Nature's Soul Photography;

The calm water at Paletta Mansion this week.

View from the canal of Lake Ontario at Paletta Mansion on this past Tuesday.

Beautiful Banff National Park

➤ Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park. Located in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, 110–180 kilometres (68–112 mi) west of Calgary, Banff encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi) of mountainous terrain, with many glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.
📷.hennige

The water was cool and waves were coming in at Paletta Mansion today

Love this.

when you see gentle people, watch how they turn their words into blossoms when they speak. they plant entire gardens with the softness in their hearts. when you see gentle people, watch how they do not hide their scars because scars are evidence of wounds that healed. and wounds that healed are evidence of pain endured. and pain endured is evidence of a life well lived. and a life well lived is evidence of a soul on fire for things like grace and love and overcoming. when you see gentle people, look inside their eyes. watch how light swirls wildly amongst the slivers of darkness. they have learned that living is hard but that nothing will take away the very essence of what they were made for. there is a reason for their gentle spirit. when you see gentle people, be gentle too.

'gentle people' by Ullie Kaye Poetry

~ Art 'Canopy of Roses' by Duy Huynh

The sign sure makes a good point.

Morning!

Lovely

Never lose hope
when the beloved
sends you away.
If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.
-Rumi

Maybe if people's heads weren't buried in the sand of ignorance and they took the time to understand, instead of judging and thinking it won't happen to them because they have the perfect family, life would be a little bit easier for people that do experience this! For family and friends who live under this shadow. The days of 'it' not being talked about or being taboo should be over. In the most difficult moments of life you realize who your true friends are, and the people who really appreciate you. Unfortunately, most social media 'friends' aren't true friends. They will send you a "like" here and there, but in reality they do not take time to read your status if they see it's lengthy. More than half will stop reading right here, or have already scrolled on to the next post on their page. I decided to post this message in support of all those who continue to battle with their mental illness. (Su***de is at an all time high). Now, let's see who will have taken the time to read this lengthy post right through to the end. If you have read everything so far, please "like" it so that I can put a thank you on your page. More mental health awareness is urgently needed. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean people aren't suffering. Please, try to spare a little of your time with someone who may just want to talk (about anything). Talking can help us all to cope a little more, keeping things bottled up just makes it worse. Most people will say, "if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me, I'll be there to help you" but will they? I believe a select few of my friends will post this, to show their support for those who may be struggling. You just have to copy and paste rather than sharing. I'd like to know who will take a minute out of their day to read this all the way to the end and then copy and paste it to their page, will you? If so, please write "done" in the comments.

I’m laughing so hard it hurts.

An old tired-looking dog wanders into a guy's yard. He examines the dog's collar and feels his well-fed belly and knows the dog has a home.
The dog follows him into the house, goes down the hall, jumps on the couch, gets comfortable and falls asleep. The man thinks its rather odd, but lets him sleep. After about an hour the dog wakes up, walks to the door and the guy lets him out. The dog wags his tale and leaves.
The next day the dog comes back and scratches at the door. The guy opens the door, the dog comes in, goes down the hall, jumps on the couch, gets comfortable and falls asleep again. The man lets him sleep. After about an hour the dog wakes up, walks to the door and the guy lets him out. The dog wags his tale and leaves.
This goes on for days. The guy grows really curious, so he pins a note on the dog's collar: "Your dog has been taking a nap at my house every day."
The next day the dog arrives with another note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with four children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Painted Stained Glass Waterlilies

For my street photographer friends. Here's one for you.

Bushwick's street artists paint new future amid gentrification The famed Brooklyn neighborhood’s stunning murals attract people from around the world, while residents nurture a sense of community despite rising rents.

A great Photo Group I used to attend but just too far away now.

Exciting News from our friends over at the

Mark your calendars for LACP’s Members’ Portfolio Night!

📆 Date: Sep 5, 6 pm – 8 pm PST
⭐️ Featuring Special Guests: Tarrah von Lintel (), Carolyn Campbell, and Ann Mitchell ()
🎉 FREE Event

LACP is hosting an incredible evening where photographers can showcase their work, connect with peers, and engage with the broader photography community. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to present their portfolios, share their artistic journeys, and gain insightful feedback.

Attendees will have the chance to explore a wide variety of photographic styles and subjects, sparking meaningful conversations and connections among artists and enthusiasts alike.

If you’re an LACP Member and want to display your work, you can reserve a six-foot table—but hurry, space is limited! Don’t miss out! Visit the LACP website for more details - lacphoto.org

I saw these dots on the windows of the local Hendrie Park of the Royal Botanical Gardens and now I know why there were there. Great idea on how to save birds' lives.

Some energy updates from our local BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association

For my friends who frequent Algonquin Provincial Park please note their most recent post.

A small blue dragonfly atop a waterlily bud. I hear dragonflies bring good luck. Sending a good luck wish to all my friends and family over this LONG weekend!

Three of my loves. Butterflies, Rumi and truth. What are your three?

“What the material world values
does not shine the same in the truth of the soul.”
~Rumi

I have a few friends who would really appreciate this. 😀

So true. See the beauty of the world around you.

“The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you.”

― Jalaluddin Rumi

Heron grooming himself.

Hendrie Marsh - the view back towards the boardwalk. Love to visit the birds and other inhabitants there.

Used to love watching this "Detective".

The canal that travels through the Hendrie Marsh

What? Oh and Sir, one more question …..

Row upon Row of color nearing the end at Hendrie Park, RBG