No More A Secret

I captured this photo of the full moon last Saturday. I believe David the Psalmist must have shared my great love for the beauty displayed in the skies. I hope the photo and his words are as significant to you as they are to me. “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4

  This turkey vulture was spotted by my great nephew Andrew as I was driving him to visit a friend recently. I was glad that I was able to capture these photos without much obstruction to traffic. When we came too close, it quietly moved to a higher location. “For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” ~ Psalm 108:4

Even though seasons change, the splendor of sunsets remain unchangeable.  On one of my recent fall walks, this blast of beauty  graced the western sky, accompanied me,  Wrapping the end of day and my  nature loving soul in peace!                       “I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” ~ Psalm 89:2

This year, my mother and I spent another  wonderful weekend with the annual Women’s Encounter sponsored by a friends church. Again, we were  encouraged to “come with an open heart, believing God for a life-changing encounter. Leave the world behind and come on the journey ~ He is waiting to meet you.”  Away from the hustle and bustle nestled in solitude made it easy to meet with the Master. Our God met us, and we left refreshed, stronger, and most of all, grateful! This cotton field was a special eye treat on the way home. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV) Photos: Spring Grove, Va.

that You call me beautiful 1    created in Your image 2 fearfully and wonderfully made 3 special 4 the apple of Your eye 5 accepted 6 chosen 7 precious 8 loved 9 simply amazes me! 1.Song of Solomon 6:4; 2. Genesis 1:27; 3. Psalms 139:14:   4. Deuteronomy 7:6; 5. Zechariah 2:8;  6. Ephesians 1:6: 7. John 15:16; 8. Isaiah 43:4;   9.Jeremiah 31:3 Photos:  Muscovy Duck, Mallard Ducks;  Double Knockout Rose PhotosTaken at: Mt. Trashmore Park Norfolk Botanical Garden

The past The present The future are all in Your hands today O Lord my hope 1   my strength 2 my peace 3 1 . Psalm 71:5; 2. Psalm 19:14; 3. John 14:27 Photos taken 09/01/2011 ~ 6:35am

In his book The Wonders of Creation, Alfred M. Rehwinkel states, “next to the vital organs on which life depends, the eye is one of the most precious gifts of the Creator to man.”  Father thank you for giving me eyes that are able to see the beauty  in flowers in sunsets, in birds and in all the splendor of your creation.                                        Amen! Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! ~ Psalm 66:5 (NIV) Photos:  Canada  Goose ;  Cardoon Bloom ; Evening Sunset;   Great Blue Heron ; Killdeer Plover ;  Taken at:  Norfolk Botanical Garden;    Mt. Trashmore Park

Last week, we braved scorching summer temperatures taking an excursion with the Virginia Aquarium And Marine Science Center   to view the bottle-nose dolphins in the brilliant blue waters off the Virginia Beach coast. The next 90 minutes were filled with lively entertainment as families of dolphins frolicked and performed acrobatic feats For many with cameras including myself, photographic agility was considered an asset and I was rewarded with these photos. It was a trip worth every minute of the 97 degree heat. The bottle-nose dolphin ~ another wonder of creation for my nature loving eyes to feast on. Thank you Heavenly Father!    “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems … and God saw that it was good  ~ for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Genesis 1:21; Revelation 4:11

If I was a highway engineer, I would make certain that lookouts were placed in strategic spots on major highways. This would ensure that others and I are who are fascinated by sunrises and sunsets would be able not only to stop and admire, but capture their beauty on camera. Wishful thinking? Maybe. Meanwhile, these most recent sunset splendor photos were taken from two more easily accessible lookout spots ~ my neighborhood pool and Food Lion’s parking lot. Over the years, I cannot recall two sunrises or sunsets looking the same, unlike the Great sunrise and sunset Engineer who is changeless and described in Words from Scripture as: “I am the Lord, and I do not change, 1 … like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon." 2   For this unchangeable stability, I shall be eternally grateful!   1. Malachi 3:6 (NLT); 2. James1:17b (GWT)

These photos are by my great nephews Paris who is eleven years old and Cairon who is seven. They were taken on a recent visit with their grandmother Molly to Norfolk Botanical Garden. I think they deserved to be showcased don’t you?  Photos: Elegant Candy Day Lily, Monarch Butterfly, Zahara Zinnia Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him. ~ Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

Another amazing discovery due to the keen observation of my great-nephew Andrew, and as I Looked up rewarded by these beautiful photos, this heartfelt prayer was birthed ~ Father help me to never look back look down look around but always look up   to You because You have all the answers to my life Amen! I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! ~ Psalm 121:1-2  Photos:Great Egret ~ Ocean View, Virginia

These photos are the results of the keen observation of my great nephew Andrew. He sighted this Black Crowned Night Heron and her nest above the basket ball court in his neighborhood,  and knew that it would spark my interest. On my first visit earlier this week, I confirmed the nest location. On my second visit this morning at 8:00am, I was delighted that the nest builder was also present, watching and waiting.  I hope that you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed capturing them on camera!   “Blessed is the one who listen to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors!” ~ Proverbs 8:34 (ESV) Today at 8:00pm  (06/04/2011), I visited the nest again, and was delighted to see a young baby Heron.  Photos: Ocean View, Virginia

This week, I visited the Bicentennial Rose Garden one of the many Gardens at The Norfolk Botanical Garden, and a favorite of mine, "where over 3,000 rose plants representing more than 300 varieties grow.  At the height of bloom, mid-May through October, more than 250,000 rose blooms may be seen." Here are a few of those blooms! “ Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.” ~ Genesis 2:8 Photos: Midas Touch, Promise, Rosa, Tiffany, Lasting Peace

Today on the eve of Mother’s Day, my evening stroll through the park was enhanced by the sighting of this beautiful Mallard family showing off their new chicks while enjoying the 71˚ warmth along with the crisp spring breeze. I waited patiently for the ideal pose to grace my camera. I think the wait  was worthwhile, do you? A mother and her children … inseparable, my Heavenly Father and His promises to His children and to their children … unwavering! “I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children 1 .” 1 . Isaiah 44:3b Photos: Mt. Trashmore Park - Virginia Beach, Va.

Last spring, I spent many pleasurable days observing mom and dad bald eagles and their eaglets at Norfolk Botanical Garden. My blog entry on May 18, 2010 featured these photos of the proud parents guarding the young eaglets. Much to the delight of many, the family returned to the garden this year.  Local news from the Garden reports that “this past Tuesday, the adult female eagle was struck by an incoming airplane at Norfolk International Airport. The three surviving eaglets were removed from the nest and sent to the Wildlife Center of Virginia to be raised and released to the wild once they are  old enough.”  I will miss seeing momma eagle circle … dive for food … perch at 90 ft … protect her young.  Thanks momma eagle for the treasured memories! Photos: Norfolk Botanical Garden

Psalm 23 has always been a favorite of mine and one of the first passages of Scripture that I memorized as a child.    Today as I was reading it again, verse 2b appeared so much more significant, especially the words ‘lead’ and ‘still.’ I looked up their definitions on http://dictionary.reference.com/ and these seemed to create a perfect fit. ~ “ He acts as a guide, to show me the way beside waters free from turbulence or commotion .” These winged beauties seem to understand this interpretation fully …  and me? I continue learning to be lead by my Heavenly Father, and most of all, learning to remain still and commotion free in the process! Psalms 23:2 Photos: Mt. Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, Va. Norfolk Botanical Garden Swan Terrace, Founders Inn, Virginia Beach, Va.

The greatest demonstration of power the world, you, or I will ever know ~ “I am the Living One. I died, but look-I am alive forever and ever! 1 ” ~ Jesus 1 . Revelation 1:18a(NLT)