Rocks at Bon Echo

This spring we had the opportunity to camp in Bon Echo Provincial Park, where they have some high cliffs, and you can see some petroglyphs from years ago. We actually didn't see very many of the petroglyphs, but we enjoyed seeing the cliffs and getting up close to them. It's a beautiful park to visit.

We were able to go in our kayaks and paddle to the base of the cliffs. It was interesting seeing the cliffs up close. They were huge and  very difficult to photograph and show their majesty.

It was easier to show how large things were when my husband was in the photo. This photo shows some "writing on the wall" and would look a lot smaller if you didn't have the kayak and my husband to give you a proper perspective.

When you see my husband in the bottom right corner of this last photo, you can see how large and high the cliff feels when you are up close to it. It still stretched much higher than you can see in the photo.

Loons

One of my favourite things to do in the summer is to go out on the lake during the morning and  try to capture photos of our loons. One of the best ways to do this is by going out in a canoe or kayak, which is quieter and not as threatening to the loons. Sometimes you are able to follow them around as they are fishing. I usually try to do my paddling when they are under the water. 

When they are fishing, they often swim along with their head in the water hunting for their meal.

When they see something they want, they usually go down into the water without a ripple. Sometimes you see a bit of a splash.

They sometimes come up empty, which is usually how I see them after they have come up. You never know where they are coming up, so they could have eaten their catch even before you have spotted them.

But ... sometimes you are lucky and get to see them with a catch. This one has caught a crayfish. He flipped it quickly and swallowed it within seconds of coming to the surface.

Once the loon swallowed the crayfish, the picture shows water still coming out of its beak as it closes his beak. I thought this was an interesting picture.

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

White Water Lilies

On our lake, the yellow lilies bloom first, followed by the white water lilies. They dot the lake at both ends where it is a bit shallower.  I like seeing them when I'm out in my kayak and often paddle through them. When I looked for information about the white water lily, I found that it doesn't have several different names like the yellow lily that I posted a couple of weeks ago. Although we only see white water lilies in our area, they can be in all different colours.

I found that water lilies can help reduce the growth of algae in ponds and lakes. This is good news for our lake which appears to be pretty healthy.

Quite often you see the yellow lilies along with the white lilies. The white ones open during the morning and close by late afternoon.

When the water lily is pollinated, the flower and stem sinks into the water and a berry-like fruit develops. It has been used in traditional medication and apparently can treat diarrhea and sore throats.

 From a distance you see a yellow center in the white water lily - up close you are able to see the intricacy of the flower. God has so many beautiful things on this earth. The God who made this world and all that is within it, loves and cares for each one of us.

For in Him (God) we live and move and have our being ...
Acts 17:28

Gerbera Daisy

One of our daughters gave me a Gerbera Daisy for Mother's Day - beautiful flower and I'm really enjoying it. Mine is yellow and looks like a bit like a sunflower. Other names are Barberton Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, and African Daisy. It was originally from Africa.

Apparently it is the fifth popular flower in the world, as it is a decorative flower for in the garden and as a cut flower. I know that I've cut them and they last quite awhile.

It has the appearance of a single flower, but is actually made up of hundreds of flowers.

In our area, the gerbera is an annual, but in many warmer climates, it is a perennial.

As you can see, the insects are quite busy around the flowers. It's interesting to see the pollen being gathered. It reminds me that God cares for me just as He provides for the bees and other insects.

 And my God will supply every need of yours
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

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Yellow Cow-Lily

I've always known this flower to be a yellow water-lily, so was interested when I saw that the proper name is Nuphar Lutea, and it is commonly known as a yellow cow-lily. I wonder how it got that name. I also found that it is also called bullhead lily, yellow pond lily, yellow water lily, and spatterdock lily. Interesting - I didn't know it was known by quite a few different names.

At this time of year, we see a lot of these around our lake.  They grow in shallow water in two or three areas, usually where the white water lilies are. I always feel like summer is here when I see them blooming.

Apparently the seed are edible when dried and can even be ground to flour.

The other thing I found out is that you can eat the rhizome (the root part).  I would want to do a lot more research about how to prepare the rhizome or the seeds before eating anything from it. There are warnings about eating too much as it can be poisonous.

The markings on the flower are beautiful. You would think that someone took a marker and put these lines on the flower. I didn't realize there was so much detail in them until I looked at them closer. God has made them beautiful in every way.