Alpacas in Prince Edward Island

Alpacas ... we have a farm just a few kilometres from us, but we haven't been able to see the alpacas up close. When we were travelling in Prince Edward Island, we stopped at an Alpaca farm - Green Gable Alpacas .  Her website provides a lot of information about alpacas and their fiber. 

Janet, the owner, was very helpful and willing to pass on information about the alpacas, and it was a very enjoyable experience. We looked at some of the products made from the fibre, and could see how comfortable it can be. It's definitely worth a visit to see the alpacas and  to learn about them.

It was a bit hard to take photos without the fences, but since this was a farm, I also wanted to show the alpacas in their environment.

3 month old alpaca

Mothers and babies

Two "toes"

God has made a wide range of animals for us to enjoy on the earth. I find it very interesting to see so many kinds.

 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 

Flowers for Cards

When we were in the Atlantic provinces recently, I enjoyed taking photos of scenery. It was great seeing and enjoying God's handiwork. My computer is full of these pictures and I am enjoying going through them. 

I also enjoyed taking photographs of smaller details in flowers, rose hips, and apples. As I was going through my photos to prepare a slideshow, I came across some of these photos and decided to use some of these for my cards. I thought I would put these up on my blog so that I can check them later in my photographic journey.

One thing I am going to have to work on is to figure out how to have my printer print the pictures in the same colour as I see on my monitor. I haven't had difficulties with this before, but recently it hasn't been accurate. There's always something else to learn.

 

Sometimes I find it frustrating when my pictures don't turn out the way I want them to, and I remind myself that I don't have to be perfect at this. I do enjoy learning photography and part of what I like about it is that there is always something more to learn. Isn't it great to know that we don't have to be perfect in order for us to enjoy what we are doing?

God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Sunflowers

Sunflowers ... bright and cheery. I really enjoy seeing a field of sunflowers. The following pictures were not taken in a field, but in the gardens at the Glass Bottle Houses at Cap Egmont in Prince Edward Island. I was fascinated with many of the flowers there and especially with the sunflowers. They not only had the regular yellow sunflowers that most of us know, but they also had some brown sunflowers. I had never seen these before.

There are actually about 60 species or more, and people have discovered many different uses for sunflowers. One of the interesting facts about sunflowers is that the plant turns towards the sun, starting in the east in the morning and following it through to the west in the evening.

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness 

and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High ...  

Psalm 7:17

Gannets at Bonaventure Island, Quebec

When we were at Perce, Quebec in August, we took a boat ride to Bonaventure Island and walked across the island to where the gannets nest. I could have spent all day there, but was glad to be there for the short time we managed. It's really something to see so many birds in one place at one time, especially when it looks like confusion with birds flying around. It's hard to imagine how they find their mates when they come flying in.

We watched them diving for fish. I wasn't able to get a picture of this ... just the splash after one did it. They cruise above the water, and when they see a fish, they dive straight down. They partially fold their wings as they go into the water. Their wingspan can be up to 2 metres across.

We saw mates rubbing their heads and beaks together. Some people call this dueling or fencing. It's very interesting to watch and is a bonding ceremony, done especially when a mate returns to the nest.

We also saw some young birds. They look big, but won't be ready to fly until September. 

I read where someone commented about how difficult it was to take a picture of one or two birds and have them show up so that you know which bird is the subject of your picture. I believe using a wide open aperture (small number) helps to do this the best, but I know that I also found this difficult. This was a new experience for me - to photograph birds that are in such big flocks.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

 and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

 Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Matthew 6:26

Perce Rock, Quebec - Different Lighting at Different Times of the Day

When we were at Perce, Quebec, we camped where we could see Perce Rock. Perce Rock is one of Canada's seven "natural wonders". It is probably the result of glaciers. Apparently,  Perce Rock stands 85 metres high, 90 meters wide, and is 430 meters long. It takes awhile to go around it in a boat, and when you are close to it, you start to get an idea of the immensity of it. 

 Each of these pictures was taken from the same general area.  We were camped where we could see it from our trailer.  It was interesting because the Rock looks different at different times of day. It was a real example to me of how light affects a photograph. We should be watching for different lighting to see when an object looks its best.

Sunset 

Further into sunset - the sun was going behind a hill

Twilight

Later evening - the lights were coming on in the town

Sunrise (I had to get up at 5:30 for this one)

Middle of the day

God is the Creator of all things, and He loves each one of us. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.