Late Winter Sunsets and More

Welcome to April. I wonder what this month will bring us.I am hoping for warm spring weather, but I am also mindful that I live in Manitoba, so April could bring either snow, maybe even a storm, or it could bring warm rains to wash away the dirt of winter.

Whatever may come, I will do my best to find beauty this month.

Today, I'm sharing some pictures taken a few weeks ago.Yes, we still have snow, although a lot less than these pictures show.

I came upon a Bald Eagle and it actually allowed me to get a few shots before it was out of range.

This may not be the perfect shot, but I kind of  like the power of the wings .

This is perhaps a better shot. I do love this picture. It was a foggy day and that is what you see in the background.

I have been trying all kinds of pictures with my new camera the Panasonic FZ2500. All pictures in this post were taken with it.I am very pleased with the results.

This is not one of the prettiest sunsets, but it was not too bad either.

As the sun sets in the western sky it causes the snow to glisten.Each sunset is different but each one has at least some beauty about it.

Closing Thought:

A kind word takes just a second to say, but can last a lifetime.

Photo Edits

Wow,I am falling way behind in posting.I have been busy, enjoying life and have not taken the time to post regularly.OK, enough of the excuses, so here I am with another post.

Photography is so much more than just capturing the moment, although that is very enjoyable. In today's digital world it would seem that most, if not all pictures need to be edited. Most of the time these edits include some cropping and perhaps exposure adjustments. Sometimes a picture lends itself to more creative editing.

Under the guidance of my son,Steve,I edited the following pictures to show them at their best.

I don't remember all the steps I took, but I know that this one had more contrast added, to bring out the details in the snow. I also cropped it.

This is the same picture as the one above, but it has been turned into a black and white.I think this shot lends itself well to this look.

An early spring rain left droplets on the trees, so I simply had to capture the moment.

Here,I also darkened the picture and again added some contrast.

Similar editing as the one above with the addition of  more pleasing cropping.

The frost that builds up around the heated birdbaths is often quite pretty. Once again, the picture was darkened to bring out more details and contrast added.This picture is cropped into a narrow rectangle.

This is the same picture as the one above, but a slightly different crop.This one shows a little more of the reflection in the water.

I am certain that under Steve's guidance I added more editing steps, but I don't remember them ,so I have shared what I do recall. What it comes down to is, edit so that the picture is pleasing to you.

Closing Thought:

I can click a shutter button or edit the captured image, but in the end we must realize that 

Nature is the art of God.

Relax and Enjoy

I hope that wherever you are you are enjoying the start of spring weather. It is a mild day here today and I'm loving it.Looking forward to many more days like it.

I have some pictures taken in the last month or so that I wish to share.

Yes, there is still snow on the ground, even as I'm typing this, but soon that will only be a memory.

This stone lying in one of my flower beds looked kind of interesting with the snow on it.

Mrs. Pileated has been a regular visitor to the suet at my window feeder. Yes,those spots are suet and other debris that the birds have flung onto the window. It will get cleaned once the temperatures are warmer, but until then, we put up with it.

The Black-capped Chickadee also enjoys the suet. Due to a camera that shoots multiple photos quite fast,I got this one in the act of eating.

Now,I must confess that I did not take this picture, although it was taken with my camera. Steve was sitting in the passenger seat as we drove through the Pembina Valley and asked me to stop so he could get this picture. I rather like it.

Now that is one grumpy looking bird, if ever I saw one. I hope this picture puts a smile on your face.

Closing Thought:

Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy.

Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life.

Sunset and Inspirations

I enjoy going out in the calm of the evening to capture the sunset.Some times I get to be witness to spectacular sky scenes and at other times it is more subdued, but either way,  it is wonderful to witness this special time. The beauty of it is that it happens daily so there are many chances to watch this and get pictures, as well.

Today, instead of a lot of chatter from me,I will share some quotes that I have found to be meaningful.I trust they will encourage, bless and inspire you.

None of us knows what the next change is going to

 be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change the tenor of our lives.

( Kathleen Norris)

Avoid looking forward or backward, try to keep looking upward.

( Charlotte Bronte)

I know that God is faithful.

I know that He answers prayers, many times in ways I may not understand.

(Shiela Walsh)

All my life through, the new sights of nature made me rejoice like a child.

( Marie Curie)

Live your life while you have it.

Life is a splendid gift— there is nothing small about it.

( Florence Nightingale)

Closing Thought:

God bless you and utterly satisfy your heart….with Himself.

( Amy Carmichael)

Sunday Afternoon Drive

What to do on a sunny,Sunday afternoon in winter? I know, grab my camera and head out of town.There must be something worth capturing.

That is exactly what happened a week or two ago.Just me and my camera, heading out of town to see what we could find.

I did't have to go far to find some scenes worth capturing.

Some snow has already melted, but there is still enough to create a contrast.

The varied shapes of these old trees caught my attention.

Off in a pasture,I saw this shack surrounded by trees. I think this may be a storage shed or may not even be used at all.It did help to make an interesting scene.

Some of my readers will recognize this scene. I have taken pictures here before,in other seasons.

Thanks for joining me on yet another ride in the country,my country,southern Manitoba.

If you are willing, we can do this again, maybe next time we can see touches of new green growth, and if not, then we will find beauty in whatever lies before us.

Closing Thought:

The more you give, the more you get—

The more you laugh, the less you fret.

Birds,Birds,Birds

The photo opportunities are less around here during the winter months.Less,but certainly not boring.

As long as the birds show up at the feeder, there is excitement.

Here are some birds which I can count on to show up at the feeder daily.

The little Red-breasted Nuthatch is a delight to watch. These guys are quite comfortable with people around and allow me to get fairly close.All but one picture in this post taken through a dirty window so some of the spots may be suet flicked against the window,by the birds.

This is one picture not taken through a window. On a warmer day,I was standing on the deck and the Black-capped Chickadee came for a drink at the heated bird bath. The wind was ruffling his feathers a bit, but that didn't seem to bother him at all.

Another visit by the Nuthatch.I'm not sure if he was trying to tell me to put the camera down,or if he was just eating the suet.

The Chickadee posed just long enough for me to get this shot.He is sitting on top of a recently placed block of suet.

The Pileated Woodpecker also makes regular visits to the suet feeder.Here I got her picture before she came to the feeder. Compared to the diminutive Nuthatch and Chickadee,this bird is huge.

Some of these pictures have been posted to Facebook before.I was "test driving" a new camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2500. I am quite impressed with the quality of photos it produces.

Closing Thought:

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

Some of My Favourite Things

As we move ever closer to spring here in Southern Manitoba,I invite you to join me as I look back a number of years, to see what beauty we can find there. I have picked some of my favourite images from the past.

I will say up front, that I am not totally sure of who took all the pictures. Some were taken by me, some by Jake.

At this time of year,The Dark-eyed Juncos begin to show up. Obviously this picture was taken later in the year, as there is green grass to be seen.Right now that area is still covered with a thick layer of snow. I am fairly certain that this is one of my pictures.

The next two shots may well have been taken by Jake, but not necessarily, since I have tried my hand at this type of picture as well.

Again,both of these Tulip pictures would have been taken later in the year, perhaps May or but the beauty is timeless.

I know for certain that Jake got this picture. I also know the place. This was north of Portage La Prairie, at Delta Marsh. The terns were hovering like this just before diving into the water for food. I may be a little biased, but I do think Jake got a fantastic shot of this bird.

Guess what? I know that I took this shot.This is in Winnipeg,in the area called The Assiniboine Forest. This was our first visit to this place. I loved the paths and of course I love the man I was with, so I had to take his picture.Jake was unaware of the fact that I was getting him in the picture.

Closing Thought:

Some people try to turn back their odometers, not me,

I want people to know why I look this way.

I’ve travelled a long way, and some of the roads weren’t paved.

A Cup of Coffee and Some Manitoba Winter

I have one more set of winter pictures to share. Each of these was taken, around the middle of January.

Steve, Kai and I went out for a Sunday afternoon drive to see what the conditions were out in the  country. So come along with me and see a little of what a Manitoba winter is like.

This is a well used road but with the blowing snow it has become  more difficult to drive. No I dd not go any further.I really had no desire to get stuck.

Here is  another road, also one that normally would be well used. I do think we went down this one. It was open, but likely would not be for very long. Our road maintenance crews have been kept very busy this winter, trying to keep the rural roads passable.

Back on my yard,Kai has a large hill to play on or slide down. I don't remember when we last had such large piles of snow on the yard.

The last three pictures were taken on a different day. It was calm, so no blowing snow and no partially closed roads, just beauty everywhere.

Upon closer inspection some of the snow has been sculpted into lovely shapes.

The force of the wind has carved detailed designs in the snow.

After all that snow, would you join me for a cup of coffee.please?

Do you take it black or-------

would you prefer it with some frothed milk?

Thanks for spending this time with me.I enjoyed your company and look forward to meeting here again.

Until we meet again,rememeber:

A person who feels appreciated will always do more than expected.

The Harshness and Beauty of Winter

We are winding down with winter,I hope. I do mostly enjoy winter, but the really cold days are not what I enjoy.Winter has so much beauty, but it also has a very harsh side.Today I hope to show you both of these.

On  a sunny winter day one small tree casts a shadow on the snow. It may be cold, but from the warmth of my car it is still beautiful.

Somebody forgot to give this bird the memo, that he should fly south in fall. This one and a friend have been around all winter.You can tell it is cold by the way the heated birdbath is almost covered with frost. The Robins have come daily to get some warm water to drink.

Like I said, winter has a harsh side. The reality is that with all the snow we've had and then add some wind, roads begin to look like this.No,I did not try to drive through this, but might well have have made it.Since I was out here with the car and had no need to go further,I decided to turn around.

The wind has blown the snow into beautiful sculptures.

 I had Steve and Kai with me so despite the cold wind, pictures had to be made. They were both dressed very warmly, so really didn't feel the cold.

I also said that winter has a lot of beauty. An earlier snow that stuck to everything, created this kind of beauty. This has turned a small shrub into a work of art.

The wind blows where it will and in so doing, it creates unique and fascinating scenes. Just look at that sharp layer of snow blown over the edge of a snowdrift.I am always amazed at how the wind can do this. I guess I should not be amazed, because God directs the wind.

Thought for Today:

The whole world is a series of miracles, but we're so used to seeing them that we call them ordinary things.