Threatening Yet Beautiful

As the last couple of hours of September 2021 slowly tick away, let's look forward to what October has in store for us.

Today the pictures are from this past summer. Yes, our summer storms may be past, but we can be assured that they will be back next year.

On this particular evening, the sky looked almost threatening, but it was also filled with beauty.

Looking to the west, over Lake Minniwasta, the sunset is reflected in the lake, giving a double beauty.

I turned around and noticed the clouds to the east were also lit up and looking lovely.

The evening started out looking uneventful, but turned out to result in spectacular beauty.the colors became richer and brighter as the moments ticked away.

Such display of color in the sky almost takes my breath away. each wisp of cloud is tinged in a gorgeous shade of pink.

Something To think About:

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.

G.K.Chesterton

 

Simple Roadside Flowers

Most of the summer the roadsides have delicate beauty in them. Sometimes we need to stop and get out of the vehicle to really appreciate this beauty.

Today, as we are already in the fall season, I invite you to enjoy a few of those summer roadside treasures.

Each flower has it's own beauty, just as each person has their own special beauty.

Of course, one of my favourites is the simple Wild Rose. As I bent down to try for a closer shot, I was surprised by the added visitor. As much as I don't like grasshoppers, this baby seemed innocent.

The wild Monarda is delicate and pretty.

Later in the summer the Milkweed shows up.The true beauty off these flowers can best be seen up close.

Look at the fine details in this tiny flower. Each of those pink balls will open up to reveal such beauty.

Something To Think About, especially as we approach the winter season.

 Photos are a return ticket to moment otherwise gone.

 

Pelicans At Sunset

We are now fully into fall, but I have some summer photos to share.

In July, I came upon these White Pelicans sitting on some exposed dirt in a fairly small body of water.

We don't see White Pelicans around here all the time, although they are readily seen in some areas.

As I watched, the sun was beginning to set and the birds seemed to be getting restless.

It didn't take very long for them to slowly begin to take off,

The sun was casting a path of gold over this body of water. It was almost like these birds were taking off from an area of pure gold.

Up up and away.

As I watched and captured these images, I was so thankful that I was at the right place at the right time.

To Think About:

Lord, thank You for the detail You put into creation and for being at work even when we can’t see it.

 

Roadside Scenes

As you take a few minutes to look at these photos, captured earlier this fall, I trust they will bring you joy.

I am pairing the pictures with the words of an old hymn, Through It All.

If you click on thee link below, you can listen to Lynda Randle singing this song.

Through It All

I've had many tears and sorrows, 

I've had questions for tomorrow,

there's been times I didn't know right from wrong. 

But in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come to only make me strong. 

I've been to lots of places, 

I've seen a lot of faces, there's been times I felt so all alone. 

But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours, Jesus lets me know that I was His own 

I thank God for the mountains, 

and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. 

For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them, 

I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all, 

I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. 

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word. 

What a comfort to know that no matter what we face,Jesus is right there with us. We are never alone.

Through it all, through it all, 

I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. 

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word. 

 

Sky Views

Those who know me, know that I love watching the sky.The following were captured in June of this year. I have added a few words with each photo, so be sure to check that out.

A sunset has so much more beauty when there are at least sesame clouds in the sky.

The year 2021 has been a dry one one, but we still had some fascinating cloud scenes.

As those dark clouds roll in there is some excitement, in anticipation of rain.

I find it thrilling to be out driving the country roads and watching thee storm clouds gather.

The tracks seem to lead right into the storm.

Truth for Today:

God is our safe place during the storms of life.

 

Nature's Artistry

Nature lovers are never without something beautiful to observe. Yes, sometimes we have to look a little harder, but it's always to be found.

These photos are from a while back, but it really doesn't matter, they still show the beauty in nature.

Of course this first one is Lake Minniwasta, a favourite pace of mine. These days this lake is dangerously low, because of the extreme drought we are in.

When I'm outside, I make it a point to look up. Our skies are full of ever changing beauty. A nearly full moon set in the dark sky is a thrill to see, even though it is a constant.

I zoomed back to capture the surrounding area and the moon becomes aa small dot in the sky. When I look at the moon, I often think back to the day Jake and I got to chat with a man who had walked on the moon. Astronaut  Jim Irvin was the special guest at a company Christmas banquet we attended. 

Driving around in the countryside, this peaceful scene caught my attention. I love a sky like this one.

I was at the end of the road and needed to make a turn around, but not before capturing this image. I love those sunbeams pouring through the trees.

Today I close with aa quote by one of Americas early astronauts:

To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible.

  John Glenn

 

A Walk at Discovery Nature Sanctuary

As we walk out of August and into September, let's take a walk at Discovery Nature  Sanctuary.

A Wild Rose, even in its' final stages before the petals fall, is beautiful.

Shall we see where this path leads to. The beauty at this place may be in the eye of the beholder. It its often subtle, but lovely non the less.

We stop as we round the corner and look way up into the branches of this old tree.

Looking down, a small dragonfly catches our attention. I think this is a Double-striped Bluet.

We have slowly made our way to the far end of the path. One Red-winged Blackbird was not happy with the Canada Goose being there. They did eventually part company and no one was the worse for wear.

Before long we will see falling leaves, so this quote seems to fit.

Falling leaves are simply summer’s way of saying good-bye.

 

A Sunny Day

Come with me on a bit of a road trip. We won't be going too far, but it will take about an hour and a half to get there. Today I didn't stop to get any pictures along the way.

We reach a beautiful lake, nestled in a valley. Pelican Lake is quite picturesque.

As you can see, it was windy so the water was quite choppy.

A lake means there are fish and fish attract the Bald Eagles. I saw this one from a long ways off and fearing he would veer off into a different direction, I started shooting.

This Eagle was very cooperative and flew almost directly over where I was standing.

It doesn't matter that I already have perhaps hundreds of Eagle shots, I just keep on adding to that number.

Pelican Lake has a sailing club, so there are usually some small sailboats on the water.

I realize that these are small boats, but I find them fascinating.

Remember this:

God, You are bigger than the universe yet closer than a breath. Thank You for being so interested in us, attending to every prayer.

 

This and That

Summer is a time to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds around us.

I love going out and seeing what I can find to capture.

Seeing a Black-billed Magpie on this fence line, was reason enough to stop the car and try for a shot. I was pleasantly surprised when he didn't fly away immediately.One shot was all I got, but at least I got that one.

In early summer, I had some baskets of flowers that were blooming profusely. The Monarch butterfly seemed to enjoy them as much as I did.

By now those baskets of beauty have all dried to a crisp and been tossed out. the severe drought has led to an order not to water anything except a vegetable garden.

I have been thankful for a few hardy Geraniums that are almost dead, but still manage to put out a flower now and then.

 

While out and about I was greeted by this pretty face.He seemed very serious and I was thankful that he was in a fence and I was in my car.

I think he was doing his best to ignore the old lady with a camera. I snapped this shot and left him to enjoy the green grass by himself.

Something to remember:

Kindness doesn’t cost anything, yet it’s the richest gift you can give.

Pileated Woodpecker

The following pictures have been hiding on my computer since late May of this year. 

If you don't care for birds, now would be a good time to go do something else, for the rest of you, here are a series of Pileated Woodpecker shots.

I had spent quite some time wandering around in our local park and was on my way back to my car and home, when a kind lady alerted me to "that big woodpecker" in a tree nearby.

I cautiously approached the tree and realized quickly that this big woodpecker was more concerned about getting a morsel of food than about me.

He, and yes this is a male, the red moustache tells me that, has been very busy for quite some time

As I was watching and clicking away with my camera, I slowly moved closer.At one point he decided to get a look at me,  but soon went back to his feeding.

Seeing this bird up close, one really sees the size. He is one big woodpecker.

None of these photos have been cropped, so it shows how close I was. I think I had a smile on my face throughout the whole time.

 Sometimes it all just works out. I left the park with thankfulness on my heart. Had this lady not made me aware of it, I would have missed this opportunity, and she left not knowing how much I appreciated having this chance.