While hiking through the Sonoran Desert region of Arizona, it is impossible not to experience some thorny closeness with cacti and succulents.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
I am back home after spending time in Arizona over the last couple of weeks. While photographing a Victoria crowned pigeon and its lovely tiara of feathers at the Phoenix Zoo, it kept an eye on me the entire time as if thinking, “I’m Watching You!”
According to information gathered at the Phoenix Zoo, the Victoria crowned pigeons are native to the New Guinea region. One thing I found interesting is that the pigeons spend most of their time on the ground. They use trees as places to escape when disturbed or to sleep at night. That probably explains why this one was very cooperative and stayed in one place as I slowly approached while clicking.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Here’s wishing all my WordPress buddies a wonderful and happy new year! May your life be a shining star to all throughout 2024. Meet you right here on our online sphere for another delightful year.
Photo above was taken along the riverwalk in Scottsdale, Arizona.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the angels voices
O night divine; O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Have a very merry Christmas, everyone!
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Making an effort to go the distance from here to there and the place where I stop is rarely planned.
The people I meet along the way and the things I see and learn from is the thrust that keeps me moving forward one step at a time.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Featured at the Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are Kirk Newman’s Children of the World sculptures. A wonderful variety of sculptures are everywhere, starting from the parking lot and throughout the garden.
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan has things for children to adults to enjoy all year round. My favorite time to visit is from March to April for the annual Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Indiana is known for growing corn. We are surrounded by acres of corn and soybean fields. Sitting in the middle of what used to be a cornfield sits an entrance to the Abbey at Hamstra Gardens.
One family has transformed over six acres of land in Wheatfield, Indiana into the beautiful Hamstra Gardens. With several different areas that include a pond, a Japanese Garden, and a replica of a wall of London’s Abbey, Hamstra Gardens is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
A calm Lake Michigan touches the blue sky on the horizon at West Beach – Indiana Dunes National Park.
Two other Lake Michigan landscapes were featured on “Snowy Mornings“.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Sunrises are magical and fill the horizon with enchanting light.
On some mornings, the light is soft and muted. On other days, the sunrise bursts brightly without any hesitation at all.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
A look back at summer sunflowers.
Bringing the color of sunshine to a December day with views from the back and front of sunflowers.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Standing out, alone and exposed in the stillness of the water.
Spotted this lone lily pad seed pod at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
The question was asked, “What could you do less of?” My first thought was gloomily, eating chocolate. That thought was immediately followed by, why would I deprive myself of such deliciousness? The silly question was the only temptation I needed to start baking. So HAND OVER THE CHOCOLATE and let’s make some Double Chocolate Muffins!
Baking is something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was very young. Photography, on the other hand, became an interest a lot more recently. These are two hobbies that I don’t usually combine but a cold, wet, and windy Friday and a longing for chocolate seemed a perfect time to enjoy both.
Anyone want to join me in my transgression of eating way too much chocolate? Are you up for some fresh and warm muffins with chocolate dripping down the chin after each bite?
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Looking back on some summery shades of yellow is sometimes needed to bring brightness to a cold day of gray skies. Do you feel the warmth?
– Pablo Picasso
The Yellows of Autumn bring beauty and brightness as well. Do you have a preference between summer or autumn? Curious minds want to know.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Christmas red is popping up everywhere, even in the desert garden at Chicago’s Garfield Conservatory where the exquisiteness of nature thrives indoors. Free and open to the public year round, Garfield Conservatory offers warmth and beauty any time of the year.
My last time there, I came across the tiny red blossoms of a Crown of Thorns shrub (below). Garfield Conservatory is one of my favorite places for a casual stroll in the windy city of Chicago.
What about you? Where is your favorite garden or conservatory?
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
As autumn blends into winter, there’s a sense of nature curling up and falling asleep.
Trees are mostly bare and before long, the Great Marsh at the Indiana Dunes National Park will be frozen solid with Lake Michigan not far behind. For now, I plan to enjoy as many days with blue skies as possible.
Just wondering, are you heading into winter or summer in your part of the world?
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Anyone who has read my blog for long, knows that Maui is at the top of the list of places to visit. Since I’ve writen several posts on Maui, I’ve decided to show you a few pics of my second favorite place that I’ve visited – Palm Springs, California.
The landscapes of Palm Springs are quite a bit more diverse than I had envisioned. The mountains in the distance are the perfect backdrop. The occasional desert daisy provided a lovely touch of bright color and the blue skies were amazing.
Full confession – I have only been in Palm Springs during the winter and have not experienced the intense summer heat.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
In Christmases past, I often felt alone during the busyness and stress of the Christmas season. Advent is a time set aside to focus on the true meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ. Focusing on significance of that has made a world of difference in keeping the darkness at a distance.
– Romans 15:13
Christmas reflections were featured on “Parallel World.“
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Following a curvy brick path and under an arch to who knows where.
With cornfields all around, the almost seven acres of Hamstra Gardens stand out in Wheatfield, Indiana. Every part of the garden is beautiful and well thought out. My favorite spot is by the pond, where I could sit for hours with a book in my hand.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
A bit of snow ushers in the beauty of winter to the Wyoming’s empty spaces. What may seem as barren and desolate to some, the mountains are delightful and inviting to me.
Above, this image was captured on Thanksgiving week a year ago (2022) at The Farm at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming. Below is looking down from a mountainside trail into the valley of the Laramie Regional Airport.
Lastly, one final shot from Brush Creek Ranch.
It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like winter!
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Seriously? Do I really have to make a choice between two of my favorite places to explore for today’s daily prompt?
Mornings walks spent along a beach provides a sense of contemplation and peacefulness.
Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?
Hiking on mountain trails is a completely different type of adventure, challenge, and beauty.
I have decided to be my rebellious self and exercise judgement in my own way. When I travel to the mountains, they will be my favorite at that time. Since home is within 10 miles of the Indiana Dunes National Park, the beaches of Lake Michigan will remain one of my most cherished spots close to home.
My dilemma is settled for today.
All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.
Heaven’s Sunshine – Capturing the beauty of God’s creation through the lens of a camera.