Beauty in Nature

Sometime I just like to look at the picture of nature and the beauty of it. Scene like this one brings about a peace in my heart. No signs of modern civilization. The way God intended this world to be.
Yet I know that all too soon this will change. We can't leave well enough alone. We will build homes, resorts and malls because we want to be close to the beauty of nature. In the process we destroy the very thing we want to experience.
That is why I love that there is national parks for us to enjoy. They try to preserve the way of nature. So that we can fine peace and beauty in all of God's creations. Se we can see the unspoiled scenes like this one.

Bottoms Up

It was like all the geese decided at the same time to go bottoms up. What a funny site it was. Their feet were paddling so fast just to keep them in that position so that they could reach the vegetation underwater. I wonder how long they could stay that way without drowning.
How often do we work so hard for our way in life just to find ourselves bottoms up? We can paddle and paddle all we want but can't seem to gain any ground. I wonder if God looks down on us and think how funny we look.
One thing I do know is I can't do anything alone. I need God to set me straight. Only than can I keep my bottom where it belong. Down not up.

Waiting

When we went on vacation one year with our grandson we visited a butterfly garden. It was interesting watch Arthur try to get one of the butterfly to land on him. So he sat down on a butterfly bench and waited with magnify glass in hand.
Waiting is not easy for Arthur. He is built with too much energy inside that just wants to explode. So I was quit impress that he sat there waiting for awhile.
Of course the butterfly did not land on him. But he was okay with that.
What are we willing to sit and wait for in our own life? It is not always easy to wait. We live in a world that gets everything fast and easy. But if we are willing to wait on God only good things can happen. I am willing to sit and wait on God.

Birds of a Feather

You have heard the expression "Birds of a feather flocks together". I have notice that this past year that birds of many feathers flocks together in the marsh. I found them many times swimming in groups enjoying the feast of the day. It did not matter if they were a coot, a ring-necked duck or some other fowl they stuck together.
We can learn a lot from these fowls. It does not matter where we come from or who we are. All that matters is that we stick together and work as a group to serve God.

Memorial Weekend

Memorial weekend is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our military men and women. It may be a family member, a neighbor or a co-worker who gave their life for our freedom. So I want to take the time to thank them and pray for their families left behind. I raise my flag to them in honor of their sacrifice. Thank you.

Unaware

Every time we go on vacation we are always on the look out for wild life of any kind. So I thought it was kind of funny that these guys were unaware of the chipmunk running behind them. I just happened to look up just as the little critter ran onto the walkway.
There are many times in life that we are so busy looking for answers to lives questions that we just don't see it there right in front of us. We get so wrapped up in the search that we become blind to the solutions. We just need to slow down and look around.
Today through God's help we can see what has been standing by us all alone.
God Himself.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

This was such a cool looking plant that I just had to take a picture. I love the colors and the shape of this fungus. So I came back the next day to get some more pictures only to discover that something had eaten the whole thing. Here today, gone tomorrow.
There is many thing in life that seems last for a short time. You work so hard on a project only to see it fail. Maybe a relationship is broken and you can't fix it. What ever it is, it is now gone forever.
The one thing we can count on to be there under any circumstances is the love of God. He is not here today and gone tomorrow. He is always here.

Post Nest

This looks like just your everyday average post with a heavy chain connecting one to another.







Until I noticed that a chickadee flying to the opening every few minutes. Upon farther inspection I discover that there was a reason for this activity.






Low and behold there were babies inside the hole in the post. What an odd place to put a nest. It shows that the chickadee was able to adapt to her situation.
Many times in life we have to be in places that are not of our choosing. It might be with our job, home or just our lot in life that seems out of place for us. Yet like the chickadee we must adapt to our own circumstances.
But without the help of God we can not succeed. He helps us to see the possibilities that our situation offers and gives us the means to adapt. I am for one am thankful for the grace of God each and every day to be like the chickadee.

Candle Like

It kind of looks like a candle in the middle of the lily pad patch. Makes you think that where ever you go God is there to light the way.
We all need direction and encouragement to take the next steps in our journey through life. Sometime the path is dark and we need that small candle light to give us a ray of hope.
What ever you may be going though today let God light  the candle of hope in your heart.

Still Water

The best time to take pictures of mountains, landscapes or trees is when you can get a reflection of them in still waters. Only when the water is very still can it act as a mirror creating an upside down reflection of the subject at hand. There is a sense of peace when you get view this picture.
We need to be still sometime and see the reflection of God in our lives. It is only when we do this can we experience the peace that only God can give.

Feeding Frenzy

While feeding the ducks stale bread one day I notice that there were pieces that seemed to be devoured by some unseen forces. One minute the bread was there the next minute it was not. They were minnows on a feeding frenzy.
Many times I go on a feeding frenzy on food that is not good for me. One minute the plate is full of food and the next minute it is gone. Donuts are my weakness. Pastries of any kind will do me in. I need to make better choices and monitor what I put on my plate. Maybe tomorrow I can start. No more feeding frenzy for me.

Bird Choir

The birds in the bush were singing away. What they were singing about I do not know. They might have been singing for their supper, for the pure enjoyment of it or giving praises to their creator. Whatever the reason they made a cool bird choir.
There has been many times that I have been in a choir. I love to sing. I just don't have the best singing voice. But I can sing to the Lord and it sounds like a masterpiece to Him.
So what if your voice cracks or you can not carry a tune. Sing! Be part of the human choir that sings praises to the creator. Join me today and life up you voice. It is a sweet sweet sound to God.

Snakes Tangle

This morning during my walk I heard a rustling in the bush by the water's edge. Upon investigation I discovered that it was a snake. I could tell that he had just consumed his morning meal since he had a big bulge in his stomach. What I wasn't expecting was that there were really two snake. Not only did he have a meal he also was enjoying a morning romp as well.

I am amazed at the things that I get to witness. God has a plan even in the daily activities of a snake. I am hoping that the lump in his stomach is one of the many rats that has infested the mariner. I wish I could have stayed to see where the snakes makes their home. I would love to get pictures of the snake eggs and babies down the line. Time will tell.

In the meantime I will keep walking and taking pictures of the world that God has given us.

Salamander Surprise

This morning I decide to take my walk before the heat became unbearable. Of course I took my camera along. I am always looking for something new to take a picture of that I can use in my blog.
There was movement on a branch on the ground that caught my eyes. The problem with my eyes is that it is hard to focus on small things. That is one of the reason I bring my camera. It can focus for me. So I was surprise to see that the movement was this salamander. He was no bigger than my indent finger.
This is the first time that I have seen a salamander at the mariner. I keep thinking that I have seen it all there and God shows me how wrong I am. But I am not complaining. I love it when God shows me something new. It reminds me that there is always something in life to look forward too even when you feel like you are in a rut.
So I look forward to what tomorrow brings. It might be another salamander surprise. Whatever it is I can't wait to see what God has in-store for me.

Tarp Cat

When painting the outside of the trailer it started to rain. We could not find our cat to let him in the house to get out of the rain. When we started to call out his name he poked his head out of the tarp that was laying on the ground. He had already got out of the rain.
Sometime I forget that he is capable of taking care of himself. He is an out door cat after all.
Many times I forget that my grown children are capable of taking care of their own lives. How many times do I try to tell them what to do knowing full well they already know the answers. I need to let go and let them live their own lives. When I give them room to make their own decisions I get them the ability to grow and become the people that God has attended them to be. I am not saying it is easy. But it is something I must do.

Rest on God's Words

When ever I work on my devotions for my blog or the Portions of Grace's blog my cat has to stick close to me. One time when I had to leave the room for something I came back to find my cat had fallen asleep on my bible. What a good place to rest, on the "Word of God".
It would be so cool if we could lay our head on the bible and let the words soak into our mind. We would not have to study the bible. But that is wishful thinking I am afraid.
I do find rest for my soul when I do spend time searching the scriptures for the answers. The bible is a life line for me. The more time I spend in the Word the easier it is for me to deal with life difficulties. Like my cat I want to rest on God's words alone.

Happy Mother's Day

As the sun sets on another day I am reminded of the reason I am the person that I am today. It is because of my mother. Good and bad she shaped me into the person that God had intended me to be. So to her I say Happy Mother's Day.
To the world I say God Bless you and I hope you can bless a mother today.

Mother Goose Battles Osprey

 One of the neatest thing that I ever got to witness was a battle between a goose and an osprey. In this first picture a  mother goose and her family are just swimming along minding their own business. They had not a care in the world but to enjoy a beautiful sunny day.

 But this osprey had other plans for the unexpected  geese. You see she had been searching the water all morning for a meal with no luck. So when she spotted the family I guess she though the baby geese would make a nice meal. She took flight and started to circle around her attended target. After several circles she dived towards the geese.

To my surprise the goose flew to meet the osprey in mid air and chase the osprey off. This went on for about fifteen minutes. Each time the osprey would circle the family and dive the mother goose would meet it in the air. I didn't take a lot of pictures because I had my video camera with me. So I did manage to tape the drama. The whole time I was videoing I kept praying that the osprey would not succeed in catching one of the babies.
Well you will be glad to hear that she did not. She grew tire of the chase and flew away. The mother goose landed back in the water and called her babies to her side.
This goose wins my mother of year vote.

Mother Goose Encouragement

Seven juveniles geese followed their mother to the embankment of the pond. As she jump onto the edge she encouraged the others to do the same. It took each goose several tries before they could make it onto the side.




When it came time for the last four geese to try they were unable to make it. After what seemed like a long time and many attempts they gave up and started to swim away.





The mother goose proceeded to jump back into the water. She redirected the four back to the edge of the pond.






Once again she hopped up and waited patiently. She honked at the geese seemingly encouraging them to try again.







It took them many tries before they finally made it.







Once all the geese were up they went across the road to greener pastures.







This was a perfect example of a mother encouraging her off-springs to push themselves to do a difficult task. She was not willing to leave any behind.
How many of us watch our children take their first steps, ride a bike for the first time or struggle with some other difficult tasks? We stood by encouraging them to keep going until they finally made it. How proud we were of our children achievements.
God does the same thing for us. He encourage us to do the difficult tasks that lays before us. His desire for each of us is to succeed and not be left behind. Like the mother goose he directs us over the embankments of life to greener pastures.

Mother White Buffalo

If you think you are going to mess around with this white buffalo's baby you better think twice. Like the sign said "unless you can run across the field in 9.9 second" don't even try because the buffalo can do it in 10 second. How fast can you go when your child is in danger?
I know that God gives us the abilities to do amazing things when it comes to our children. Some mothers has been know to do impossible feats to save their children. We become almost like the super women we read about in comics. Can you recall when your own mom seemed like she was a super women? If you do take the time this Mother's Day to let her know.

Mother Heron

I sure did enjoy this Black-crowned Night Heron teaching her off-spring the art of catching a meal from the water. 
When she set her eyes on the prey she straight out her neck and snatched it out in one swift stoke.
Shortly after the juvenile heron made his attempt and proceeded to fall into the water.
After he got back onto the log he proceeded to focus his attention back to the mother heron who once again caught another meal.
How many times have you watch your own child attempt to copy your actions only to fall? It is hard to watch them fall. Yet you know that it is the only way they will learn. As
they finally get it you know you have done your duty as a mother.
I can only hope as Mother's Day approaches we can take the time to thank our mothers for the many times they have let us fall in the waters of life.

Mother Duck

As I got close to this duck and her baby she proceeded to spread her wing across the duckling. If was as if she was coaxing the duckling to hide under her wing for protection from danger---meaning me.
Many mother fowl in nature take their off-springs under their wings. It is a way to protect them from the elements, predators and me.
There has been many times that I have spread my wings to protect my children. Not just from the elements and predators but also from the everyday trials of life, like a harsh word from a friend or a bad day at school.
Jesus takes me under His wings. I know that I am protected.  From what or whom do I have to fear?

Mother Killdeer

 If you get to close to a killdeer nest she goes into protect mode by acting as if she is injure to lead you away. When she feels that you are far enough away she flies off. It is if she is saying "I dare you to kill me." Maybe that is where she gets the name killdeer.
A mother killdeer willing risk her life for her off-springs. I got to see this in action last spring hence these pictures.
How often have I been willing to risk my life for my children. I am happy to say that I have had to do this just once. I stood between my children and someone that would do them harm. God came to my rescue and protected  my family. That was a day that I will never forget. I was willing to draw harms way toward me.
It is good to know that Jesus willingly took harms way for me. It is like He told Satan "I dare you to kill me." Satan tried. Jesus did die. But thank God Jesus is alive.

Mother Goose

Even I know better than to tangle with a mother goose protecting her young. This goose was warning me not to get too close. Believe me I heeded the warning. I kept my distant.
Tomorrow marks the Sunday before Mother's Day. This week I will dedicate each picture to a mother in nature. We can learn from these mothers how to protect, teach and let go of our own offspring.
Today lesson: Don't mess with my baby. How many mothers out there would give up their lives for their babies?
I raise my hand.
When you become a mother your child becomes you whole world. The instinct to protect this child goes into full force the second you hold him or her in your arms for the first time.
Believe me when I tell you that I displayed my "Don't mess with my baby" many times during their young years. Now  that they are all grown it is my grandchildren that I want to protect.
God feels the same way about you and me. He hates it when someone messes with us. I almost feel sorry for anyone who harms even one hair on God's children. God will show them "Don't mess with My babies."

Sandy Cove's Sunset

One of the best places to see the sunset is at Sandy Cove. Each year that I get to stay there the sunsets seem to just get better. The last split second the sun hits the horizon you get a burst of light that makes everything almost glow. All is well with my soul.
I just wish I could hang unto this feeling. Because all is not always well with my soul. Life just gets in the way. But than I remember who is in control of the sunsets. I put my trust into the creator of all that is around me and all is well with my soul again. Thank you Lord for the sunsets.

True Wood Duck

When I saw this branch off a tree I knew I had to take the picture. It looked too much like a duck's head. You could say that this is a true wood duck. lol.
I just love how God uses nature to creates it's own works of art. Of course I see pictures in everything I see. It is somewhat like the boy who can see dead people in the movie "Sixth Sense".
I know not everyone can see what I see in nature. But that is okay. God lets me see it and I find pleasure in the works of God's hands. Even in the simple piece just like this wood duck.

Clipped Wings

I can imagine the one bird saying to the other "All you have to do is spread your wings and then you will be able to fly." Of course they are not going anywhere. Their wings have been clipped to keep them from flying.
Do you ever wonder if God clips our wings sometime? I know He has clipped my wings many times. It is so easy for me to go on a tangent and try to take flight with an idea that might take me in a direction that God does not want me to go.
Believe me when I tell that I can sometime feel the pain when God has to keep me grounded. But I know that it is for the good when He has to clip my wings.
 There are times when God heals me and I get the okay to take flight. I get to soar like an eagle. That is until the next time I go on a tangent and He has to clip my wings.

Handful of Caterpillars

Caterpillars caterpillars from where do you come?
That was the question for today. As I walked around the mariner with my daughter and grandson it seemed that just about every yard or so there was a caterpillar. So Arthur being all boy proceeded to collect them. After the sixth one we decided to call it quits and made Arthur put them on a fence post.
It would have been cool to see where they decide to go to build their cocoon. That would be a nice set of pictures. But I will settle with this picture of a handful of caterpillars. I am sure there will be butterflies flying around in no time.