It's Holy week...Happy Easter!

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?  

Matthew 6:26

 Along the highway...Surprise! What a wonderful gift! 

It even posed with a left turn of his head and a right turn, 

and it finally flew away...so majestic.

This eagle was nesting right over the Niobrara River. Ready to begin new life.

 

Trumpeter swans stop along the Niobrara River. What do you think they have to be happy about?

 

They  step out of the slushy Niobrara, preen, and nap. That's what they have to be happy about!

 

The underbellies of these geese are red as the sun sets and the moon continues to rise.

A few years ago, these Sandhill Cranes stopped by on their migration! Will they stop by this year?

 

Even in the whippiest of winds and snowiest of snows, God provides for our little feathered ones. 

 

 On your mark....get set...soar...yes, that means you too!

May you experience Peace this Easter!

And remember, the Sandhills have all this glory for you to see at this time of year!!! 

Come you bird and fowl lovers. Watch the wonderful variety of birds as they build their nests, 

sit on their eggs and enjoy spring in the Sandhills! 

Time for new beginnings...new life, and for planning your Sandhills vacation.

Happy Fathers Day!

There are all kinds of fathers... our Heavenly Father, our Forefathers, and of course, our dads! It is to them that this post is dedicated.
Since I can't talk about all your fathers, I'll talk about mine. He's strong!

Bison bull strong! 

And I love him dearly, but he's prone to kid stuff from time to time. He'll even admit it if you offer him a big bowl of ice cream without crunchies and with chocolate sauce. 

He's very hard working and has set a great example for all his children - 

both on what to do and what not to do - Thanks Pa!

But all men started with the nurturing of their mothers who also had lessons to share. 

Lessons on how to become a man. They weren't always easy lessons either. 

Some lessons needed to soak in.

Some lessons blew in gently on breezes unseen. 

So, to my big strong dad...who taught me so much. How to be silly. How to be serious - sorta. How to be self sufficient, yet helpful to others. And how to ask my mother first. 

I love you very much. 

Thank you for being so strong and wise like our Forefathers and loving like our  Heavenly Father!

xoxo WD!

God's own magnificence!

You don't get to see this sight much if you live in a city. Too many buildings and trees in the way, but out here on the wide open prairie you get to see a lot! The skies turned deep dark, almost steely blue. The new green of the trees is accented as the sun peeks through the clouds and highlights them. The storm is passing by to the north and Valentine remains dry Tuesday.

This is looking over the Niobrara River Valley. You can see  just a little bit of the Niobrara River. I was at the area where you walk down to see fort Falls. 

Just a slight turn to the right, and the clouds turn dark and a bit ominous.

mmmm, maybe it's time to get home? 

This is what it looked like out of the hills at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. Notice the roads and how tiny they are compared to this giant thunderhead! 

Up close, you can see a little rainbow in the upper left of the cloud. It was spectacular! 

What a show God put on! 

Followed up by this stunner of a sunset. Isn't He a wizard when it comes to colorful skies!

As I write, today, there are tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, a hazardous weather statement, and severe weather statement. To the north, the clouds do look all steely. And the radar sure looks like its headed our way. 

Batten the hatches! It's still unsettled in the Sandhills where Mother Nature has her way! 

Spring in the Sandhills

The wind is blowing and it's not so gentle. The trees have finally leafed out and fruit trees are in full bloom. Heavenly. Beautiful. The temperature is to reach a nice 60+ perfect for mowing grass right before another set of rain clouds moves in later this week.

There's plenty to do here in the Sandhills besides mow grass however! The baby bison at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge are busy eating lots of grass....stop there and check them out! They're adorable. If you're lucky you may see a baby elk or possibly some baby prairie dogs.

Have a blessed day!