The Trumpeter Swans are Back – They are loud and somewhat musical creatures, with their cry sounding similar to a trumpet, which gave the bird its name. There is still a little snow on the banks of the river, but it sure is nice to see them again.
Two of My Favorite Large Birds, The Raven and The Bald Eagle. I actually witnessed this weekend an Eagle flying by my place and two Ravens were pestering him as he was flying by. The ravens stay around my place so it must be their territory. I would have thought, the eagle being so much bigger, that they would fly away from him.
The Road to Spring is a long one here in my neck of the woods. But I do enjoy each season and you cannot rush it. So I try to capture each moment of each season by taking the road less traveled, finding places off the beaten path. There are plenty of places to explore on this beautiful road called life. Enjoy the ride, you can never get enough of nature.
Have a Wonderful Weekend
The Road to Spring
Lake Superior Ice 2021, I wanted to finish this week off with the last of my winter snow photos of Lake Superior. It is actually raining here today. So all this ice you see in these photos is but a memory now. These photos were all taken with a drone at the end of February. There were quite a few nights of -18 F to create this much ice on this giant lake.
Lake Superior is not only the largest of the great lakes, it also has the largest surface area of any fresh water lake in the world. It contains 3000 cubic miles of water. That is enough water to fill all the other great lakes plus 3 additional Lake Erie’s.
It is hard to describe the size of the ice heaves, shoves or I call the big ones cliffs out in the middle, that you see in these photos.
Lake ice formation is dynamic. Even when a lake is completely frozen, the ice is not stagnant. It expands and contracts as it warms and cools. Differences in day and night temperatures can be large enough to cause the ice to crack. As the air temperature drops at night, lake ice cools and contracts. Since the ice is stuck to the shoreline, the entire sheet cannot contract as a whole, so cracks develop in the ice.
When the ice warms during the day, it expands. This expansion can cause a collision between both sides of the crack, which can cause the ice to buckle up at that pressure point.
This picture below, I am standing over in the shadow of the trees and I cannot see over the ice chunks closest to the beach. They are that tall.
This is my view from the shoreline so you can see how tall this first row of ice is.
So I can only imagine how tall these ice formations are, farther out into the water. By the look of the shadow I can Imagine I am just a tiny speck if I were standing near it.
This is a close up of the ice in the center of the first photo above.
And here is the grand finale. Lake Superior 2021, this photo is facing East looking along the shoreline.
And this one is facing West. That is a lot of ice and when you see that much ice you know it was really cold.
Lake Superior Ice 2021
Crossing the Barrier in Time, that is what winter makes me think of. When I am standing at a location such as where I took these photos. It is like standing in a new world, no people, buildings or anything that resembles time.
I have crossed the barrier of time in my mind where I can now see the past, the journey, the road less traveled to arrive at this place in time. This place in time is in the moment.
Lake Superior is an amazing place especially in the winter. It is like another world.
The past that we wore born into is gone, a distant memory. A New World a New Life awaits every moment our eyes are opened.
This photo below is Lake Superior taken a couple of weeks ago with a drone. It shows the Ice buckling up along the shore line.
I have made a video of this Winters photoshoot of Lake Superior, on my You Tube Channel, you can visit and see the videos Here; Lake Superior on Ice. They are a little bit long so I did not want to attach them to this post.
Crossing the Barrier of Time
Spring Fever is Here, especially when I see the Goldfinches are back. That little touch of yellow brightens the day.
Nature vs Man Made Neon Lights, I was watching a video that caught my eye the other day. There is something new out there called Cyber Punk Neon Effect. Well, it probably isn’t new, I just heard about it now. So it is new to me.
So I thought I would give it a try. I don’t take a lot of photos of city night lights. But I do enjoy it when I can, so the concept is to turn the lights into what appears like neon lights by adjusting the colors in post processing.
They use photos like this in the gaming industry and some sci fyi type movies. I kind of like it.
Funny thing, after I made the photo above, the next night I looked out the window and the brightest, most colorful looking sunset appeared on the horizon. I did not adjust the colors below, there was actually a pink beam of light rising up from the sun behind the trees.
It appears to be, that creation was showing me, Neon lights already exist with out having to use photoshop. 🙂
Nature vs Man Made Neon Lights
Beauty of Frost and Sunlight, I went out to feed the birds this morning as it dipped back down to 7 Deg F. The sun was just starting to come through the trees and the frost on the glass bird feeder was just sparkling in the morning light.
Have a Great Weekend
Beauty of Frost and Sunlight
Mr. and Mrs. Evening Grosbeaks, out for an evening’s dinner, dressed in their finest attire. Sunshine sure brightens the day.
He looks like he is on a mission to chase someone away from the feeder. Arrow dynamic, pointed like an arrow. 😊
Portrait of the Raven, I finally was able to get a photo of this beautiful Raven. I have two that hang around my place. But they are very smart birds and don’t like to sit still for photos. I just happen to take this one through a window.
Portrait of the Raven
Brilliant Splash of Color, after the heavy snow yesterday, the sun came out and I spotted this beautiful red hiding behind the trunk of a pine tree. What a gorgeous sight to see. The only Male Cardinal I have seen in this area in awhile.
Of course this little Red Squirrel can hold its own in color department with its beautiful red/orange stripe down its back. He is a sneaky little guy trying to grab the last of the bird food. 😉
Brilliant Splash of Color
Where is Wall Doe (Deer), boy did we get dumped on yesterday with some snow. Over a foot of snow in just 6 hours and than it was all over. The deer came out for a little snack, but I could hardly see them it was so heavy at times.
I did get the plowing done before the snow ended and it got dark. Luckily it isn’t that cold this time. So it wasn’t so bad until the snow plow comes by later and heaps it all up at the end of the driveway. But I will just have to put the ole jeep in 4 wheel drive and have some fun.
Oh, and I did get a photo of the illusive partridge. I took the photo through a window. That is the only way not to spook it.
Where is Wall Doe (Deer)
Light Snow to End the Week, what a beautiful week it has been weather wise. Even the snow was just right, not to much but just enough to see it lightly falling around the birds perched in the trees.
Look here, one tiny branch with a red bud on it. I love seeing the first new bud on a tree, after its long winters nap.
Have a Wonderful Weekend
Light Snow to End the Week
The Value of a Moment – Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it has already become a memory. As far back as I can remember, I have never been one to hurry through life. I was and still am never in a hurry to get anywhere or to accomplish something.
Just ask my husband, he is a hard working man, who is focused and loves to build things to make a better life for us. He knows first hand that my focus gets distracted easily. It is like saying “Squirrel” to a Dog, if you know what I mean.
This photo below is a perfect example. I was headed to a specific place and when we got past a grove of trees I looked out my window and had to stop. I had to get out and just look at what was before me. The clouds caught my eye right away, the white streaks in front of such a blue sky was amazing. This is Lake Superior covered in ice and snow drifts. It looked like whip cream every where.
I am turning 60 years old this year and when I think back on my time here on this earth. What I remember the most are these little moments. I remember making snow angels in the winter, laying in the grass and looking up at the stars on a warm summers night. Feeling the wind on my face as I sit on a beach staring out over the ocean. The smell of the first rain in the spring.
But these are not just memories, they are in the forefront of my mind all the time. I have never stopped searching for these moments that show me what life is really about, for me. They are the gifts given to us to remind us that life is meant to be enjoyed.
This photo below is a moment in time that no one else has seen but us, until today. This is a drone shot of Lake Superior, frozen in time, rising ice breaks along the edge of the lake, as far as you can see. The beauty of creation.
Where am I going with this thought you might be wondering? Well, I worked some hard jobs during my younger years as well, I stood on cement floors for 12 hours a day at a factory for many years. It was very hard work, but I don’t remanence about those days at all.
The same as I don’t get caught up in the politics that surround us now a days. I am aware of what is going on, but I don’t have time to focus to much on that, it is a distraction that takes me away from the One who matters most, to me. The only One who said ” Let there be Light“, ” I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye”
Through His eyes is how I see, the value of a Moment
He will guide Thee
Memories of the Farm, We went for a drive the other day. The sun was out and the chickadees were singing on this beautiful February Morning. I grew up on a farm and raised horses for many years. One of the things I like to see in the country is the old red barns.
We came across this one covered in snow. I can just picture, back in the day when this old barn was new. Painted a beautiful red, oh how it must have stood out when the snow blanketed the roof top.
I had a barn just like this one. The same shape and red, mine faced the sun just as this one is. I used to open up the big hay loft door that you see in this photo above the ground, I would open it up on a sunny day in winter and sit on the edge and enjoy the warmth of the sun caressing my skin.
These are the days I remember the most, living the simple life, enjoying the little things. I still enjoy doing the same thing, except now I sit on my porch, still facing the sun and just listening to the sounds of nature.
Living each day in the moment, for our days go by so fast. My photos remind me of wonderful days gone by and also remind me that the best moments in life are now, for tomorrow we do not know.
She is Getting Chipmunk Cheeks and she is always sticking her tongue out at me. She isn’t very shy anymore. I was standing pretty close to her, so this photo came out pretty clear. I just seem to click the shot right in time with her tongue. Pretty good timing 😏
She is Getting Chipmunk Cheeks
Oh when you smilin’, when you smilin’
The whole world, smiles with you
Yes, when you laughin’, when you laughin’
Yes, the sun come shinin’ through; by Louis Armstrong
Water Falls in the Winter, I hope everyone had a good weekend. It has been some strange weather everywhere. It warmed up a bit here so I headed to the water falls to see what they looked like and took a few photos.
This photo below was taken last summer just to show you what is coming soon. 💕
Colorful Lights of Winter, this first shot was at just the right angle to see the colorful lens flare. Which almost looks like light from a prism, this is a new technique when I looked it up, using prisms to create colorful light refractions. I might have to get some prisms and try something new. 🤔
And a short video of blowing snow here where I am after a light snow fall, posted at the bottom of the page.
Below is a Photo of the flower, Queen Anne’s Lace, this is what it looks like in the winter.
This is what it looks like in the summer below
Have a Great Weekend
A Winters Sunset, I don’t see to many colorful sunsets this time of year. It depends on how overcast the sky’s are by nightfall. But when I look out the window and see a touch of orange in the sky, I bundle up and head out to take a photo just so I don’t miss it. Sights like this are few and far between this time of year.
A Winters Sunset
Creating Bokeh Lights in Photos, I love taking photos to create the circles of light that they refer to as Bokeh. It is where you put the light behind your subject and zoom in. It right up there next to sparkles for me.
Creating Bokeh Lights in Photos
Just a Little Ice Formations at the Lake this month. When the sky’s are blue the ice is blue. The reflection of light. Everything is in winter hibernation, even me when it is this cold out.
Shades of Winter Blues, there are so many shades of blue in the winter. Blue happens to be my favorite color and then green. Must be why I like the forest, lakes and oceans. Amazing how each season has an abundance of color for our eyes to see.
Blue is the rarest color in nature and most often not the result of pigment. Most things in the natural world that appear blue come from the refracting of light through structures designed to reflect this color.
And he made the vail
[of] blue, and purple, and
crimson, and fine linen, and
wrought cherubim’s thereon
Shades of Winter Blues
Bright Sunny Day Today, the sun finally came out today and what a difference it makes for photographing birds. There are plenty of gray days all winter, so it is a real treat when the sun comes out and the birds gather around the feeders.
These are all the Female Evening Grosbeak
And one Red Squirrel
Have a Wonderful Weekend
She is Looking Right at Me, I opened the door to go outside and happen to have my camera. She did not run away right off like she usually does. She just stood there looking at me, so I took a couple of photos as she was licking her lips of the fresh bird seed.
I think she is telling me to bring some more food.
And when I told her No, she stuck her tongue out at me.
She is Looking Right at Me
Eyes Glow in Different Colors, I have mentioned that it is really cold here, so I have a lot of time on my hands. This allows you to see how my thought pattern works in the mornings. I was taking photos of my dogs this morning with the flash on and that is when I noticed thy have different color glowing eyes. So I had to look up why.
Eyes that glow in the pitch-black night make for many a scary tale. But the glowing eyes is what makes them see better at night. That light-reflecting surface, is called tapetum lucidum.
When light enters the eye, it’s supposed to hit a photoreceptor that transmits the information to the brain. But sometimes the light doesn’t hit the photoreceptor, so the tapetum lucidum acts as a mirror to bounce it back for a second chance.
And not all eyes animals’ glow the same color. There are varying amounts of pigment within the retina, and that can affect the color, along with age.
Now it did say cats eyes glow also, I took a lot of photos of my cat with the flash on and I could not get the glow to come out. Juts the look of disdain and stop flashing my eyes, look from her.
Most animals that have a tapetum lucidum in their eyes are mammals, nocturnal animals.
Some species of birds – such as owls – have eyes that appear to glow.
But birds do not have a tapetum lucidum layer in their eyes. But their eyes are beautiful just the same.
Eyes Glow in Different Colors
Under the Shadow of Wings, I hear whispers in the wind. These tiny little birds are flying all around me, not afraid nor shy. They land on my camera at times as I am standing there near by.
I hear whispers in the wind from the fast beats of their wings. Who, who are these birds with their mighty wings?
But of course the tinniest of birds, the Chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee
If you stay there long enough, you might see the Shadow of the Wings. May your spirit take refuge in what follows; In the Whispers in the Wind.
What Do You Do in -18 Degree F, Well a lot of people are experiencing cold weather this week. For me as well, when I woke up this morning to minus 18 degrees F and windy. But the sun is out, so I have to go outside. Why you might ask? (video below)
A friend of mine from the blog post; WALKIN’, WRITIN’, WIT & WHIMSY, Told me about freezing Soap Bubbles in cold weather. So I had to give it a try.
Every bubble is different just like every snow flake is different. It was so much fun, my camera would start to malfunction after awhile, as well as my fingers. But, like a kid, I would go warm up and go back and do more.
There are a lot of different recipes for making the bubble mixture, if you don’t have the bubble stuff most children have on hand for summer fun. I used 3 cups of water, 1 cup of dish soap and 1 tbl corn syrup. The sugar is what helps form the crystals and helps the bubble to last longer.
It was windy out so mine kept popping as you can see in the video.
What Do You Do in -18 Degree F
Ice Forming on Lake Superior, I love going to Lake Superior, everyday you will see something different. This first photo is Lake Superior in the Summer, you can see there is a nice little beach for walking along the shore line.
This photo below is the same beach, taken in December 2020. I was standing almost in the same spot. Notice the rocks on the right, the beach is a lot more narrow now and ice is beginning to form. It was very slippery.
This photo was taken last month, same spot and the rocks on the right. But now it is all ice all the way out to the left of the photo. There were footprints going out over the ice and I was tempted to walk out there. But I decided not to. That is some powerful water running underneath that ice.
It is tuff to get a good photo when the sky is gray and all the snow. This one shows a little bit more of how far the ice goes out from the shore line. The rocks are still on the right side of the photo.
This one is just looking straight out across Lake Superior with ice formations way out there. Quite the site seeing all this water and ice slowly closing in on you.
Sand frozen in the Ice, walking on the beach is a little slippery this time of year.
Have a Great Weekend
Ice Forming on Lake Superior
Doe a Deer a Female Deer, Ray a Drop of Golden Sun. Perfect line for todays photos because the sun actually came out for the first time in days. I stepped out the door with my camera in hand and off they ran. So I was able to get a couple of photos.
They have a way of looking right at me.
The two photos below are the same as the one above. Another blogger suggested cutting out the dark area above the deer. This first one I cropped it out but I feel it has to much for ground in it.
This second one I added some background to even out the photo and have the deer in the center of the photo. Which do you like better?
Doe a Deer a Female Deer
What Does Your Imagination See, shadows are quite fun sometimes. Sometimes during the winter I don’t always have a lot to photograph except for what my imagination sees. What do you see below?
I see a tree Gnome, actually there could be two faces, one at the top and the big shadow.
Actually, it is a big tree that fell over in a storm last fall and right where you see the shadow, that is where the tree broke off. Left side of the shadow is higher than the ride side. So it is an optical illusion really. 😏🤔
What Does Your Imagination See
