A good way to start the New Year, or any day of the year for that matter, is to see the beauty and truth which God has put in His creation for us to cherish and enjoy. Creation speaks to us about the Creator without using any words (Psalm 19) and inspires us to worship Him in thanksgiving.
A few of my 2013 photos from the flora world.
And God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)
Then there are the photos which bring together flora and fauna.
And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:30)
And a few of my 2013 photos from the world of animals.
And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” (Genesis 1:21-22)
You can view all of my favorite 2013 photos at Favorites 2013.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
See also my photo-blog Favorite Views of 2013. You can see a list of all of my photo-blogs with links to them at My PhotoBlogs.
Fraternized 
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Fr. Ted:
Thanks for posting these. They are an inspiration to me as I rekindle my old photography hobby. I think I am drawn to nature and landscapes as you are.
Val
I think we each are called by God to create beauty in the world. I am not very creative – the best I can do is to capture the beauty that exists in a picture. I think photography can help us to see the beauty around us. Taking a camera on a walk certainly makes me pay more attention to detail, to sounds and movements. The camera causes me to stop and smell the roses, as it were.
Forget things, forget Heaven, and be called a forgetter of self. The man who has forgotten self may be said to have entered Heaven. –Chuang-tzu
I think especially in our very self-oriented culture, forgetting self may be the only way to love as Christ loved and thus the only way to enter heaven.
The sage’s mind in stillness is the mirror of Heaven and earth, the glass of the ten thousand things.–Chuang-tzu
Once again, thank you Fr Ted for posting your photos – you have the eye to capture the beauty. I look forward to reading your blog every day, for the photos and more. A happy and blessed New Year to your and yours.
Dana
I appreciate your words and wishes and for reading the blog.
I just wanted to say that you have some incredible photographs! Thanks so much for sharing, be blessed and have Happy New Year!
Thanks for your words and for reading the blog.
The bird/Owl? With wings fully spread, behind the branches, touches my soul
I think it is a bluejay.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures Father. I can almost feel the warmth in your pictures as we head into the deep freeze here in Indiana, and there in Ohio.
You are welcome. Glad you enjoy them as I do.