“A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.”
~John James Audubon (1785-1851), American scientist
(Quote Source: brainyquote.com)
A great blue heron flies gracefully across a Minnesota lake as the sun dips lower into the horizon.
“Whatever we are waiting for – peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance – it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach (1947- ), American author
(Quote Source: brainyquote.com)
A swan flies over the wild rice beds of the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge located in McGregor, Minnesota.
To learn more about the refuge, please visit their website.
“I find standing and posing for photos very awkward.”
~Nicole Kidman (1967- ), Actress
(Quote Source: brainyquote.com)
This American Bittern apparently does not share Nicole Kidman’s discomfort. It stood still for quite some time, almost seeming to pose for the picture.
“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.”
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), Poet
(Quote Source: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johannwolf104256.html?src=t_beauty)
A lone Great Egret at twilight, patiently on the hunt for frogs or fish in a Minnesota wetland. I sat by myself on the shore and quietly watched this graceful bird.
“In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!”
~ Mehmet Murat Ildan, (1965- )Contemporary Turkish playwright and novelist
(Quote Source: goodreads.com)
A foggy country evening in northern Minnesota.
“Living big and joyful and content is almost always the result of our finding satisfaction in life’s ordinary day-to-day pleasures. And God must be fond of them, too, for He made so many of them for us to enjoy.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr., (1940- ) American author
(Quote Source: BrainyQuote.com)
The Water Shield plant is also known as the Dollar Bonnet. Here is a photo of some that I found floating on a pond in northern Minnesota. I’m told that this plant indicates a good spot for fishing as it provides shade for panfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike.
“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
~ C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)
I had a fine time at the local pond watching these little ducklings run across and then dodge behind the numerous lily pads. Mama Wood Duck had quite a time trying to gather them together again!
