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  • Remember when we still had fun colors a few weeks ago. I so love the fall.
    339A7392.jpg
  • A Tufted Titmouse Soaking Up Some Seasonal Foliage Bokeh In The Trees
    Tufty On Fall Bokeh Perch.jpg
  • Autumn closes in around this winding road as the vibrant fall colors start to peek out from the framed foliage.
    Autumn Road.jpg
  • Fun Aurumn Colors Frame The Drive Through New Melle, Missouri
    New Melle Fields 2.jpg
  • Klondike Park Sunset In Autumn - Located in Saint Charles County Missouri - This Moody Fall Waterscape Highlights The Gorgeous Natural Landscape Details
    Klondike Moody Autumn.jpg
  • A Vibrant Autumn Scene along Highway D in New Melle, Missouri as the season begin to change and the trees are bursting with new Fall colors.
    Autumn Has Arrived.jpg
  • A seasonal daisy fill with the colors of fall. Bursting orange and yellow petals with autumn colors in the background.
    Autumn Daisy.jpg
  • Klondike Park is 250 acres of scenic property, featuring more than four miles of natural and paved trails for hiking and biking. Once the site of an old silica sand quarry, the area has been preserved and turned into beautiful parkland. A unique lookout bluff provides picturesque views of the Missouri River Valley, as well as the historic Katy Trail.<br />
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This cozy camping retreat, nestled in Missouri's wine country, has become a preferred camping destination. Spend a relaxing weekend camping under the stars close to home! It features six rustic cabins that sleep up to eight guests, 10 basic campsites, and 31 primitive campsites with restrooms and a shower house nearby.<br />
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With a modern conference center on site, it's the perfect location for a family or business outing. It also features a large fishing lake fully stocked with bluegill, bass, and catfish and free boat ramps to access the Missouri River. A unique birding/wildlife area, picnic shelters, and playgrounds for children are just a few more amenities to enjoy while at Klondike Park.
    Klondike Colors.jpg
  • A buck notices me approaching as he takes a load off in a grassy field beyond the trees as Autumn colors begin to set in
    Buck Wild.jpg
  • A Cold October Brew And A Little Daisy For Autumn Color
    Cold October Brew.jpg
  • Enjoying photographing the shoreline at Klondike Park on this beautiful autumn morning. The colors and reflections just have a calming feel.
    Shoreline Autumn.jpg
  • A bird soars past the bright sun on a winding back road drapes by Autumn trees basked in warm sunlight
    A Road Thru Nature.jpg
  • Drama in Autumn Skies Above Broemmelsiek Park Lake in Wentzville, Missouri.<br />
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The trails in this 500+ acre park are in 2 separate sections joined together by restored grassy prairie. They are a mixture of hard packed dirt trails, several small rock gardens, and a few rocky creek crossings.<br />
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The front section is accessed via the concrete bridge that is just off the first parking lot. It's a mixture of wooded single track and open meadows, with several short but steep climbs. Rocky in the beginning, it switches to a dirt base as you start up the ridge.<br />
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The trail then follows the contours of the meadows to the second section, making for a fun, but quick trip to the wooded area in the back of the park. A winding, dirt hillside trail, mixed with rocks leads to a creek crossing, then a rocky ascent as the trail meanders along another ridge line leading to a picturesque view of a local equestrian farm and pond. This section features a wide swooping turn which leads back across the power line alley that divides this part of the trail.
    Drama in Autumn Skies.jpg
  • A doe stops in an autumn field to pose for a profile photo
    Autumn Doe.jpg
  • Love the baby blue skies and puffy clouds on the golden autumn landscapes this time of year
    Autumn Colors On A Sunny Day.jpg
  • I’m in one of my artistic moods so I decided to take this beautiful photo of Klondike Park and have some fun with it.
    Klondike Cove.jpg
  • An Autumn Bouquet Of Colors and Aroma In This Seasonal Wine Shot
    Autumn Bouquet.jpg
  • Something Klondike Park has that many other area parks don't is tall, rocky hills where visitors can see over the tops of trees - which is especially advantageous for viewing autumn colors.<br />
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The park is a converted rock quarry. Some high, rocky bluffs overlook the heavily forested interiors. The water in the lake is clear enough to watch fish and some large turtles as well as the array of dragon flies. Of the seven or so short hiking trails, two are unpaved. The Lewis and Clark Trail runs parallel to Highway 94 and is the easiest and longest. The unpaved Hogsback Trail is the most scenic. Some mountain bike routes will test your skills.<br />
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Located in southwestern St. Charles County, Klondike Park is a 250-acre park, acquired by the County in 1999. This park lies adjacent to Highway 94, with access to the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. The Klondike Park site has, in the past, been heavily disturbed by quarry operations and is a study of nature's resiliency. Primitive, basic tent camping and camping cabins are all avialable for rental, and the new beautiful Curt Loupe Conference Center is available or meetings, special gatherings, and wedding ceremonies and/or receptions.
    Vibrant Klondike Autumn.jpg
  • Tones of gold and orange blanket the shore in this autumn waterscape at Broemmelsiek Park in Wentzville, Missouri.
    Golden Autumn at Broemmelsiek Park.jpg
  • Framed by the last of summers vibrant green trees we see a pavement level view down Brooke Street
    A Look Down Brooke Street in Nicole ...jpg
  • A Sunset Vire From the Overlook at Klondike Park in Missouri on 1-13-21
    Sunset Overlook at Klondike 1-13-21.jpg
  • Friday, March 1, 2013 was a beautiful snowy day so the husband and I decided to take a break from everything and head out to relax and see what kind out photos we could capture. ..This winter scenery was photographed along one of the lakes at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County.
    busch_wildlife_winter_scenery.jpg
  • A vibrant Autumn scene at Klondike Lake around an old withered tree long dead in the middle of the lake
    Colorful Lake Stump.jpg
  • A scorched Earth Perspective of an isolated bench to rest your feet after a long hike through Klondike.
    A Place To Sit at Klondike.jpg
  • Rocky formations along the shore of Klondike Park Lake cast reflection along the waters' edge
    Klondike Rocky Shore.jpg
  • Glassy Lake Reflections at Klondike Park as the sun sets at cast a bare light through the trees. Deep shadows hide the abundance of colored foliage and faintly shimmers the top of the water
    Glass Klondike Lake.jpg
  • The sun comes out from behind the clouds at Broemmelsiek Park and casts a warm glow across the lake
    Sunrise Over Broemmelsiek.jpg
  • An Autumn Tree on the edge of a scenic cliff soaks up the warmth of a sunset beyond the fence line at Klondike Park
    Soaking Up A Sunset Glow.jpg
  • A Row of Vibrant Autumn Trees on Ahden Knight Hampton Memorial Lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in Saint Charles, Missouri
    Autumn Tree Line at Busch.jpg
  • A-Moment-in-Time.jpg
  • An Early Autumn View From The Lake at Klondike Park in Augusta, MO. This is a 250-acre former silica-sand quarry with views of the Missouri River Valley, popular with campers.
    Painted Klondike Autumn.jpg
  • Miss Finch Stopped by for a quick snap an a brisk autumn afternoon
    Miss Finch Cool Autumn Day.jpg
  • Vibrant Autumn Trees Drape the Gravel Road with a Warm Welcome
    Autumn Entrance.jpg
  • More golden autumn fields in Saint Charles County
    Vibrant Fields.jpg
  • The sun rises behind the trees near the cove at Klondike Park lake
    Klondike Cove 2.jpg
  • Defiance, Missouri has so many wineries and around Autumn you can really capture the beauty of these wineries through the eye of a camera.
    Autumn in Defiance.jpg
  • Once the site of a silica sand quarry, Klondike Park is a glowing example of nature's resiliency.  Located just off the Katy Trail, the 250-acre park is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity groups.  Natural and paved trails wind through tree-lined hillsides to offer a challenging ride or hike and spectacular views of wildlife, native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley.
    A Beautiful Day At Klondike Lake.jpg
  • Spring Green Begins To Return After A Long Winter At Broemmelsiek Park in Wentzville, Missouri
    After A Long Winter At Broemmelsiek.jpg
  • A Flock Of Snow Geese Fly Through Wentzville Skies on a cold March Morning
    Crowded New Melle Skies.jpg
  • Once the site of a silica sand quarry, Klondike Park is a glowing example of nature's resiliency. Located just off the Katy Trail, the 250-acre park is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity groups. Natural and paved trails wind through tree-lined hillsides to offer a challenging ride or hike and spectacular views of wildlife, native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley. An indoor conference center that may be rented for weddings, business meetings, and other group functions; three picnic shelters, camper cabins and tent camping sites; a fishing lake; a boat ramp for access to the Missouri River; and about 5 miles of paved or natural trail.<br />
<br />
According to early records, the land upon which Klondike Park sits was originally owned by Wilhelm (William) Engelage, a farmer from Prussia. In 1898, the Tavern Rock Sand Company bought a portion of the property and began Klondike Quarry. The silica sand mined from this quarry was mixed with soda and limestone to create glass products. The top layer (from 8? to 18? was used to make amber glass because of its yellow, claystained color, while clear glass was made from the white sand found below 18 feet. Production reached its peak in 1945 when 233,420 tons of sand were exported from the quarry to meet war demands. The quarry was permanently closed in 1983.
    Winter Sets at Klondike Park.jpg
  • 4736 Francis St. Wentzville, Missouri (Side View)
    4736 Francis Street - Side View.jpg
  • 4736 Francis St. Wentzville, Missouri (Front View)
    4736 Francis Street - Front View.jpg
  • 4736 Francis St. Wentzville, Missouri (Corner View)
    4736 Francis Street - Corner View.jpg
  • Located at 4612 Hwy Z in New Melle, Missouri, Seven Stones offers a relaxed, intimate atmosphere for the enjoyment of rare and exceptional wines from around the world. They are located in an old school house built in the 1800's by German settlers in New Melle, MO. The old school house was recently renovated and re-opened this summer as a wine garden that is committed to preserving the rich German heritage of New Melle.
    Seven Stones Wine Garden.jpg
  • Blue skies cover the home at 4754 Jacob Lane in New Melle, Missouri on the late autumn afternoon
    4754 Jacob Lane.jpg
  • A view from the curb waiting on the postman at 4754 Jacob Lane in Wentzville, Missouri
    Mail at 4754 Jacob Ln.jpg
  • A festive Autumn Scene at 4811 Brooke St. in New Melle, Missouri
    4811 Brooke St Wentzville.jpg
  • Taken near Marthasville, Missouri this Old Dilapidated Barn was just begging to be photographed. I love old barn shots, something very calming to me about them for some reason.<br />
<br />
Marthasville is located near the site of the early 1763 French fur trading post named La Charrette. It was founded by Dr. John Young in 1817 and named after his first wife Martha Fuqua.<br />
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The Missouri, Kansas and Eastern Railroad was completed through Marthasville in the winter of 1892 and taken over by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad (MKT) in July of 1893.<br />
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The area is also full of historical importance, both local and national. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Expedition overnighted here in 1804 on their way up the Missouri and again on the way home in September of 1806. Daniel Boone and his relatives lived in the area. He and Rebecca were buried on the Bryan farm. His gravesite is just one mile east of Marthasville.<br />
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The region was widely settled by German immigrants during the 1800's who brought their wine making skills with them and were attracted to this Missouri River Valley which has become known as the Missouri Rhineland.<br />
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Some of the many attractions in and around the area are; the KATY State Park Hiking and Biking Trail, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Daniel Boone Monument. You'll find the finest wineries tucked in along our scenic drives through the hills and along the Missouri River.
    This Old Barn.jpg
  • Klondike Park has so much to offer, the lake loop is a nice walk for the family. It's also a great fishing spot. The trails in the park would be great for mountain biking. If you are a fan of mountain biking then this park is a must for it being so close to St. Louis. I like riding the Katy trail to this park and then take the paved trail up to the bluff overlook to watch the birds fly and see the Labadie Plant across the Missouri river.
    Polarizing Autunmn Lake.jpg
  • A Leading View of the Scenic Overlook at Klondike Park, One of the central focal points and viewing areas found in the Park. The vista views from this vantage point are nothing less than spectacular, especially during the Autumn months.
    A Long View of the Overlook.jpg
  • A Row of Vibrant Autumn Trees on Ahden Knight Hampton Memorial Lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in Saint Charles, Missouri
    Autumn Trees at Busch.jpg
  • A Mossy Autumn Lake at Ahden Knight Hampton Memorial Lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in Saint Charles, Missouri
    Busch Wildlife Swampy Autumn.jpg
  • Decrepit Storehouse.jpg
  • There is something about the colors of autumn and even winter this year based on or weather in Saint Louis that inspires me. I really love simple tree line photos that just express the color of the season. Somehow simple landscape images such as this inspire me.
    autumn-ress-A.jpg
  • A Splash of Contrast.jpg
  • My wife and I decided to take an hour out our our busy schedule to take a drive and take some photos, and spend a small moment of quality time together. I figured I wanted to snap my first HDR Picture to capture the moment. This is the result.
    Along-the-Road.jpg
  • Field off of Hwy F near Defiance Missouri
    Bales-of-Autumn.jpg
  • Trees-of-Change.jpg
  • Autumn Colors Begin To Frame Country Scenes In New Melle, Missouri
    Rolling Fields Of Color.jpg
  • Tall blue skies with wispy clouds above the reflecting tree line at Klondike Park lake in Saint Charles, Missouri.
    Klondike Tall Skies.jpg
  • Yellow Farmhouse is a St. Louis area winery located on Highway 94 in St. Charles County. As local wineries near St. Louis go we're found in the white clapboard lined town of Defiance at the entrance of Missouri's wine country. Defiance hasn't changed much since its early days as a railroad depot stop. Wine devotees, bicyclists of the Katy trail, and motorcycle enthusiasts are among its many visitors these days.
    339A7309.jpg
  • Autumn Closes In From The Surrounding Trees
    Autumn Closes In.jpg
  • March 1st on a snowy afternoon the husband and I decided to head out and see what kind of photos we could capture while it was still snowing.  ..We came across 2 fields along Hwy D in New Melle, Missouri were hundreds of what I believe to be Snow Geese were making themselves at home.  I took this shot as I thought it was unique and interesting. They are beautiful.
    new_melle_snow_geese.jpg
  • Snow Geese Waddle Through The Snow in New Melle
    New Melle Snow Geese.jpg
  • A Reaching Staircase Into Vibrant Autumn Trees with a Female Cardinal Perched on the Rail.
    Natures Staircase.jpg
  • Tones of gold and orange blanket the shore in this autumn waterscape at Broemmelsiek Park in Wentzville, Missouri.<br />
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Broemmelsiek Park provides a recreational space for individuals throughout the St. Charles County area. This park offers more than seven miles of multi-use trails as well as an off-leash dog area with small water features in which dogs may swim. The trail is open for equestrian use, bicycling and hiking. There are multiple fishing lakes in the park that are stocked with bass, catfish and bluegill. The astronomy station in the park offers a viewing site with ten concrete viewing stations equipped with telescopes. <br />
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Keeping with the county's mission to preserve green space, the St. Charles County Parks Department is designing Broemmelsiek Park as a passive recreation area focused on the natural features of the land. The 384 acre property is located in southwestern St. Charles County five miles west of Highway 40-61 off State Route DD. Broemmelsiek Park features several lakes, a blend of oak-hickory forest and rolling pastures suitable for a variety of recreation activities and park amenities.
    Golden Autumn at Broemmelsiek Park.jpg
  • A row of hay bales leads the eye through the field and down the dirt road towards a forest of autumn colors under rough skies of blue just outside New Melle, Missouri.
    Embossed Autumn Field.jpg
  • Looking out from the Scenic Overlook at Klondike Park in Saint Charles, Missouri at Sunset. Situated off Route 94 between Defiance and Augusta. Nestled in Missouri's scenic wine country, Klondike Park offers campers a chance to reconnect to nature and the outdoors. The camp is a popular destination for Girl and Boy Scout troops.
    The View From Klondike Overlook.jpg
  • A Long View of the Klondike Park Cliff From Below against a backdrop of puffy white clouds.
    Klondike Cliff From Below.jpg
  • A bit of a somber and isolated perspective on a long fence line at Klondike Park that separates the treacherous cliff on the other side.
    A Mood at Knlondike Park.jpg
  • A wonderful mix of colors, the deep blue water and sky, and the bare white rock. Klondike Park, once the site of a silica sand quarry, is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity groups. Trails, both paved and natural, criss-cross the verdant hillsides and offer bicyclists, joggers, and hikers spectacular views of wildlife, native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley.
    Klondike Park Autumn Lake 2.jpg
  • Once the site of a silica sand quarry, Klondike Park is a glowing example of nature's resiliency.  Located just off the Katy Trail, the 250-acre park is a popular destination for outdoor recreationalists, families, and youth activity groups.  Natural and paved trails wind through tree-lined hillsides to offer a challenging ride or hike and spectacular views of wildlife, native plants, and the surrounding Missouri River Valley.
    Klondike Park Autumn Lake.jpg
  • A Mossy Autumn Lake at Ahden Knight Hampton Memorial Lake at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in Saint Charles, Missouri
    Busch Wildlife Swampy Autumn 2.jpg
  • Barn Storming.jpg
  • Waves of Earth and Sky - On a photo road trip of the New Melle area we captured this vibrant scene along Highway DD just outside of the Wentzville area
    New Mellle - 1.jpg
  • A-Moment-in-Time-B.jpg
  • Akaka Falls State Park is a state park on Hawaiʻi Island, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The park is about 11 miles north from Hilo, west of Honomū off the Hawaii Belt Road at the end of Hawaii Route
    Akaka Falls.jpg
  • The area known as Gooseberry Falls State Park is intricately tied to human use of Lake Superior. At different times, the Cree, the Dakotah, and the Ojibwe lived along the North Shore...Gooseberry Falls is the gateway to the North Shore. It is known for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, Lake Superior shoreline, Civilian Conservation Corps log and stone structures, and north woods wildlife.
    gooseberry_falls.jpg
  • The Third Avenue Bridge (originally known as the St. Anthony Falls Bridge). This is a landmark structure of in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It carries road traffic across the Mississippi River and right over the upper fringes of Saint Anthony Falls. The multi-arched bridge meets with Third Avenue in downtown Minneapolis at its south end, but curves as it crosses the river, and connects with Central Avenue on its north end. The shallow  curve in the bridge was built to avoid fractures in the limestone bedrock that supports the bridge piers.<br />
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Much of the design work was done by Minneapolis city engineer Frederick W. Cappelen, who was responsible for a number of other local bridges and structures. Beyond the bridge you see a high industrial area setting the mood for my approach to this shot.
    IMG_9455.jpg
  • Blue Skies and Flakes Of White Blanket The Evergreen That Stands Tall With The Only Foliage Color Left As Winter Sets In.
    Snowy Tree.jpg
  • Fall Tree Line at Busch.jpg
  • The last rose of the year from my garden
    Last Rose Before Fall.jpg
  • Last-Necter-of-Fall.jpg
  • One single droplet hanging on the pedal of a beautiful flower waiting for the right moment to fall.
    Yellow Petal Drip.jpg
  • A gorgeous 70 degree day at Grant’s Farm where wildlife and people were enjoying the unusual fall weather.
    polly.jpg
  • A gorgeous 70 degree day at Grant’s Farm where wildlife and people were enjoying the unusual fall weather.
    pinky.jpg
  • Watching the sun set in the shores of Kona Hawaii on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship "Pride Of America"<br />
<br />
May 6th was a roller-coaster of emotions. It was Linda​'s and My 20th Anniversary, so there was much joy and celebration in our moods. Just as the sun was starting to set along the shores of Kona, Hawaii on our trip, we received the news that a long time family friend of 30+ years had just passed away. <br />
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She was a "Neighborhood Parent" to me growing up (this was back in the days when, not only was it allowed, it was expected that neighbors should reprimand us youngsters for doing stupid things if they noticed it), and later in life a respected friend. She was also a life long friend of my Mom and Dad. My wife grew up on the same street and knew her just as well. <br />
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As we received the news on the top deck of the cruise ship we looked to the setting sun, as I held my mom and we cried together watching the sun fade away. For as much pain as there was in that moment, watching the sun fall from the heavens, we both knew that there was no better place or time to have to deal with the emotions of the moment. <br />
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Luckily I had my camera with me (when do I not?) and I was able to take a few shots to memorialize that blissfully painful moment. And that's why I love photography too, such emotions can be captured forever with a single click of a button.
    A Fond Farewell.jpg
  • The white-tailed doe realized that by tilting the bird seed holder the food would fall out a little.
    white_tailed_doe14.jpg
  • The Douglas Aster is an Rhizomatous perennial wildflower with much-branched stems and light purple aster-like flower heads. It has Ray flowers are blue to purple and disk flowers are yellow. The flowers are 1-2 cm long. A distinguishing characterisitic of Douglas aster is its thick overlapping bracts beneath each flower head. Also, outer margins of thegracts have a thin, transparent (waxy/papery) look.<br />
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The Painted lady butterfly, red admiral, spring azure, orange sulphur, and woodland skipper butterflies are attracted to the flowers.<br />
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The Douglas Aster (Subspicatum) is generally described as a perennial forb/herb. This is native to the U.S. (United States) has its most active growth period in the spring and summer . The Douglas Aster (Subspicatum) has green foliage and inconspicuous purple flowers, with an abuncance of conspicuous brown fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the late summer, with fruit and seed production starting in the summer and continuing until fall. Leaves are not retained year to year. The Douglas Aster (Subspicatum) has a short life span relative to most other plant species and a rapid growth rate.
    Douglas Aster on Amber.jpg
  • A Horse tries to stay warm as winter flurries begin to fall
    Stay Warm Horsy.jpg
  • The Green-winged Macaw, also known as the Red-and-green Macaw, is a large mostly-red macaw of the Ara genus. This is the largest of the Ara genus, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America.<br />
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The green-winged macaw is a large parrot covered with mostly red plumage. The wing and tail feathers are blue and green, hence its name. This macaw has a white, naked face, striped with small red feathers. The beak is strongly hooked and the feet are zygodactylous (2 toes that point forward and 2 toes that point backward).<br />
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Macaws are very messy eaters - their extremely strong beaks are perfectly adapted for eating all sorts of nuts and seeds, as seen in their ability to crack open incredibly hard-shelled nuts (such as Brazil nuts) with ease. In the course of daily feeding, macaws allow plenty of seeds (while eating, as well as in their droppings) to fall to the forest floor, thus regenerating much of the forest growth.<br />
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Largely a forest dwelling species, green-winged macaws, along with many of their parrot relatives, are under pressure from deforestation and human population growth.
    Red and Green Macaw.jpg
  • Fall colors frame this lovely large home
    339A7383.jpg
  • A Male Northern Cardinals perched on a white feeder in the midst of a cold winter snow storm. The vibrant Cardinal red contrast against the chilly blues and white snow. The Northern Cardinal is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis, it is also known colloquially as the redbird or common cardinal.<br />
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The Northern Cardinal or "Redbird" is probably one of most popular visitors to backyard bird feeders. Its range extends over most of the eastern USA, parts of extreme southeastern Canada, and south through Mexico to Belize. It has also been introduced to Hawaii. Its variable call, a loud "cheer cheer cheer" or "purty purty purty," is sung by both sexes and can be heard year round. Cardinals are nonmigratory, but some movement does occur in the later summer and fall.<br />
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The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps responsible for getting more people to open up a field guide than any other bird. They're a perfect combination of familiarity, conspicuousness, and style: a shade of red you can't take your eyes off. Even the brown females sport a sharp crest and warm red accents. Cardinals don't migrate and they don't molt into a dull plumage, so they're still breathtaking in winter's snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning.
    Chilly Cardinal Blues.jpg
  • Enjoy affordably creative food and drink in a hip, fun, and artsy social hangout right in the heart of New Town! Groovy daily specials and Beatnik Brew make every fall in to Beatniks a wonderfully unique experience.
    beatniks b-w.jpg
  • A tufted Titmouse strikes a pose on a bare breach on a chilly morning with flurries beginning to fall
    Frigid Morning Titmouse.jpg
  • Sunset begins to fall along the North Shore near Grand Marais, Minnesota
    North Shore Sunset.jpg
  • Azrael is the Archangel of Death in some traditions. He is also the angel of retribution in Islamic theology and Sikhism. Depending on the outlook and precepts of various religions in which he is a figure, Azrael may be portrayed as residing in the Third Heaven. In one of his forms, he has four faces and four thousand wings, and his whole body consists of eyes and tongues, the number of which corresponds to the number of people inhabiting the Earth. He will be the last to die, recording and erasing constantly in a large book the names of men at birth and death, respectively.<br />
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Shortly after his creation, Azrael was assigned to study a phenomenon not well-understood by Heaven at that time: the disposition of human souls. The angels had long known that some human souls arrived in Heaven, and others did not. Reincarnation and oblivion had been offered as theories, but no one really knew where the 'missing' souls were going . . . and the Seraphim Council intuited that following the Fall, this question might be very important. Azrael was given the Word of Death to carry out his duties (angelic Words were much less competitive and assigned with less deliberation in those days). <br />
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The other Archangels know Azrael is still alive, but he is not spoken of in Heaven. It has happened -- a few times in the millenia since the Grigori were cast out -- that an angel has researched Azrael's work, identified strongly with his mission, and sought out the Outcast Archangel of Death. Azrael automatically turns away members of the Host who manage to find him . . . but a very rare few have been persistent and sincere enough to persuade the Archangel of Death to take them into his service. (Azrael only takes in angels who remain dedicated to Heaven, but who also feel a genuine calling to Azrael's mission -- he is not a refuge for dissatisfied Servitors or Outcasts seeking patronage.)
    Archangel Azrael.jpg
  • klondike park,reflection,lake,missouri,saint charles,trees,fall,autumn,leaves,sand,landscape,blue sky,clouds,mirror image,vibrant,scenic,park,wentzville
    Green Trees - Purple Skies.jpg
  • A Dark-Eyed Junco Foraged for seeds on the ground and a late fall afternoon
    Dark-Eyed Junco Foraging.jpg
  • A row of textured green trees with a hint of fall yellow line a border between early afternoon skies of blue and the golden field of grasses
    Trees of Greeon on Gold.jpg
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