Time To Say Good-bye!

An early morning start to my work day has meant that I got to catch the sunrise as I stopped at the railroad tracks every morning.I looked forward to these views.

On March 20, 2020, I was blessed to get one more sunrise picture as I was on my way to work.

It later became apparent that this would be my last shot at the track on my way to drive the school bus.

As I think back to the many years of driving the bus, one memory is extra special, although there are many special memories. The first day that my granddaughter got on the bus for her first ride home. This Grandma could not have been happier. 

At the end of June 2019, one of the Moms decided that I needed to have my picture taken as well.Little did she, or even I, think that it would become a special picture. 

The following pictures are a few of images captured the last few days of work, back in March 2020, paired with some of my thoughts as I head into retirement .

For over a year, I agonized over the decision to retire from school bus driving. I knew I would have to make that decision sooner or later, but had a hard time with it. It got so bad that I was convinced that there was something wrong with me physically. Several visits to the doctor showed that everything was fine, but still I was constantly exhausted.

On December 6 I made the decision to work no longer than to the end of June. I immediately began feeling less tired. It seemed that the weight was lifting from my shoulders. Christmas came and went and I shared this news with some people, but couldn't make it totally public since I had not handed in my resignation.

Shortly into the new year, January 9 to be exact, I brought my letter of resignation to the school division office. When I walked out of there, it felt like the burden had completely left me.

I started a countdown to my last day of work. It was exciting to see the days and weeks go by. Then on March 16 we were told that schools would be closed for at least three weeks, due to Covid-19. So there went my countdown. All the excitement vanished, with this cloud of the unknown hanging over everyone's head. Before those three weeks were over, it became apparent that schools would not be opening again until September.

(This was my view from the driver's seat while waiting to start my route.)

So technically, I was retired, but in fact I was still an employee of Western School Division until the end of June. So, although I got to spend my time at home, I didn't really feel like I could close the Bus Driver chapter of my life.

As we say good-bye to the month of June, I also

say good-bye to 41 years of being a School Bus driver.

I have looked forward to this day, but in all honesty, I know I will miss the routine, my co-workers and the children. Yes, I will even look back and think of those who routinely stirred up trouble. Perhaps these children needed to cross my path to teach me greater patience. So June 30, 2020 will live on in my memory as the actual day of my retirement.

(The view I saw hundreds of times, when looking into the rear-view mirror,checking on the students.)

Thank-you to Western School Division for giving me employment all these years, but more than that, thank-you for allowing me to walk away with pleasant memories and a host of friends. Friends I would not have met, had I not had this job.

Retirement here I come!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for me from here on.

Mallard Dispute

It's no secret that I love birds and love photographing them.

The male Marrard is such a beautiful duck. I know that if it is possible to get too many images of one bird,i probably have too many of this species, but I will keep on adding to my collection.

Floating along all peaceful, minding his own business.

That gentle peaceful moment doesn’t last long when another male comes on the scene.

Water is flying everywhere and the chase is on.

I am pretty sure the Mallard is not watching where he is going. Mr Goose, you had better get out of the way.

Two male Mallards scraping it out while the Canada Goose is trying to leave.

This chase lasted for quite a while.I never did see what caused the raucous , but I sure enjoyed the chance to capture these images.

Peace was not uppermost on their minds but it should be in ours.

Why would I want to trade the peace of God with a few cheap magnets of putting someone in their place?

So Much To Be Thankful For

Here are few pictures from earlier in spring.I share them, simply because I like them and hope you do as well.

I am including a poem I found and felt that it was worth sharing.

Am I wrong to be always so happy? 

This world is full of grief;

Yet there is the laughter of sunshine, 

to see the crisp green on the leaf,

Daylight is ringing with song-birds, 

and brooklets are crooning at night;

And why should I make a shadow when God makes all so bright?

Earth may be wicked and weary, 

yet cannot I help being glad!

There is sunshine without and within me, 

and how should I mope or be sad?

God would not flood me with blessings, 

meaning for me only to pine

Amid all the bounties and beauties he pours upon me and mine;

Therefore I will be grateful, and therefore will I rejoice;

My heart is singing within me; sing on, O heart and voice.

~Walter C. Smith

Look around you and see the beauty and the blessings instead of the discord and strife.

A Morning With The Birds

Well folks, today we head off to the discovery Nature Sanctuary just a few miles down the road from where I live. I set out to see if I could capture some water birds.

I found out quickly, that the water birds were the easier ones, it was the swallows that posed a problem.

Not to be outdone by a few small birds, I determined to give it a try. These birds are small and incredibly fast fliers,as well as having a very erratic flight.

Here are some of my results. Hundreds of shots later, I got this Barn Swallow, as he zoomed by at a much too fast pace for me.

There were many Purple Martins around, but, although they are a little larger, they are still very fast. Once again, putting the camera on continuous shooting, I managed this picture. 

I had to take my eyes off the small birds and try for some other flight shots.

I am reasonably happy with this Mallard. Of course, I always want a better picture, but maybe next time.

Canada Geese are much more my speed. I have so many shots of them, but keep on trying for that perfect shot. Will I ever know when that happens? Likely not, so I can keep on shooting.

One more picture, this time both a male and female Mallard come in for a landing.

I know I will be back at this Nature Sanctuary many more times. it is a small place, but full of exciting nature activity.

Here's a good reminder for us all.

We don't need more to be thankful for,

We just need to be more thankful.

Sunset Gold

You all know that I enjoy capturing the beauty of a sunset. Each one is unique and each one has an element of beauty. A few weeks ago, I was able to capture these scenes at a nearby pond.

I love the path of the sun reflected in the calm water, add a duck slowly swimming along and the scene is perfect.

As I sat there, waiting for the sun to set, I tried different angles. I like last years Cattails in the foreground.

Usually, I am not a fan of manmade structures in these shots, but since this farm is right there, I had to incorporate it into the scene.

One last look as the sun slipped below the horizon. The calm water reflected the trees so perfectly.

As I turned to leave, I saw the moon hanging in the sky and had to get a picture of it as well.

Think about this:

Next time  a sunrise or sunset steals your breath, say nothing

And listen as heaven whispers,

“Do you like it? I did it just for you!”

Max Lucado

A Time For Fun

It's time for some fun. I have recently learned a new technique in Adobe Photoshop.

this is not something I would do on many pictures, actually, it doesn't even work well on some.

Some of my results are quite artistic, I think.

I share five images here and at the end, I have a collage of the original photos, so you can try to match them up.

1.

2.

        

3.

4.

5.

Please leave your answers in the comments.

As we step into June

Keep your mind on God and receive His perfect peace. 

Discovery Nature Sanctuary

Today I invite you to join me in a short walk at Discovery Nature Sanctuary at Winkler, Manitoba. This is about a 10 minute drive from my house.

As we open the car doors and prepare to get out, we hear the Northern Flickers making a lot of noise. Looking up into one of the mature trees, we see that they must be in the middle of some mating display.They are high up in the tree and therefore not easy to get a good picture.

Let's start down the well maintained path, which winds around the whole area. We don't get very far, before we stop and enjoy the beauty of the Tree Swallow, sitting on top of the nest box he likely has chosen for a future home.

A little farther down the path are some more nest boxes.They all seem to have Swallow activity.

These are such beautiful birds and easy to approach. During the nesting season, I try not to get too close, as I don't want to disturb them.

We have reached the small lake at the back of the Sanctuary. It is springtime and of course the Canada Geese are there in good numbers. Mostly this is the scene, as they swim around 'talking' to each other.

Occasionally, or maybe regularly, this happens. Some gander gets upset when another one comes too close to his lady. Things must be dealt with and quickly.

Perhaps we should carry on and let these guys work it out between themselves.

Thanks for joining me. I hope we can do this again sometime soon.

Whenever you should feel threatened, or fearful, remember:

No danger can come so near that God is not nearer still.

Sunset, Thunderstorm and Rainbows

A few weeks ago, I went out, hoping to catch a pretty sunset.

The sunset was pretty, but it gave me some extras. I was not prepared to have a thunderstorms it was still early in the season. But the thunder could be heard, first in the distant and then became louder, as the lightning flashed across the sky. There was some rain, but not a lot.

As the sun was setting the western sky turned orange, but those dark clouds were filling the sky.

 There was a fair bit of drama in the sky that evening.

You can see the rain, highlighted by the setting sun.

When I turned and looked towards the east, I saw a beautiful rainbow.

Back to the southwest, was one large cloud that caught the light of the setting sun.It was spectacular.

 When I thought it was time to go home, I had to pull off the road and try my hand at capturing the lightning. I am not an expert at this and would consider this a lucky shot. Whatever the case is I'll  take it. Hopefully that during the course of this summer I get to try for more shots like this.

God's Word speaks of lightning and storms in Jeremiah 51:16

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;

he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.

He sends lightning with the rain

and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

A VISIT TO THE KALEIDA MARSHES

Hey friends, how would you like to join me in checking out the Kaleida Marshes? This is about a twenty minute drive southwest of my home, so it won't be a long drive.

It's Saturday, the weather is still somewhat cool and it looks like some rain moving in, but if we hurry out there, we might still see some interesting sights.

Upon arriving at the marsh area, one of the first birds we see is a Yellow-headed Blackbird. These birds are quite striking in appearance but it is their song, that if you hear it once, you will never forget.Here is a short video, which I did not make, but it gives a good example of their song.Yellow-headed Blackbird

We won't spend too much time with the blackbird, as off in the distance I see a couple of Bald Eagles. One is an adult and the other looks to me an immature one.

Of course in typical Eagle fashion, they don't stay around for long.

I had a chance to capture a few images and you all get to enjoy them for a minute or two.

In this and the previous picture you can just faintly see another bird flying in the distance.

Bringing our eyes back to the marsh, we also see some Red-winged Blackbirds. These are a lot more common around here. Now if we would have taken a closer look, we would have seen and heard the many Canada Geese in the marshes as well as a variety of ducks.

That sky is beginning to look rather dark.

Even a dark and threatening sky has beauty about it. The elevator you see on the horizon is what is left of the little hamlet of Kaleida.

These cloud formations are amazing, but the wind is getting cold, so it is time to move on and head back home again.

I hope you enjoyed this short visit to the Kaleida Marshes. These marshes are alive with birds and as the weather warms up there will be more and more activity.Soon the babies will appear and that brings even more excitement.

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.