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Monthly Archives: April 2015

Butterfly Wings in Motion

25 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Nature, Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

≈ 3 Comments

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Nature, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Motion.”DSCN5991

We went for a hike this morning at a local state park. As I was going through the pictures I took as we walked, I realized that this shot of a butterfly with its wings that never stopped fluttering would be perfect for this week’s photo challenge: Motion.

Each time we go out to visit nature, I hope to get just one good picture. I am happy with this one that I got this morning. It was a good day, a beautiful morning…now the storms are moving in.

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A Peaceful Early Morning

21 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

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photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Early Bird.”

DSCN4529

I love mornings. They are my favorite time of the day. I love watching the sun come up as I drink my morning coffee, when I am on the road, while I am sitting at a special spot while traveling. I just love mornings.

One early morning, as we were traveling through Missouri, I kept my eye out for the sunrise. I was looking for a blazing sunrise, one that might make an extraordinary photo. What I got was much better.

The rising of the sun on that morning was not blazing, it was not brilliant, it was not explosive. The sunrise on that day was simple, peaceful and comforting, and it was special. The sliver of moon in the sky only made it better. What I learned was that while we may not always get what we are asking for, or waiting for, what we are given is often so much better!

So on we went, on a short two day trip, remembering how blessed we are to experience moments we never saw coming.

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Afloat

15 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Photography, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge

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photography, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Afloat.”

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Flying over the Rockies is nothing, if not breathtaking!

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Flying into Seattle, with views of Puget Sound and Mt. Ranier in the background, the city beneath me, takes my breath away!

I love being up in the air…afloat. I do not like the take-off, I do not like the landing! But being in the air, seeing the earth below me, wondering at this blue marble we call home is, and will always be, amazing to me.

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It’s All About Those Daffodils…and Those Wildflowers…and Those Redbuds…and That Fresh Asparagus

14 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Food, Missouri, Nature, Photography, Uncategorized, Vegetarian Dishes

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Food, Missouri, Nature, photography, Vegetable Dishes

Over the last several years, we have made a point to visit the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO in springtime. We visit at other times of the year, but spring is a must. Spring is when thousands  of daffodils bloom at the reserve, and they are gorgeous.

There are daffodils blooming everywhere...
So many different varieties can be seen all around you….
in every direction you turn.
in every direction you turn.
Big, bright, yellow daffodils...
Big, bright, yellow daffodils…
double daffodils...
double daffodils…
Green eyed daffodils...
Green eyed daffodils…
you will even find daffodils blooming in the prairie!
you will even find daffodils blooming in the prairie!

While on a hike through the reserve this past weekend with our daughter and son-in-law, we kept an eye out for the wildflowers that are just beginning to appear. Our daughter and her husband also enjoyed geocaching along the trail.

Purple viloets...
Purple viloets…
this beautiful maroon colored trillium just about ready to open...
this beautiful maroon colored trillium just about ready to open…
Virginia bluebells...
Virginia bluebells…
snowy white herpatica...
snowy white herpatica…
Dutchman's breeches...
Dutchman’s breeches…
...and fields of woodland poppies.
…and fields of woodland poppies.

Shaw Nature Reserve is indeed a truly wondrous place to explore and learn about nature. It is just outside of St. Louis, MO and yet when walking its trails and crossing its streams you know that you are out of the hustle and bustle, the noise and the traffic of a big city.

The views of the countryside are beautiful in every direction

The views of the countryside are beautiful no matter what time of the year you visit.

The stream that flows through the park is quiet and soothing...

The stream that flows through the park is quiet and soothing…

and crossing it is fun too, depending on how much rain we have had.

and crossing it is fun too, depending on how much rain we have had.

Walking through the woodland garden, you will feel like you have just stepped into a fairy land as you walk through these ostrich ferns...

Walking through the woodland garden, you will feel like you have just stepped into a fairyland as you walk through these ostrich ferns…

while you might meet up with some wildlife as you pass by a pond.

while you might meet up with some wildlife as you pass by a pond.

There is an old sod house in the reserve. RIght now the grass is just starting to grow again on the roof.

There is an old sod house in the reserve. RIght now the grass is just starting to grow again on the roof.

You can learn more about the Shaw Nature Reserve, and plan your visit, by checking out their website at

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/visit/family-of-attractions/shaw-nature-reserve.aspx

Here in Missouri, spring is also the season of the redbud trees. They are everywhere, along the roads and highways, in planned gardens, unplanned gardens, by the rivers and the streams, nestled in the hillsides…and they are the reason Missouri is incredibly gorgeous in spring. You can see them at Shaw, but we love seeing them everywhere we go.

Redbud trees at Shaw Nature Reserve.

Redbud trees at Shaw Nature Reserve.

These two pictures show the redbuds blooming at Montauk State Park…

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DSCN5843

and here are some redbuds in my own backyard…

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As we were returning home, I could think of nothing but the fresh asparagus I had waiting for us. It would be our first asparagus this season, and I could hardly wait.

It is always good to come home and know that what you have planned for dinner will be easy and not take too long. Broiled Salmon, asparagus, and a big salad fit the bill for this meal after a day at the gardens. This recipe for Skillet-Roasted Asparagus is absolutely delicious and it is oh, so easy. It comes from a cookbook entitled The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook by Sharon Kramis and Julie Kramis Hearne, and was published in 2004 by Sasquatch Books in Seattle, WA.

DSCN5746

Skillet-Roasted Asparagus

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees with the rack in the center of the oven.

Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus and place the spears in a 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. Pour the olive oil over the spears and turn the asparagus with your hands until it is evenly coated with the oil. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.*

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. This recipe will serve four people…and if you are like us, you will fight over the last few spears!

*You will need to keep and eye on the asparagus. Thinner spears will take less time, thicker ones more time.

Enjoy!

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First a Blur of Color…Then the Green Comes to Stay

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

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photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Blur.”

DSCN5699

It is beautiful out my side door…splashes of spring color everywhere. But this bright color, these beautiful redbuds will not last for very long. They will pass us by like a blur…here for a short time, then gone. So I must get out and enjoy this brief moment of spectacular!

But that is okay…behind this splash of color there is a world of green awaiting its turn. And the green will bring more color, more beauty, more life. And the green will stay a while…I can’t wait!

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