Little Sparrow in a Deodara tree with Psalm 102:7

As the Lord watches over all, this little sparrow was also very attentive to what is happening from his perch in a Deodara tree.

The Beautiful Rising Misty Moon

 

I knew that the moon was nearing full, but it was by chance that I saw it last Friday night, rising seemingly near a fir tree across the road.  To me it was beautiful with its misty look, more beautiful than all the photographs I have taken of a clear full moon.  These photographs are untouched except for being resized.

Genesis 1:16-17 "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth." 

It Was a Beautiful Cloudy Morning

Its a photo day today.  Following on the post with the Roosevelt Elk, above is a photo of beautiful morning clouds that I took from our front yard a couple of days ago.  I don't know if the grey areas are smoke, it wouldn't surprise me because there are forest fires burning not too far away and the smoke has been blowing over, but in any event, I loved the silvery clouds and the smoky appearance with the blue of the sky.

So many people never bother to look up to see the beauty that is there.  I urge you to do so, and have a camera handy because the Creation is amazing.

Beau with 1 Samuel 16:7

 

 

The photo above is of our Shih Tzu Beau.  When we look at Beau we see a cute but very stubborn and demanding toddler in a dog costume but we look on his outward appearance.  I chose 1 Samuel 16:7 because I am positive that God would see Beau very differently than we do.

Storm Clouds at Sunrise with Psalm 19:1

 

These beautiful storm clouds were photographed one Summer morning at sunrise.  We had a good thunder storm later in the day.  I chose Psalm 19:1 for the verse as to me the color and shape of the clouds really do declare the glory of God.

Bluebells in the Wind with Isaiah 40:8

The photograph above is of bluebells in the wind.  I liked the blur from the movement of the wind.  I chose Isaiah 40:8 as the verse because the flower fades and is gone in a moment as our lives are also but a vapor, but the word of our God shall stand forever..  steadfast and true.

The Creation: St. Mary Lake and Psalm 36:6

 

The photo above is of beautiful St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana.  

The Creation: Sleeping Mallard

 

The photograph above of a sleeping male Mallard duck was taken at Somenos Lake.   Mallards are common ducks, but they are endlessly interesting and entertaining to me.  Its a lesson for us that the animal world lives for the moment, takes things as they come, whether good or bad. 

For the believer its Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The Creation - American Dipper

This bird is a most wonderful part of God's creation.  I have often seen them at Goldstream Provincial Park either standing on rocks beside the stream, dipping for food as photographed above, diving into the water and swimming downstream.  I often wondered how they could swim in fast moving water, but they have huge feet for the size of their body. The second photograph shows their large feet.  They might not be brilliantly colored as some birds are, but their habits and strength make them very interesting and fun to watch.

Here is an in-depth article regarding this amazing bird. 

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/portraits/dipper.htmhttp://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/portraits/dipper.htm

The Creation: The Raven

The photo below of a Raven on an old post was taken at the Cowichan Estuary.  I have seldom seen them on the ground, and when I have, they were impossible to photograph as they are wary of people.  Sometimes from a distance Ravens and Crows look similar but close up the Raven is much larger and has a completely different head.  They are often seen souring above. I counted myself blessed to have been able to photograph the regal pose of this beauty.

 

The Creation: Cloud Hearts in the Sky

I love watching the clouds because there are faces and shapes for all to see if you just look up.  The account of Elijah and the cloud in 1 Kings 18:43 is a favorite of mine:  "And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand......"

The photo below was taken early one morning from the property of St. Peter's heritage church.  Can you see the hearts?  It was a blessing to see this formation which only lasted minutes.  This photo is untouched.

The Creation: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

One of the best animal sightings in Jasper National Park is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep.  They always travel in a herd, either ewes with lambs or rams before the rutting season begins.  They don't seem to have any fear of people or traffic.  I have seen a large herd of females at a parking lot at the side of Medicine Lake intermingling with adults and children.  People forget that they are wild and that they could do a lot of damage.  Once I was sitting by myself on a rock at the same parking lot and I was approached by a ewe that licked my hands and my jeans.  All I could think of was how easily she could have butted me into the lake far below.  Quite often they are seen around Talbot Lake and Athabaska Lake which are across from each other with the highway to Edmonton between the lakes.  It is very scary to see the herd galloping along the side of the highway with its speeding traffic, and then cross as one  when they think they can get away with it.

The photo below was taken from the car at the side of the highway, Talbot Lake in the background with its beautiful color. There were many more sheep in this herd but I focused on these.  The lake and the sheep are  beautiful examples of God's creation..

 

The Creation: Male Harlequin Ducks

These male Harlequin ducks are simply beautiful.  They look as though a paintbrush swirled color throughout their bodies. This photo was taken at Piper's Lagoon, Nanaimo B.C.

Here is more information on Harlequin ducks:

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Harlequin_Duck/id

God's Perfect Timing: An Osprey Fishing

Ecclesiastes  3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."
Ecclesiastes  3:11 "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time....."

Yesterday was a wonderful day of God's perfect timing and blessing and being able to witness His creation in action.  We went to a place called Mill Bay, a short drive of 15 minutes.  This beautiful place is missed by probably 90% of the traffic driving north on the Island Highway who don't bother to take what is marked a scenic drive in their rush to get wherever they are going.  There is quiet road that leads down to the Bay, places to park at the Bay side of the road and a high bluff on the west side of the road. Saltspring Island and the Saanich Peninsula are in the distance.   Often we go there in the winter when there are many species of ducks over-wintering, and as I like to photograph birds, its a good place to go.

God's Grace to a Little Sparrow

God's Grace to a Little Bird

Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

This incident happened to me quite a few years ago but it remains in my memory as an example of God's grace to a little bird.

We live on the coast where winter is usually quite mild but this particular year we had quite a bit of snow.. House Sparrows stay around all year, and if you are feeding them they are regular visitors to your bird feeder.  On this particular winter it was especially cold and the birds were struggling to get enough feed to keep warm.

At the time I was volunteering at a place called the "Rainforest Reptile Refuge" where it was at least 90 degrees inside to keep the "critters" warm.  Unfortunately reptiles are quite delicate creatures, and sometimes one would become ill.  After the lady in charge of the refuge had done everything she could, if they were not recovering she would put them in the freezer where (she thought) the cold would put them to sleep and then they would quietly pass away.

Beauty in Everything: Mute Swan

Below is one of my favorite Mute Swan photographs.  I have been trying to find what the proper term is for having the wings carried like this, but have been unable to do so.  In any event, I think that the swan and its reflection is very lovely and a wonderful example of the beauty of God's creation.  In the original photograph there is another swan behind this one, I think that this might be the male showing off for the female.

Beauty in Everything: The Moon at Sunset

God's creation is so beautiful but we need to look all around us and not be caught up in the things of the world.   The photographs below were taken when the early evening clouds were tinged pink by the setting sun.  The first photograph is of the clouds with the waxing moon faintly visible

and here is the moon zoomed in..

This is the only time I have seen this combination of colors and am so thankful that I was able to photograph it.

my camera is Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200   F2.8  25-600mm