Perfect Skies

Beautiful blue skies filled with puffy white clouds, that is a winning combination in my mind.

Since we are stepping into August, this seems like a perfect time to share these images. note the green grass, yeah, it doesn't look like that any longer.

All these images were captured within a few miles of where I live. I may not have the privilege of travelling far, but I can usually find beauty wherever I am.

I trust that your summer is filled with fun activities and peaceful moments to capture the beauty around you.

I have been kept busy with ongoing renovations in my house, but I have also taken time to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature.

Seeing those blue skies makes me more aware of the lack of them recently. The smoke from fires many miles north of us, has filled the sky and caused it to look overcast on most days. 

As you greet each new day or each new. month:

Have Faith,Stay strong,

and Keep On Believing

 

Bejeweled

Earlier in the year we had some rain, not a heavy rain, but just enough to decorate the plants.

When I saw what was happening, I gabbed my camera and headed outside.

The leaves of the Wild Rose on my yard, which are usually quite ordinary, suddenly became artwork.

Not to be outdone, the Honeysuckle shrub also was adorned with raindrop jewels.

Still the Honeysuckle, but from a different angle. beauty was everywhere.

Every little pine needle also shone with tiny jewels of rain.

When I turned around, I noticed that the young Oak leaves had perfect droplets on them.

This was one of those moments that I had a hard time knowing when to stop shooting.

So much beauty and just how could I capture it at its best.

Think About It;

In  photographs we stop time and enable the viewer to pay closer attention to the details of simple everyday occurrences we so easily walk by without seeing.

I have copied this from a friend,Valerie Acee

 

Spring On My Yard

I know we are fully into summer, but I still have some spring photos to share. 

Sitting at my house in spring, I never know which birds will show up.

For a period in spring the Common Grackles are around. I admit that I really don't like them around, as they clean out a bird feeder in record time. Having said that, they are still a beautiful bird.

This spring I had a large number of Pine Siskins around. They may be small and more drab in color, but their cheery twitter is so enjoyable .

Of course when the American Goldfinches arrive, there is no lack of color.

One of the flowers that usually performs well for me are the Geraniums . I did have several plants, but due to water restrictions , they are all slowly dying. I am thankful I got some pictures while they still looked good.

Isn't that a cheery color?

Something To Think About;

Just keep taking the next step and you can take any mountain. 

The Beauty Of Spring Flowers

I have been missing in action for a while, but it is time to get back to more regular blogging.

All is well at my place, I have just been busy with other things.

A hot summer day is as good a day to look at spring flowers as any.

Step back with me into May of this year and enjoy some refreshing spring sightings.

The city off Morden is home to many Ornamental Apple trees. Actually many of the varieties have been bred right here in Morden at the Research Station.

A tree covered in these bright flowers is sure to bring joy to most everyone.

As the new leaves emerge, they are so delicate and even the humble Oak is pretty.

These white flowers are on my on my Goodland apple tree. This is another tree that has been developed in Morden.

Every spring brings with it the beautiful Lilac blossoms. Each flower is very simple but together they make a striking display, filled with a lovely fragrance.

When my apple tree is loaded with blossoms, I must capture yet another shot. Again, these flowers are not brightly coloured, or fancy, but they sure are pretty. Because of our severe drought situation, my apple tree may be full of small fruit now, but I am fairly certain it will not develop properly.

I think we can learn something from these flowers.

You and I may feel small, plain and insignificant alone, but when we join with those around us, we become a beautiful bouquet.

 

A Blue Heron Sort of Day

On this last day of June, I will share some pictures that brought a smile to my face. For years I have wished for some good photos of a Great Blue Heron. On May 11, 2021 my wish came true. Of course there are many photos out there which are much better than mine, but I am happy with these.

These are two different birds in two different locations, but all near the Pembina Valley.

A stop at the Kaleida Marsh, at first was disappointing ,but driving down the road a little further, gave me the next two shots. Well, actually I got many more but will only show these two today.

This bird seems to be all neck and wings. Not much of a body.

A leisurely drive through the valley, resulted in another fairly cooperative Heron.

This fella was intent on fishing, and paid no attention to me.

Once again, I got many pictures, but will only show a few.

After several attempts at catching supper, he decided to relocate .

The evening light was a bonus on these shots.

My camera kept on clicking and I am pretty sure I was smiling through it all.

Yes, these are slightly cropped, but still pleasing to me.

On another note, as of June 30, 2021, I have been officially retired for one year.

I have not regretted that decision for one single minute.

Retirement suits me just fine.

To God be the Glory!

 

Blue-winged Teal Take-off

On a recent visit to the Discovery Nature Sanctuary at Winkler, I had the joy of capturing a series of photos of the Blue-Winged Teal on take-off.

In a perfect world the bird would be flying into the pictures, but we all know that we don't live in a perfect world.

Enjoy the photos and a few quotes I found online.

 “Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?”

“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.”

 “Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.” 

 “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” 

“The birds, the moon and the clouds have an important mission: To make mankind turn their eyes towards the skies! And so man can leave his own little local world and focus on something bigger, the universe!”

 Think About It:

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. 

Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Luke 12:24 ESV

Southern Manitoba Sunset

It is no secret that I enjoy going to Lake Minniwasta at sunset, so today I share another one of those evenings with you.

The light was already getting low, when these ducks, possibly Redheads, flew across the lake.

The calmness of the evening was beautiful and having a kayak on the water was just the perfect accent.

Those deep, rich colors are so lovely.

The sun is fast slipping down below the horizon. Can you feel the calm of that evening? All troubles slowly melt away.

And so another day has ended. That orange sky will soon turn dark and the stars will come out.

Here is a prayer you may want to make your own.

Lord, please calm my heart and soul.

So many things are out of my control 

and I need Your love to soothe me and calm me.

Your love lets me know it will be OK.

 

Action At The Marsh

Never a lack of action at the marsh. Sometimes it is subtle action, but at other times the chase is on, with wings flapping and  water spraying.

Some time ago, I had just such action to watch at The Discovery Nature Sanctuary. 

The pictures may not always be perfect, but I enjoy the challenge of getting them.

Two male Mallards and one female are sure to cause a stir.

No sooner had the water settled, when a Canada Goose landed.

You will notice that in both pictures the goose has its bill open, obviously announcing its arrival.

Our attitudes are contagious, whether grumpy or grateful.

Let's choose our attitudes carefully.

 

New Growth

The new growth of spring always fascinates me. Those small leaves look so clean and shiny.

We are now well past that stage, but I will share these images anyway. all of them were taken right on my yard.

These are not my words, but I find them encouraging. I hope you do too.

Three Things You Cannot Recover From:

The word after it is said,

The moment after it is missed,

The time after it is gone.

So choose your words wisely, embrace every moment you have with those you love, and never waste time arguing over things that will not matter in the last 5 minutes of your life.

Those last words bear repeating:

So choose your words wisely, embrace every moment you have with those you love, and never waste time arguing over things that will not matter in the last 5 minutes of your life.

 

Sunset Scenes

Well, it looks like Blogger doesn't like headers. I can't seem to find a theme that allows me to use my header the way I want to. Guess what? I will outsmart blogger and just feature my  monthly header picture in each post. Maybe after a while they will change things again.

After asking Google and clicking around, the new header is up. not quite sure how I got there, but that's ok.

Some more sunset pictures are in order. These are from a while ago, but the beauty is still the same.

A wide view of our lake. Sadly this lake is our source of water and because of a drought situation, it is dangerously low.

While waiting for the sun to set, some birds flew by. I think they enhance the photo.

As the sun drops below the horizon, the few clouds light up, creating a beautiful scene.

A short time later the sky has changed into deeper, richer colors. That's what I like about a sunset.

Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.