Taking a Break from Snow Scenes

I don't know about you, but my eyes need a break from seeing snow so here is a post that began in early fall of 2016.

One place that I don't visit as often as I should, is our local golf course.This is in part, because I don't golf, but that need not keep me from enjoying beauty like this from the parking lot.

When I refer to the Pembina Valley,this is what I'm talking about.There are no hills around here to create a valley.The land is generally flat, but the Pembina River has carved this valley over many years.It is a beautiful sight at any time of year.

I love birds and will photograph them whenever I can.This Red-tailed Hawk was sitting just on the other side of the ditch and allowed me to stop and get several pictures, before he had enough and flew away.

A small marsh which I often visit, doesn't look like much as a rule, but on this day I thought the golden brown grasses and leaves made a lovely scene.

A Turkey Vulture allowed me to get fairly close before taking off.

And we have lift off.

Several Eagles were in the area.I do believe this and the next three shots are all immature Bald eagles.

I just happen to love these birds and that huge wingspan.

Did I take too many picture? Probably,but that is how it goes.I am limiting how many I post so you are spared the excess of photos.

From birds to grasses,I enjoy them all.

Milkweed seeds are ready to take flight on their silvery wings.

The Sumac is not the most beautiful shrub most of the year, but wait until it puts on it's fall finery and it most certainly is impressive.

Thought for Today:
I think the following is timely advice for the beginning of the new year.

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.

Autograph your work with excellence.

2016 in Review

At this time of year we hear a lot about the year in review. I decided to create my own version of this.
It comes as no surprise that I choose to look back with photos, so here are twelve pictures, one per month.

I was thrilled last January to be able to capture this scene.It was postcard perfect.
God creates such amazing beauty and it is my privilege to photograph at least some of it.

I had seen this old piano under a tree some time ago, but went back in February to capture yet another version of this.

March brought us some gorgeous sunrises.This is taken from my deck. With that kind of spectacular color,I didn't even mind the trees in the way.With each new sunrise,I think that God is saying,'I kept you through the night, now trust me with this day.'

Of course every month has some pretty sunsets, but this one taken in April really impressed me as being pretty.On the right hand side of the lake you can still see some ice.I'm sure it didn't last much longer, as the days started to warm up.

May,and it's time to get the gardens ready.My gardens consist of several pots of flowers.These Begonias were covered in blossoms when I bought them and they bloomed non-stop all summer.

Here is another  pretty sunset captured in the month of June. I marvel at each scene like this, knowing that the same God who created this, also cares for me.

July brought our area some violent storms.On one of those occasions, these Mammatus clouds formed after the storm had passed.I think they are beautiful. Even during these violent storms,God kept us safes no lives were lost.

 Driving around the country roads in August and I was able to capture this scene.Not a perfect shot, but I still like it.

September and the sun is beginning to set earlier, so I have more chances to get sunset scenes like this.Most of you will recognize the lake as Lake Minniwasta,a favourite place for me to capture sunsets.

October brings a distinct change in seasons.The trees put on their fall finery. Each year the display is different and this past year, we did not have super color.Having said that,I still found some color.

 A drive through the Pembina Valley is usually interesting,but on this day in November,I hit the jackpot.One Bald Eagle is fantastic, but to have nine of them circling in the sky, playing and calling, that was almost unbelievable.

 December rolls around and with it the Christmas excitement and also the end of another year.
We certainly had a  white Christmas,actually we had a blizzard on Christmas day.

 So that was a quick look at the year 2016 through my eyes and the lens of my camera.
God has given me many blessing this year, for which I am very thankful.
 I don't make New Year's resolutions, but the following are some worthy goals to strive for:

My Plan For Today and This Year:

-Count my blessings

-Let go of what I can’t control

-Pursue my purpose

-Share kindness

-Give love

-Pray for someone else. 

Merry Christmas to All

For this CHRISTMAS post,I go back two years, when I was privileged to be in Nashville right after Christmas.The pictures may be  two years old but the beauty remains the same. Enjoy the sights as you read the words of the old familiar carol,"Hark the Herald Angels Sing".

Hark the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;

With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

 Christ, by highest heav'n adored:

                               Christ, the everlasting Lord;
                              Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the favoured one.

.

Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

All photos taken at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

Roses and Winter Snow

I have a few odds and ends of pictures, pictures I like but which have nothing in common with each other. The first two are the floral arrangement I received from my neighbours last year

I have chosen the words from a rarely heard Christmas song to go with today's picture.

Snowy flakes are falling softly

 Clothing all the world in white.

High above the stars are shining,

Twinkling through the winter night.

Was it just like this we wonder,

Starry bright and crisp and cold,

On that Christmas night of old?

(Picture taken on my yard)

                                               Angels spread their wondrous story:

Jesus Christ is born today.

  

 "Peace on earth",they sang,"and glory 

Be to God on High alway"

So we sing the sweetest carols
Telling how the King of love
Came to save from heaven above.

Joy to the World!

It is less than two weeks till Christmas day and there is busyness all around.

I invite you to take a few minutes and join me and my camera as we travel around my home area.

Let's start in my home with some flowers given to me by wonderful neighbours.These flowers were from last year's arrangement.

Southern Manitoba gets a fair amount of snow and usually with it come the winds.The wind carves the snow into drifts and all sorts of interesting patterns.

A heavy layer of hoar frost turns a simple patch of evergreens into Christmas card splendor.

A hoar frost coated tree against a blue Manitoba sky and the sight is breathtaking.

Back on my yard, the early morning sunlight streaming through the evergreens, casts dark shadows on the snow.This is a scene I don't ever get tired of seeing, and the best part is that I can see it from my dining room window.

To close,I share one more artistic creation made by the wind, but ultimately designed by God.

The words of Joy to the World are a perfect closing thought:

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.

 earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Winter Has Arrived

Yes,we all knew it was coming, yet when it did, we were surprised.

What am I talking about? Winter.

In Manitoba,we were enjoying a long spell of milder than usual weather, but that has come to an end.

Winter happened overnight. From Monday evening to Tuesday morning everything changed.

The pictures I have today are not from this year, but they very well could be.

I am always interested in seeing how the wind carves the snow into sharp fingers.

A heavy snowfall leaves a layer of the white stuff on the deck railing.

This lone tree is quite picturesque at any time of year.

Frost flowers are no longer gracing my windows, since I've had them replaced, the windows that is, but I'm glad I got these pictures when I could.

Such intricate detail,created by God the Master designer.

Thought for Today:

Reminding ourselves about God’s goodness can keep us filled with His peace.

A Southern Manitoba Fall

Take a break from your Christmas preparation and join me, as we drive around Southern Manitoba,enjoying the fall scenery.

On this particular drive,I will allow you to sit back and enjoy the views, while I refrain from adding my descriptions.

Allow this thought to give you peace:

God,who calls the stars by name and see each sparrow fall, will always take care of you.