Travel Photos

In late August to late September this year, we took a camping trip around the Atlantic provinces. This was an enjoyable experience and it gave us the chance to see more of God's creation. 

I had the chance to photograph areas that I'd never photographed before. It was challenging to figure out what pictures to take. I took many snapshots (record shots - so that we would remember where we were) but also made sure to take extra time for some better photos. It wasn't always easy as the lighting wasn't at the optimal time of day, but I enjoyed seeing what I could do.

Over the next month or so, I'll highlight some of the photos I took when we were on our trip. 

The pictures for today's blog were taken as we travelled around the Gaspe Peninsula. We really enjoyed the beauty of the coastline, where the rocks and the sea meet. As we drove around a corner, or over a hill, we would anticipate a good view, and we were very seldom disappointed. It was good to be able to stop and take some pictures.

Before the mountains were born 

or you brought forth the whole world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90:2

Learning to do Family Portraits

I had the privilege of photographing a young family a few weeks ago. They were very cooperative and easy to work with. Any issues were with my lack of knowledge of my camera and thinking of how I could have them pose. Before I met with them, I checked several places on  the internet for posing suggestions. This helped some.

I enjoyed working with them, and would like to try a photo session with them again next year, and possibly try some other families.

Seeing this family and others reminds me that God instituted marriage, and we can thank Him for this. He wants us to love those in our family and others.

Love is patient and kind; 

love does not envy or boast; 

it is not arrogant or rude.

 It does not insist on its own way; 

it is not irritable or resentful;

 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  

Love bears all things, 

believes all things,

 hopes all things, 

endures all things. 

Love never ends.

1 Corinithians 13:4-7

Young Loons

In late August, we were out on Redstone Lake, Haliburton County, Ontario and came across a bird we didn't recognize at first. When we got closer and watched it for awhile, we could tell that it was a young loon. It tipped its head back in a typical loon fashion, which helped to confirm it for us. The young loon still has some of its down, and does not look like it could fly. It wasn't afraid of us, and stayed in one spot while we went past in our boat. 

We were further down the lake when we saw another one. This one acted about the same. They aren't very pretty looking at this age. 

I checked on the Internet and saw other pictures of young loons that look like this. We don't get to see any young ones on our lake. We do have about 4 or 5 loons on our lake, but we have not seen any young ones in years.

When I checked, it sounds like the young loons are left on their own at about 12 weeks old. They migrate later than their parents, and they actually stay south for the next two years, then return to within 10 miles of the area where they were born. Amazing - how do they know where to migrate to? How do they know to wait until they are ready to breed in their third year? How do they know where "home" is, so they can return so close to it?

Through Him (God) all things were made; 

without Him nothing was made that has been made. 

John 1:3

Spider Webs

During August we see more spider webs in our area. This may be because we have a heavier dew and the dew makes the webs show up better.  The webs that spiders weave are amazing and so intricate. 

The pine trees at our neighbours have all kinds of webs on them. In the morning sun and fog they show up quite well, and are interesting to look at when you go for walks. 

This next web is on the front porch of our house. It's hard to take a sharp picture of it, even with a tripod, because of the wind coming off of the lake.

I  was interested in learning how a spider spins its web. You can see a short slide show of diagrams about how a spider spins its web at the following link: Web spinning

When I see how intricate the designs are, and how the spider can move around the web, I marvel at how God has made the spider. The spinning of the web comes directly from God creating the spider this way. Think how much more He cares for us.

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?

Job 12:7-9