It's a Wild Life

I've got another cold (the second one in six weeks), which sort of kills creative thinking. I started today's blog three times before deciding just to post some of my favorite wildlife pictures. There's a story in each one.

One day in August I snapped some photos of an open area just north of the park in Estes. I had written a devotional based on Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a light on my path", and wanted a photo of a path with light shining upon it. After I got home and downloaded the photos to my mac, I noticed in one of the shots an elk cow lying in the grass. Can you see her head on the right?

The photo was taken from quite a distance above the meadow, and I had no idea she was down there. Completely unexpected. God delighted me with this surprise. I just love it when He does that.

I've mentioned before that Dennis and I like to drive up into Rocky Mountain National Park for our morning devotionals. The photo I snapped of this buck inspired my Mountain Manna Devotionals, and is the banner photo on that site.

While on an afternoon drive near MacGregor ranch in September, we caught a glimpse of this coyote hunting in the field. Dennis whistled at him and he looked up long enough for me to get this shot. I love the way he blends in with the grass. God does camouflage really well.

On another September day, while Dennis painted the stream in Endo Valley RMNP, I discovered this Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) butterfly along the bank. It was a joy to photograph.

I find birds particularly challenging to photograph. They are either so deeply hidden in the trees that you can't locate them, or they're in the shade, hopping around faster than you can click. This Stellar Jay evaded me for some time before I finally snapped him at lift off.

Of course, I always enjoy photographing our stately elk. Sometimes I'm fortunate enough to find them in my own backyard. Literally. Sitting at my desk writing a couple of weeks ago, I looked up to see a herd coming up the hill behind our apartment. 

The bull watched me from under a nearby tree before following the cows up the hill. Not one for taking chances, I photographed the elk from the safety of our apartment. I did open the french door, though.

The deer like to come through our backyard, too. They're more skittish than the elk, though. I looked up from my writing to see this young'un peeking through our french doors. I grabbed my camera and snapped a shot before he took off. I think he (or she) is pretty cute.

It's such a pleasure to photograph God's creation and share the results here.

"God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." 

Genesis 1:25

Count Your Twofers (And Other Blessings)

I love twofers.  Those Buy One - Get One Free specials that come our way every so often. During the winter months in Estes Park, local restaurants offer "Buy One Entree, Get the Second Entree Free" deals. It almost makes me look forward to cold weather. 

Last week we received a twofer for Starbucks. 

"Celebrate the Season with a friend." I like that. My best friend is Dennis and vice versa, so we walked to the local Starbucks together and enjoyed our favorite cafe mochas. This time with a splash of peppermint. Nothing like living on the edge.


This being Thanksgiving week and all, I've been thinking about how God has blessed me, beginning with my twofer buddy. It wasn't that long ago (9 months and 9 days to be exact), that I lived alone. (Well, not completely alone. I did have Tillie the Wonder Dog. But that's a story for another day.) Now I have the joy of waking up every morning to my wonderful husband and looking at this beautiful view from our apartment.

I'm thankful for family. Dennis' kids and mine.

I thank God for the blessing of clean air and water. Some of which I can actually photograph, such as this picture of Fall River.

Of course I'm grateful for the wildlife all around me. Sometimes even in our own backyard -- literally.

We have the blessing of our beloved mountains. To me, this is God's splendor revealed.

I'm thankful that I have the freedom to write every day. 

And that I'm surrounded by my husband's lovely artwork.

I'm also thankful for those of you who take the time to read my blogs. Forgive the cliche, but Joyful Altitude and Mountain Manna Devotionals really are labors of love. I especially am thankful when you leave comments. They encourage me so much.


Finally, I'm most thankful for the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. If it weren't for Him, I wouldn't be where I am today, and there would be no Joyful Altitude.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 

2 Corinthians 2:14