Hydrangea Pictures

     Yesterday Ellen and I were playing volleyball in the front yard; and as we both are novices (to say the least), the ball hit the hydrangea bush (among plants).  The sweetest little sprig was broken off, and I just couldn't let it go to waste.  So I took it inside and put it into a little vase with water.  This morning I walked past it and knew it was picture-worthy.  So I grabbed the camera and put on my creative photographic thinking cap.  I had so much fun with it!  It is such a sweet, simple little testament to the beauty of God's creation.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:14

If you can't quite read it from the picture, this is an encouraging quote by Elizabeth Elliot that I came across on someone's blog over a year ago. 

"Whatever you want, it's going to cost you something...if you want God's will more than anything in the world it is going to mean endurance." 

It is so true, and I need to remind myself of that every single day. Often I know I want God's will for my life, knowing His way is always the best, but I struggle with the endurance part.  But He does not leave us alone to endure.  He gives us His strength to endure with us.  

The Zoo

I'm a bit tardy in posting this, but I will anyway.  :-)

     Over a week ago, Mom and Dad's investment agent hosted a 20 year celebration of her company at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo.  Even though it was a hot evening we took Grandma and went to see the new African Grasslands exhibit.

     We rode a tram halfway down to one of the zoo's new buildings.  We got off to get some soda, and it started again without us!  But that gave us a chance to get a closer look at the new elephants and giraffes and take some pictures.

We walked the rest of the way down to the dinner area where we enjoyed delicious food and air conditioning.  :-)  

 We were able to pet an armadillo!  Dad got a picture of the snake, but I didn't want to see it!

 Waiting for the tram to take us through the zoo to the entrance

(Ellen insisted on me taking a picture of her hand. ) :-)

What a beautiful, exotic looking plant!

Tram pictures:

Selfies of course!

The tram driver said that is was very rare to see a leopard lying on the hill.  (Sorry about the fence!)

Hello, Mr. Turkey!

The prarie dogs are my favorite.  They live on the zoo property and have made themselves an exciting exhibit all on their own.  They were just everywhere!

And this time of year they also have babies!

Do you know how hard it is to snap a good picture of one of those fast little things when you are on a moving tram!

This one obviously didn't want company.  :-)

What beautiful peacock!

How nice a splash of cold water felt!

I couldn't resist getting a few pictures of some of the beautiful flowers during the last little bit up the hill.

Despite the heat, we all had an enjoyable time.  It was fun getting to see the new improvements at the zoo, and spend time together as a family (and have a nice dinner and take some photos.) :-)

Cedar Waxwings!

     Last Friday the Cedar Waxwings were here!  I always enjoy seeing these beautiful birds with their colorful markings and tall, slender bodies.  They travel in groups from the South to the North where they breed each spring.  They are attracted to our yard because of the berries on our Cotoneaster bushes.  When I saw them on Friday, I jumped at the opportunity to photograph them, but within fifteen minutes they were gone!  (I guess they thought our berries weren't ripe enough yet.  :-) )  I still got a few good pictures, though which I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Here is what I posted after I saw them for the very first time back in April 2009:

Last Thursday night we were pulling dead plants when Dad saw a group of (about twenty) birds up in the trees. We did not know what they were at first because we could not see there backs. On Saturday Dad showed me a picture I had taken and one of the birds that was looking down so we were able to identify them as Cedar Waxwings. The Cedar Waxwing migrates [through] some areas of Nebraska. My bird book says that they live here year round, but I rarely see them.

Please forgive my grammatical errors. :-)
I am so thankful that God created such lovely birds for us to see!  

Nighttime Redbud Trees

   At about 8:30, Tuesday night we turned on our outside house lights to walk Grandma to her car after a delightful evening with her.  It was already dark by the time, and I noticed how the lights shone on our redbud trees.  The lights made a such beautiful effect on the blooming redbud trees that I ran inside and grabbed the camera.  The lighting made the tiny buds shine against the dark background creating a lovely sight in the cool spring night.  I enjoyed seeing what pictures I could get.  Mom watched me and gave me some helpful ideas.  I am not always in the picture taking mood, but I certainly enjoyed it the other night!  Before I knew it, I had taken about sixty pictures!

Backyard Beauties

Today Ellen and I were able to go outside and take pictures of our backyard (and front yard) trees and flowers.  It is something that I love doing every year although I don't know if I would have today with out a little encouragement from Ellen.

The yellow tulips glowed in the radiant sunshine.

This is a great shot as Ginger rarely poses.  (Ellen had to command her to sit down several times!)

I thought the crack in the tree bark looked really cool!

I praise the LORD for the beauty and simplicity that He has created for His glory and our enjoyment.   There are so many varieties of colors, textures, and plants that he has made.  I greatly admire and love the beauty of it all and am so thankful for the times I am able to enjoy and capture it.

"Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever."

Psalm 111:2-3