Stormy Weather

It seems we've had a lot of stormy weather this summer.  Although it isn't our favourite type of weather, the clouds are amazing to look at and can be interesting to photograph. Sometimes when you are driving, you don't know what the weather is going to do.

These next two photos were taken in Renfrew, Ontario. I liked the lighting on the buildings, so quickly got my camera and took the photos. The clouds looked more threatening than the storm actually became.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Chinese Bellflower

Balloon flowers, otherwise known as Chinese Bellflowers, are fascinating to watch. They originate in Asia, especially China, which is why one of their names is Chinese Bellflower.

I have one small patch in my garden, and the patch is getting bigger each year. Sometimes they look purple, and sometimes they look more blue. 

They get the name balloon flower because the flower buds look like balloons. They eventually pop open and become star-shaped flowers.

The balloon flower is later blooming, so often I think that I've lost the plant when I'm cleaning in the spring. You have to be very careful not to dig it up or throw it out thinking that it is a weed.

I especially like looking at closeups of them. You see more detail than you can see with your own eyes, and they are beautiful.

Now therefore, our God,
we thank You, and praise Your glorious Name.
1 Chronicles 29:13

Ducks

We have a lot of ducks around our lake, and I enjoy taking photos of them. They have become very habituated so that it's easy to get up close enough to take photos. These are some of my favourites.

This next photo was taken a few years ago. The mother duck and her ducklings were walking along our beach, and I just happened to snap this one. It looks like the youngster is trying to copy its mother.

So God created ... every sort of bird ... and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:21