What a beautiful day we had. The sun was shining, the temps were warm, the snow is beginning to melt some with water on the streets and "dirty" snow everywhere. After a trip to Fergus to deliver some rugs and a "date" dinner with my hubby we went back to Wahpeton. We stopped at Chahinkapa park to check out the geese and found a good size flock of ducks and geese at the pond. I was hoping to get some close up shots but the young ladies who were there were having a good time and frightened them. One gal decided to go out on the ice and wings fluttered. I captured these three heading for the sky.
They have some freedom, being able to fly, to go easily from one place to the next. I remember as a child running as fast as I could, jumping up and hoping I would fly. Someday I believe I will. My spirit will take flight from this world and wing it's way to heaven. I don't know how it all works, don't understand everything to come, but I believe it to be true. Just like I believe the sun will rise in the morning, that spring will follow winter and Jesus loves me.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Blessings~
I am so pleased that my Cardinal pair visit my feeders daily and often can be seen in the yard throughout the day. The beautiful colors are so cheery and the sight of one or both of my feathered friends brings a smile to my face. So do my crazy squirrels and their antics. I am thankful for the wonder of nature my creator has blessed me with. I never tire of the birds, leaves, flowers, sunsets, sunrises, frosts, mountains, rivers, the moon, stars, clouds and on and on!
I hope you can take the time each day to find joy in nature.
Blessings~
Lunch time at work today, I didn't have my MP3 so I didn't have my music. Decided not to walk, cleaned the store room and decided to take some boxes out to my car. As I was returning I heard an unusual squawk and turned to look in time to see a giant bird land in the tree across the parking lot. He looked to have a red head and I got quite excited! I ran back into the school, grabbed my camera and dashed back out. Looking in the tree I'd seen him land in I was disappointed to find him gone. I started perusing the area thru my lens and was THRILLED to find him in the tree in the photo. I took a couple shots, moved closer, took a couple more got a little closer took a couple more.
I've seen evidence (long large holes in trees) that these beauties were in the areal for at least 3 maybe 4 years. Thought I saw one fly overhead once but wasn't sure. Then today, providence chose to bless me with not only a good look but the opportunity to photograph this wonderful bird as well.
I was not as close as I would have liked and this photo is quite cropped. I had my 55-200 mm lens but would have like something a little better. I would like to explore the possibility of getting another lens and any help from you my readers would be oh so appreciated.
In the meantime i am so pleased to have a photo of this bird. Providence is waiting to bless you too, are your eyes and your heart open?
Blessings~
As I was watching the sky in the west, checking for the possibility of a good sunset I noticed some birds in a tree that didn't really look like sparrows. Grabbed my binoculars and to my delight saw that there were 6-8 Cedar Waxwings in my front yard! This tree is a bit farther from the house and I took the photos thru the window so as not to scare them away. Not the best so I am hoping they return soon. I took some frozen gooseberries out and put them on the dehydrator along with some blueberries. When they've dried I'll put them out in hopes of bringing the Waxwings closer and maybe a Blue Jay or two and who knows who else may stop for a snack! This is my first Waxwing photo!
Blessings~
There have been a lot of wookpeckers in my backyard recently. There may be 2 or three little Downies and a couple of the larger Hairy woodpeckers all at once! They usually come and go to the feeders separately and tend to chase each other away from the feeders and the trees. Today I captured these two on the seed cake and there were three of them fairly close to each other in one of the trees.
Today I will imagine these two are girlfriends spending a little quality time together, shopping, sharing lunch and secrets. There is just something about a girlfriend. Someone who loves you warts and all, someone you can trust to be honest even when the truth may be painful. A girlfriend listens, loves, and lifts you up in prayer. If you have even one, cherish her, you are blessed! If you are one, you are a precious gift!
Blessings
Each day I see these sweet little birds at my feeders. Today I notice how much more yellow they are. They stand out in the trees away from the house more and more. A sure sign that this winter will not last forever. A sign that spring is coming, warmer brighter days are ahead!
In life sometimes we feel as though the cold dark days we are existing in will never end. That the way things are today, right now is how they will always be. Not so, just like winter days pass and spring begins so too with the darker seasons of our lives. There are signs of change about us if we actively seek them. If you find hope nowhere else, there is always hope in God's Word. Spend time there, God's Spirit will bring encouragement, direction, peace and hope. And when spring comes again, continue to spend time reading your Bible, store it up, find strength there for as sure as spring is coming, so is another winter in it's time.
Blessings~
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~
Matthew 10:29 says Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
The little sparrow is watched by God, He cares for them, feeds them and sees when one falls. Some days we may feel isolated, alone perhaps abandoned or betrayed. God is at hand, He hears our hearts cry. There are times when we see no way for the needs of today or tomorrow to be met. Our need far outweighs our resources. We forget that God is at hand, His resources know no bounds! Sometimes, like the sparrow we fall and the Father is at hand, and He sees. Not only does He see, He may catch us before we hit the ground or He may rush to our side to help us up. We may even stay down for a time, to heal or to learn, and the Father never leaves us. And like the sparrow, nothing touches us outside the will of the Father. He knows, He cares, He sees, He Loves.....
How wonderful to think that the God of creation, of heaven and earth cares for and sees each sparrow. How incredible, how abundantly more precious to me that He not only sees me, He sent His son to pay my sin debt, to take my place in order to redeem me from the pit I'd fallen into and prepare a wonderful eternal home for me!
Blessings~
The beautiful Cardinal pair were in my backyard again today. They would come and go, check the feeders and watch from the trees. They seem to be comfortable here now. I feel so blessed. These beauties are rare here and in visiting with others in the community we believe this is the only pair in the area. I am honored that they've chosen to grace my yard from time to time.
I pray you see the little graces in your life each day!
Blessings~
