By the By

We have the good fortune of living within a 15-minute drive of a marvel of human engineering and persistence. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Rideau Canal - 2012 marks its 180th year of operation, albeit in a much different role than what its builders intended.

Yesterday didn't look promising to venture out on a photoshoot - it was quite blustery and dark skies threatened rain. However, the western horizon offered a glimmer of hope in the early evening as the sun's rays broke out here and there among the scudding clouds. In fact, the evening turned out to be perfect for capturing some of the charms of this place and I hope to share some over the coming days.

His hand the wonders wrought

"We are so impressed by scientific clank that we feel we ought not to say that the sunflower turns because it knows where the sun is. It is almost second nature to us to prefer explanations . . . with a large vocabulary. We are much more comfortable when we are assured that the sunflower turns because it is heliotropic. The trouble with that kind of talk is that it tempts us to think that we know what the sunflower is up to. But we don't. The sunflower is a mystery, just as every single thing in the universe is."  --Robert Farrer Capon

"I am often asked if I am not lonely on my solitary excursions. It seems so self-evident that one cannot be lonesome where everything is wild and beautiful and busy and steeped with God that the question is hard to answer." --John Muir

"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."  --Rachel Carson

The beauty that surrounds us

Isn't it a pity
Now isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity

Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we're all the same
And because of all their tears
Your eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn't it a pity

("Isn't It A Pity"  George Harrison  1966)

[I hope to visit you all shortly ..]

Have a lick ...

If I could lick the sunset, I’ll bet it would taste like Neapolitan ice cream. 

(Jarod Kintz)

Sunset Sunday is inspired by Scott Law over at Just Used Pixels.

He restores my soul

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
   He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.
   He leads me in paths of righteousness
   for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
   I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
   you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
   and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   forever.


(18-55mm  f11  1/40 sec  ISO200)

Let all things now living, a song of thanksgiving ...

We've been slowly creating a small ecosystem beside the house. Well, it's not quite correct to say that we are creating it since we just added what already existed in creation to what started out as a bit of a bare spot. A friend had donated a half dozen birch saplings which are now over 20' high - these have since pretty much claimed sole possession of the (former) perennial garden around the ponds. I 'liberated' some plants out of the wild (where undoubtedly they weren't being appreciated), including marsh marigolds and irises - they thrive near the edge of pond.

The marsh marigolds have already had their 15 minutes of fame this spring and now it's the irises' turn. The rain relented this afternoon, and although the wind was gusty at times, I was able to give them their due. I thought only Sasha and I were there, but it turned out that I disturbed another denizen who ended up playing a game of hide and seek with me (last photo). We have a symbiotic relationship - we 'provide' the ecosystem and (s)he in turn keeps the frog population in check.