Tags
Beauty, birds, Mexico, nature, pelicans, photography, Puerto Vallarta, Sunset, travel
Sunset alliteration
09 Saturday Mar 2019
Posted Nature, Puerto Vallarta, Reflections on life, Travel
inTags
Beauty, birds, Mexico, nature, pelicans, photography, Puerto Vallarta, Sunset, travel
Sunset alliteration
09 Saturday Mar 2019
Posted Puerto Vallarta, Reflections on life, Travel
inTags
Beauty, humour, Mexico, nature, photography, Puerto Vallarta, Sunset, travel
the evenings are for families in Mexico. People of all ages stroll along. The children laughing. The parents watching but letting the children be free. Young people taking photos of themselves and each other. Old guys, sit on the wall and take photos. Another iPhone special.
07 Thursday Mar 2019
Posted Puerto Vallarta, Reflections on life, Travel
inAfter a traditional Anglican imposition of ashes, we had a light dinner then strolled on El Malecon. I only had my iPhone no real camera but the scene was too beautiful to pass up.
15 Friday Feb 2019
Posted Puerto Vallarta, Reflections on life
inTags
crocodiles, humour, Mexico, nature, photography, Puerto Vallarta, travel
Taking a break from the mountains, back in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a little while
Had this up-close encounter along the Marina path this morning
05 Wednesday Dec 2018
Posted Canadian Rockies, Travel
in40 years ago Susan and I drove to the Canadian Rockies for our honeymoon. In late September this year we repeated the trip. The snow came early and transformed the mountains into a winter wonderland.
It was a truly memorable trip and over the next while I plan to share some of the spectacular scenery we enjoyed. This first ‘teaser’ is of the Athabasca Falls near the town of Jasper. The only problem was the sheet ice on many of the trails. Getting to good viewing points was a little risky. I could see Susan Slip Sliding Away.
28 Thursday Jan 2016
Posted Manitoba, Reflections on life
inTags
Beauty, Canada, hills, humour, images, mountains, nature, photography, prairies, reflections, sunrise, Sunset, Winnipeg
This is another in the periodic series ‘What the…” where you are invited to try to answer the question “what is this?”
So what do you think this recent photo is showing?
I am a displaced hill person. I grew up 12 miles from the centre of London. It was a hilly location. I have one leg longer than the other as I was born on the side of a hill. I always loved hills.
When I was 21 I immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada; one of the flattest places on earth. Winnipeg is situated on the edge of the great prairies, where fields of wheat and Canola stretch to the horizon and the wind creates waves of movement like some colourful sea. It has its own beauty, the sky seems to go on forever, but not many hills. There are some lovely hilly spots like Riding Mountain and Turtle Mountain, but these are a good three hour drive from Winnipeg – so most of the time I am starved for glimpses of hills and mountains.
I notice this particularly after a visit to the Rockies. On the drive home as I look in the rearview mirror I feel a sadness as the mountains recede in the distance, eventually slipping down behind the horizon. But some days the clouds can give the impression of distant hills or mountain ranges, causing a pang of nostalgia.
So the other day, imagine my surprise when an image of a sunrise or sunset over distant hills appeared on the wall behind our settee. I took a photo of the image.
What was causing this image you ask? Great question. The image was caused by a combination of the shadow of the soft-cushioned back of one of the settees and a prism created by the low level of sunlight being refracted through the edge of the patio door double-glazing.
I have enhanced the image very slightly. But for me it looks very much like the dawn bursting over the foothills with the misty clouds rising behind.
Isn’t life wonderful when unexpected beauty appears in the most mundane places.
I hope you enjoyed this small example of nature’s surprising artwork. Did you guess correctly?
23 Monday Nov 2015
Tags
autumn, Beauty, birds, brilliant sunshine, Canada, Canon SX60 HS, creation, hillside beach manitoba, humour, Lake Winnipeg, moon, nature, photography, winter
Before we got to the season of pear-trees and turtle-doves, I gave my True Love a new camera for her birthday. For the pro-photographers and serious amateurs among you, it isn’t something you are going to drool over – unless you have a general problem with drooling. But it brought some excitement to our little nest. And a slight bite out of the nest-egg. It is a Canon SX60 HS with 65 times optical zoom.
I thought I’d share a few of Susan’s early images – that also show how quickly the seasons change in these parts. All photos except the first (C) SK Sprange (I may have had a hand in the first)
We took a trip out to the lake to clean up fallen leaves and check the property. However, most of the leaves were still on the trees. Oh well, we just had to go back once more this year.
We chose a day when the sun, sky and leaves were working together to create an autumnal symphony of colour.
We could sense the changing season from fall to winter was not far away.
We were right! Back home in the warmth of the condo we observed our friend taking a break from the wind and the snow. Susan took this shot hand-held, through the patio door glass, from the other side of the living room. I think she intends to keep the SX60.
13 Friday Nov 2015
Posted Christian Thought, Nature, The Okanagan
inTags
Beauty, Christian thought, creation, God, leaves, macro-photography, nature, photography, reflections, Religion and Spirituality, thought
During our recent stroll through the desert I came across this. Have you any idea what it is? Try some guesses before scrolling down
The next image coming up should give the game away.
I love the way the camera helps us to look more closely at things and discover such beautiful details that are missed by the casual stroller-by.
Seeing these details leads to wondering about the incredible variety in the natural world and the ingenuity in the myriad of ways of protecting different species.
Some people just see nature, others signs of intelligent design, for me it’s a journey into recognising meaning – all this struggle for life and survival can’t be for nothing. It shows me how precious life is and how all living things should be treated as sacred.
below is the wider view.
I am intrigued by the sculpted edges of the leaves.
Just a short little post which seems fitting after the longer recollections of November 11.
02 Friday Oct 2015
Posted Nature, Reflections on life, The Okanagan, Travel
inTags
Beauty, Canada, creation, Deserts, humour, nature, Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos, photography, the Desert Centre Osoyoos, travel
During our stay in the Okanagan our friends took us to the Desert Centre, Osoyoos in the South Okanagan valley. Much of the area in the valley was desert. But due to agricultural development, growth of wine production and a large influx of people choosing the valley as home, most of the unique desert has been lost. “The Osoyoos Desert Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the endangered antelope-brush ecosystem” (from the Desert Centre brochure. The result is a beautiful oasis of desert (sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it).
The desert is an abundance of life – flora and fauna, reptile and insect, it’s a wonderland.
The centre has a small but interesting natural history museum that is worth visiting before setting out on the trail. The centre offers daily interpreter led tours. We arrived after the last tour of the day but enjoyed strolling at our own pace. We were guided by the interpretive map and the numbered exhibit markers.
The biotic crust is made up of around 27 different species – it resembles moss, and turns bright green or brown when water is sprinkled on its surface. “It retains moisture for plants, transfers nutrients into the soil below, and allows bunchgrass seeds to hold on to the ground for germination.” (Desert Centre brochure).
It was very warm for early June – in the mid thirties Celsius. Bring your hat and water.
Anytime you are in the South Okanagan, take the time to visit the Desert Centre Osoyoos.
01 Thursday Oct 2015
Posted Canada, Nature, The Okanagan, Travel
inTags
bark, Beauty, Canada, christianity, conservation, creation, humour, nature, Okanagan Valley, photography, photos, tatoos, thanksgiving, Travel and Tourism, trees
This is a second article on our recent trip across the Canadian prairies, through the Rocky Mountains and a sojourn in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.
Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the tress and sometimes you can’t see the tree for the bark. I hope you enjoy these examples of the beauty of looking and touching trees up close and personal.
Click on any image for a more detailed view. All photos copyright Rod Sprange
Too bad some needed to leave their own mark on this beauty. For the record, I’m not really into tattoos and tree carvings.
The variety in creation astounds me. So much beauty and individualism in the collective surrounding us. We can find the same species and notice subtle differences. Can our observations of the beauty in the fine-print of nature help us to see the beauty in the fine-print of each individual we meet – even that annoying person trying to push me further in the check-out line with their cart…deep breath, patience and think of the bark rather than doing it!
Next time – the wonders of the desert.
26 Sunday Jul 2015
Posted Canada, Nature, Reflections on life, Travel
inTags
Banff, Beauty, Canada, creation, humour, Lake Louise, nature, Okanagan Valley, Peachland, Poppies, Revelstoke, Three Valley Gap, travel, vacation
Have you been thinking “Where in the world has Rod gone?” Or maybe you haven’t noticed I haven’t blogged for a while.
No excuses – I just didn’t have the urge to post since returning from Mexico in April. Then Susan and I took a road trip from Winnipeg through Calgary and the Rockies to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. We have a number of friends in this area so we changed our name from Sprange to Sponge and went-a-calling.
We left Winnipeg at 4:30 am on a Thursday and drove to Swift Current, Saskatchewan There wasn’t a lot of excitement during these first 600 kilometres or so, for which we are grateful, but we did see three antelope running along the prairie. Absolutely beautiful. These guys seemed to be travelling at about 30 kph and moved with such grace. We had not put two and two together before – “Oh home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play”. We didn’t see deer but lots of cattle and these three amazing antelope.
There was evening and there was morning – our first day.
First thing we left for Calgary where we stayed two nights with friends who have recently moved there from Winnipeg. It was a good time and we enjoyed seeing their new home. It feels much better when we can visualise friends in their environment.
Sunday we left to drive as far as Revelstoke British Columbia.
The drive through the mountains was of course spectacular. First we went through Banff National Park.
We had a nice coffee in Banff Township and then stopped at Lake Louise for lunch. We hadn’t been there since the early 90’s. The changes are not for the better – but it is still a beautiful spot (if you can find a place to park and don’t get trampled by the crowds of tourists).
We were expecting high prices at the Chateau Lake Louise – but not the daylight robbery of $26 for mac and cheese! (I’m turning into my Father) We went back down the hill to the village and received slightly better value – and the view was still pretty good – if you like snow-capped mountains, rushing mountain streams and assorted evergreens trees.
Poppies have special meaning for Susan and me, and the alpine poppies at Lake Louise are favourites
Having filled our tummies and the gas-tank (I still laugh at the old joke, eat here and get gas) and we continued on to Revelstoke going over or through Roger’s Pass (never sure which).
We reached Revelstoke in mid-afternoon and discovered we had picked the perfect B and B. If you are ever in Revelstoke stay at Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast. It’s a lovely house with even lovelier hosts. Sharie really took good care of us and Jun made breakfast an art form.
Next morning we were on our way to Peachland in the Okanagan Valley.
We were welcomed into the delightful home of very good friends whose condo overlooks Lake Okanagan – I won’t use their names as people may not wish to be associated with the Sponges publicly. I’m with Groucho, I wouldn’t want to join a club that would have me as member. So respecting our friends privacy we move along.
I’ll stop at this point and we can all have a rest – what a perfect place to stop and relax for a while. Pinot Gris for me please.
21 Saturday Mar 2015
Posted Nature, Puerto Vallarta, Travel
inTags
American Coot, Anhinga, animals, birding, birds, coots, Cormorents, Crime, Great Egret, green iguana, humour, iguana, nature, photography
People from home often ask us if we are nervous going to Mexico because of all the crime and murders. Clearly people don’t check the crime statistics. We feel more comfortable walking around Puerto Vallarta in the evening than we do back in Winnipeg – or any US or Canadian city – or in the UK come to that.
But this week we witnessed a day-light robbery, carried out mercilessly and in front of witnesses. Mind you the witnesses were mainly Coots – I’m not sure if they were old ones or not.
Here’s what happened. We were watching an Anhinga fishing from the bank of a small lake on the golf course. This is the golf course that has some lovely extra-large crocodiles often seen sunbathing by the water hazards.
What’s an Anhinga? I hear you ask – it’s a swimming bird related to the Cormorants. It has a longer neck and apparently has a buoyancy issue with its feathers.
Here is a long, long shot of an Anhinga that was too far away to capture well. But it will give you a feel for these beauties.
Now back to the robbery. One afternoon last week, we were standing by this spot watching the Anhinga, some American Coots, a Great Egret, Black Iguanas and the endangered Green Iguanas.
The Anhinga went fishing, eventually submerging its whole body under the water and swimming below the surface. They can stay under the water for a very long time.
We saw the Great Egret, almost twice the size of the Anhinga, stalk across to the edge of the water, making the long-necked posture of an Egret/Heron about to strike, when its head flashed down under the water and grabbed something, something big. It was the Anhinga! The Egret pulled the Anhinga right up out of the water by the beak/bill and then snatched the fish away. The Anhinga just stood there looking stunned – in shock. You could see it thinking “It all happened so fast, and there’s never a cop about when you need one”.
The Great Egret swallowed its ill-gotten gains and stalked about looking like the Boss. The Anhinga decided to move on and began to look for fish on the other side of the lake.
We’ve seen Terns steal or try to steal fish from the Pelicans when they throw them in the air to get the heads facing down – but never have we seen a mugging like this!
I’ll try to get a photograph of the Great Egret in the next while so you can put its photo up in the Post Office.
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