The word Shekinah (shuh-kigh-nuh) means dwelling. It refers to the visible manifestation of the presence (or Shekinah Glory) of God. A luminous cloud. It is the very presence of God on earth. (see Holy Bible-Exodus 24:9-18)
Last Saturday, February 27th. 2010, my husband and I went on a birding field trip with the SIBA, over to Malheur County, Oregon. After lunch, we split from the group since we had a previous committment back in Idaho, and I was getting exhausted from my back pain. Before we headed home, I took some scenic shots at the Owyhee Reservoir. This landscape show's a view from above the Owyhee Dam, with the Mullein plants as forground elements. Some storm clouds were closing in again, making this shot somewhat moody.
I have posted some close up images of a downy woodpecker on the Mullein plants, on my bird blog, that I took in the same area.
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My most recent time in the field yielded this image of the Spring Shores Marina, at Lucky Peak Reservior in Boise, Idaho. This is one of several landscape shots I took, in addition to some soaring bald eagles.
This image paints a much different picture from the one seen in the summer months, when the area is alive with a flurry of activity. A time when the docks are floating, the weather is pleasant and people are out on their boats and on the shores, enjoying the tepid summer sun.
This place holds a strange attraction for me in the winter months; one of forsaken charm. The weather is harsh and the beaches are vacant, barring the occasional fisherman. The unrelenting wind blows over the frozen terrain and the clouds roll in. It is the birth of another winter night and I'm thankful I can be there to capture the quiet beauty of the moments before the sun begins to vanish on the horizon and darkness invades the fleeting light.
As the first blanket of snow now covers the fallen leaves and autumn turns to winter, I'm once again reminded of the change of seasons. I'm so grateful for the change of seasons and what each one brings, both literally and metaphorically speaking. Right now I'm going through a change of sorts. As I give in to those changes, which include waiting for the next season, I'm sometimes impatient. "Hurry spring, I'm ready."
I'm looking forward to that new season, but just as the fallen leaves still lie frozen beneath the new snow, some of that old season continues to remain in me. Though the winter may be long and arduous and limbs may freeze and crack, it will go; and when it does, it will bring with it...spring. Tender sprouts will bravely burst out in the glory of their Maker with new life and purpose." However long the winter, renewal and new life will come. I'm anticipating that time for myself.
The most important renewal one can have is to receive Jesus Christ as Lord Savior and receive the New and Eternal Life that only Salvation brings. I've already done that, so I'm speaking now about physical and even emotional renewal. A physical and emotional winter can bring harsh blows. Blows that can only be somewhat healed and forgotten with the coming of spring's fresh rain and warm sunshine. Just as with God's other creations, my own change of seasons can only come with the help of God's power.
This song by Nichole Nordeman really should be my theme song. The words are behind all that motivates my own life and photography. God's creations, His wonderful change of seasons, and all that has been made by His loving hands and in fact the very voice of God himself. He is in, and in fact is, every season. I hope you will find renewal as you listen to this song and watch this gorgeous video.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
I was posting so many bird images on my blog, I decided to start another blog to devote just to birds and birding and learning all about birds as well as a place to share my images.
Check it out and don't forget to FOLLOW ME on my new blog! CLICK HERE to go there now.
Fall is here! Pumpkins, leaves and scarecrows have been placed indoors to celebrate the season. As the Scentsy bricks heat and melt, the aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air causing me to dream of freshly baked pie. The fireplace gives off it's warm, romantic glow. Outside, however, it's a much different story. There's a crisp breeze in the air, and the leaves are turning to bright yellows, oranges, and reds. With each gust of wind, more leaves detach from their suspended home and float down to the ground below. Short-term guests arrive in our yard as the birds stop by for water and nutrients they will need for their southward flight before the cold of winter arrives; but they will return.
I so enjoy the fall; and photographing it is always such a peaceful, enjoyable, even worshipful time for me. I am glad God created the season of fall, with all of it's beauty and wonder. I have so many images from the weekend that I want to process and share, but this one will have to do for now. I took this image in Payette, Idaho, this past weekend. I almost got run over by some locals taking this one.
Enjoy the fall colors. If you want to see more of my fall images, CLICK HERE.
I was recently eating cereal when I heard an unfamiliar shrieking (bird) noise coming from our backyard. When I heard it again, I had to see what it was. I thought the Northern Flicker that was here the day before had returned, but the noise was not that of a woodpecker.
Upon looking out, I didn't see anything and all was quiet. Our yard is usually filled with backyard birds, so I was unsettled as I continued to finish my cereal. I was still bothered by what I heard, so I decided to go look through my bird blind (my upstairs window in our laundry room, now covered with dark material) When I looked out, there was a juvenile sharp-shinned hawk (aka sharpie) finishing its own meal. Upon seeing this, I realized that what I heard was the kill. The small bird it was finishing up, was one of my very own backyard birds. Thought it saddened me, I know its just "nature's way" to quote Steve Irwin.
I took some images from upstairs and then when it flew down to the fence from up on my trellis, I took more of it on the fence as it proceeded to clean his beak by rubbing it on the fence; a behavior I realized I hadn't seen before.
There are probably more images in this sequence than most people care to look at, but I know there are those that will appreciate the sequence. I hope you enjoy looking at the images, whether you view 1 or all of them.
I have more birding and raptor images on my website. If you want to go there, just hover over the slideshow and click on Visit Gallery. From there you can go to my home page. There are birds in my Portfolio and View Only Galleries.
Day 1- Filming began early in the morning at Willow Lane Park, a very nice place to film (except for the creepy crawlies). Osprey and their young could be seen and heard as they nest in the lighting fixtures at the baseball field nearby.
Being a low budget film, these tents served as our changing rooms.
Here's some of the crew; costumes, AD (assistant director), hair
Cast members hanging out.
Bryce, a little bewildered after waking up in the woods.
Filming in progess.
Main characters, Bryce and Adelaide, with Adelaide's servant.
I really like this shot through the trees. :D
My daughter, the director of the film.
John and Bryce.
We finished up filming at Northview Family Worship Center, in the big domed building.
The a/c felt good.
In this scene, the youth group hangs out before going indoors.
The director talks with the actors about the scene.
Day 2 was a hot, fun and unique day for us.
We began our filming at Meridian High School, where we (mostly) homeschoolers pretended to be public schoolers.
I got to play the irritated teacher and that was a blast.
Some of these kids really looked so different from how they normally look and dress.
Matt is so proud of his grade.
The AD, Director and Matt.
Hallway scene. These kids really enjoyed pretending to go to high school.
Here's the Class of 2009ish!
We had kids from Jr. high up to some that were already graduated.
We took a much smaller crew back to Willow Lane Park, in the afternoon, to get a couple scenes on the balcony. It was so hot and humid!
What a busy summer I've had. Two straight weeks of shooting just for this film. Far more shooting than post processing going on. I can't believe how much I have to do and we start another year of homeschooling tomorrow.
I've begun going through photos from the shoot for the independent, family film, "On My Own" due to premiere next summer. These shots were taken for the premiere program and DVD cover. I'm not sure which shots the director will use, exactly, or if she'll want them to be in color or black & white though.
Meet John, aka Arronn, one of the movie characters. John is serious and mysterious . I love the shirt and belt combo, and the hat nicely completes the his character's look.
Meet Captain Gaunt, aka Robert, another one of our male characters. I just loved the costumes for this film, designed by the director and made by two volunteer seemstresses. Robert pulls off this bad guy character beautifully.
Hopefully, I'll have more images from the movie to post soon. Stay tuned...
