Awe-some

Our dog Sasha, like most dogs, is fearful of thunder. In fact she knows that lightning is a precursor to thunder so when she sees it she already starts to cower. When I took her out late the other night to do her thing, unlike most evenings she wanted to go right back in - she had seen a faint flash to the west. Meanwhile I thought it would be a great opportunity to make some shots before the storm moved in.

Over the next hour I watched as the storm approached but never arrived. Although the lightning flashed and thunder rolled, the storm veered south. Several times I peered back into the house to see if Sasha had become hysterical yet, but she slept soundly through it (a blessing of old age ?).

I felt a little exposed standing out on the balcony and in the yard, but the display was both fascinating and awesome. [click on the photos for a better view]

Faithfulness

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come ..." Song of Solomon 2:11-12

"Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love."

Fortuitous ?

It was the evening of Good Friday. My wife glanced out of the front window and called me to come see the sky - I couldn't see it from where I had been sitting. On instinct I grabbed the camera since I hadn't captured a sunset for some time. I was stopped in my tracks before I got 10 steps out of the front door (1st photo). After taking in the scene I hurried over to the canal across the street (2nd photo).

There was nothing fortuitous about this moment. I'm not a believer in fate or chance or luck but I believe things happen for a reason - even though that may not be revealed now or in our lifetime. But it was easy for us to join the psalmist: "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands."  [Psalm 19:1]  If you're inclined, you can make this your prayer today also (click on the link and listen as you look at God's handiwork as captured below):

The struggle ...

I have been taking a bit of a hiatus from blogging. This was driven by necessity when we had company for several weeks, but it was also driven by a sense of weariness. After almost 4-1/2 years, and approaching 700 posts, I found myself at the same crossroads that many others have - to continue or not. The decision is pending.

There are many arguments on the pro side, while the con side also has its share. I have other 'projects' clamoring for attention, and despite man's inventiveness, each day still only has 24 hours. Photography remains a passion (although the flame requires some stoking).

I am overdue visiting those who have faithfully landed here and left a comment - I shall commit to fulfilling that pledge this week.

Pair for the course

We visited some friends today who are avid golfers and whose backyard faces the 18th hole of their golf course. The course is home to some rather gregarious sandhill cranes. I opted to bring the camera this time - on the last visit I left it at home, much to my chagrin.

Before long, a lone crane wandered onto the course from between a couple of houses. Grabbing my gear, I nonchalantly stalked him onto the course and got a few shots before I caught a shot (from a golfer) myself.

A little later we visited the ladies' tee-off area on the 12th hole where a female was guarding her nest that contained 2 eggs. As she kept a wary eye on me, I quickly fired off a few shots of her too - I wasn't about to find out how vigorously she would defend her nest. Perhaps in a few weeks I might be able to get some photos of the offspring.

[editor's note: our 2nd set of winter visitors is arriving in an hour; I may not be around much over the next 2-1/2 weeks but may sneak in a visit here or there. I'm told that spring is around the corner ...]

"no clubs required; I own the course ..."

"I zoomed in tight for this shot - no need to aggravate mama"

"Here she is guarding the nest"