Flutter-bies and Friends…

 I got to go ‘birding’ again last week.  We hiked along a little string of lakes and wetlands and listened for birds… My most interesting find was the American Three-toed Woodpecker, apparently not a common find for most people—yay! I spotted something (though I had to be told what it was!)

I must confess I was soon distracted by things more easily seen and photographed--

like this “White Bog Orchid”…

And these sweet fairy bells—”Twinflowers”

And trying to name the trees.

And by the last stop I found myself stalking unidentified butterflies and dragonflies through a meadow-like marsh quite oblivious to birdsong…

 

 

And all this before ten in the morning.

Wonderful way to start the day!

--LS

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Ps.40:5 KJV

Blessed in the waiting

Blessed is the man …whose delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.Ps.1:1-3

It’s been a bountiful season for us despite its being a strange and uncertain
in-between time. Having left what was loved and familiar and not yet knowing what’s in store for us, we are taking a day at a time and capitalizing on the opportunities that arise.  This week--berries and cherries we spotted on the roadside while out cycling.  And a sweet refreshing time to read by a cold stream on a very hot day…

When I read this excerpt from Psalm 1 in this setting, it seemed so apropos!

--LS

Stopping to See…

We were on our way home last week, driving through Kootenay National Park. I was ready to be home.  But Jim suggested we stop and see what this ‘Marble Canyon’ sign was pointing out.  I’m so glad we did!

There was more there than met the eye from the highway…At first it was just another stream, albeit a beautiful turquoise blue one…

And more dead pine trees (amazing what a beetle is capable of!)…
These ones stood like teeth on a comb…

But there were flowers along the way…

And then we came to this impressive slot canyon with water rushing through…

Just an everyday sight to this picnicking critter.

But well worth stopping to see.

 

..before we proceeded on down to the valley

--LS

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight…Ex.3:3

Ripening Springtime

The sweetness of the wild rose...



The quiet of an early morning stroll on the Rail Trail listening to birdsong…

 The  shimmer of little goslings preening in mellow evening sunshine…

These are the tokens of ripening springtime.

How sweet it is.

--LS



“…and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.  It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.” Is.35:1-2

Having a look around…

Around about the house, spring is well underway…

 
These oak leaves grow bigger by the day, framing the view from my window.

While we were away packing up our old home, the forest floor below the house here laid down a carpet of green. 

 

I went down to have a closer look and glory be! These wild things bloom!

The Indian Paintbrush adds a splash of color to the hillside as we make our way down Jim’s new trail to the weir…

 

 
And a pair of lilies dance along the path…. enjoying the cool misty shade of the ravine.

 

--LS

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:
the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Is.55:12