Flowers

Time seems to pass by so quickly and I fail to get regular posts up and running.

Here are a few pictures from recent excursions.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I captured them.

Driving along one evening,I spotted the thistles and stopped to get a picture or two.

What I had not noticed were these small white flowers which were growing right alongside of the thistles.The low light of the almost setting sun gave a pleasing warmth to the scene.

Seeing these bright flowers against the green of the surrounding trees and foliage caught my eye.This was taken at one of my favourite places,A Rocha,in the Pembina Valley.

At this same place they pointed out to me this Monarch chrysalis which was close to opening.

I wish I could have been there the next day,as I am sure the butterfly emerged at that time.

A simple flower and a small butterfly or most likely a Skipper,gave me reason enough to raise the camera to my eye and capture the moment.

I loved this bright red flower growing through the ribbon grass.The contrast was striking and in my mind worthy of a picture.

Thought for today:

You areYOU.

There is only one YOU.

And YOU are important.

BY:Charles Swindoll

Flowers and More

With all the hot weather we are having,my cameras have not been as busy as I would like.I do however have a few pictures I want to share with you.

I see very few flowers that are a true blue. Well this one in my eyes is as blue as can be.I think this is a Larkspur,but I do know that I love that intense blue colour.No,I have not enhanced in during editing.

Purple Coneflowers are a flower I can always count on. It doesn't seem to matter if it is hot and dry or cool and wet,they will bloom.This one is taken in my garden.

I spent an evening with friends recently and since we all enjoy taking pictures,after supper we headed out into the pasture.Thistles were just beginning to open,so I chose to capture the back side of this blossom.

Back on their yard I spied this little gem.It looked so cheerful with that bright yellow centre. This is a fairly small flower tucked away in the back of the garden. To me this proves that I don't have to have centre stage to shine for God.

A week or two ago,I was out with a couple of ladies.We had been searching for photo opportunities and now the sun was setting fast.

As I drove into the Pembina Valley,I saw this.I quickly pulled over and got out of the car.The deer is much too far away and the light was very low,the image is not sharp,but I like it anyway.

Thought for today:

Each time you pick a daffodil

Or gather violet on some hill

Or touch a leaf or see a tree,

It's all God whispering,

"This is Me".

For You My Friend

I am aware that some of my blogging friends are going through a difficult time and so with that in mind I am dedicating this post to those of you who are in any kind of trying circumstances.

You may be finding yourself struggling with health issues or the failing health of a loved one or even weather related problems,I trust that this picture will bring you a sense of peace.

A scene overlooking the beautiful Pembina Valley.

To me this picture speaks peace. When I am standing at this spot and I see this,I feel a deep sense of inner peace and contentment.

I hope it does the same for you.

 God's love does not keep us from trials;it helps us through them.

Wildflowers bloom in profusion,spreading their cheer all around.

These may be simple flowers but they are so brightly coloured that they are like yellow lights among the grass.

Purple Delphiniums wind their stems around a rustic bird house.

The little bird who makes his home here will have flowers gracing the front door.

A single stem of purple Delphiniums stands tall in another part of the garden.

I trust that as you look at these pretty flowers they will bring a smile to your heart and help to lift a heavy load you may be bearing.

As the sun sets it spreads a warm glow through a stand of trees.

As in life we may have trying days,but always God's love shines it warm light through the darkness.

Thought for today:

I was thinking of YOU today and just wanted you to know how important you are to me.

Pictures That Make Me Smile

Spending time at a local marsh has proved to be successful. I have taken many pictures which make me smile.

Here are a few of them.

Along a country road I found a patch of thistles and so had the butterflies.

There were numerous butterflies fluttering from flower to flower.

This Fritillary stopped long enough for me to get some good shots.

Here is just one of the many I captured that day.

This is not a butterfly,but some sort of moth. 

I am fascinated by it's colourful body and those antennae which look like little feathers.

You cannot see the body here,but it has bright blue on it as well.

At the marsh I usually see a Great Blue Heron,unfortunately he sees me as well and soon leaves.I liked how this picture turned out. It looks like the Mallard is chasing him,when in fact it was also trying to get away from the photographer.

 You knew that there would be more American Avocet pictures,right?

I cannot help myself so I just keep on shooting whenever I am in their presence.

I really like the reflections in this picture.In the background you can see the heavy algae bloom on the water.

And finally,this is my very favourite picture.

This is as it came out of the camera,no cropping or any adjustments.

I love it when a picture turns out like this one.

I still smile when I look at it,hope you will as well.

Thought for today:

No act of kindness,no matter how small,is ever wasted.

American Avocet and More

AS many of you know by now,I love birds and so with my new camera in hand,I headed off to a marsh near my home.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of American Avocets here.

I had never photographed these before and had not seen them since 1992 or so.

Of course there is always beauty in the surrounding countryside.

A distant field of Canola adds a bright splash of colour here.

Not to be outdone in the colour department is the Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Here was the primary focus of this visit to the marsh.A Pair of American Avocets.

These birds are graceful both in the water and in the air.

I have many pictures of these birds and more will surface on this blog in the days and weeks ahead.I could hardly stop taking pictures.

The water is covered in algae,but that green slime kind of adds interest to these pictures.

Even an Avocet gets an itch once in a while.

Thought for today:

TGIF

This usually stands for:

Thank goodness it's Friday.

Here is another version:

Thank God I'm forgiven!

How about you?

Birds of Summer

It is time that some of the birds of summer get a post of their own.

Yes,the activity at the feeders is less because the birds are so busy raising their young,but there are still some real treasures to be found.

I have seen posts by other bloggers who showed a Dickcissel and I wished I would have a chance to photograph one.

Well that happened just two days ago.Someone had seen a Dickcissel and emailed me the exact directions to the spot.

I found the intersection he had mentioned and almost immediately saw this bird.

I was very excited and happy to have this moment.

This is only the second time I have ever seen one of these birds.

The new camera did a great job of capturing this bird.

I spent a day at A Rocha recently and one of the things I really wanted to do was photograph Hummingbirds.I was not disappointed with the action and fired many shots.When I put the pictures on the computer,I was pleasantly surprised to see a bird with a band.The past two years I have attended a Hummingbird banding event at A Rocha and this might very well be one of the birds banded during that time.Oh yes,I was also happy to get several decent shots of a male Hummingbird,something which had eluded me for the most part.

There were also females around.This one was more concerned about looking good than about feeding.She sat on that branch for some time getting all the feathers in just the right position.

A pair of Purple Finches were visiting the feeder quite regularly.Here the male perched for a few minutes,allowing me to gat at least one picture.

Last Sunday at Ft.Whyte in Winnipeg,I came upon this Yellow Warbler.

This is another bird which I have not been able to get decent shots of until now.

I was quite happy with this one.

I wished I had already had my new camera for the Hummingbird shots,but I guess now I have a reason to go back there again.

Thought for today:

Oh God,who made the summer

and warmed the earth with beauty,

Warm our hearts with gratitude

and devotion to our duty.

An Addition To The Family

Yes you read that right. There has been an addition to my family and I am very excited about this.

I have taken many photos today,allow to share a few.

I will start with some of my favourite flowers

I love Daisies and always have,but they were also a favourite flower of Jake's so that makes them even more special now.

My Lilies are just beginning to bloom.I am looking forward to many more blooms over the next few weeks.

Some of my Peonies are already done,but this deep fuchsia is now fully in bloom.

This is  such a full flower that they often hang their heads because of the weight.

The Lupins are not blooming as profusely as they have other years but are still quite showy in the garden.

All of the above photos were taken with the new addition to my family of cameras.

I had been thinking about this purchase for a while and finally broke down and did it.I bought this new toy on Sunday,June 24.

Most of my readers know that Jake and I spent many happy hours pursuing our hobby of photography.Well long before Jake got sick he dreamed of owning the 7D camera. When he heard that an Auntie's estate would be handing out money to the nieces and nephews,he thought that this would be a great way to remember this Auntie.Unfortunately the money arrived about 2 weeks before his passing,so he was unable to get this camera.He did tell me that I should buy it if I wanted to,but I had a hard time doing this.Well I did it and now I can enjoy this camera and think of the encouragement Jake gave me to pursue my hobby.

Did this purchase come without tears? NO,definitely not,especially when Steve said,'I think Dad is smiling right now'.I know he is and he would be proud of me.

Thanks for sharing this joy with me and for allowing me to open my heart to you my followers.

There should be many more pictures ahead as I get to know my new camera.

Birthday and More

It just dawned on me that I have not shared any pictures of my birthday celebration.Well,before it is too far in the past I will do just that.

My sister Becky,friends Marge and Alvera and I went to A Rocha for a birthday lunch.Of course we had to pose for a picture.From left to right are: Marge,Ruth,Alvera and Becky

Below is a picture of the current directors at A Rocha,Nick and Susan,together with the birthday girl.Notice on both the first and second picture the scenery over our shoulders.

 Susan had prepared a super delicious lunch of vegetable soup,fresh homemade bread,cheese and two kinds of sandwich fillings.For dessert she served Chocolate Bundt Cake with chocolate sauce,whipped cream and blueberries, Yummy!

Here we are at the dining room table,enjoying sweet fellowship.

This is the scene we saw as we looked out of the window.Now, that would make any food taste extra good.This is overlooking the Pembina Valley.Of course just outside the window we could hear a chorus of bird song. It was wonderful.

Walking around the yard,after that delicious lunch, I spotted this Yellow-tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.He gave me many opportunities to get pictures.What fun!

I have to add just one more picture of the clouds the other day.

I love those sunbeams pointing to the sky.

Thought for today:

Count not your years by adding the days…

But with joy count the friends you've made along the way.

When I count my friends,I am rich indeed.

Clouds

It seems that we have been seeing more clouds recently than sunshine.

I do think clouds are beautiful,so today I want to share a few cloud images from the last week or so.

While coming home from last weeks family gathering,I had to pull over to get a shot of this scene.

That long cloud stretched almost from south to north,it was amazing.

The day before I headed out to the lake just at the west edge of town.

I saw that we might be in for a pretty sunset.

It was not spectacular as far as colour was concerned,but I liked how the sun spread its beams down past the clouds.

Later that same evening,as I was almost ready to call it a day,I got a text from my son,Steve.It said,Mom look east of your place.I knew that it must be good,so I grabbed my camera and dashed to the back yard.Looking slightly to the southeast,this greeted me.amazing!

I turned and looked to the northeast and I saw this spectacular sight.The sun was about to set,but as it did it illuminated the thunderclouds which were to the east.

The colours and the drama in the sky was amazing.

 Straight ahead of me were these clouds,constantly changing in form and colour.I took many pictures that day and each one is a keeper,but I didn't want to bore anyone,so I picked just a few.

The power in a storm like that is almost more than I can wrap my mind around.

We did have tornado warnings that day,and further east two tornados were seen.

Thought for today comes from the Bible:

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,
who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains."
Psalm 147:8 (KJV)

This is a Must Watch Video

I don't often post videos,done by others, on this blog,but this is one that has touched my heart. The singing is beautiful and the story in the song amazing.

I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to my good friends,Legacy Five as they share this special song.

Three Special Days Ahead

June 9,10 and 11 are all special in their own way.

On June 9,1972 this happened.

This was the day I married my best friend and the love of my life.

It would have been 40 years this year. 

June 10 it will be 19 months since I said good-bye to this same man.

Jake did not like having his picture taken,but it was ok if Kai was on his lap.
This picture was taken 6 years ago.

We all miss him more than words can say.It is only by the grace of God that I can live each day without Jake.

June 11 this little girl,now all grown up has a birthday.

The hair has turned to silver,but I trust the smile has not faded away completely.

Yes,I will be celebrating another birthday on this day.
GOd willing I will turn 63 on this day,and no I don't mind if people know my age.
I am thankful for each year God has given me.

From the above you can see that this weekend is filled with mixed emotions.

This Is My Father's World

Here is a short video I put together a few months ago. It is my first attempt at something like this.I had put it on You Tube,but left it private until yesterday.
I hope you will enjoy the music and the pictures.
All the pictures were taken by Jake or me over the course of a few years. The music is from a CD I have,called Nature's Glory,Dan Gibson's Solitudes.