Adorable Balls of Yellow Fluff

Goose-nap

These 6 goslings are the newest arrivals at the duck pond. There were 7 but one was killed thanks to the stupidity of someone who wanted to hold the little gosling. I always feel we should respect wildlife. Give them enough room so they don't feel threatened and don't touch them. Use your zoom to get close-up shots and don't intrude on their space. I've seem two such deaths in the past week of Canada Geese and both were directly caused by humans and it's very upsetting.

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Thursday Challenge - Trees

Lava covering bark of tree

Monument to volunteers who re-planted and cleared trees after the erruption

I happened upon a new meme this week and it's called Thursday Challenge. The theme this week is trees, and since it's the 29th anniversary of the erruption of Mount St. Helens I thought I'd share some more photos from my trip last year.

There are thousands of fallen tree covering the hillsides surrounding Mount St. Helens in Washington. The erruption on May 18, 1980 removed much of the northern face of the mountain and the lava flow destroyed more than 200 square miles of forest leaving behind thousands of broken trees and a barren landscape wiped clean of animals and plants. The land is slowly healing and many volunteers over the years have cleared thousands of dead trees and re-planted new trees to attract wildlife and restore the ecosystem at St. Helens. Still, most of St. Helens have been left to Mother Nature to restore. When I visited last summer I was shocked to see the evidence of the destruction so clearly visible after almost 30 years. The land has been deeply scarred with deep slashes in the earth where the lava flowed and I'm guessing it will take many more years to fully recover. To see my previous posts with more photos of St. Helens go here and here.

Visit Thursday Challenge to see more of this week's theme participants.

Flowers at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA

Pike Place Market has an abundance of fresh-cut flowers of every color and variety and it's a must see when visiting Seattle, Washington.

P.S. Happy Victoria Day to all my Canadians readers.

Camera Critters - Grey Squirrel

Eastern Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)


The Eastern Grey Squirrel, is not a native British Columbian.

It was introduced in Vancouver's Stanley Park, and has spread throughout the city.

Eastern Grey squirrels can survive in a variety of habitats and this has likely assisted their successful establishment in many areas where they have been introduced.

Source: Land Mammals of BC

Spiritual Sundays - Mother's Day

Macy's in Seattle, Washington - Decorations for Mother's Day

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."

“I regard no man as poor who has a Godly mother.”
Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65)

I'm so thankful that I still have my mother with me. She means the world to me and is my best friend. She understands me without me having to say a word and she's always there when I need her. One of my earliest memories of my mother, is of her praying. She has had a profound influence in my life and her strong faith in the Lord has shaped my relationship with Him. May the Lord bless our Mothers. We won't be who we are without their tender touch and loving words of encourgement.

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."

"I regard no man as poor who has a Godly mother."

Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65)

(This is my first post for Spiritual Sundays)

Just a touch of yellow

"By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower."
Rabindranath Tagore

Sunday Scenery - Sunrise on the Fraser River

Sunrise on the Fraser River, British Columbia

Visit Tarheel Ramblings for more Sunday Scenery.

Camera Critters - Little Beggar Squirrel

This little guy is very brave and has no fear of humans. He and his friends are frequently found begging for nuts on a busy pathway close to my home. He'll come right up to your shoe, look at you with those beautiful black eyes and raise his little paw for a nut. He's a successful beggar as there is always someone bringing nuts for him and his friends.

Visit the wonderful folks at Camera Critters for more photos.

Sky Watch Friday - The Darth Vader Building

Fourth and Blanchard Building also known as the Darth Vader Building in

Seattle, Washington.

- Although this rather uniquely designed building appears to be two towers it is actually only one fully integrated structure.
- Locally referred to as the "Darth Vader" building.
- The steeply inclined roof (42-degrees) consists of 5/16" laminated, reflective float glass.
- Seattle's answer to Houston's Pennzoil Place.
- The building's shape was designed to minimize its impact on neighboring high-rises while creating views for its own tenants.
- The building incorporates provisions for solar panels.
- The three below grade parking levels are of concrete construction, while the floors above are framed entirely with 2,955 US tons of steel.
- The steel frame was topped out January 17, 1979.
Source: Emporis

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