Tasty Turkey

There are some animals that just look better on a plate surrounded by gravy. High on this list is the turkey. It can be a beautiful animal, depending on the breed, but man it is tasty. Turkeys will dance and display for each other, but their most impressive display is along side mash potatoes and asparagus.

By Joshua Kirton
Other bird posts by Joshua: Eastern Great Egret and Who are you calling chicken?

Becoming a Butterfly

The butterfly is a symbol of transformation across the world. It represents change from something undesirable to something beautiful.  This change is part of the natural life cycle of the butterfly, just as change is part of the natural life cycle of people. The major difference is that we can choose what changes we want to make to ourselves. Will we choose to become more beautiful inside or will we choose to remain or become the undesirable. Will we choose to love and uplift in hard times or to be another worm wiggling our way through life.

By Joshua Kirton
Monarch Butterfly

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A River Runs Through It

"So it is...that we can seldom help anybody. Either we don't know what part to give or maybe we don't like to give any part of ourselves. Then, more often than not, the part that is needed is not wanted. And even more often, we do not have the part that is needed."
Excerpt from: "A River Runs Through It" by Norman Maclean
Taken by: Kelsey Davis
Bitterroot River - Stevensville, MT

More Posts By Kelsy: Monarch Butterfly, Freezer in a Field, and In Awe

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Don't stare! It's not polite.

I dislike it when people stare. Here is what I imagine the animals at the zoo would be thinking if they cared.

Meerkat: What are You Looking at? Don't stare it's not polite.
Man: I was just curious to see what you were doing. What are you and what are you doing?
Meerkat: Stop looking at me. Take a picture it lasts longer.
Man: Aren't you going to answer my question.
Meerkat: Are you kidding. I'm not going to speak with you. You're crazy. Your talking to a meerkat.
Man: Touché

By Joshua Kirton
A picture from the past.
More On Meerkats
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In The Begining

In the beginning, when the earth was new,
birds had no feet but only flew.
When they crashed upon their nose,
Mother Nature gave them toes.
Then they dined standing on the beach,
catching all the fish within their reach.
And when they fought for fish to eat,
Mother Nature stretched their feet.
"Nobody here can fall asleep!
So, you long-legged birds, fish in the deep.
Short-legged birds, fish near the shore,
And stop that fighting! You hear? No more!"
by Frank Asch
(More Bird Poems)

This Picture of a snowy egret was taken at Daytona Beach Florida By Joshua Kirton.
Another bird picture from the past.

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On The Lake

“On the lake,
the deep forbidden lake,
The old boats go gliding by,
And the leaves
are falling from the trees
And landing on the logs and I
See the turtles
heading for the bog
And falling off the log.
They make the water splash,
And feeling no backlash,
They climb the happy banks”

-Neil Young

Sometimes the lyrics of a song just speaks about a photograph and help tells the story better than regular words.   I felt this song by Neil Young did just that.  Of course, every picture tells a different story to those who view it.  What does it say to you? 


By Teri-Kai  www.terikai.com

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Still Waters

"1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalms 23)"

This beautiful shot is at Lake Louis in Alberta Canada. 

By Joshua Kirton
Other Spiritual thoughts: Family,  Good and Evil, and The Straight and Narrow

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Gator Facts

Admire me from a distance. 

1. The average number of eggs in a Florida alligator nest is 35-50, but only about 15 of these will hatch...and only about 6 of those will live to be 1-year old.

2. Baby alligators are eaten by raccoons, large bass, birds...and of course, bigger alligators.

3. Female gators rarely reach 9' in length, while males average a bit over 11'. The largest Florida alligator (a male) is listed at 14'-5/8"...the heaviest one (also a male) weighed in at 1,043 lbs and was 13'10-1/2"in length.

4. Alligators in the wild, like the Everglades (or your nearest Florida park) can live to be 50 years old.

5. Florida alligators are also unbelievably fast for 10-15 yards. They have reached speeds of 20 mph chasing down prey. (That would be like playing tag with Usain Bolt.)

6. It has been recorded that a gator can outrun a horse for 30 feet. Unless you can move like Secretariat, keep your distance.

7. Although alligators are classified as reptiles, their closest relatives are actually...BIRDS, which are direct descendants of dinosaurs. (See if your science teacher knows that one!)

Photo by Joshua Kirton

Info obtained from florida-beach-lifestyle.com.
Another Gator Post

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End of the Season

Sometimes you drive by an area and it speaks to you in such a way that you have to stop and capture it. This photo did that to me today. It spoke to me of loneliness and end of season. The summer is gone, cooler weather is in the air and fall is nearly here. And I cannot wait!

By Teri Kai


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Focus

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." (Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton)

There are many things in life that are important, and are discounted, cast aside as dross. Many men lose sight of what is important but have it right before their eyes. Family is worth more than all the world, but is ignored for small pieces of worldly wealth. If you are blind long enough you find yourself on the curb discounted as well, and no one will want to pay the price to be with you and all your worldly possessions.

One thing that photography does for me is that it freezes a piece of life to be evaluated. As I mull over what I see, I often can see if the focus is where it should be. If only all of us could do this in each of our lives, this world would be a much better place. Do not focus too much on what is past, or you will miss the picture of where you are headed, and do not focus too far in the distance or you will trip over what is right in front of you.

Photo taken at Bear Lake Utah
By Joshua Kirton
More Thoughts: The Price of Freedom, How in the World
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Straight and Narrow Path

"...because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, ‘I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].' ” Jeffrey R. Holland, "None Were with Him," Ensign, May 2009, pg. 88.
Though this picture is not of a straight and narrow path I could not help but think of it. Let us always remember the lonely path that our Savior walked. Let us be mindful of the straight and narrow way and do all we can to stay on that path in the midst of life's trials and tribulations, storms and temptations of life. May we always feel the pure love of Christ, and may that love reflect in all our actions. May we be filled with charity, perform Christ like acts of service, study the scriptures, hold to the rod, and be prayerful in all we do.

Inspiration Peak - Minnesota
Taken By: Kelsey Davis
October 2005
Other Spiritual Thoughts: Focus and Good vs Evil
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Good vs Evil

Good and evil are real and constantly at war. If you take a look around it seems that dark people and ideas are pervasive in their attack against all that is good and pure. Though we must have the courage to stand against these evils we need not fear, because where there is light darkness cannot exist.

"23 And that which doth no edify is not of God, and is darkness.

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you; (D&C50:23-25)."

Stand up for what is true and right and do not be afraid of the dark. As soon as you bring light to bear on the subject the darkness is banished and the light grows. Dark can never win. God is almighty and will win in the end, will we be with him?

By Joshua Kirton
Other Posts By Joshu:How in the World and Eastern Great Egret

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To Grandmother's House We Go

Over the hill and through the woods to grandmother's house we go. I don't know about you, but a trip to grandmother's house rarely meant a trip over the hill or through the woods, rather it meant getting on the freeway, to the interstate, then down a busy street, and into suburbia. I don't recall any run-ins with big bad wolves, only big trucks and bad drivers.
However you get to grandmother's house it is a good place to be. Grandmas have a tendency to spoil you, or at the very least let you get away with the occasional craziness.
This beautiful picture was not taken on the way to my grandmother's house, but rather on a drive up Diamond Fork Canyon with my wife in Utah.

By Joshua Kirton

All about Little Red Riding Hood, Including a recording of the story.
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What I can do with my phone.

Cell Phones are rather fancy theses days. Some of you can still remember when there were no cell phones, and some of you had those first bricks that people called cellular phones. There was even a time when phones were built with cords in cars for the rich and famous. Now everyone totes a little phone around with them. For good or bad that is the way things are.
Another great innovation with the cell phone was the addition of the digital camera. Initially the pictures had such low resolution that they looked like Mario and Luigi did in 1985. Now you can take pictures like this anywhere you go. This was taken near Park City, Utah.

By Joshua Kirton

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Get on your Horse and Ride!

This is the best view in the entire world! If you are stressed, or just need a break, get on a horse! I did this over the long weekend up in Park City, and it was beautiful! 


By Sarah Allred


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Palm Trees and Summer Breeze

A nice breeze blowing through the air on a hot summer day is priceless. This is especially the case when you live in a subtropical swamp. There is beauty all around, but a cool breeze is the most beautiful.
This photo was taken at Lake Alice in Gainesville, Florida.
By Joshua Kirton

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Even Monsters Were Babies

Though I am not really saying an alligator is a monster they do become a large dangerous animal after spending time as a cute little gator. They start out only 10 inches long from snout to tail and can grow to a length of 14.5 feet and weight over  1000 pounds. So when is that line crossed between baby and monster. With animals the second your hand looks like dinner, which is unpredictable. Many of the bad things in life whether lies, temptations, or criminal behavior usually start small and grow into monsters. Don't feed the beast. Fill your life with good and starve the little monsters inside you. Though our personalities and actions are heavily influenced by our environment and genetics we do have free will, and can choose which path we want to start down. Do we want to become man eaters or life savers? Monster or angel?

By Joshua Kirton
Other Posts: Good and Evil, and Monarch Butterfly

Daytona Florida USA

This picture of South Daytona shows a few of the things that make America great. Here we see a beautiful land that has been harnesses by innovation and hard work. In this picture you can see the American flag flying proudly as heroes drive past in their red truck. Another detail that I love about this picture is the garage door of the house front and center. Each side is covered with the American flag. There is no other universal symbol of freedom that can bring hope to the hearts of people everywhere. God bless America.

Other Posts: Washington Monument and The National Mall

Bill and Ted's Red Panda Rave

Narrator: After BIll and Ted' Excellent Adventure,  and their Bogus Journey they went to the zoo.
Bill: You know Ted I can't think of any reason for a radical red panda, like this one, to be asleep on such a beautiful morning. I guess he had a late night.
Ted: Actually now that I think of it I heard about a red panda at a rave last night on the news. He was going all sorts of crazy. This must be him.
Bill: That crazy party animal. Are you sure he isn't just nocturnal?
Ted: Shshsh let him sleep. He probably has a hangover from last night.
Bill: Are you kidding? He looks most tranquil. I'm going to poke him.
Ted: Dude that is nuts. He will chew your finger off.
Bill: Dude! I'll wear a glove.
Ted: Dude!. Why did you bring a baseball glove to the zoo?
Bill: I thought I might want to catch an animal.
Ted: Ohhh. That makes sense... Careful!... Careful!...
Bill: POKE!
Red Panda: Can't you see I'm sleeping here! Get out of here before I claw your eyes out! I was up all night dancing! Let me SLEEP!
Ted: Dude! It is him!
Bill: Hey you want to go out with us tonight to pick up some babes?
Red Panda: Are you still here? I thought I told you to go away.
Ted: Come on most excellent red panda!
Red Panda: I warning you go back to your phone booth and keep you trap shut so I can sleep.
Ted: Whoa! Narly. I think he is serous.
Bill: I'm going to poke him again... POKE!
Narrator: After a long surgery doctors were able to reattach Bill's face, and after all of the physical therapy he has been able to walk again.
Ted: What kind of adventure should we have today?
Bill: Let's see if that Red Panda guy wants to party again.

This picture was taken at Utah Hogle Zoo. For more info on red pandas and the probability of them attending a rave click here.

By Joshua Kirton
Another dialogue: Dont Stare! Its not Polite.
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The Greatest Show On Earth

This is a picture taken at the Circus. My husband and daughter had never been to the Circus and I was very excited to take them. There is something about seeing through others eyes. To me the Circus is okay and kinda boring because I've been more times than I can remember. But this time it was something special that I will remember forever. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Welcome to The Greatest Show On Earth! Oh, and how cute is the elephant holding the dog.
By Rebecca Kunz Kirton

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