In response to the weekly photo challenge at A Word In Your Ear http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/a-word-a-week-photography-challenge/
Love to watch these butterflies on lazy August days
The twins in the arms of the cottonwood
An unexpected surprise!
Daddy long legs on an echinacea flower
This toad lived in the rock garden
The hummingbirds loved the bee balm
Catching his breath.
This bee was covered with pollen
I am going “green” for the wild weekly photo challenge.
Textures in green.
I’m liking this lichen. This type of lichen is always this vivid green.
Alpine meadow on the way to the top of Mt. Dingley, BC, Canada
Shades of Green. Looking across the valley from Mt. Nogalski, BC, Canada
I am liking the gardens of lichen
The Bull River runs for 117 miles and is a tributary of the Kootenay River located in Southeast British Columbia.
There were eight of us who participated in the ramble on the latter part of the river shortly before it meets the Kootenay River. It was a near perfect winter day. The sky was cerulean clear with the sun warming to about 3 degrees Celsius.
The ramble started by crossing the railway tracks and down the embankment to the rocky shoreline. Just as we reached the shoreline, the sound of an approaching train could be heard in the distance. It took several minutes before the train reached the area where we had crossed the track and we were able to watch it disappear around the corner.
The walking was not difficult. Although the shoreline was rocky, there was enough snow cover which made the footing easier. At times we walked over parts of the frozen river hearing the ice creak and groan and the gurgling of the water through cracks where the ice had heaved.
We made a game of using our hiking poles to shove large pieces of ice out into the open water and watched them gather momentum as the current carried them on a journey down the river.
There were frosted plants that sparkled in the morning sun and gardens of crystallized frost shining like diamonds along the river’s edge. The water reflected the light and the images along the shore.
The Steeples, a ridge of mountains in the eastern Rocky Mountain Trench provided a majestic backdrop. Our lunch spot was a log that had floated downriver and was waiting for the rushing waters of Spring to continue its journey downriver. It was the perfect resting place!
Our river ramble ended where a small rail bridge crossed the river. Climbing up the river bank to the rail bed we followed the train track back to where our vehicles were parked on the Wardner Fort Steele Road.
What a delightful way to while away four hours, soaking up sunshine, marvelling at the view of the Rockies, listening to the music of the river and nourishing my connection of spirit to the beauty of nature.
In response to the weekly photo challenge at A Word In Your Ear http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/a-word-a-week-photography-challenge/, I am making the following photo contributions:
I could not let the week slip by without posting another series of photographs for the challenge at the blog of A Word In Your Ear at http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/a-word-a-week-photography-challenge/
Whenever I am enjoying the beauty of nature, I usually capture photos of weathered tree stumps and logs.
In response to http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/9414/ I submit the following three pictures taken in the Badlands of Alberta, Canada.
Worn
Crafted
Sculpted
Wow! It is seldom that I have a weekend which is ideal for temperature, a cloudless cerulean sky and a warming winter sun. I could not let the day slip away without enjoying nature and to capture a few moments of wonder and joy.
With the guidance and company of a hiking friend, we set out to enjoy part of Trickle Creek golf course and the nature trails in the surrounding area. Although the sun was shining we were walking through areas of shadow and light as the sun peeked through the trees. It was interesting to watch the light and shadows change depending on the paths taken.
Shadow and light – changing
Our journey through life can be a metaphor of shadow and light. We thrive and our happiness is the greatest when everything in our world is moving along smoothly on a high. But, as we journey along the shadows creep in. Sometimes it is hard to believe that there is light to be found. Those of you struggling with the shadows, keep walking. Some days the feet will feel heavy and the trudging so very hard. Keep moving, just one step at a time, sometimes small, other times with a lighter step. Soon you will be once again in the light. Just remember that there is beauty, wonder and moments of joy to be found in the shadows, only harder to recognize. Trust the process and keep taking footsteps.
Today, there was humongous moments of wonder, joy and beauty in the shadows and light.
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
~ Albert Einstein
It was this oneness with nature and marvelling at its beauty that caused four hours to slip away.
It was a perfect winter day, a balmy -5C, sunny azure sky that had me itching to enjoy my backyard. Thanks to Lorne, a member of Cranbrook hiking club, a winter hike was arranged to meander along the Wildhorse river near Fort Steele, BC.
There were six of us as we began following Lorne along the riverbank of the Wildhorse river.
Along the riverbank were tracks of deer, elk, rabbit, eagle, crow and smaller tracks of the rodents living along the bank.
It was hard to believe that the fallen log where we ate lunch was actually an island that is surrounded by water at other times of the year and is only accessed when the river is frozen and can be walked across.
It was amazing to walk across the ice and hear the water gurgling underneath. Would the ice hold?? Is this what a step of faith is? The patterns in the ice and the ice crystal flower gardens created sparkling diamonds and iridescent colours when catching the light of the sun.
Enjoy nature and its beauty through the picture essay.
This was bliss.
Celebrating a birthday is a wonderful way to connect, enjoy eating a fabulous meal and sharing stories and events that happened in each of our lives over the past year.
All of us lead varied and busy lives and finding time to squeeze more into the day is often difficult. Celebrating a birthday and enjoying excellent food along with the endless conversation keeps the friendship connection open.
It has been ten months since our last birthday celebration. I was hiking the El Camino in September of 2012 and consequently missed a 60th birthday celebration of one dear friend. After a busy day at work it is easy to meet for supper and spend a few hours celebrating and being thankful we can enjoy the company of each other once again.
Since we had met a year ago, January 10th, in the very same restaurant and at the very same table each of us had stories to tell one another of events that had happened in our lives. After being satiated with a wonderful meal another three hours slipped by with swapping of stories and enjoying the company of one another.
Marge, in whose honour we were celebrating, during the last year had knee replacements to both legs. Both surgeries had gone very well and her mobility has greatly improved. Marge is a very gutsy lady with deep strength and resilience. She is thankful for her new knees which has enabled her to be able to walk and drive without the pain. Marge is also a cancer survivor. For the past six years there has been many surgeries and bouts of chemo several times a year. What a remarkable woman! Thank you for your friendship. I admire your tenacity and humble spirit. May you have a wonderful year!
Earlier in the week I had read a quote that compliments our celebration of life:
Action and reaction,
Ebb and flow,
Trial and error,
CHANGE
This is the rhythm of living.
Out of our over confidence – fear
Out of our fear,
Clearer vision, fresh hope.
And….
Out of our hope – PROGRESS!
Bruce Barton
May each of us have clearer vision, fresh hope and progress as we move through the ebb and flow of living each day throughout this year.
Journeying with Joy 