Among the varied scenery I am fortunate to witness on a typical driving day, I witness horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens, etc. in their farm environments.
Color patterns and variations in sizes of the same species intrigue me.
Most critters are curious and these two are no exception.
This short post wouldn’t be complete without a photo of Double Trouble !
Whether alive or cast in bronze, horses are astounding creatures. I suspect most will agree !
There are 1,795 species within the genus of the plant family called Begoniaceae (Wikipedia). They are commonly referred to as begonias. The image above is simply one example of this flowering plant.
Colors, shapes, sizes, leaves, buds, flowers, stems make each begonia unique…rather like people. Whether they are native to the soil where they originally thrived or are imported to a local nursery or store, the beauty of these flowers is in the eye of the beholder.
Certainly there are more grand and complex flowers than the begonia, but few genus’ have as many species. And, each species may produce thousands, if not millions, of the same plant type. Yet, each one is totally unique. Again, I am reminded of all the variations within the species of Homo sapiens.
Although red is not my favorite color, I have owned several red vehicles and find red blossoming flowers to be special. Perhaps red colored cars produce a significant contrast against the background of dull pavement and the abundance of white vehicles. And, it may be that when red blossoms are compared to vivid green leaves and stems they stand out so well.
As Mike Savage, a local Kansas City artist states, “Art is simple. You either like it or you don’t”. The same holds true with flowers, trees, birds, music, clothing, buildings, etc. However, there is one thing which should never be placed in the category of being liked or disliked.
People, as in ethnicity, gender and age.
Color, customs, language, tribe, religion, culture or any other differences should not be liked or disliked, but celebrated for their uniqueness. As long as humans strive for peaceful co-existence they can all be red for that matter!
I’m a sucker for colorful sunrises and sunsets. The splendor of the Sun’s rays illuminating heaven and earth is quite inspirational…almost a spiritual experience for me.
Watching an Appalachian mountainside come to life or a golden ball drop from view into the ocean is enchanting. Living in the middle of America this geographic area has no mountains or oceans, but we still have magnificent sun rises and sun sets. We are located in an area where warm air bumps into cooler air regularly and clouds often develop. I enjoy clouds as much as the morning and evening light shows.
I recall as a child lying on my back and staring at clouds as they passed by. Usually with a friend or my sisters we would call out to one another the variety of shapes that resembled objects we were familiar with. Often, we would see animals and people’s profiles. Clouds could appear happy or sinister and would change quickly as they moved through the sky. Pure joy.
I recall a time where I was with a group of people and we hiked up to the top of an eleven thousand foot mountain. It was a bright day, but a storm was fast approaching. As the initial wave of clouds began passing over us I recall feeling so small and helpless. We were in an area of the Rockies where there are many Fourteeners. These huge mountain peaks and valleys which surrounded us became even more menacing as the large clouds passed by. Their shadows rolled over the rocky terrain effortlessly. As the wind increased and became much cooler I easily imagined how one could perish atop one of these peaks without proper clothing and shelter. It was intimidating.
The image above captures one of our colorful sun sets. I like taking reflective photographs occasionally and thought it fun to shoot the sky reflecting off my Jeep’s window along with my silhouette. It appears I am shooting myself with the camera. However, I can assure you that my Canon has no bullets, only buttons and dials.
Took a walk in the woods yesterday afternoon. Stopped dead in my tracks by this tree.
Always on the lookout for one of nature’s surprises. Almost missed this one.
Split bark cedar tree with shafts of light illuminating her unusual essence of colors, curves and twists, and peeling bark. Even the brush which touched her was beautiful.
Soon the leaves turn from green to brown and will drop away.
Ah, winter causes her to hibernate, but not to die. She is too wild.
Spring will come again, as will new growth and a summer full of foliage.
This cedar lives on for whatever purpose the Creator has ordained.
I count myself fortunate to have seen her in this captivating light.
Soon, we will see the vibrant colors of Spring.
Soon, we will smell the fragrance of lilacs and all other blooming flowers.
Soon, we will feel the texture of lush leaves and delicate petals.
Soon, we will witness bees and butterflies pollinating, and birds propagating.
Soon, we will experience the full wonder of this season.
And, if we keep our eyes, ears and noses open to her transforming beauty, Spring offers treasures we cannot make nor buy, but simply enjoy for free.
Spring also offers her greatest gift…Resurrection.
May our hearts be open to all that is Spring.
The black is cold. The purple is cool. The yellow is warm. The white is almost hot.
The numbers in Celsius are temperatures measured by the camera.
The figure is Carson, our Westie, laying on the couch. He made a perfect example of thermal imaging with an infra-red, high resolution camera.
I just purchased such a camera for a multitude of reasons which will become clear in the not-to-distant future. Until then, think of all the possibilities a camera like this-under the guidance of an knowledgeable thermographer-can do.
This is a shot of me aiming the camera into a mirror which reflected back the thermal image.
And, this is early sunrise from our deck. The sun reveals its true color of warmth.
Something different since I didn’t feel inspired to write much. Comments are welcome!
Sunrise, Lenexa, Kansas, USA, at approximately 7:30 am or 0730 hours, January 31st.
Walked to my car from the health club after a workout and this is what I witnessed.
The actual sunrise was much more outstanding than my photograph, especially as it changed colors and shapes by the second.
After downloading this image to the computer, the layering seemed to magnify itself.
So, I thought about layers. We sometimes hear that certain things are only skin deep. At other times we hear that some things are buried so deep they can’t be found.
The reality is that when it comes to life, most everything that lives has layers: whether it be physical, emotional, mental or anywhere outside these realms. Life is complex.
I would like to limit this post to humans. We are fragile, yet flexible. We are strong, yet weak. Courageous, yet cowardly. Compassionate, yet cruel. Kind, yet mean. We are amazing. We are a mystery.
Like an onion which has a layer of silky skin upon juicy layers of zesty fruit, we can peel away and come to the heart of this vegetable without really understanding its uniqueness. We simply take for granted that is how all onions are and so be it. Like them or not. I venture to say that people are similar to onions in that we possess a complexity of layers.
We are not single cell organisms like some bacteria, but complex in every discernible way. This complexity is patterned after the Creator of the universe. Appreciate the commonness as well as the uniqueness.
If you can relate, I am so tired of the charade that is taking place in our world-especially in America. So many are divided. So many are angry and critical. So many are giving up. And, so many feel lost. This doesn’t even cover the majority of our world who don’t have a clue as to what I just stated-they are simply trying to survive. Can you imagine that…existing each day merely to make it to the next?
So, I return to the topic of layers. Explore the diversity, the uniqueness, the amazing in others, and in yourself. This may take some time as you peel away each layer, but discovery awaits. But, please, do not forget to explore the oneness we all have as human beings created in the image of God. May we all experience, and exercise, more peace and patience each day. The world needs it, you need it, and I definitely need it, as well.
This is a closeup of a Galilean Thermometer first developed in Florence, Italy by a group of scientists around the year 1600. Galileo discovered the principle on which this thermometer is based.
The sealed flask is clear, but I placed the device in front of green grass for visual effect.
The bulbs are hand blown glass with various liquids inside, and a weighted plate suspended from each bulb with a temperature embossed on its face. There are five bulbs in the flask and can measure room temperature from 64 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
This device is based upon the density of liquid which changes in proportion to the surrounding temperature.Buoyancy determines whether an object floats or sinks. The density of the liquid inside the bulbs becomes heavier or lighter as the surrounding air temperature changes. Gravity also plays a role in the rising and falling of bulbs. Basically, as the temperature of the liquid increases so does the object’s density. Typically, the lowest floating bulb provides the approximate temperature of the area it is placed in.
I enjoy starring at the bulbs as they reflect light and colors in a myriad of shapes. I find this dynamic to be rather pleasant. I hope the Light within me is revealed similarly.
I found it very difficult to not make one more post about Autumn’s colors…this time with a reflective flair. The photos are from the same parks where I have previously posted examples of nature’s beauty. Thanks for visiting (and viewing “more of the same” ).
I marvel at how beautifully and effortlessly water fowl glide across a pond or lake. It is like watching poetry in motion, Since people can’t glide, I’ll wish you smooth sailing!
The senses, especially our eyes, are treated to an explosion of color when the season changes from summer to fall. The foliage in our area is late this year to turning various shades of color due to milder than usual weather conditions. However, two weekends ago I was treated to this vivid reminder of how beautiful Autumn is (and will be). The subject matter is not extraordinary, but merely a potted plant at a local hardware store. The photo was taken with my Samsung’s camera. No enhancement was performed, and that’s the beauty of this image. It’s pure natural delight!
In contrast to the first image with the noticeable fall-like colors of ambers, oranges and such is this simple rose. Cheryl named this bloom The Last Rose of Summer (at the time she took this photo it was the last rose in her flower garden). The vibrant red petals and striking green leaves contrast sharply with the variegated plant above, yet both reveal the magnificence of nature’s glory. Soon, the trees and vines will burst into myriad colors, like a fireworks display, and the grass will give way to a carpet of leaves. The smell of burning wood will waft over us like perfume and wild animals everywhere will be scurrying about in preparation for winter. Football is in full force, and The Boys of Summer are playing like there is no tomorrow. A stroll in the woods can become a nostalgic vehicle for memories of carefree days when youth was innocent and the great outdoors was a giant playground.
Speaking of vehicles, I couldn’t resist.
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