Scenic Eighteen Holes and More

Do you like to golf? If your answer is yes,then you need to visit my hometown of Morden.

I am not a golfer,but I can see that golfing this course would be an enjoyable afternoon.

Minniwasta Golf and Country Club is a scenic place,just west of the City of Morden.

As I said,I am not a golfer,so my pictures are views of the course from the parking lot.

The Club also has a beautiful restaurant with patio dining,so you can overlook the course.

I particularly like the little lake with a fountain in it.

OK,let's move on to things that are more my interests.

With all the rain we have had this year,mushrooms are popping up everywhere.As a photographer,it is my duty to get pictures of these small specimens while I can.

My Hubby,Jake,loved Daisies and the look of a wildflower meadow,so parts of our yard were left un-mowed most of the year.It was really very pretty,but now,in the interests of keeping things simple,I have instructed the fellow who mows the lawn to keep it all short. Every once in a while I get a reminder of what used to be,when a couple of Daisies pop up beside a tree.

When this happens,it brings a smile as I remember what used to be.I am so thankful for those sweet memories.

As the mushroom gets older,it often splits and curls in interesting ways.This just creates more reasons to get the camera out and start shooting.

Closing Thought:

There is no limit to God’s love.It is without measure and it’s depth cannot be sounded. 

Let's Go For a Ride

I invite you to join me as we drive around the country roads in my part of the world.Maybe the scenery is not grand and majestic,like a mountain scene,or laid back like an ocean shore,but I appreciate my little part of the world and I hope you will find some beauty in it as well.

We start out just a few blocks from my house.This is a set of tracks I cross every morning on my way to work.On this day,I was in my car and had my camera ready to capture this image.

We have a good number of White-tailed Deer around,but getting a decent picture is not that easy.This one was curious just long enough for me to one one shot.

I want to show you a place that I like to visit.It is just off the road and I can park the car and enjoy the view of the rolling pasture.Sometimes I am lucky enough to have some cattle to enhance the scene. 

Just beside where I was standing to take the previous picture is a large rock and a flag pole,proudly flying our Canadian Maple Leaf.I love my country,it may not be perfect,but it could be so much worse.

As we drive along,I may stop from time to time to capture a special photo of the grasses and the clouds.

You do know by now that I love clouds,so we stop frequently to get yet another shot.The grass filled meadow and the blue sky,dotted with clouds is just so pretty.

I am not a farmer,but I can appreciate a beautiful animal when I see one.This bull and cow look to be in a very healthy state,but with all that lush grass around the would have to be.

As we finish our ride in the countryside,we stop one more time to get this picture.The road leading off into the distance.Perhaps we can do this again soon.I enjoyed your company so much.

Closing Thought:

When God blesses us,He expects us to use those blessings to bless the lives of others.

Jim Gallery

Flowers On My Yard

All the pictures today have been taken on my yard this summer.

Instead of using my own words I will add quotes from a new perpetual calendar I purchased recently.

When we live every day under the umbrella of God's sovereignty,not one hour is wasted,nor one moment untouched by the Master's hand.

 Peony

Peace …… it's just a prayer away.

 Peony

We limit God's power,when we depend on our own.

Dart's Ninebark flowers 

When God thinks of you,it makes Him smile.

 Mock Orange

Prayer makes a difference.

Let's pray as though we really believe that.

 Geranium

The plans of the Lord stand firm forever,the purposes of His heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:11 (NIV)

Geranium

The Ever-Changing Sky

Of one thing I am quite certain,if you watch the sky you will always find beauty and constant change.

A few days ago,it had been cloudy all day,but later in the day an slice of clear sky appeared on the western horizon.This could only mean one thing,I had to get out there,to capture,what could be a beautiful sunset.

As many of you know by now,Lake Minniwasta is a close and favourite spot for me to shoot sunsets and this day was no different.

Parking my car on the east side of the lake,I prepared to watch the sky.You can see by the heavy cloud cover that the day had been dull and the sky grey.

As the sun slipped below the clouds,it bathed the whole area in beautiful light.

If you compare this picture with the first one,you can see the dramatic change that happened as the sun lit up the sky and the lake.

The grasses in the foreground were spectacular and shone in the warm evening light.

When the sun had slipped below the horizon,it left hints of pink on the grey clouds.

I loved how the color intensified for a while and just as quickly faded away,leaving only grey clouds once again. If you hadn't guessed yet,I love watching the sky and especially at sunset time.

Closing Thought:

God is always in control behind the scenes,even on "ordinary" days.


FYI   I will not be commenting on blogs for the next little while,at least until after July 11.
Hopefully I will find time to read some of the posts during this time.

Happy Canada Day and Happy Independence Day

Depending on when you are reading this,it is either almost July 1st or it is already July.

Either way,this is a month of celebration.Canada celebrates on July 1st,with Canada Day and our friends to the south of us,the USA,celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.These two celebrations kind of explain my new header.

The pictures I have chosen for today are,for the most part,not my regular style of pictures.

Driving along recently,I spotted this Turkey hen.She did have some chicks with her,but all I got to see was the movement of the grass where they were walking.

I had gone into this certain area to check on the baby Bison.These Bison are raised for market.

This little fella seemed to enjoy chewing on the fence.

Mama and Baby share a tender moment.

AT the Kaleida march I saw this Great Blue Heron.He is doing what they typically do when I arrive,take off.

The American Avocet was much more accommodating for this photographer. I like the mirror image of this one.

I am not sure,but think this spread wing walk,may be some kind of feeding strategy.

Closing thought:

You’ll never regret going out of your way to brighten someone’s day.

Friendships and Sunsets

The following pictures are all taken in one evening and at one place.The varying beauty of a sunset never ceases to amaze me.

I am adding quotes from a little booklet called "Two Voices One Song  The Harmony of Friends".

There are not many things in life so beautiful as true friendship,and there are not many things more uncommon.

Every day shared with the ones we love is a gift for which we are very thankful.

A smile is the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart.

(Barbara Johnson)

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,but the realization of how much you already have.

Love is reaching,touching,and caring,sharing sunshine and flowers;so many happy hours together.

May the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as well as with human joys.

Psalm 128:5 TLB

Waterfowl

There are some scenes I photograph over and over again every year.Today's post has pictures like that.You may think that you have seen these pictures before,but I am quite sure you have not,at least not coming from my camera.One look will tell you that these are not taken yesterday,but earlier in spring. Bear with me,I will get into summer pictures soon.

St.Vital Park in Winnipeg is a good place to capture waterfowl images.

This Canada Goose was nesting right beside the path and on this day she had chosen to have the tree directly in front of her line of vision.By now,I'm sure her young ones are in the teenage stage.

How many pictures do I have of Wood Ducks? I can't answer that accurately,but I know that I have very many and God willing,I will take more when the opportunity presents itself.I think that the male of this species is spectacular and it looks like he might agree with me.

Another image I capture routinely at this park is one like this.Seeing the reflections of the trees in the rippled water is a pleasing sight to me.

Did I mention that I also have MANY images of the Ring-billed Gulls? These guys are fairly easy photo subjects since they will come to wherever the people are,hoping to get a handout.

Adding to my collection of Canada Goose photos is an ongoing thing.Once again,I really don';t even want to know how many pictures I have of these guys,but I keep on taking more.

Seeing them exercising those powerful wings is always worth a shutter click or two or more.

Closing Thought:

Look at the birds of the air:they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they

(Matthew 6:26 ESV)

Blossoms,Butterflies and Birds

As the title suggests,this post has a little of all three,blossoms,butterflies and birds.

I have really begun liking the Geraniums.They put on a good show of flowers all summer,all I need to do is a little deadheading from time to time.

The plant on my deck has been a bright spot for a while now.I love those bright flowers.

As much as I love the flowers,the buds are just as special.

I had been watching this little butterfly land briefly on different objects and I was hoping it would land on one of my garden signs.

It seemed that it had read my thoughts and landed on this decorative piece.

I have had the chance to photograph several Snowy Owls this past winter and even into spring.I have one complaint.Why do they always sit on the wrong side of the wire?

Well,if the bird won't cooperate,than into Photoshop we go and solve the problem.This is by no means a perfect editing job,but at least the wire is not right over the face.

Thanks for allowing me to share a few of my photos.

Closing Thought:

Nature is the art of God.

A Walk and Words of Encouragement

Can you stand another walk at Lake Minniwasta?

These pictures were taken in the middle of April,so I really need to go back now when all the trees are green.

Today I share pictures and verses or quotes which I like.The words don't necessarily have anything to do with the pictures.

When one door of happiness closes,another door opens;but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

Hellen Keller

Never lose hope.

Always have faith,it allows you to cope.

Trying times will pass as they always do.

Just have patience,your dreams will come true.

Put on a smile,you will live through your pain.

Know this will pass,and strength you will gain.

Discontentment makes rich people poor,while contentment makes poor people rich.

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones,you’ll start having positive results.

I trust that a word or two that I have shared today,was just what you needed to read.