Hummingbirds & Humboldt

We began our journey from the high desert country of eastern Oregon into the redwoods of northern California.  As usual, this particular drive inspires renewed appreciation for the diverse country that exists in each place.   From sagebrush, pine and juniper trees in the Blue Mountain Range of eastern Oregon to the majestic redwoods and countryside scenes of fern, wild poppies and rugged hills that hug the coastline of the Pacific.

Steamboat Rock

We traveled through Crescent City, the Redwood Highway and into Eureka in Humboldt County.  From there, we made our way to the town of Ferndale and into the hamlet of Petrolia, a short 30 miles away.  However this 30 miles takes an hour to drive because of a windy road with many twists and turns, often one lane to maneuver. This is a familiar drive for my husband, who was raised in this country and ranched in his later years.  It is a photographer's dream if you can find room enough to pull over to take a picture or two.  If that is not possible, I take a camera shot from a moving truck window hoping that my hand is steady enough not to cause a blurred picture.  Sometimes there is success...

At the home of our Petrolia friends, word must be out among the hummingbirds to enjoy a good nectar meal provided by several feeders set out on their porch.  Before I noticed the birds, I heard their sound - much like buzzing bees.  I was startled to see so many of these tiny birds darting from one feeder to the next creating this humming noise with their wings.  I read that they flap their wings about 80 times per second.  This is how and why they were named, the hummingbird...

 Other facts about the hummingbird are:  
                 - they can fly right, left, up, down, backwards and upside down
                 - hover - it looks like the bird is stationary but their little wings are moving so fast, you
                   cannot see them
                 - their bill is long and tapered to obtain nectar from the center of a long, tubular flower
                 - their feet used for perching only 
                 - symbolic of love and joy 

I  mentioned just a few facts about the hummingbird.  I hope you will watch this video that actually shows a hummingbird in slow motion in flight and gives you more information about this fascinating bird.  It makes a person realize how amazing this little creature of God is.  Click on this link at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPRswRWZ23Q


My next post will be in two weeks on Monday, June 19th.  Come!  Visit me at The Turn-Up Patch.... 

Spring's new foal

Since my last post, we have a new addition to the family.  A husky filly with long legs and an attitude was born several weeks ago.  It took a little while to begin the bonding process as this mare was particularly protective and wanted no one near her baby.  As the photos show below, in time and with patience, the mare reverts back to trust and allows a friendly hand to pet her and maybe, just maybe, her colt.

Interactions occur every day in our lives - whether it is on a human level or with animals.  But there is another interaction that is around us as a constant 24 hour, seven day a week experience.... and it is with God.  There are some who are aware of His Presence and others who have not yet awakened to His reality, but the interactions are there nonetheless.  His diversity in creation is all around us in the world we live in and into the universe itself.  He is beyond the human explanation of "God" and words seem to get lost in trying to describe His power and glory that is so evident in surroundings of nature that speak loudly of His existence.  Many scripture verses reference this fact throughout the Psalms and in various chapters of the Bible.  Job 12:7-10 says "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?  In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."


My next post will be on Monday, June 5.  See you then at The Turn-Up Patch....

What does it matter?

What if we could live our days abiding in the principle of "what does it matter?"  For those of us who have experienced the death of a loved one, it is part of the dynamic to not only let them go but that it is alright for them to let go of living.  In other words, permission is given to die.  I have been at the bedside of my mother, my aunt and my mother-in-law as they were laboring in this last part of their journey moving from this world into the next.  It is a time where we meet self and we meet God. 

There may be regrets, grudges, guilt of something done or not done, unforgiveness, unresolved issues, past emotional wounds -  these are just a few of the negatives that can arise to one's consciousness in the review of life lived and now in the throws of letting go.  Just as the birth process brings forth life from within the womb for physical existence, so does the death process release the spirit into the divine spark of eternal existence.

I tend to think that as a person is in the closure of his or her life, there is a question and an answer that comes simultaneously... "what does it matter?"  What does it matter to hold on to a regret in re-living mistakes made.  What does it matter to nurture a grudge until it balloons and metastasizes the offense.  What does it matter to agonize in guilt for something done or not done, becoming a victim of condemning self-worth.  What does it matter to hold on to unforgiveness that creates a toxin of blame and distortion.  What does it matter to worry over unresolved issues that bury perspective.  What does it matter to keep emotional wounds open and raw and cripples the soul.  Isn't it better to let go rather then to store and accumulate burdens in life because in the end - what does it really matter??

Wouldn't it be great to practice the power of "what does it matter" on a daily basis.  Letting go and letting God puts a smile in our day and gives freedom to soar.  


Join me for another visit at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, May 22...

  

 

Rainbow Chaser

We certainly have had April showers this month, although it could be described as downpours driven by high winds rather than a simple shower.  The weather, however, created some beautiful rainbows and this work of God's art never ceases to amaze me.  Several days ago after a heavy rain, the sun broke out through the clouds to prism a beautiful rainbow arc stretching over highway 26.  I was thankful to have my camera with me when the rainbow appeared.  I drove my car to the side of the road to capture this scene of rainbow colors falling upon the hills.  It was exciting to me to be able to take this photo in a setting with Canyon Mountain and grazing cattle, creating this scene of country peace. These pictures give you an idea of the scenic beauty we have, particularly in the spring when the fields and hills are so green.  A rainbow only compliments the rural setting.

The photo below shows the other side of the rainbow, which splashed it's color on open fields on the opposite side of the highway.  The rainbow was too close for me to take a photo of it's perfect arc over the countryside.  Again, I managed to find a turnout where I could park my car and take photos of this sight that can all too quickly disappear due to atmosphere changes and cloud movements. 

Continuing on to my friend's house, I was happy to see the still visible rainbow extending to the area where she lives, dropping its color on nearby ground.  Instead of a storm chaser, I felt like a rainbow chaser as it remained until I reached my destination only to fade from view.

It is interesting to note that the arc or curve of a rainbow is actually a full circle - only the horizon cuts it off.  I was able to find the below photo on the internet to use as an illustration of what a full circle rainbow looks like...

In astronomy, the earth, moon and planets are all in sphere or circle shape in our ever increasing knowledge of the universe.  Whenever I see a circle, I think of the Almighty God who states that He is the "I AM" - the Beginning and the End; the Alpha and Omega; the First and the Last; Everlasting to Everlasting.  He is COMPLETE.  An interesting definition of complete is UNBROKEN.  Here are a few other meanings of complete... entire, absolute - whole or perfect - without defect or blemish - faultless, unimpaired; lacking nothing. 

Pretty Amazing!  He loves us, faulty in our humanity, with a faultless love in His Divinity.

Join me at The Turn-Up Patch where we'll meet again on Monday, May 8...  I leave you with a rainbow quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which simply says:  "God's illumined promise".

 

Kuaui Albatross - Part 3

This will be the last post on Kuaui, often referred to as "The Garden Island".  Today we visit the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge located on the north shore of Kuaui.  Here in Eastern Oregon, we think of wildlife as deer, elk and predators such as the coyotes and cougars.  The protected wildlife at Kilauea are varieties of  Hawaiian seabirds, the monk seal, green sea turtle and humpback whale.  The refuge was established in 1985 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is marked by a large lighthouse.....

Among the Hawaiian seabirds, is the Laysan Albatross.  I was fortunate enough to experience a fly-by from one of these large birds and managed to get an overhead shot as the albatross circled by the lighthouse.  One notable fact about the albatross are their extreme long wings that enable them to soar or glide in flight.    They can travel hundreds of miles per day with barely a wing-beat.

There is a figurative meaning to albatross, which is something that hinders or handicaps and defined as guilt or a burden.  The origin using this bird as such a symbol comes from 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge written in 1798.  It represents a burden or source of distress that impairs effective action, thus the saying... an albatross around one's neck.  This beautiful seabird doesn't deserve such a reputation of  negativity due to a poem and superstition.

There is a proven course of action based on the Word of God in Matthew 11:30... "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".  The yoke of Christ placed around your neck lifts and frees burdens and guilt, giving rest to the weary, resulting in freedom and peace.  Quite a contrast to the symbolic albatross that is a yoke of heaviness and bondage, resulting in fear and captivity.

And now it is time to say 'A hui hou - goodbye until we meet again'  in yet another place of God's scenic beauty in Kuaui....

Meet me again at the Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 24th.  Until then, 'Ke Akua pu a hui hou - God bless you and see you later'.

Kauai Adventure - Part 2

In this post, we visit the west side of Kauai where visitors can view the Waimea Canyon, often referred to as 'The Grand Canyon of the Pacific".  After traveling on a narrow, windy road, we stopped at a viewpoint and gazed out on this spectacular piece of scenery.  It is considered a geological wonder in Hawaii, being 14 miles wide and more than 3600 feet deep.  Waimea is Hawaiian for reddish water because of the canyon's red volcanic soil.  I took many photos of this  colorful and awesome canyon but could only choose a few to show you, again due to limited space. I was impressed at the diversity of the island from beaches and palm trees to craggy mountain terrain.

Continuing north beyond Waimea Canyon, is another sight beautiful to behold.  From the Kalalua Lookout, you are treated to a vision of sea, sky, clouds and cliffs.  It appeared as if the clouds were dancing on the ocean waters, since the deep blue that you see in the photo is not the sky but the actual sea.  The horizontal line distinguished between the clouds is the separation between water and sky.

It was breath-taking to say the least.  I can only lift my eyes beyond the horizon and appreciate the God who is All and in all in His beauty of color, form and living nature.  Romans 1:20 says it quite well...."For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse."


Come!  I invite you to visit me again at The Turn-Up Patch in another two weeks, on Monday, April 10th....

Kauai Adventure - Part 1

We recently had the opportunity to visit Hawaii, and was introduced to the island of Kauai.  Thanks to the internet and google, you can find out much about Kauai but I will give you just a few of the many interesting facts about this beautiful island: 
                         - It is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, some 6,000,000 years old
                         - It is of volcanic origin
                         - Nicknamed the "Garden Isle"
                         - It is the 4th largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago being 562.3 square miles
Since this was my first visit; to see it is to believe it!  All those interesting facts come alive and I was amazed at the tropical scenery and mesmerized by the surrounding ocean waters.  Being a "landlubber", which means having no experience with the sea, the ocean can be intimidating.  Personally, I prefer to have my feet planted solidly on the ground, so you won't find me in the water or on a boat.  But you can find me with my camera happily taking photographs trying to capture the wild motion of waves crashing upon the seashore.  A still photograph can highlight the beauty of water turbulence but it takes a video or an on-sight experience to capture the moving sight and sound in revelation of the full force of nature in ocean waters.
 

Beach at Poipu, located in the south end of Kauai

It is awesome to stand on the shore and watch the power and expansiveness of the sea.  I am reminded of Psalm 93 which speaks of the majesty of the Lord.  Verse 4 states ... "More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea.  The LORD on high is mighty"....

One of the phenomenons on the island is known as Spouting Horn Beach located near Poipu.  This particular stretch of beach has a lava shelf with existing blowholes.  The ocean rushes under the shelf and up through the hole with a force sending water shooting into the air.  The following photos illustrates this effect.  If you look closely in the second photo, you will see part of a rainbow that sometimes appears when the sunlight is shining through the water in just the right refractory way.  You can also watch a video clip that does justice to Spouting Horn along with the sound of a second hole that only emits wind and creates a type of moaning sound..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKn9TEigfcY 
 

Two weeks from now on Monday, March 27, we will explore the west side of the island and visit Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  Kauai - a small island that is a wonder in diverse scenery and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit and share my discoveries with you.  Blog space permits me to share just a few photos of the many that I took but sometimes it takes just a few to tell a story.

Until then,  here is a beautiful quote to think on by Mother Teresa... "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.  But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."