The Serviceberry And More

Serviceberry Iron County, Utah

While hiking, I was drawn to a big bush with small white flowers. Each flower had 5 white petals that shimmered in the sunlight as they swayed on the breeze. She was a Serviceberry. I took a picture of her.




In the picture, at the top of this page, you can see something orange stuck in among the flowers and leaves. Take a look. Could it be an autumn leaf that survived the winter browning?




When I got home and uploaded the file, I noticed this out of place leaf. I enlarged the photo and I found it to be a stunning butterfly ! Her body was a sliver blue and her colors flowed from green to raspberry to yellow, and orange. Why, I had never seen a butterfly with rainbow colors! Have you ?

The butterflies lingered on the serviceberry.

Sometimes we are drawn to a certain, tree, flower, or rock, not knowing why. I say, follow your impulse to sit by it, touch it, be with it for awhile, take a picture of it. More times than not, you may discover more than meets the eye.




When we appreciate Nature she is always
beaming more Nature towards us to appreciate.



Thank you for visiting

 Nature Loves Appreciation !
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Until next time remember,
The more you appreciate Nature, the more Nature experiences will come to you. That is because Nature Loves Appreciation !

Deer Tracks They're Back!

www.naturelovesappreciation.blogspot.com Deer tracks

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse! Or so we thought.

The dogs had been restless all night. I let them out at 2:22 and 4:44 am. It was the coldest night of December. The door would stick and I pulled hard on the frozen door to get out. The dogs charged off the back porch and out to the back fence like a team of horses.  Kollie was barking ferociously towards the llamas.  I dressed into my warm layers of clothing, slipped my feet into my boots, and grabbed a big flash light.

 The door was stuck and I gave a hard quick pull....Whoosh * As it opened the vapors of the cold outside air and warm of the house enveloped me.  I carefully made my way down the stairs, grabbing onto the cedar post to my left, and stepped upon the snowy lawn. How beautiful it was out there, the black sky, bright stars, and golden sliver of crescent moon hung above the mountains.  

The llamas were standing outside the shelter, their eyes gleaming in the dark which reminded me of unicorns. They were woken up by “something” roaming about in the dark. Whatever was there was gone so we all went back inside the warm house and got into bed. 

My husband and I spoke about the possibility of deer returning to our farm. We had not seen many lately and love them so much a desire passed through our hearts. 

In the light of the morning we saw a magical scene of deer tracks everywhere, even on the the coldest of winter’s nights, they surrounded us coming to the call of our hearts. 

See the lovely tracks they make? Do you know what causes that delicate long streak in their tracks? Here is a closer view. 

Deer Tracks in the snow.

 Snow is so wonderful for seeing who has visited our farm in the wee hours of the night and dawn. Every night before I drift off to sleep I lay in my bed at night imaging the vast Utah wilderness around us and all the animals moving about under the moon.

Thank you dear friends for sharing this story with me. I hope you enjoyed it. 
 With Love, Deborah Moon Moen of Nature Loves Apreciation
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There is a precious video of a Christmas feast at Wildwood a wild Park and Zoo on facebook. Here is the link to this video https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodzoo/videos/10154966015312868/ 

Here is a video on Utah showing deer eating with a family outdoors. 
https://youtu.be/6hAekgYmnMo

Fennel Plant- Everlasting Life

The Fennel Plant: LIFE EVERLASTING

 

Fennel plants show all stages of life. www.NatureLovesAppreciation.blogspot.com

 

It was April 20, 2002.

While hiking, I stopped here on this path. I sensed this fennel plant was communicating with me by emitting a smoky purple haze which shimmered and connected to my eyes, mind, and heart. I could clearly interpret this energy as connected to all life in a continuous loop. I noticed the fresh green growth rising from the earth and the old boney branches seemingly dead, and the seeds which formed at the top for renewal and life everlasting.

I stood there in awe and received confirmation as I stood on this path. If you look with soft eyes you will sense the life and love and power within this photograph. ~ Deborah Moon Moen

Have you ever seen the energy of plants and trees? It looks like hazy smoky vibrations coming up and out from the tips of trees and plants. Try it sometime. It was there all along yet you had not noticed it or known to look for it.



Thank you, friends, for joining me here
Nature Loves Appreciation (1815 page views)

Deborah Moon Moen

Everlasting Life Greeting Card by LittleUtahFarm
Make a card on zazzle.

This is a greeting card with a very special story. I created this for those who want to be inspired. It has my personal testimony to everlasting life. It could be for anyone who has lost a loved one or a pet and this card would be wonderful as an Easter card. The front of the card reads Everlasting on a background of lovely mauve. The inside flap of the card has the above story with photographs. You may customize the inside with your own special message.

The Dove And The Swallow

First Snow is celebrated with the
 post The Dove and The Swallow on
 www.naturelovesappreciation.blogspot.com

Tis the season !

The first snow has come today in Cedar City, Utah. It feels so good too.  The energy is buoyant full of the right ions. Not too cold either. It has warmed up to 38 degrees.


Ever since dawn the snow fell like little bits of pixie dust. Recently after lunch the snow became like big cornflakes that slanted to the east and then to the west with the changing winds.

Hail to the snow on her first flight to earth this season. Yes ! Tis the Season !


Hail to the snow.

SNOW ! Is another form of water.


Yes indeed, snow from rain that falls

               from expanding clouds

from the water's mysterious  journey from earth upward to the heavens
               from lakes, streams, oceans, creeks and puddles.

Snow !

This morning the swallows gathered on top of the rabbit bushes near the fountain as I fed my hens. It was the first snow for my young lady hens and some of the girls turned right back around and went into the coop. My two Black Jersey Giant hens however, went right out to the rabbit bushes leaving their tracks in the snow. The little swallows waited patiently for me to toss some seed.

The doves flew gracefully over to the fountain too making their whispered flight sounds. Ever hear a dove as it flew from one place to another? It is almost like they are whispering a soft but enthusiastic "weeee !"  I wonder why they make such enchanting sounds during flight. Is it "Here I come !" What do you think?

I noticed the birds did not fly away as I came close. I eagerly took this opportunity to photograph them. Here is one of my favorite clicks from today The Dove And The Swallow. This would make a great greeting card for the winter holidays. I wonder... what is Dove and Swallow conveying to each other ?

The Dove And The Swallow is offered in prints, canvas, Tshirts, tote bags and greeting cards here on fine art America. Here is the link to my website. http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/the-dove-and-the-swallow-deborah-moen.html

Thank you for visiting Nature Love Appreciation !
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 Until next time

We may appreciate Nature and look for all the things that are beautiful and uplifting. The more you appreciate Nature the more there is to appreciate !

Shine Your Light,
Deborah ' Moon ' Moen

Nature Lover, Writer and Photographer

We Found A Yellow Bellied Marmot !

This Yellow bellied marmot comes in greeting cards, t shirts, and other products
 on Fine Art America www.deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/yellow-bellied-marmot-capitol-reef-utah-deborah-moen.html

My husband spotted this yellow bellied marmot amongst the red earth and rock on a slope in Fruita Camp within the Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. I was thrilled to hear the marmot was near us. My husband backed me up on the trail and pointed at the area where marmot was. It took me awhile to focus in on him as he blended so well with his surroundings. Not a movement, breath or blink did he make as I clicked * my camera.

Look at how he blends in with his surroundings.

I know about these yellow bellied marmots from the High Sierras in California at the base camp called Constellation Camp. My experience with them showed me a playful side to their nature.
They hide away till you make your ascent up Mount Whitney. Then while you are gone they search your camp for goodies and even get into your bags. My hiking partner made sure our gear was out of site and off the ground. Marmots are a member of the squirrel family and they are much larger than the ground squirrels we are used to seeing.  It was a thrill to see them for the first time. I also had encounters with them while backpacking in the Olympic National Forest in Washington.


Thank you for visiting !
Nature Loves Appreciation ( page views 1254 )

Until next time

Know that with a peaceful heart and mind the opportunities for appreciation will be revealed to you and the more you appreciate Nature and all other things the more there will be to appreciate.

Deborah Moen
Nature Lover

Autumn Morning In the Forest

Aspen's Crown:  Dixie National Forest, Utah. Prints, Greeting Cards and more...

http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/products/-the-aspen-crown-dixie-national-forest-utah-deborah-moen-art-print.html 

Autumn Morning In The Forest.

 Come into the  forest with me,

Behold the falling leaves and hear the
ushering Winds which escorts them to earth...

Twinkling in the sunlight....

The leaves...briskly blowing down...

Winds....make easy soaring too for a lofty cloud's journey in a sparkling sky...

Transformational...
Revealing life's rhythm...dancing, twirling, floating
Leaping...swaying...living... breathing... rustling... 

                                              ~ by Deborah Moen

Thank you for visiting and spending time with Nature.
I hope you enjoyed your time here,
Until next time,

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me while fluttering off the autumn tree."
~ by Emily Bronte 

Nature Loves Appreciation ( page views  1219 )

DeborahMoen

A Nature Lover

A Morning Gift Of Sunbeams

Cloud shaped like an elephant head trumpets a new day with sun beams.
Nature Love Appreciation .blogspot.com Greeting cards and posters
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/sunlight-sunbeams-sunrise-deborah-moen.html

I stood on my back porch. It was wet from the rains that night. I saw the rising sun beaming rays that fanned outward over the land and sky. I ran to get my camera and when I reached the porch I was so happy to see it was still there. It was even brighter that before.
And this cloud personified an elephant head with eye and trunk, and open mouth. It appeared to be trumpeting into the sunlight and sunbeams at sunrise over my farm in Cedar City, Utah. In the photograph below, the clouds are casting a shadow over the mountain and the sunlight is shining on one of the summits.

 I felt that desire beam out of my heart to see the rays reach beyond the barn and then let it go.

You can see the sun lighting up the summit of the mountain in contrast to the cloud shadow cast over the landscape.
Greeting cards, canvas, and posters, http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/sunbeams-shadows-and-light-deborah-moen.html

I took my dog, Windy, for a walk shortly afterward. As I looked towards the mountains I saw streams of sunbeams pouring out of the clouds over the mountains and down to the earth and some of the beams lighted the countryside with golden circles. I was amazed at the speed in which nature obliged me. I didn't have my camera and committed the glorious scene to memory so I could possibly paint it. It was so glorious and covered the whole range.

 Windy enjoyed her walk and as I brought her through the kitchen door, I decided to get my camera and see if I could take a picture of the canyons to make my painting more accurate. a thought entered my mind that the rays may still be there. I walked along the farms and noticed the beams were still there. Remarkable ! 

Sun beams pour out of the clouds over Cedar City, Utah.
NatureLovesAppreciation.blogspot.com
Greeting Cards, Canvas and Posters
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sun-beams-over-the-mountain-deborah-moen.html?newartwork=true

I got that feeling again like I was in direct communication with Nature.  I appreciated the sunbeams this morning so much that Nature gave me more to appreciate ! It was magical ! I was able to take a photograph also and see more sunbeams. They were the largest display of sunbeams I ever saw. you can see that they extend into the sky and to the right and left of the mountain range. Wow ! Click *



Thank you for visiting Nature Loves Appreciation
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Until next time, appreciate as much as you can and see what happens.

Deborah 'MOON" Moen

Now We Are Free { Nature }

Hello, dear nature lovers. How are things going in your life? I invite you to spend a few moments to watch something I found very uplifting. Let us all walk in this beauty of nature. ~ Deborah Moen

One way to bring light into the world and to others is to share light. Make songs, videos, plays, art and movies that uplift and gladden the heart. I came across this beautiful music and song this morning and at a time when I am moving forward from harsh realities, this softened my heart and pointed me in the right direction. I can still feel undulating waves of healing going on in my heart from listening and watching the following 4:15 video. The video holds the song We Are Free sung by Lisa Gerrard and displays the most beautiful, inspiring heart opening nature videos. In my opinion watching this video and videos like it daily will begin a wave of peace within us that radiates outward. Relax chill out, take a break and breathe in the healing stress reducing imagery and sounds.


Lyric translation

Healing to me
And freely to you from Sol Omnipotens
Yellow
Wings of Joy
Warmth of Day,
Sun of Dawn
O Sun of Yellow,
The Son of Righteousness,
Son of Morning Light,
Shine high and below!
Shine Aeonion!
Shine now, O Great I AM!
(Aaahh)
Shine now, O He Who Was!
Shine now, O Great to Come!
Now we are Free!
(Fast tempo, 4 times)
One the One now whom he was to be!
And the One by whom we now do all see
Healing to me;
Healing to you now freely from Sol:
Yellow
Yellow
For all the world too
Yellow
Live on
Rays below,
Come now,
Wings of Joy
Warmth of Day, Sun of Dawn;
The Sun of
Yellow,
Yellow,
Flame by Day
From Our Lord
Jesus,
Jesus,
True Sun of Liberty
Healing you free.


Taken from http://lyricstranslate.com/en/now-we-are-free-now-we-are-free.html-0#ixzz3JL912Vnn



Thank you for visiting
Until next time

Nature Loves Appreciation

My Selfie In Nature

DeborahMoen in Dixie National Forest, Utah
Nature Love Appreciation

I love Nature !   I am always happy when I am in Nature. My mind takes in all the beauty, the color, sounds and movement. Around every corner there is Disney like scenery and experiences. The light and shadows speak to my heart and I am grounded and spirit filled. The more I appreciate Nature according to the laws that govern the universe, the more there is to appreciate. It is my experience that this synchronicity is true.

The more I appreciate Nature, the more Nature there is to appreciate. ~ DeborahMoen

The Sun Is Always Shining Behind The Clouds

A great reminder, that the sun is always shining behind the clouds. The rain began to fall from these clouds as they drifted closer and closer to my home. I walked to the end of the road to take a photograph of the dark wall of rain. As I focused the camera the sun came out and I took the picture.

The Sun Is Always Shining 20x16 Poster by SimpleSpark
See more Clouds Posters at zazzle.com

This so true to life, isn't it. We are never alone are we? Just when we think the challenge will never end, a solution or epiphany shines forth. We meditate, chill out, practice shifting our emotions, and the old momentum slowly falls away and the new improved path appears.


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The Sun Is Always Shining Greeting Card by SimpleSpark
Check out more Clouds Cards at Zazzle

Hey Babe,Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Overwhelmed with your urban environment?

Feeling the desire for more space and freedom and fresh air?

Dixie National Forest Utah Photograph by DeborahMoen©
www.facebook.com/DeborahMoenRurralPhotography
 

Wilderness therapy is a solution. Go camping, hiking, just go and sit on a log or by a stream or near a campfire and roast marshmallows. Take the time to go into the wild country; that is, wilder than your urban office or back yard.

 

You are hardwired since prehistoric times for camping and connecting with Nature. For anyone hearing the call of the wild, discovering Nature can be quite an enlightening journey as you explore and experience her.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

 

Brainstorm an imaginary adventure; Create your Nature experience in your mind

 

• Think of where you would go?
• What would it look like?
• What would you take for nourishment and comfort?
• How long would you stay?
• What would you like to do there?
• Ask yourself when this will take place?
• Cut out pictures of Nature that inspire you and paste them to a large poster board to hang where you can see it everyday.
• Purchase some Nature posters to hang on your wall ( Nature photography and art also give us a way to connect with nature )

 
You are on your way...the more you appreciate these Nature images and plans, the more opportunities will open for your future adventures in Nature.

 

Once you have planned your adventure, made arrangements to go and have arrived at your destination, notice the sensations in your mind and body as you get out of the car. Feel the earth below your feet, take a breath of fresh air and you may even yawn and stretch as the soothing elixir of Nature washes off the traffic and hurried schedules. It is a sensual experience for all your senses.

This will be a place for you; your very own sanctuary, where you can just be. You may notice the mind and body so hungry for the cool breezes, the rustling of leaves, and the sunlight and shadows, that it will devour everything in sight with enthusiasm. You may feel an instantaneous relief and freedom. This solution for a cluttered mind and tension will present itself almost immediately.

 

Besides the benefits of stress relief and wellness there is a great chance that reconnecting with Nature will allow your mind to see things from a higher perspective. The great outdoors is waiting for you.


Thank you for visiting,

Until next time

Nature Loves Appreciation
 

 

 

Kamana One is the beginning of our Kamana Naturalist Training Program - a four-level independent study program that covers the naturalist background needed to engage in the wilderness arts, including wildlife tracking, bird language, survival and native living skills, traditional herbalism, and naturalist mentoring. Kamana One uses two required resources: 1) Seeing Though Native Eyes Audio Series 2) Readers Digest: North American Wildlife included.

The New 8 Shields Edition of Kamana One: Exploring Natural Mystery is now available as a Package Deal! SAVE $25 when you bundle Kamana One with the two required resources: Seeing Through Native Eyes: A Journey of Connection audio series with Jon Young (8 CDs) Readers Digest: North American Wildlife field guide We are excited to release an expanded, updated edition of Kamana One, with additional chapters and a full 8 Shields curriculum. Kamana One: Exploring Natural Mystery is our best selling home Nature Study course. Thousands have improved their awareness skills and knowledge of the natural world! Kamana One begins your Kamana journey--and it only takes about a month to complete. It will bring you through two weeks of awareness exercises and six areas of ecological study using a field guide and inspiring audio narrated by Jon Young Reader's Digest: North American Wildlife This revised edition is a comprehensive, illustrated field guide to 2,000 plants and animals. It includes ecosystems, mammals, birds, trees, plants, reptiles, amphibians and MUCH more. Perfect guide for cross referencing. A perennial favorite of Wilderness Awareness School for teens and above. It is used in all levels of the Kamana Naturalist Training Program. New! Seeing Through Native Eyes: A Journey of Connection Updated 8 CD set by Jon Young. More than seven hours of reflections and stories on regaining the quality of connection with nature that our ancestors enjoyed. Because they lived close to the land, native cultures the world over spoke the language of their place. They had an intimate understanding of plant and animal lifestyles. They knew how to move with grace and ease through the wilderness. Seeing through native eyes means immersing the senses in nature, and discovering heightened spiritual awareness and a sense of belonging. This audio series lays the foundation for learning about and connecting with the natural world.

Two Ponderosa Pines Intertwined

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They were in each other all along.” ~ Rumi




Embracing Pines : Ponderosa pine photo: by ©DeborahMoen 
 Posters and greeting cards available at
http://www.zazzle.com/two_ponderosa_pines_intertwined-137718057904775982?rf=238540278403281540

As we walked, the meadow was active with antelope. As we entered into the forest we were surprised by a mystery creature lurking in the shadows. At lunch we enjoyed a friendly golden-mantled squirrel standing on his tree stump castle. We had a wonderful lunch looking out over the Markagunt Plateau.    I noticed these two trees next to us and wondered how they had grown together. I have a special relationship with trees and sense a great connection with them.





How to connect with the trees

There is something inside of us that truly desires to connect with trees.  Many people have shared their love of trees. John Muir a beloved mentor of mine, wrote volumes on the magnificence of trees, people engage in a practice called, Tree Sitting, to delay the cutting of trees, images in books and the internet of people meditating at the base of a tree, Professor Suzanne Simard's research on the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, and even Smokey The Bear expresses his love for the trees and forests.  If this is a new idea to you, you may be wondering, "How would I begin a relationship with trees?"

Here's An Easy Ice Breaker

Just for now it is beneficial to just be in the presence of the tree. Here is a good exchange to start with:

1. Go outdoors
2. Get comfortable. Relax. Chill out.
3. Notice your breathing.
4. As you inhale be aware that you are receiving oxygen provided by the tree.
5. As you exhale, be aware that the tree is nourished by your carbon dioxide.

There ! It is really quite easy. The more you enjoy this exchange, the more experiences and well-being you will notice. More will be revealed...

 Can you Solve These Mysteries?

The Ponderosa pine reveals a bright cinnamon orange bark as they mature.

Look at the Pines Embrace photograph at the top of the page.

• Did the pines sprout at the same time?
• How did they get so entwined with each other?
• What makes a tree bend and grow in different directions?

"The more I appreciate Nature, the more there is to appreciate."

Thank you for coming to this site.

Until next time,

Nature Loves Appreciation.


This photograph of Two Ponderosa Pines Intertwined is absolutely perfect as a greeting card for someone you love, for slipping onto a loved one's pillow and also an earthy greeting card for that Nature Lover of yours, for weddings and anniversaries and just because. You can customized them with your own words or quotes and prose which I have provided on this site here. Pines Embrace comes on posters and greeting cards to inspire our relationship with the trees.

Two Ponderosa Pines Intertwined by SimpleSpark
Look at Trees Cards online at Zazzle.com

And see this image on Fine Art America in framed, metal, wood, canvas, prints, cards, duvet covers, mugs and more...



 Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification, Revised and Updated (Golden Field Guide Series)
C. Frank Brockman