What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, April 21, 2017

Friday Foto Friends-Reflections of a "Happy Camper"

Well folks, today is "Friday Foto Friends" again...and this week has flown by without any significant photos that I can recall, so I will go back through my camera and see what pictures I've taken recently that you haven't already seen here.  Some of you who are my Facebook friends may have already seen some of these, but maybe not.  It's been a rather busy week in some ways...and a rather lazy week in other ways.  So here goes...they may not be cohesive or have any running "theme" that I know of yet...Let's see what happens, okay?

This lovely Great Egret was enjoying her own reflection in the pond early one morning...actually she was fishing for her breakfast...I doubt she even noticed her reflection...but I did!

This beautiful male cardinal was sitting in a tree in the Secret Garden, singing merrily away one evening! I believe he was giving thanks to the Lord for his lovely home here in the woods...

And this frisky squirrel has been enjoying the fountain in the Memorial Garden...seems to think this is his own private water fountain...

He also loves to run along the top of our new fence...It is amazing how agile and adept he is at running on that skinny "balance beam"...

The knockout roses are beginning to "knock themselves out" with blossoms again...

What's left of our confederate jasmine is blooming, alongside the Louis Philippe roses along the fence...

This young baby bear stopped by for an early drink one morning


And this bigger bear stopped by later for a bath in the pool! That is one tough plastic pool...and this bear is saying "I dare anyone to try and make me get out of this pool!"

Just gotta finish washing my paws before I leave....

AND THIS is what happens when new neighbors from out of state leave their garbage cans/bags outside overnight...we end up with their garbage in our yard and road and woods...thanks to our friendly neighborhood bears who were just looking for a midnight snack....
And now I am happy to say that our neighbors did clean up the mess in the woods promptly this morning, and so now I am a "happy camper!"

This is my new TERVIS replacement "tumbler"...Did you know that if you purchase a TERVIS tumbler (any size), that they have a lifetime warranty?  If it cracks or starts to show condensation on the outside, or any other issue, they will replace it free of charge?  You just have to mail them the damaged cup, and complete the form online to go along with it, and they will give you a coupon to replace it with a new one free, including shipping!  So, I just got this "Happy Camper" tumbler to replace a pink flamingo one that had cracked...and this just suits my style so much better these days!

Even though I don't really go camping, I feel like I live in a perpetual state of camping here in the woods, with the bears and the trees and the campfires and marshmallows...and see the camera in the first picture?  That would be me!! Taking pictures everywhere I go...
And as long as I can do that....I'm a "Happy Camper"!!

So, to end this story on a positive note...today I am thankful to live in the wild forest, even though the bears do sometimes make a mess (still not their fault), and they even like to take a bath in my front yard pool, and the neighbors are friendly and willing to take care of issues that happen... and the birds are free to fly and sing (and fish for their breakfast) and the squirrels are free to frolic about...and the flowers grow and blossom in spite of the drought (as long as I water them...)  and God is in His heaven, and all is right with the world, at least in my little part of the world...

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever!"
Psalm 107:1

Now please go back and check out what other Friday Foto Friends are posting over here...

24 comments:

  1. Hi Pamela, as always such great photos of flowers and wildlife. squirrels can run across anything and sometimes they seem to fly. The rose and water fountain are wonderful. Have a day and weekend of blessings my friend. :)

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    1. Thank you Toni. Yes, I love to watch the squirrels running through the tree tops and down the electric lines, and so much more. They are a lot of fun, as long as they aren't in my bird feeders! LOL.

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  2. Pamela, with photos like that, I don't think you really need a theme! Are you not a little nervous about living in the middle of all the bears? Your roses and the trellis are so pretty. And the reflection photos are cool! Good job!

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    1. I would be a little nervous if I ran into a bear outside and I had no way to get home...and that did happen once, and we had a little standoff, and he finally went into the woods and I ran into the house when I was sure he wasn't going to follow me. It was scary...but God was with me, and I am MUCH more careful now...and rarely go out alone. But actually these bears are pretty much more afraid of us...they will usually run away, unless we get too close to cubs...So thankful that has never happened.

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  3. I love your nature photos and that is your theme! Just lovely (and sometimes scary!). Beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Terri. There is never a dull moment around here, even when it seems quiet and boring...if we just look, there is something going on. I'm glad you stopped by to enjoy it with me today! Have a blessed weekend.

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  4. A bear bathtub! I love the photos. They are just wonderful.

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    1. Thank you Annie. Yes...the bears seem to appreciate every little drop of that water...it has been so dry here lately, and even though there are lakes and canals nearby, they seem to like my tiny little pool best! So funny. As long as they don't make any more messes or get TOO close, we are happy.

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  5. You have the best fotos...well,maybe except for the trash. 😊 Just kidding. It's so neat to see your night life.... wild life! 💜. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy Friday!

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    1. Yeah, I wasn't too happy about the trash either! So thankful our new neighbors did clean up the mess in the woods for us. I think now they will be more careful with their trash. I have discovered that a lot of stuff goes on out here in the woods at night...that's why I got the wildlife camera so I won't miss out on all the "wild night life". Hope you are having a wonderful anniversary today. Thinking of you!!

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  6. Amazing photos, Pamela! I especially loved the egret and its reflection. Wow! Thanks for brightening my day, and for bringing a smile to my face.
    Blessings always!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed these pictures. Thank you for stopping by. I'm enjoying your posts, but want to hear the 'rest of the story' NOW! LOL. You keep us in suspense...but I continue to pray for your hubby and you. So thankful for how God was with you during that difficult time.

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  7. You came up with some very good photo's Pamela. Love the Egret!
    Have a great weekend.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia! There is always something beautiful to look at, if we just open our eyes, and have our cameras ready! I hope your weekend is wonderful too.

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  8. I dont have any pictures on my phone or camera right now, but sure enjoyed seeing yours. Maybe before next week, I can find something interesting. Happy weekend.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you will come again soon. Just keep your eyes open and your camera ready...you will be amazed at what God might show you! Have a blessed weekend too!

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  9. Pam: I enjoyed the photos I could see. Four of them didn't appear on your page. I love the roses. I will be posting some from our vacation next week.

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    1. Wow! I wonder why they didn't show up on here? I think everyone else can see them, at least I haven't been told otherwise. Hmmm...has that ever happened on other blogs you read? I don't know if it is on my end or on yours. Anyway, I am glad you are back home from your vacation. I will look forward to hearing from you about this more next week!! Hope it was a pleasant time.

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  10. Your shots of wildlife are so great. Wish I could get great shots but I always scare the animals away.

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  11. Who needs a theme??! I love all your photos! The bears look so funny and the birds are awesome.

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  12. Great photos, nature is so entertaining. I love to watch the squirrels, they are always so busy.

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  13. Well those bears certainly made themselves at home, lol! How fun to see them taking a bath! Do be careful, as they become more humanized, they actually get more dangerous, so we've been told here. Once they start eating trash, that is not a good thing. Hopefully your neighbors will not leave out any more trash! Enjoyed all your pictures and thoughts today, always a joy to come and visit you!

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  14. Pam, I enjoy your photos of wildlife and flowers--God's amazing creation. Wildlife (squirrels, in particular) can be very entertaining! :)

    Blessings!

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing your part of the beautiful world. I love to see your photos.

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.