amazing sights.
Fasten your seat belts or put on your walking boots, cause I want to take you to a few sights that have caught my attention.

Just down the road from where I live, I saw the following scenes. The sun was working its magic and melting the winter snow, turning it into small streams along the roadside ditches. Overnight, as the temperatures dropped, some of this running water had turned to ice.
Here the dried grass has caught some of that ice.

Ice and running water can result in some pretty displays.

Some of that ice is so thin and is pushed up by the water around it.

Some pieces are a little larger, like this. Still not very big, but unique.

And for reasons known only to the Creator, some ice forms little sculptures.

On another day, after supper, Steve and I decided too check out an area known to have Bald Eagles, especially during the spring migration. We did see some, but not many that were very cooperative, as far as pictures are concerned. This immature Bald Eagle was the only one I had a chance on.

Before we got to the eagle location, we had noticed some interesting ice in the ditch, so we went back there.I am so glad we did.

The ice formed the most delicate of sculptures.

I have few words describe how pretty this was.

The sun was low on the horizon and highlighted each little ice leaf so perfectly.

Delicate, fragile beauty and all formed out of ice.

This was one of those times that I was so thankful to have stopped and taken a second look. All the time we were photographing these scenes, we knew that the next day, with a few warm rays of sunshine, all this would be gone.

It proved to me once again that we must take time to stop and enjoy the amazing nature all around us.

A Path Of Gold

It's time for us to spend some time at Lake Minniwasta, at sunset.

I may be accused of spending too much time at this spot, but I just love the peace and tranquillity I feel when I'm up there.

Although this was far from the most spectacular sunset I have seen, but it was still pretty and I hope you enjoy the peacefulness of the evening as well.

Even before the sun sets, there is beauty, as the light reflects of the still frozen lake.

These pictures are taken on March 23, but I checked today and yes, the lake is still frozen solid.

As the sun slowly slips behind the trees, the look changes. All is quiet and calm as we watch the setting sun.

Zooming in on the ice surface, that path of gold becomes very evident.

Yes, there are tire tracks on the lake. The ice  fishing shacks had just been removed.

One last look at the sun, now partially hidden by a few clouds.

And just like that another day has come to a close. The setting of the sun signals that it is time to head for the warmth and comfort of my home, but we will be back here again.

Age is irrelevant

Ask me how many trips I’ve taken,

Sunsets I’ve seen,

Laughs I've shared,

Concerts I've been to,

Bedtime stories I've read,

And people I've loved.

That's how old I am.

Easter Blessings To you

For this Resurrection Sunday, I have chosen some older photos and paired them with one of my favourite Easter songs.

HE LIVES

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today 

I know that He is living, whatever men may say 

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer 

And just the time I need Him He's always near  

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today 

He walks with me and talks with me 

Along life's narrow way 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart 

You ask me how I know He lives? 

He lives within my heart 

In all the world around me I see His loving care 

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair 

I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast 

The day of His appearing will come at last 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today 

He walks with me and talks with me 

Along life's narrow way 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart 

You ask me how I know He lives? 

He lives within my heart 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing 

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King 

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find 

None other is so loving, so good and kind 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today 

He walks with me and talks with me 

Along life's narrow way 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart 

You ask me how I know He lives? 

He lives within my heart 

We are all experiencing the unknown right now, but of one thing I am very sure;

MY JESUS IS ALIVE ! HE HAS RISEN !

Spring Scenes

Spring is a time to look for water run-off almost anywhere.

I knew of an easily accessible ditch, that has water in it in spring. I don't know what it is, but I love watching that running water.

It may not be a lot of water, but it sounds good and looks pretty.

Since it was early in the season, there was still some ice in the water. That made for some interesting photos.

It doesn't take a lot of water to create some foam on the water.

A friend sent me a picture of this and encouraged me to go have a look at it.

It was too far away, for me to be sure of what it was, but it looked like it was a buildup of foam as the water came through a culvert.Since it was still on the chilly side, it may have frozen as it built up.Whatever the case, I thought it was unique.

Just to clarify, these are photos I took.

Off to the side was a lower structure.I could see little pieces of the foam being blown off it.

 

These pictures may not be the most spectacular, but I enjoyed these sights.

The key to seeing beauty, in my mind, is to be open to the unusual.

God creates the beauty,

my camera and I are witnesses.

Mark Denman

Welcome to April 2020

Let's start this new month with a few assorted photos, I got recently.

The Blue Jays are always around here, and especially so, when I put out peanuts for them. They get some food and I benefit by the entertainment they provide.

Things around us may not be normal at this time, but one look into the sky and we see the moon is still shining as brightly as ever and for that matter, so is the sun.

The Pine Siskins are enjoying a drink from my heated birdbath, and I get to capture photos of them.

This one is waiting his turn at the water.

A little sunshine makes for some pretty photos opportunities. The fence in the background, adds nice color.

I am fortunate enough to have the Red-breasted Nuthatch at my feeders all year. They also love coming for a drink of water.

Sitting outside on my deck and enjoying the birds, helps to put life into perspective.

I am reminded of a few words from an old chorus we used to sing in  Sunday School.

The birds up in the tree tops sing their songs so, why shouldn't  I, why shouldn't you, praise Him too.