Still a Little Color

I live less than 1 mile from the Red River of the North, I went down to the river today and was delighted to see there was still some leaves left on the trees and a bit of color. This winding river looks peaceful and calm right now. Come spring it will be many feet higher and swift moving. The river has caused slumping on this side of the river at Fort Abercrombie Historical Site. We loose a few feet of the grounds every spring......

Again it's not clear here on the blog but if you click the photo, it takes you to a better image

Blessings~

My Fall Gerba

It is a gorgeous fall day here in ND. Temps near the 70 degree mark, couldn't ask for a nicer October day. I love fall, my favorite time of year. I love the colors of the changing leaves and the way they crunch underfoot when you walk on them. I love my few last blooming flowers. Those that hold on to summer as long as they can. My Gerba Daisys will continue to bloom til the hard freeze. Today this bee loved my daisy too. What could be better than gathering a late harvest of pollen on a sun warmed daisy on this Indian Summer afternoon. Well, photographing it might be better.....

Blessings~

He hears me! February 3, 2010

He hears me!, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

After filling my feeders again, I took a walk thru the deeeeeeep snow to the back of the house. Eyes on the trees, I was nearly on top of this guy before I noticed him. He was alone at the feeders and oh so very busy. He would stop, listen and then poke at the suet a bit more. I was able to take several shots but when I tried to move a couple steps to the left (the camera wanted to focus on the feeder not the Downy), I spooked him and off he flew.

Had I been content where I was, I could have watched him at close range a bit longer. A lesson there. Sometimes I need to just be still, enjoy the moment, be content.

Blessings~

Berrylicious! January 29, 2010

Berrylicious!, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

I love summer and summer fruits. It's still January in ND so we have months to go before summer. I found these beauties in the store and couldn't resist! They are just delish. Almost as pretty to look at as they are tasty to eat. I also got the blueberries and strawberries but I was looking for raspberries. Oh well, it's all good and each Berrylicious Berry brings summer a little closer . In the meantime, stay warm and safe.

Blessings~

Wild Rice River in Winter January 27, 2010

Wild Rice River in Winter, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Another sunshiny day here in North Dakota and quite cold. I took a run to town and on my way home I stopped to shoot this beautiful barn: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9199449@N08/4309902879/ I also took some of the Wild Rice River that the farmstead sits next to. As I was going thru the photos and playing with the black and white on some I got to thinking about how the river and the barn would look in spring. That thought led to planning to shoot both in each season. There are other ordinary spots, fantastic trees,old barns, buildings, parks and so on that could be photographed each season. I'm going to start a list and if I need inspiration for my pic one day I can just check my list.

This pic a day project has been great so far, early into it yet I know. I always have my camera and both lenses with me. If I hadn't today, I would not have driven back to the old barn and the river bank. It's a peaceful, quaint spot to visit and today, just what I needed. Shooting in manual has become much more comfortable. I even figured out the little meter in the viewfinder and I can change my settings without taking my eye away from the viewfinder! I have much to learn and for me doing is the best teacher.

Blessings~

Frost strings January 18, 2010

Frost strings, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Job 37:10
By the breath of God frost is given (KJV)

I don't quite know what it is about frost but it is such a delight to me to see. I love how it's beauty covers everything, how it sparkles in the sunlight, how it pops against a bright blue sky, how it falls from the trees and dusts the ground beneath. God's breath covering everything. He has been here, this close to me decorating my world for a brief moment knowing it delights me! He is always here, near me, with me. His breath whispering "I Love You, Child".

He's whispering to you too, in the sunrise, a flower, the giggle of a child, a breeze, a snowflake, the call of a bird, the rustling of the grass, the smile of a stranger, the touch of a friend, the waves of the ocean, the stars, a sunset, some delight, big or small He whispers and He thunders "I Love YOU child".

Blessings~

Drip drip Drip January 17, 2010

Drip drip Drip, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

We have been a little warmer the last few days and what a treat! Temps in the 30's and some sunshine on your face can make you feel great! I took my camera out and stood in the sun next to the house waiting for a Sparrow or Chickadee to find my feeders. I heard this noise and it was annoying at first. I looked for the source and found that the snow on my roof was melting and the water had found it's way to the gutters. It was just enough to drip, drip, drip from the pipe.

This turned out to be a good opportunity to experiment with aperture and shutter speed. I wanted a fast shutter speed to catch the droplets and have them fairly in focus. I left the aperture fairly big to allow more light in. I've read several sources trying to understand the two and how they work. For me the best way to learn something is by doing it. Sometimes I have to do it over and over to get the hang of it. I guess that's called practice! And they say that practice makes prefect. I may never be perfect but I will be the best that I can be!

Blessings~

The table is Set~January 16, 2010

The table is Set~, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Last week I shoveled a path thru two feet of snow to my bird feeders out back. I wanted to bring them to the front of the house hoping to entice some of my feathered friends back to my yard. I rescued my best feeders and filled them, hung them in the tree out front and waited. And waited. The feeders are still full after several days. Not even a squirrel has ventured near. I will continue to wait, to hope that the birds will slowly find their way to the feeders.

I can be like the birds at times. There is a banquet set for me. Psalm 23 says God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies! Yet I am too busy, too comfortable or too proud to come and feast at the Kings table. The Lord has promised to provide for my every need. We ask Him for our daily bread and then break our back trying to provide for our selves. We live in loneliness, fear, despair, grief, poverty and defeat when God has fellowship, peace, hope, joy, abundance and victory waiting for us. His table is set, would that I go to His table, to His Word, to Him for all that I need this day, everyday.

Blessings~

Just Before Dawn January 15, 2010

before daylight, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

This morning when I got up and looked out I could see that we had another frosty morning. Trouble was I had to be to work before daylight again. It was kinda bugging me as I tromped off to work. I had my camera with me just in case I could sneak out for a few minutes after the sun came up. I could always photograph the trees along the street. As I walked toward work my eyes were drawn to the church. The light was shining on the snow that had accumulated on the roof and the frost on the trees caught some of the light as well. I tried a couple different settings hoping one would turn out. Later I did sneak out and took a few of the trees and the church. The heavy hoarfrost was beautiful. What a delightful surprise the Lord sent. Not only did He allow me to see and enjoy a beautiful morning I was also able to capture it with my camera. I can return to these beautiful surprises anytime I choose as often as I wish. Feel free to join me anytime!

Blessings~

Abstact branches with frost

Abstact branches with frost, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Yesterdays fog became this mornings frost. I had to go to work before daylight and was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to photograph the frost. I took my camera with me and took a couple under the street lights. it was a little too dark, I didn't have my tripod so a long exposure was out. After adding some fill light, auto contrast and auto color then cropping severely this was the result. Sometimes photography is about creating an image. Today I created an abstract image. One that I like.
Blessings~

Fog Magic January 13, 2010

Fog Settles January 13, 2010, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

When I was in elementary school (a very long time ago!) I read a book called Fog Magic. It was a story of a girl who would walk into the fog and find herself in history. She was befriended by a family and learned about their way of life, the joys and struggles of a pilgrim family. I have
since loved the fog. It is mysterious, beautiful, magic!

Today's fog came midday, unusual for us. It didn't take long to accumulate on the trees in delicate frost After running a few errands, I grabbed my camera and went for a little drive. I had an old barn and this cemetery with the adjacent church in mind. I had fun this afternoon running around in the fog, snapping pictures and capturing some of that Fog Magic!

I'll have more fog magic pics on my flickr page

Blessings~

Pink Glass January 9, 2010

Pink Glass, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Something a little different today. A piece of my antique pink depression glass. I have many pieces of the pink, a few of the green, a couple of gold and two of the deep blue. I remember my grandmothers having and using the pretty bowls and plates. We would have sauce in the little green bowls. Sweet salad was presented in the pretty pink bowl. They were used only for special occasions and handled very carefully.

I have a couple pieces that had belonged to my grandmothers, the rest I have purchased or received as gifts. I use them whenever I can, I so enjoy them! We all have treasures. Some things may be valuable in dollars but if we never use them, look at them, enjoy them, that's a shame! I hope your treasures bring you pleasure!

Blessings~