Costa Rica

The density of the rain forest is difficult to comprehend unless you are in it. From the floor to the top of the canopy, there is a myriad of trees, vines, flowers, ferns and moss.

Costa Rica

A common site in the rain forest is huge termite nest in a tree.

Costa Rica

Another unusual red flower from the rain forest. It attracts numerous insects and hummingbirds.

Costa Rica

This plant in the rain forest has beautiful red leaves.

This is for the birds

I was able to get this close up shot of an Ostrich with the long lens. Following are some of the best bird photos from the cruise.

A male Ostrich in Aruba.

A White Sea Tern diving into the ocean for a fish.

Is this a bird?

Beautiful pelicans were plentiful in every port in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia and Aruba. I was surprised that seagulls were absent in all of these places.

El Mono

This serious faced monkey did not seem too happy for our intrusion into his world - a small island in Gatun lake, Panama. He eventually jumped into our boat to get a piece of banana.

On the hook in Acapulco

A very interesting part of our vacation included a visit to the everyday market in Acapulco, Mexico where the common people (la gente) go every day for their fruits, vegetables, tortillas and meat. These are not refrigerated show cases, just old fashioned, open, street-side meat hooks filled with the day's offerings including the pig's head, a delicacy.

At Water Level

This is a photo taken from a small boat on the Panama Canal in front of an approaching container ship. These vessells are huge. You wonder how they will fit into the locks made 100 years ago for the size of ships of that era. But, they do fit with 12 inches or so of clearance on each side.

Panama City Temple

This will be the first of a number of daily postings of some very special photos taken during our recent trip to Central America and the Panama Canal.

The Panama Temple is, like most temples, on an hill, providing a spectacular view for persons just entering the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean . It was very early in the morning before the sun came up when we spotted the Temple surrounded by the lush rain forest.

Christmas Day

A White Christmas along Dardenne Creek.

Snow-Christmas Eve Day

Christmas Eve Day was beautiful with the snowfall that gave us a white Christmas. While it was coming down, I drove into the Busch Wildlife Area, one of my favorite places, just 10 minutes from our house. It was serenely magnificent. This corn field stubble made for an interesting foreground for the falling snow.

Christmas Past

reminiscence

I found the next two photo in an old file and considered how the years march on. Nice memories.

Ugly tie with beautiful gal

Christmas image

We are grateful for all those who remember us with a Christmas Card. I thought that this image of a square of stamps captures the traditional picture of Christmas.

Rear view mirror

Our six year old granddaughter understands the concept of past, present and future. She told us that "today will be yesterday tomorrow." We are always looking back to see where we have been, sometimes with some pleasure and sometimes with some regret. However, if we are continually looking in the rear view mirror, we are likely to have a crash in our future. Eyes on the road ahead with a determination to make today and tomorrow the best it can be. Then, we will know tomorrow that yesterday was a successful springboard to the future.

Ready for Christmas

Driving to work this week, I listened to Susan Boyle sing Christmas Carols. I was reminded of last year's Christmas in Nauvoo. Will we have a white Christmas this year? If not, this and other pictures will remind me of the beauties of the Season and its center piece, Jesus born in Bethlehem.

Favorite Alaska Picture

I said I would repost my favorite Alaska picture for someone who just returned from an adventure to that beautiful state. The picture was the culmination of 4 or 5 hours watching the bears at lake in the Alaskan back country.

Thanksgiving, just the beginning

Thanksgiving is a time to contemplate and express gratitude for family, blessings, beliefs and opportunities. Many have been protected during the recession; many have not. The holiday season is a general period for festive feelings and actions. Yet, many feel depressed and in dispair. May we be mindful of these folks as our holiday season unwinds. Nothing is more important than to be aware of, show watch care to and assist those with "feeble knees" and with "hands that hang down." Lifting spirits of another is our covenant duty, a privilege and, at the same time, a blessing to our brothers and sisters on this earth. Join me in making a difference during this time of year.

A Late Halloween Picture

Flying High

Ben caught this ariel shot of Wes during his flying lesson.

Framed