Weekly Inspiration (07/08/17)

Photo taken in my backyard on July 7, 2017 at 5:59 P.M.

I found this "rabbit head" leaf interesting.  Or is it a fish?  (If you don't see it, look more closely at the highlighted leaves.)

Lessons:
1.  You will never "see" what you don't look at.
2.  Focus is determined by what you exclude.  You can't pay attention to everything.  What is it you need to cut out or crop off?
3.  Let the lens "see" for you.  What "lens" do you commonly use? Lenses that shrink things include bitterness, cynicism, negativity, gossip and an excuse-making mindset.  Lenses that make things bigger include curiosity, excitement, faith and a magnanimous spirit.

Weekly Inspiration (06/17/17)

Flickering, Apollo, PA.  Photo taken June 9, 2017 at 8:45 A.M. in my back yard.

The flickering went after something it wanted. What contrasts on this bird!  You can't miss that red "Y" on its gray neck.  Only God.

(This is the same bird I mentioned in the post for Sunday, June 11, 2017.)

Flickering In Its Habitat

Flickering in its habitat.  Location:  Apollo, PA, half way up the driveway
of Apollo Assembly of God.  Photo taken June 10, 2017 at 10:52 A.M.

I played peek-a-boo with this flickering for ten minutes before the shot presented itself.  It wouldn't stay put long enough to get photographed!  Birds do that, I guess.

Although this bird seems father plain to look at in this stance, hold your judgment until you see Saturday's "Weekly Inspiration" photo.

Weekly Inspiration (05/27/17)

Savannah River, Savannah Rapids Park, Martinez, GA.
Photo taken October 12, 2016 at 12:08 P.M.

I call this shot "Four Turtles, One Rock."  Each turtle doesn't realize that the sun is equally as strong at the next rock.

Verse of The Week (12/09/16)

Photo taken October 11, 2016 at 2:36 P.M.
while on a walk in Grovetown, GA

"Great are the works of the LORD; 

They are studied by all who delight in them."

(Psa. 111:2)

Red-Tailed Hawk

Earlier I posted about the arrival of the red-tailed hawks here.  This morning around 10:00 they were back.  When I saw one atop the telephone pole, I couldn't resist.

I'll tell you what -- when a hawk is in your neighborhood, you're going to know it.  By the look and sound of things, so do the other birds, the squirrels, chipmumks. and rabbits.

I'm still hoping to photograph one of the hawks in flight.

Red-Tailed Hawks

             

Look what came for a visit this morning in my back yard!  This was about 7:30.  At first I thought the little one was a groundhog.  I zoomed in and saw the beak, then wondered what kind of bird this was. As I waited, along came the bigger version.  I'm guessing that's mama, who was watching over her offspring.

For the last hour, the hawks have been letting out their distinct, piercing screams.  

Christmas Tree Farm

Route 56, two miles before Shelocta, PA   5-13-16

About a half hour from where I live, the city of Indiana, PA is known as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World."  As you drive around the general area, it is not uncommon to find meadows such as this.

"Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree . . ." (Isa. 55:13a)

This Is Jack, My Backyard Rabbit

Photo taken in my backyard at 6:00 P.M. on 4-26-16

Jack comes to visit almost daily.  I'm intrigued by the heightened senses he possesses.  He knew I was somewhere nearby, though he couldn't see me.

It was interesting to discover that the word 'rabbit' appears only twice in the New American Standard Bible.

Balding Bumblebee

Photo taken in my front yard on 4.26.16 at 6:05 P.M.

Is it just me or does this bumblebee have a bald spot on the top of its head?  (Don't fight it, little fellow.  It won't get any better.)

Aren't those beady green eyes a work of art?  God, You do amazing work!

Weekly Inspiration (03/12/16)

Rock Furnace Trail, Kiski Twp., PA  02.19.16

When I see a green hue such as this, I'm expecting a Hobbit to pop up somewhere.

Weekly Inspiration (03/05/16)

Rock Furnace Trail, Kiski Twp., PA  02.19.16   5:30 P.M.

Is it me or does that ice across the stream have a blue-green hue?  Note the green marking on the tree trunk (on the right, half way up).  That's not spray paint.  I checked.

Weekly Inspiration (1/30/16)

Northmoreland Park, Westmoreland County, PA
Photo taken 1.6.16   12:22 P.M.

Another Week Or So And She's Gone

Deer / 609 First St., Apollo, PA / 10:30 P.M. / November 8

Right now, I have the deer coming to me.  No freezing, no half-day hikes to nowhere, no sitting in trees and waiting forever.  One shot, done.  Painless.  I have the memory.  She lives.  I've been inspired.  Thank You, Lord, for your wonderful Creation.

Another Spectacular Sunset

Northmoreland Park, Westmoreland County, PA   12.4.13

This was too good not to share.  It was taken from the driveway to the park office.
"The sun knows the place of its setting." (Psa. 104:19)

Where The Tree Falls (Eccl. 11:3)

Northmoreland Park, Westmoreland County, PA  12.4.13

 "...whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies." (Eccl. 11:3)

Sunset, St. Lawrence, PA 10-22-13

 

This shot was taken from the road that connects Coalport and Patton, PA.  I cannot be anything but amazed at God's artistry.

Day Trip to Benezette (Part 2)

Yesterday I mentioned about "The Cross." What a breath-taking sight!  As promised, here are some pictures of elk.

The bull watched over his herd.

The elk blended with the forest.

There were bulls bigger than this one.

Day Trip to Benezette (Part 1)

On Saturday, October 12, Lisa and I went with Tom & Janie to Elk County in Benezette, Pennsylvania.  (You can guess from the county's name what lives there.)  In another post, I'll share pictures of the elk.  During our tour of the area, Tom brought us to this place (appropriately called "The Cross").

 



The cross overlooks the valley.  What a view!
What a place for a sunrise service!

This is a close-up of part of the valley.

 

Foliage was slightly beyond peak, but colorful nonetheless.



Man-Made and God-Displayed

Glendale Lake  10.01.13

Glendale Lake is man-made.  Nonetheless, it is God's artistry on display.  What a Painter!

Solomon:  "I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees." (Eccl. 2:6)