Waiting For Spring

While we wait for spring, we may as well enjoy the snow, because it will be here whether or not I enjoy it.

I have mentioned before how I enjoy seeing the sculpted designs created with nothing more than some snowflakes and the wind. Oh yes, The Hand of God is at work as well.

Just look at the crisp lines and defined shapes. I find them beautiful.

Driving along, I noticed the wind and snow at work, creating yet more intricate designs in the snow. For my friends that live in areas that don't get the snow storms, yes, this is blowing snow and yes, it was perfectly safe for me to be out on the road. I have lived in southern Manitoba all my life and choose not to be out when I do not feel safe.

We leave the stormy countryside and head back into my house. The next three photos were captured while standing in my warm home.

The Black-capped Chickadee had just picked up a seed at the feeder and flown to a small Oak tree to consume it.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch and I are quite close to each other, but a pane of glass between us made him feel at ease.

Of all the birds I love, the Chickadee has got to be my favourite.This one is also sitting at the feeder, attached right outside my window. One of the things I love about this bird is that no matter how cold the weather, when I step outside, I can hear their cheery whistle. That is a sound that brings a smile to my face every time.

As I was typing the previous sentence a thought came to me. 

Perhaps I need to be more like the Chickadee. Instead of complaining why not whistle or sing a happy tune. OK, so you don't really want me to sing, but I can carry a song in my heart even during the most unpleasant of times and just maybe it will help to lift someone else up as well.

To God Be The Glory!

 

Winter Sunset

I know I've said it before but there is so much beauty, even in winter. A few weeks ago, I was out at sunset time and was able to capture these images.

The clouds lit up with the setting sun.

As I turned around, I saw these amazing cloud formations, tinted in the softest colors.

I think they are beautiful.

Even as the colors of the western sky faded, they still remained beautiful.

Did my hands get cold? Most certainly ,yes. but it was so worth it.

A Closing Thought -

Genesis 8:22 NIV

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." 

The Beauty of Winter

Many people do not like winter and I do understand why, but I believe there is beauty to be found even in winter.  Yes, Manitoba winters can be harsh, as we are experiencing right now. We have a raging blizzard outside, many roads have been closed as well as schools and some businesses.

A few weeks ago I was out driving the country roads looking for photo opportunities. The Grey Partridge is a bird I have not gotten great pictures of, but on this day I was given the chance to capture at least one good shot. Be sure to enlarge this image to appreciate the details in those feathers.

A heavy layer of hoarfrost was covering everything. The sun, low on the horizon added to the beauty of these trees.

I pretty much just turned around to see a totally different light on this grove of trees. That evening sun was painting the trees in a soft golden color.

I came home rejoicing over the beauty I had witnessed.

A Closing Thought:

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” -John Steinbeck

Hello Again

 Hello to all. 

It's been a while but I will try the blog again.

What better way to resort than to show a majestic Bald Eagle  in a frost covered landscape. If you look closely you can see some of it's feathers outlined with frost.

Yes, this is a coloured image, but certainly looks black and white. A heavy layer of hoarfrost covered everything.

A picture like this makes me wonder what is at the other end. The frost covered trees add to the mystery.

Closing Thought:

A limited situation may afford the soul chance to grow.

Winter Wonderland

Welcome to my new blog, Ruth's Photo Journal.

I will attempt to share some of my images, beauty in nature, as I see it.

When I wake up to frost covered trees, I must grab my camera and head out of town.

The term, picture perfect often comes to mind.

Trees that stood bare just the day before are all coated with a layer of delicate frost crystals.

I know there are different kinds of frost, but for my purposes here, I will just call it frost and allow you to see the beauty of it.

I encourage you to look around you and see the beauty that is right there.

 

Spring! A Time For Courtship

Well, friends, we are going back to the Kaleida Marshes. During springtime there's so much activity there. Today we focus on the American Coot. These birds are usually not very cooperative to pose for photos, but this evening they had other things on their mind.

This looks very calm and the reflection is lovely.

I am not an expert on these birds but I'm thinking this one is trying to attract a mate.

It looks like he/she has company, so off they go.

The action is at times quite vigorous. I enjoyed capturing way too many photos.

As the sun was setting, the action continued on the other side of me.Again, I can't say what is going on but I sure enjoyed watching it. Enlarging this photo will show a foot in the air, as if to say,"Stop".

Something To Think About:

Practice the pause. 

When in doubt, pause. 

When angry, pause. 

When tired, pause. 

When stressed, Pause. 

And when you pause, pray.  

Spring At The Marshes

 For those of you who read my posts, infrequent as they are, you have heard me talk about the Kaleida Marshes. These are about a 30 minute drive from my house, but with all the birds that come through there in spring, it is well worth the drive.

Come with me as we check out a few of the many water birds at the marsh.

Here a pair of Lesser Scaup glide along peacefully.

Of course many Canada Geese make this marsh their spring and summer destination.

The Blue-winged Teal is another common sight. Even though some of these birds are not brightly coloured, in my opinion they are still beautiful.

The Northern Shoveler could be mistaken for the male Mallard, but one look at that big flat bill and the name makes prefect sense. I always feel like that bill is a good shovel.

There are two different ducks that I tend to get mixed up. They are the Canvasback as the ones below and the Redhead. The coloration is similar, but the head shape is different.

I hope you enjoyed this short visit to the spring marsh.

To Think About:

Life is a Journey!

Each day represents a page in

your life. Wake up and be open

to the many opportunities and

possibilites in this world.

Clouds

Clouds fascinate me. This is an ever changing display. 

I know that these are not the most recent photos, but they were all captured this spring. 

In this first shot, you can still see some snow on the ground, which by now is mostly gone. But it was that sky that caught my attention.

On a recent drive down a country road, this scene was enough to make me stop and capture the moment.

Yes, another lonely country road and a sky filled with clouds. The clouds may have that stormy look, but even that has beauty written all over it.

This is in a neighbouring community. I am guessing that this area was prone to flooding, so they installed these culverts to make sure there was enough room for water to run through, instead of flooding the roadway.

Those dark clouds look menacing, but take note that the sun is shining brightly behind the clouds.

Something to Think About:

When life is getting you down, and you can’t see a way through.

Remember behind the darkest clouds there awaits a sky of blue.

Signs of Spring 2022

Yes, you read that right. 

The following pictures are from 2022.

Spring has been slow in coming this year so I made the decision to look back.

I enjoy the sight and sound of water bubbling over the rocks.

In early spring reflection can be seen in many small puddles of water.

Last year, while sitting on my deck, enjoying the warm sunshine, I was entertained by this Merlin.

At a local pond the Franklin's Gulls were busy.

The gulls are a fairly common bird, but I love their sleek looks.

 Most of the time I would encourage you to look ahead, to look for the adventures that await, but sometimes it is good to look back. I find that looking back at old pictures helps me to relive past moments.

To Think About:

Do not look back on happiness, or dream of it in the future.

You are only sure of today, do not let yourself be cheated out of it.

Henry Ward Beecher

For The Birds

Over many years I have enjoyed feeding birds on my yard. I started out doing so again this winter, but some hungry deer found the feeder and cleaned it out every night. I feel like I can't afford to feed the deer so I have not put any food out for a while.

Here are some winter shots from earlier this winter.

Put out peanuts and the Blue Jays will come. They make a colourful addition to the winter landscape.

I have rarely had satisfactory pictures of either Ravens or Crows. Being that they are all black it is hard for me to get a good shot. I was reasonably satisfied with this image of a Raven.

I have several Red-breasted Nuthatches who make their home on my yard. I love those little birds. I caught this image while he stopped a minute on a snowy branch.

My all time favourite bird is the Black-capped Chickadee. These birds may not be colourful, but they always seem cheery to me. This one is contemplating the food just below him.

And, if you want that food, just let go of the branch and make your way down. A split second after this shot, he opened his wings to glide in for a perfect landing at the feeder.

 To Think About:

You are God’s work of art.

Only you can express what He put inside you.

He Is Risen!

On this Easter I share one of my favourite Easter hymns.

I trust that you have the joy of our risen Savior living in you. 

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today 

I know that He is living, whatever men may say 

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer 

And just the time I need Him He's always near 

In all the world around me I see His loving care 

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair 

I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast 

The day of His appearing will come at last 

 

 

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing 

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King 

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find 

None other is so loving, so good and kind 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today 

He walks with me and talks with me 

Along life's narrow way 

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart 

You ask me how I know He lives? 

He lives within my heart 

I thank the Lord for his blessings and wish you an Easter full of joy and peace

Looking Back

On this first day of April 2023, I will take you back to April 2022.

Spring brings many varied scenes. We may have snow or rain, freezing temperatures or thawing. What all this does is to give many photo opportunities.

Below is a scene that shows the interesting sights around.

Of course the springtime influx of Dark-eyed Juncos is a pleasant event. The trees are often filled with these small, and somewhat drab looking birds, but oh can they fill the air with that constant twittering.

As the snow and ice melt it leaves some of the most interesting sculptures.

Canada Geese make their return to our area and are a welcome sight. Especially early in spring that familiar honking assures us that warmer weather is on the way.

On my yard the resident Merlin is active. 

To Think About:

Plunge into the blessings of spring…

the sprouting of trees and grass,

the sound of birds returning from their winter furlough,

the daffodils and tulips.