New Beginnings

After a few weeks of a break from Blogland, I find that I am missing my friends here, so, I'm back. I may not post often, depending on how things go, but you will hear from me from time to time. 

Today's photos are all from a couple of years ago, but they have this in common, they are all taken during the month of January. 

Seeing a Bald Eagle is always a thrill to me. This one was sitting too far away, but I had to try for a photo anyway.

A beautiful sky is one of those things that gets me excited. The clouds add so much beauty to a sunrise or  a sunset.

This tree, or cluster of trees has been photographed many times over the years. It has a beautiful shape and looks good even in winter.

This is a sunset photo and one I am very thankful for. The tree in the foreground has since been cut down. I was sorry to see it go, but I am sure those in authority had good reason to take it down. All I knew was that is was a great photo prop.

Sundogs! 

Yes, it has been more than cold enough the last while to give scenes like this, even though this was taken a few years ago. There is a stark beauty about a scene like this.

Recently the words to a Gospel song have been on my mind and I think the words of the chorus are fitting to share here and especially at the beginning of a new year.

Something new, something new.

Our God is up to something new,

So go ahead and take your seat, 

He’s gonna move just watch and see.

God is up to something new.

Merry Christmas

May this Christmas be a time of celebrating the love of family and friends, but most of all let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus. He is the reason we can truly celebrate. 

Special Post

The time has come to take a break from blogging. I don't know how long this break will be, or if it may be  permanent. I will be on Facebook and would love to interact with you there.

I am not shutting down this blog, just yet, but need to take some time to decide if or when I decide to come back here. 

For a final set of pictures, at least for some time, I am sharing scenes from fall in Manitoba.

First is Lake Minniwasta at sunset.

The full moon is always lovely to look at and to photograph.

A thin cloud finger reaches over the moon to create a different look.

Color was not that great this past fall, but we did have some.

I am hoping that next year we will have abundant moisture and maybe more color.

Thank-you to each of you who enriched my life here in blogland. I cherish the friendships I have made and look forward to continuing those on Facebook.

Seeing as we are near Christmas Day, I also take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings.

Persistence

Today, as the temperatures are dropping outside and the wind is blowing the snow all around, I choose to look back at some warmer days.

Getting a decent picture of a Crow or Raven has been a problem to me. An all black bird is not easy to get right, in my opinion. Well on this day last summer, everything was in my favour. The blue sky and the right light allowed me to get some decent shots of this Raven.

Of course, one picture will never do, so I had to take several.

I like how the plumage glistens in this light.

Yes, even though I was hoping for Bald Eagles, these photos made my day.

The power of nature amazes me. These mushrooms are fairly soft, but they had no problem pushing through the hard dirt at the edge of the road.

This one even had all the grass roots to contend with, still it stands tall and unharmed from that upward push.

Something to think about:

Life may sometimes be hard, but with gentle persistence we can push through and show the world around us the inner strength we have.

 

An Eagle Kind Of Day

I'm always on the look out for eagles. I think they are so majestic.

Most often, when I head into an area where they might be, I may see one or two, but not too long ago, I hit the jackpot. 

Eagles everywhere. There are four in this picture.

In a perfect world, there would no branches in front of this bird, but since I don't live in a perfect world, this is the best I could do.

Even with a few branches over the wing,I think this is a good shot.

The power in those wings is just amazing. 

Finally clearing the tree, he was on his way to another area, away from the crazy lady with the camera.

Something to think about:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   

 Isaiah 40:31

Clouds

Well folks, I have one more older post to share. Obviously these images were captured this past summer.

Yes, it  is winter by now and we do have some snow and most notably, we have no leaves on the trees now.

This is a little spot northwest of where I live, called Mary Jane Reservoir.

It is quite a scenic area and many people go fishing there.

I happened to be on the road at just the right time. The sky put on a lovely display.

Those billowing clouds are so beautiful in my mind.

Yes, these are all in the Mary Jane Reservoir area. Such beauty in the sky and so many folks miss it, because they are not looking up.

Closing Thought:

Almighty God, please help me live to worship You with contagious joy and gratitude.

 

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