WELOME BACK BUTTERFLIES

We have been privilaged to see some of the "summer" butteries. While we always enjoy the angle wings etc in the spring but when the others start showing up I become "born again, again."

Here are three we saw  on Thursday April 28 in Perry County.

American Lady

Tiger Swallowtail - a very poor picture, sorry.  I was so happy to see him but he was not willing to pose.

Red Admiral


My friend John Laskowski drove me to the monthly Butterfly Club meeting at the North Museum in Lancaster on Monday eve.  Our speaker was a local MD (surgeon) - Dr Newcommer.  He has been an active member of the club for years and does great photography.  He is extremely well versed in insects and other field biology.  I enjoyed his presentation entitled "the evolution of insects"  You all know that I did not agree with a lot he said but I was not there to debate the man (nor do I think myself qualified to).  I have been to meetings where these people are literally attacked by creationist and treated rudely - we as Christian need to be kind and loving as well as not being ashamed of what we believe. 

Yes, I am not ashamed to say I believe the Biblical account of Creation.  However, I am not blind enough to to think that there are no questions and not so ignorant to think that all of the questions have answers (until then).  If you think that is doubting, pray for me.

MY FATHER'S GARDEN

What a blessing it has been to welcome more spring wildflowers.
We have taking several trips to Shenk's ferry and one to our cousins cabins and Fowler's Hollow State Park in Perry County.  At Shenk's Ferry I often sit on the bench that is about half way back the trail and strike up conversations with folks as they are walking by.  I always ask them if they are enjoying my Father's garden.  Their reactions are varied but I think it is important to remind them who it is that made this beauty.  Here are some of the flowers we have been seeing.

 Rue Anemone

Trillium Granda Flora (pink morph)

Trillium Granda Flora 

Wild Geranium

Bluets - Quaker Ladies

Red Bud

Rue Anemone

Black Snake Root

Common Buttercup

Marsh Marigolds

 Pussytoes

Common Shad Bush (Service Berry)

 Blue Violets

Purple Violets

SPRING WILDFLOWERS FOR EASTER

It is time to get out and enjoy - the weather and my health have been "ify" but I did manage to get out and enjoy a bit of the beauty God is displaying in his wonderful gallery called earth.

In late March I was able to get a view (through a scope) of a Mountain Bluebird at Middle Creek.  A very infrequent visitor to PA a a first sigthing for me.  I was so far away that the only photos I got were not good enough to share but the scope gave me a personal memory picture I will not forget.

The Wildflowers are blooming at Shenk's Ferry and as always the weather changes the order of their appearing as well as quality and quantity of blossoms.  here are 3 pictures taken this week (between the rain drops)

 Blood Root

 Dutchman's Breeches

Spring Beauty

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I have not posted since December - hard to believe - but it is my goal not to "overdo it" - I do not want to be a pest - my goal is every two weeks but in winter time much less.

We had a wonderful time at the Creation Appreciation breakfast on March 19th at Sonlight River Brethren School.  Some where between 80 and 100 folks attended.   There is no way it could have happened without the support and labor of many.  Thank You!!!!

Programs ----

I am in the middle of a 5 week program (every Friday for 5 weeks) for the Genesis Home School group in Chester County.

There have been several senior programs in the last month and several more latter this spring. 

I will be doing a butterfly program for Bethany UMC at Cresswell in April and the Woman's Night out at the Central Mannor Church of God in May. 

Roots is ongoing weekly stop in to visit sometime - we always have chairs available so you can sit and talk. 

There have been some more requests for programs in KY and we are praying about the opportunity and the price of gas.


It has been a goal of Florence and I to visit Shenk's Ferry wildflower preserve - I normally have been there several times by this date.  It looks like it may happen tomorrow. (Monday 3/28)

The work of Creation Appreciation is expanding - and "it is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes"

Our pets have increased do to donations - we now have 5 birds including a beautiful pair of lovebirds given to us.  We have also acquired 3 small (baby) turtles - a painted, a red eared slider and a yellow bellied slider.  they all have been traveling with Charles (the garter snake) and I to programs.  If your interested email or call me about the bible lesson that Charles teaches.

Photo sales have been down to almost nothing this winter - so the rent at Roots in behind a little - the managers there are so kind and gracious to us about it - if you are looking for a way to help pray about this and do only as you are led by God.

I am praying that we will come up with some good pictures to share with you after our hike tomorrow.

KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS  - Don B

FARM SHOW 2011

The 2011 PA Farm Show will be held January 8th thru 15th.  Stop by to visit at the Family Living center - east side of the main hall near the McClay Street entrance.

This is my 7th year as a speaker and exhibitor and it is always a wonderful opportunity, but a tiring one - ten 12 hour days (including set up)  in a row is not easy for this old man.   This year I will be getting more rest because I am "camping" in the Creation Van rather than commuting from home. The Farm Show camping facilities include electric hook up so I will have heat, hot water for bathing, my fridge and a hotplate for meals. (Farm show food is always good but also expensive, so I am planning to cook my breakfast and supper in the van.)

Pray for me that I have strength, make good contacts, and say "the right thing at the right time".  Pray that our investment in the postcard handout proves worthwhile. (that folks save them and respond)  If you think of me say a special prayer for me at 2pm on the 13th and 14th as I will be speaking at the Family Living center stage.

In addition to the photography my conversation starter this year revolves around the pocket watch pictured above. It was running and keeping good time when I dismantled in and put all the pieces in a clear plastic container. (not an original idea - I borrowed it from somewhere??) How many times will we have to shake the jar until the pieces "fall together" and it starts running again?   I know that the theory of evolution is much more complicated than this simple illustration but it does make a point and starts some interesting discussions.

For a "hand out" we will be using the butterfly postcard I designed and emailed to most of you on December 11.  I am including the front and back images of that card below.  My hope is that a "pretty" picture post card will be less likely to be trashed than the other things folks pick up at the show.


Front of card (click on it for complete image)

back of card  (click on it for larger size)

A MONTH IN THE WOODS

This was our home for the month of October - we were camp hosts at Fowler's Hollow State park in Perry County PA. What a wonderful experience! It is a small campground with only 18 sites. We were almost full one weekend but usually had only 5 or 6 campers and during the week I was often alone. I spent 72 hours without seeing or hearing another person - I do not think I ever did that before but it was good - just me and God - I tried to let Him do most of the talking. I did try to teach the trees a few songs. I came home twice to go to market at Roots but returned to the woods the following morning. Enjoy the pics.


Our living room dinning room and kitchen (the van was our storage shed and pantry)


the bed room (Flossie is sleeping in) - the new cots we got made sleeping very comfortable


This very valuable piece of furniture was borrowed from the Vanserbosh family - thank you Dave and Tina we thought of you often


Our "neighborhood"


more of our surroundings


view of the "doubling gap" from camp site 108


LOOK CLOSER - even a weed like chicory can be beautiful


snap dragons were among the "late bloomers"


when leaves fall I look for nests


neat - what plant is it?


Looks similar to dead nettles but I do not think so - help me with a positive id


We did have many campers at times - here are some of the 27 4th grade students who stayed for 3 days


And my favorite visitor - she stayed with me about 1/2 of the month - we enjoyed a new game (to us) called farkel

Tis the season

Pearl Crescent - Phyciodes tharos


Delaware Skipper - Anatrytone logan (I think so)


Clear Wing moth - sometimes referred to as the hummingbird moth


Bella Moth - Eutethesia bella


Variegate Fritillary - Euptoieta claudia


Common buckeye - Junonia coenia


The end of summer and beginning of fall is a great time for observing insects - I am crazy enough to spend hours doing just that - here are just a few I have photographed recently.

Again if anyone sees a mistake do not hesitate to say something it really becomes a learning experience I enjoy.

Get out and enjoy God creation - when you learn to know nature better you get to know the Creator better. Can you imagine the mind that conceived such beauty?

"Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books,for they speak the voice of God."
George Washington Carver (One of my heroes after all he invented peanut butter.)