On eagles wings

From the Front Porch takes off in a slightly different direction today. I have removed ads and closed comments. I was starting to get too concerned about what my “audience” might like, feeling like I needed a post up every morning – usually putting one or 2 together at night whether I felt inspired or not. It is time to get back to the root of my writing and photo shooting and editing so I’m taking away my motivation to please anyone other than me.

I very much appreciate the community of readers and bloggers and hope that when any of you choose to visit From the Front Porch, you find something of interest, beauty and meaning. My email is ann at beardogco dot com for any personal communication.

I will be writing, shooting and editing from my heart as often as I feel inspired to post something that I want to remember and share – mostly a simple chronicle of my daily life and thoughts, illustrated by photographs more often than not.

Young (immature) Bald Eagle – Wayfarer’s Park, Bigfork, Montana – June 30, 2008

1st verse and chorus from “On Eagles Wings” a song composed by Michael Joncas in 1979 based on Psalm 91. The 91st Psalm was a favorite of my first Sunday School teacher and to this day I can see her face, smiling with Joy, as she taught us this Psalm.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
who abide in His shadow for life,
say to the Lord: ‘My refuge,
my God in whom I trust!’

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Karl poses

Several readers have commented that it appears that Karl knows when he is going to be in a photo and so poses – his “best side” to the camera…

Yep, “best side” to the camera…

Catching the light

I took the photos that follow last evening when Karl and I walked our usual loop about 7:30 p.m. There was a strong breeze that had prompted wind warnings on Flathead Lake but at my house was a wonderful “wind in the pines”, “ruffle your hair” kind of breeze – perfect for a meander along our trail enjoying the woods, mountains and clouds of this particular evening.

Snow is gone from the mountain tops already!

I love catching the light.

Lake views

Yesterday late morning, I combined a lunchtime errand run with a stop at the state park to let Karl play in the lake. After a drink and cool off in the water, we walked a short way up a loop path to where there is a rocky overlook.

Summer moon

The moon is just past full. I walked out with Karl this morning about 4:30 a.m. Coyotes were singing of a successful hunt in the eerie, high pitched, keening song that tells of their success and another’s demise – the circle of life in the wild. Usually this would send Karl into a sympathetic or empathetic ?? – howling song of his own, but he stood still and just listened. We started our walk down the driveway and the still nearly full moon was visible in a hazy circle through the trees.

As the sky lightened a bit, the coyotes grew quiet and the morning birds of summer started singing.

The sun rise behind the mountain was a firey hot pink by 5:20 and the first rays turned the wispy clouds overhead a lovely magenta.

The first full day of summer begins here in Northwest Montana.