The Heavens Declare

In the Bible we read much about the beauty of the heavens above us.

Today, I am sharing with you some of those beauties I have been privileged to see.

I am adding the verses from Psalm 19:1-6.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The amazing Milky Way is just a small part of the heavens we get to enjoy.

Located near the Milky Way is the Andromeda Galaxy.

Here is what I found on the internet.

By some estimates, the Andromeda Galaxy contains roughly one trillion stars. And it stretches more than 200,000 light-years in diameter. That’s significantly bigger than the Milky Way, which more recent estimates suggest is 150,000 light-years across (though the exact boundary of where either of these galaxies "end" is a bit nebulous). Astronomers are still struggling to get an accurate count, but our galaxy also appears to have roughly a quarter to a half as many stars as Andromeda.


All this is certainly awe inspiring.
To God be the Glory!

Sunflowers At Sunset

Yes, I know, the time for sunflowers is past, but who doesn't need a little bit of sunshine on a blustery day?

So join me as we go and find a field of sunflowers.

Do sunflowers have personality? 

If they do, then this one is a little shy.

As lovely as these giant flowers look from the front,I always try to get a picture of the back side.

They have so much detail that is often hidden from plain view.

The sun is beginning to set and this might just be a good vantage point from which to watch the sunset.

And so ends another excursion out into the countryside. Each drive out yields different results, but one thing is certain, if we look, we can always find beauty.

The following Max Lucado quote gives us all something to think about.

“Gratitude. 

More aware of what you have than what you don’t. 

Recognizing the treasure in the simple – 

a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset. 

Relishing in the comfort of the common.”

 

Prairie Sunset

Yes, these pictures are from about a month or two ago, but that doesn't change their beauty. 

Come along with me and a couple of my friends, as we drive around the country and end up with these amazing sunset scenes.

These grasses look tall and stately against the setting sun.

The sun is about to drop behind those clouds and thus the end of another hot summer day.

Two power turbines stand guard as the sun sends out some beautiful rays from behind the cloud.

Another power turbine against the backdrop of a beautiful thunderhead.

Yes, this is the sun. A few clouds added some interest to this sunset.

We don't need to travel to far off distant places to find beauty.

Some of it, or should I say, a lot of beauty can be found almost in our backyards.

 

Eyes To See The Beauty

Simple scenes really can be the best.

I will let you enjoy these scenes while you ponder the following quote.

The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.

Practice seeing more beauty, even without a camera.

 

Late Summer Flowers

 I found the following verse and want to share it with you.

What is Life?

Life is a gift – unpack it

Life is a challenge – face it with victory

Life is a chance – take it

Life is an adventure – dare to try it

Life is a decision – grab it

Life is grievous – be victorious

Life is departure – let it go

Life is pain – heal it

Life is hope – don’t give up

Life is faith – don’t lose it

Life is trust – don’t throw it out

Life is love – pass it on

Life is now – live it in fullness

Life is short – enjoy it

Life is valuable – treat it with care

Fall At Discovery Nature Sanctuary

Yes, these pictures were taken some time ago, but they show just some of the beauty of fall at the Nature Sanctuary.

It was a quiet morning when I was there. It seemed no one else was out and about and I enjoyed the peacefulness of the morning.

I found one Milkweed still in bloom.

A small patch of these bright flowers. I think they may be a form of the Mexican Hat flower.

Obviously the birds had not found these ripe cherries, but I'm sure they discovered them in time.

The creek that runs through this area was like a sheet of glass and so pretty.

As I walked along one of the paths, I saw in the distance a patch of white. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a patch of these pretty flowers. They look so delicate.

Something To Think About:

No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

Hot Summer Sunset

This past summer has been extremely dry and for the most part very hot. Weather like this does not inspire me to go looking for photo opportunities. Yet, in the interest of getting out of the house, I spent some evenings just west of my town, watching the deer to the east of my car or the setting sun to the west.  

Yes, these are photos of the setting sun, even though they may look like a full moon.

A few stems of grass added some interest to the photo.

It is hard to make this ball of fire look fantastic, but I keep on trying. 

Here I have focused on the grass, thus putting the sun out of focus. It looks hot and as I recall, even at this moment it was still too warm for my enjoyment.

Finally the sun slips behind the trees and a few clouds. 

Shifting the camera angle slightly, I was able to capture a few wispy clouds.

Because I try to find things to be thankful for, I must say, I am thankful that this summer is over.

Now we pray and trust that God will send abundant snow to replenished the water supplies.

Summertime Treasures

Yes, these pictures are taken this past summer.

I love going out a while before sunset and perhaps find some special treasures. 

One of those treasures were the White-tailed deer that came out of the woods to feed on a field of bean plants.

Are those little guys not the cutest?

I have many more pictures of the deer and will most certainly be sharing more from time to time.

On another drive, on a very hot summer day, I was passing some old buildings when I noticed the birds.

A Western Meadowlark and a Mourning Dove were sharing the rooftop perch.

The area I was in is called Mowbray and at one time it had a school and hall, but now these old buildings, ready to fall down are all that is left. I thought the Meadowlark gave a fitting touch to this sign.

Another Meadowlark chose the top of an old chimney from which to sing.

One last look at a handsome buck. This one was walking across the meadow in front of my car. At one point I called out to him and asked him to stop and pose for me. This is what I got. Not bad, I would say.

 Closing Thought:

If you’re facing a tough day, know that you’re not alone.

God promises: “Never will I leave you or forsake you” 

Hebrews 13:5

Choosing To See Beauty

I have titled this post, Choosing To See Beauty, for a good reason.

Do you see beauty when you look at a Turkey Vulture or a Thistle? I do and that is because I choose to see it.

OK, I will agree that the face of these vultures is not the most beautiful, but when they are soaring in the sky, it is pure beauty.

In the first picture you can clearly see those silver feathers that make these birds shine in the sky.

The Turkey Vulture is part of our rural cleanup crew. They devour a lot of carrion, thus keeping our roads cleaner.

What about the Thistle? Do you think of it as a beautiful flower or a weed to be done away with?

I am aware that farmers don't like these plants, but I still think these flowers have extraordinary beauty.

The rich color of this flower is eye-catching.

Even the bud has spectacular beauty. No, I don't want to touch it, those spikes are sharp, but it looks striking.

A word of encouragement, try to find beauty in all of nature around you.

 

Evening Treasures

This past summer I found a good spot from which to watch the White-tailed Deer. I spent many an evening up there waiting for these beautiful animals to come out and feed on the fresh leaves of the beans growing in this field.

I saw as many as six bucks at once, some small ones and a few that looked really good. They were still in velvet at the time.

The does and the younger ones seemed to stay to themselves, but all were beautiful.

When the light got a little low,  I turned my attention to the setting sun. During these days we had a lot of smoke in the air and that gave some unique sunsets.

The sun changed looks as it dropped down.

I like how the sun is just kissing the tops of the trees.

The air was heavy with smoke and I'm sure it was difficult for those with breathing problems.

I make it my goal to try to see beauty in all of nature.

 How strange that nature does not knock, and yet it does not intrude.