Tag Archives: beautiful

C O N T R A S T S

Posted on by

Our world is full of contrasts. All of us know this. We see them, sense them, hear them, experience them, feel them, and even smell them. They are fact. Contrasts can be both beautiful and ugly, enrapturing and repulsive, or simply mundane. However, they are almost always noticable. Often, we don’t give contrasts too much thought because they are so common. It is only when we stumble upon the more sublime contradictions do we take greater notice and our attention is drawn to them longer than a few seconds.

The limestone rock which rests on the deep blue lake floor at an obscure angle.

.

The dancing flames encapsulating logs in a fireplace.

The bemused expression of this adorable, multi-colored canine.

When I consider contrasts, I see vast multitudes of them in nature, people, photographs, music, wrtings, colors, liquids, solids, gases, galaxies, human acheivements, failures, and the list can continue unabated for pages upon pages. However, for this musing I have selected three images. The contrasts between each one are obvious, and the longer one studies them the more numerous they become. And, yet, they have a common thread about them.

Familiarity.

Afternoon Delight

Posted on by

20190729_191516

Took a walk in a local park with a small lake and came across several unexpected treats for the eyes. I don’t know what this flower is called, but the deep purple is so beautifully rich that I had to take a photograph and share it.

20190730_043006 (2)

Then, a group of kayakers worked their way around the lake. The gentle paddling and smooth waves added a sense of serenity.

20190729_191220 (2).jpg

A little further down the path we came across this guy’s skin. The reptile must have shed recently because the skin was entirely intact. Fascinating how snakes exit their outer layer of skin to rid themselves of parasites and give them room to grow.

20190711_090918 (2)

Came across another flower which caught my eye. Again, I don’t know the name…obviously I am not a botanist or gardener, but I do appreciate the unusual and the beautiful.

20190719_202024 (2)

Then, we arrived home to be greeted by our bright friends, the Black-eyed Susan’s. Not bad for an half hour walk in the park. May your walk in life produce joyful moments.

 

A Little Bit of Pure Joy

Posted on by

20150727_080241 (2)

It’s hard not to smile when you see this photograph, is it? This is Elliot when he was two years old and was fascinated by water and electricity…not the best combination unless one wants to become a hydro-electric engineer! He is smart enough to be that.

Winter here has been bitter cold for our region with intermittent sleet and snow mixed in. Most everyone I talk to says they can’t wait for Summer. Elliot and Audrie, his younger sister, enjoy each season.  Bitter cold winters must be a getting-older-dynamic! Although, having mom and dad layer on the clothes and pull out the sleds is a plus for them. Us more mature folks have no such luxury.

P.S. I know that other parts of our country have been much harder hit with snow and blizzards and zero degree temps. We don’t whine here in the Midwest, just state the facts.

Hope you enjoy the photograph and the joy Elliot felt at the time…as did Cheryl and myself. Looking forward to not only warmer weather, but more joyful times!

 

Radiance

Posted on by

IMG_1285 (3)

Day lilies…what can be more common? They grow everywhere-even (especially) in ditches! Yet, they are beautiful in their own way (to coin a phrase from a Ray Stevens’ song).

One day there is a single stem of two to three feet and the next day a bud and then a flower and the next day the flower is wilted and then the next day it is gone. But, oh the glory of that single day when she is in full bloom. Radiance !

The oft used phrase, here today-gone tomorrow, certainly applies to this species of plant. Regardless, one day in full color is better than none at all.  The Bible has a verse which states that it is better to enjoy one day in God’s courts than in a thousand courts elsewhere.

Although the Psalmist is referring to actual courts in his day, I like the analogy of Heavenly courts. My understanding is that their radiance will be so glorious it will be almost blinding. If that is the case then I can hardly wait to witness those courts where Christ’s light illuminates everything.

What we see on Earth is but a sample of what’s to come, and for this I am grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

Serenity

Posted on by

IMG_1206 (2)

Serenity. What image comes to mind when you slow down enough to ponder this word? Serenity means many things: peaceful, idyllic, carefree, beautiful, tranquil, and much more.

IMG_1195 (2)

For some serenity may mean a leisurely Autumn walk in a wooded park or a relaxing day at the beach. Perhaps a particular moment in time where there wasn’t a care in the world or simply reading a book with a cup of coffee or cocoa by a fireplace.

Since I love nature so much and see these horses graze in their pasture most days, the word serene came to mind as I first noticed this scene. The horses are content, the pasture is turning green with Spring rains, the placid surface of the distant pond whispers clam-all made me feel at peace…even for a moment.

May you find your moment of serenity today and everyday. Your sanity may depend on it.

Sticking Your Neck Out !

Posted on by

IMG_1173 (2)

What a neck ! Has there been a time (s) when you have stuck out your neck (risk) for others or a cause? I certainly hope so.  For this Heron, sticking out the neck is common behavior, as you will witness by the next image!

IMG_1177 (2)

Perched high upon a tree this bird is all about searching for something. I assume that “something” may be a meal.

IMG_1182 (2)

As can be attested to by these photographs, something caused this lovely bird to stretch out the valuable neck line to its fullest extent. Can you relate?

IMG_1183 (2).JPG

Then something happened that I wasn’t quite ready (with my camera) to expect…a release from the tree branch to the air.

IMG_1184 (2).JPG

Freedom to pursue what he or she wanted to…how exhilarating to witness !

IMG_1187 (2)

Please forgive the lack of clarity, but as I stated, I wasn’t ready for this bird to bolt from the tree. However, I wanted to show the breath of its wing span and ability to lift that large structure from the perch.

IMG_1188 (2)

Birdie, as I shall call it since I don’t know male from female of this species, landed on a walkway bridge at a local park with a small lake. Birdie is about 3 ft. tall.

IMG_1189 (2) Birdie must have either become bored rather quickly or saw something it liked for it  took flight rather quickly…

IMG_1191 (3)

Birdie is seen “all out” as it crosses the lake for some unknown reason to me. Such a slim species of bird. Nevertheless, they are great hunters of fish and frogs and are usually found near water searching for the next meal or enjoying the cool of the water.

IMG_1192 (2)

One doesn’t need to ponder very long where the inspiration for flight came from. Birdie is gliding like a kite.

Such a privilege to witness this magnificent creature rest and then take flight. I hope you get a sense of what I witnessed a few evenings ago. Awesome !

 

 

Delicate

Posted on by

img_9496-2

Delicate is the flower of the Christmas Cactus. Christmas in March…how special is that!

img_9495-2

She appears different from multiple angles. Like all things…each view unique.

img_9491-2

Background affects the flower’s statement. As does that of people. Similarities?

img_9493-2

Add a touch of blue sky and a bit more green. She could be mistaken for a different flower.

img_9497-2

Sporting a brilliant pistil surrounded by soft, brush-like stamen. Simply beautiful.

img_9502-2

Only a few flowers at the moment. Hopefully, more to come. Thanks for joining me! And thanks to Cheryl for fostering such a lovely plant.

Color

Posted on by

20160507_183647

In physics, white and black are not colors because they have no specific wavelength. In art, white is the absence of color while black is the presence of all color. Yet, in science (other than physics) white is color and black is not. Henceforth, color is defined in various ways, depending on perspective and criteria.

Carson is white with black eyes and nose. And, when he digs in the mud he looks something like an Oreo cookie. In this photo, the grass is green, the flower barrow a rusty brown, the trees shades of brown-gray and green, and the sky blue and white due to clouds.

Would it make any difference if Carson were black and the grass white? What if his eyes and nose were blue and the sky yellow? Imagine the trees being shades of red and orange, and the sky purple. Actually, the later actually occurs at different times of the year and in various regions of the world. It is a beautiful thing.

Does it really matter what color objects are, whether they be animals, nature or people? No. Then why do we get so bent out of shape when colors and people are concerned? Should we? No. Is this post too simplistic as we are faced with issues of color which are millennia old? No. No. No. What is too simplistic is all the complex rhetoric and reasoning behind the issue with color. People say it is complicated, but at the very core of this issue, the problem with color is not complex. It is just ugly. Too many people’s hearts are tainted with prejudice and hate. Simple, but tragic.

Cardinal Luck

Posted on by

60D to 8-18-15 011

 

It is rare (at least for me) to get a long look at a Cardinal staying in one place for more than a few seconds. They are timid and like to hide. So, I was a bit lucky to capture this male, however, it was at a full 300 mm zoom so the image is not as crisp and vibrant as I would have hoped for. However, it beats not having the photograph.

There is a special quality that this particular bird reveals when he stands tall on a branch. Besides his beautiful red coloring and unique beak, there is something more…something intangible. Perhaps I consider him as being regal due to his appearance. Perhaps, I simply notice how handsome he is. As with people, Mr. Red can’t take any credit for this fact. Only his Creator can. But, what if he wasn’t so handsome? Would that lessen his uniqueness…his beauty? As with people, something to ponder. Are we unique and beautiful because that’s how the world sees us or are we all that way simply because that is how we were created? I choose the later explanation, and hope you do, too.

In keeping with my thoughts about winter ending soon and spring turning to summer, I share this song bird with you. Celebrate his (your) uniqueness.

Brown Sugar

Posted on by

Sunlit Horse 2-26-15 006 She stands about fourteen hands tall with a whisky-barrel-colored coat of velvet, and a white striped forehead from eyes to nose. Her pose is strong and steady; her eyes fixed and curious; her breath like steam from a locomotive. The morning sun illuminates her form like a yellow halo. This mare stands like a majestic statue overlooking hallowed ground. She patrols her triangular parcel of pasture with grandeur. Even her grazing is graceful. She is the equivalent of an equine Joan of Arc: brawny, brave and beautiful.Sunlit Horse 2-26-15 011I fell in love with this girl the first time I laid eyes on her a couple of years ago. It was winter then, as it is now. Snow covered the ground. As I passed by the pasture and noticed her, I stopped, just as I did yesterday. On both occasions I got out of the Jeep with camera in hand. Then, she came to me and we talked a moment. This time she kept her distance, but was unafraid…she simply wanted to continue grazing. A freight train passed behind her and a caravan of cars in front, yet she didn’t flinch. I guess we all become accustomed to our surroundings. I don’t know about you, but I think she looks the same now as two years ago. Lovely, isn’t she? I think I’ll call her Brown Sugar.???????????????????????????????