The Varied Looks Of One Sunset

On June 30, I headed out to capture the sunset, as I frequently do.

What I am sharing today is what I witnessed that evening. 

No two sunsets are the same and even during the setting of the sun, the scene can change quite dramatically.

Lake Minniwasta is so often my go to place to capture sunset photos. Come and join me as we sit and enjoy the scenes unfold before us.

The bright orange didn't last very long. The sky has subdued colors, yet still a beauty that has to be experienced to truly appreciate it.

While we wait for the colors to fade, we take a look into the reflections on the lake. Soft, subdued and so pretty.

The sun has set below the horizon and the colors turn from orange to pinks and purples. 

I love that soft glow.

I hope you enjoyed spending a few moments with me today. I appreciate your company.

Think About This:

God loves showing up on unexpected ways,

At unexpected times. 

Some Of My Favorites

These are not the most recent pictures. All of these were taken earlier this year.

I love cloud scenes, as you all know by now. Those towering thunderheads are majestic in their own way.

Sometimes it's the huge thunderheads and at other times it can be those delicate flowers of spring or early summer.

This is obviously the same type of flower, but shot at a different angle. I like the softness of this image.

Sunset and calm water a perfect combination. To look at this you would not likely think marsh, but it is indeed at the Kaleida Marsh.

I am not a farmer, actually as a child I very strongly disliked the three cows my parents kept for milking. I still don't care to be very close to these animals, but I do find their behaviour fascinating. When I stopped the car at this spot, it didn't take long for all of them to line up facing me.

Something To Think About:

Loving God, thank You for being my Shepherd and for making me lie down in green pastures to refresh my soul.

 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Today, I have paired some of my photos with the lyrics of an old hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

Be blessed as you read these words and enjoy the photos.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning, new mercies I see

All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord, unto me"

Amen.

Truly, God's faithfulness is great and never-ending.

As we ponder on these thoughts let's give praise to God.

 

Beauty All Around

As most of you are already aware, I tend to post pictures that have been captured some time ago. Oh well, The content is still something that caught my eye, so wether taken today or a month or two ago, it doesn't matter.

Many times I don't even have to leave my yard to find a beautiful scene. This greeted me one morning as I looked out of the door.

Sometimes, the birds actually cooperate with me, as this Upland Sandpiper proves. The warm evening light was just perfect.

When the Wild Roses are in bloom, I must capture more images. I think this is such a pretty flower and the fact that Jake dug up the original little plant for me, makes it even more special. Oh, and having the wasp/bee visit at just that moment was also good.

The east shore of Lake Minniwasta is about a two mile drive from my house, so I go there often. Many evenings the sunset is just that, a sunset, nothing spectacular, but occasionally it is gorgeous.

I love how the wispy clouds turn a brilliant pink after the sun has set. Always some beauty to be found.

Something to Think About:

What  is down in the well of the heart,

Will come up in the bucket of words.

 

Nature Along The Back Roads

A drive around the back roads of southern Manitoba usually yields some pretty scenes.

These pictures may have been taken a month or more ago, but as we step into August, their beauty is still relevant today.

Even an old fence line is picturesque in it's own way.

In spring when the Lady Slippers come into bloom, there are pockets of treasure like this in some ditches.

Sometimes it may be an individual flower, but just as often it can be a wider scene with billowing clouds.

A lone Tree Swallow shows his colourful backside. I don't think he liked me there, as he was protecting a nearby nest box.

Back on my own yard, I am amazed at the delicate beauty of the Honeysuckle.

Something To Think About:

Maker of heaven and earth, when I pause and reflect, Your provision for and protection of me is overwhelming. May my life be a continuous song of praise to You for as long as I live.

 

One day In June

Around the middle of June, my sister and I needed to go to Winnipeg. Once we had done what was needed, we turned the rest of the day into a fun outing.

It was close enough to my birthday to celebrate as we have for the last several years. No gifts, but rather going out for a special ice-cream treat. This year it was at the Bridge Drive In in Winnipeg.BDI has been in business since 1957, and I now know why. The ice-cream was delicious and very large.  No, no pictures of the delicious treat, but after the ice-cream was consumed, we needed to go for a walk.

The Red River is still very high this year, but it sure made for some pretty scenes.

This is the bridge which spans the river. At one point this was used for vehicles, but is now strictly a pedestrian bridge.

From here we headed to the Assiniboine Park and the English Gardens.

The ornamental  crab apple trees were in full bloom and so beautiful.

In another part of the gardens I found these pretty Bleeding Hearts putting on a lovely show.

Always be prepared for the unexpected. Four White Pelicans came silently soaring over the park. I was only able to get a good shot of one, but it is so pretty against that blue sky.

Something To Think About:

If you can retreat to a serene spot in nature—wonderful! If that’s not possible, retreat with Jesus wherever you can. He will meet you there.  

Looking Up or Down, Beauty All Around

 As most of you know, I am always looking for the beauty in nature. Maybe my mind works differently than most, I'm pretty sure it does, but I see so much beauty.

Just a simple look up at the sky and I saw this delicate cloud structure. Those feathery wisps of white against the blue sky are so lovely.

Oh, but we must not forget to look down as well. Those fluffy ducklings are adorable.

There is always the stunning beauty of the male Mallard. Yes, I have hundreds of photos of Mallards, but I know I will continue to capture more.

Another beautiful duck is the male Wood Duck. Will I ever get enough photos of this one? I really don't think so, because the next one I get may be the perfect one, so I keep on shooting.

Did I mention the beauty of the ducklings swimming in a sea, or pond of green? 

Something To Think About:

Art isn’t about perfection.

It’s about being brave enough to try.

Life is too.

The Beauty Of Nature

Nature has such variety for us to enjoy.

No, let me rephrase that, God has created so much beauty for us to enjoy.

We just happen to call it nature.

The blue of the sky, the fresh green leaves and a few bubbling clouds, combine to give a pleasing photo.

When we had a deluge of rain, the already waterlogged ground just couldn't take any more. 

These trees were standing in a lake of water, a place which usually is dry.

Even during times like that we can still see beauty.

On the other side of the road, a couple of Eastern Kingbirds were very cooperative. These birds often take off as soon as I stop the car, but this time they allowed me multiple shots.

Somehow, I sensed that this bird was about to take off, so I kept my lens on him and was ready to press the shutter button and hold it down for a while.

Of the many images I captured that day, this is by far my favourite.

To Think About:

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

 

I Figured It Out

For some time now, I have noticed a lack of birds on my yard. Where there used to be so many birds, that the feeders needed filling constantly, now, it is almost rare to see a bird at the feeder.

This Thrush passed through in early spring and posed just long enough for me to get a shot.

Thankfully, even though I don't have many birds, the evening sky often is painted in the most beautiful colors.

Sitting, proudly atop one of the spruce trees is the culprit who is discouraging the other birds.

This  Merlin and his mate have set up housekeeping in a nearby tree.Yes, their family needs food, but do they have to get that food on my yard? I miss my birds.

I will say that the Merlin is a beautiful bird. Since he seems to be the only bird around for most of the time, I will get photos of him.

There was a time when the yard was full of Goldfinches as well as other birds, but this spring I have seen just a couple.

I guess I must look on the bright side, at least I'm not spending large amounts of money on bird food.

 To Think About:

Lord, use me today to bring someone hope, a lighter burden, encouragement.

And I'm Back

No, I didn't fly away. 

But I did like this image which was just as I saw them in the evening sky. 

I just took a break to think about how I would proceed. 

Sometimes we just need to rest, either mind or body and sometimes both.

Waiting for the sun to set one evening, I saw these leaves highlighted by the late day sun.

A drive through the valley is usually filled with new photo opportunities. I wish these Wild Turkeys had been closer.

Early spring, brings the first blooms to my shaded garden. The Tulipa Tarda, are so much prettier than their name.

To Think About:

Father, show me how You’ve gifted me and how I’m to use those gifts for others. 

Taking A Break

Hello to all my blogging friends. Keeping this blog going has been a challenge for me in the last while, so for the month of June I am taking a break. 

I will not be posting for this month, nor reading or commenting on other blogs.

I will, however be active on FaceBook and share photos there, so I hope to see many if not all of you there. 

Here is a direct link to my Facebook page:

 https://www.facebook.com/hiebert.ruth

 

The Blessings Of Spring

Let's take a look a some birds and maybe a flower or two.

Spring is always filled with excitement. Seeing the birds return to our area is definitely exciting.

This Franklin Gull was only one of a flock that were nearby. They have such distinct patterns.

Sometimes I get to see a bird that is not like the other. This pair of Canada Geese, seemed to be enjoying time together, but one is definitely much lighter than the other. It is without a doubt a Canada goose, as the markings are the same.

Now this kind of action always gets my camera going. I love capturing these action shots.

Sometimes, no, most of the time, getting pictures of images like flowers is a lot easier, because they don't fly away.

Early spring brings out the Prairie Crocus and they are so beautiful.

I love to look into the flower and take note of all the details.

Those hairy stems remind me of a warm coat. Perhaps that is because it is usually still quite chilly when these flowers are blooming.

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.