Friday, May 29, 2009

Symbol of the White Rose

The white rose... symbol of purity, innocence, spirituality... a reminder of angels, who in our time of tear, open their wings in support and acceptance. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

High Above the Garden

Strolling through the rose garden at Colonial Park it was not quite peak performance time, but
you'd never know it by gazing up at these little gems that clung to the overpass, as their leaves gently dangled against the blue of the sky.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Looking at the birds


It's just me, caught by my husband while watching the birds fly by... probably my beloved turkey buzzards gliding in the wind currents... sometimes I imagine sitting on their winged backs and viewing the world from their quiet vantage point.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Perfect Iris

I've been admiring the blooms of irises around town... just love their majestic beauty in yellows, and dusty purples that grace many of the gardens of my neighbors. After spending an enjoyable evening with my in-laws out to dinner, mom made us wait in the car as she hurried to her backyard and picked me the most beautiful iris I had ever seen. She is truly remarkable and loved... it was the best gift she could have ever given me.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Clematis on the Fence

I love the clematis that is usually seen caressing the lamp post in clinging curl. It was after a night of Spring rain when the sun peered out and rested upon the white pristine blooms that climbed over the damp mossy fence. A sense of ballerina gaiety dancing in the limelight.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Head of a Ram

During a recent traipse through the woods, I came across this remains of a tree that worked my imagination into the head of an animal.... a ram, a horse, a deer, a sheep... it morphed and changed until I decided it was a ram. The art of the decay can be a beautiful way to suspend judgement on what is and stimulate the mind into seeing what could be. Imagination is such a cool gift.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Happy Talk

Walking by these beautiful flowers I suddenly had the song "Happy Talk" stuck in my head. It was the one my mom used to sing to me when I was little... it was from the musical South Pacific. "Happy talk, keep happy talking, Talk about things you'd like to do, You've got to have a dream, If you don't have a dream, How you gonna make a dream come true?" It's funny how a display of flowers can stimulate a memory of music and a feeling of happy.

Friday, May 15, 2009

A Grazing Family

I stood still for several minutes just taking in the scene of this little goose family on a sunny day outing in the field by the stream. The little one's, all fuzzy and cute were pecking in the grass as a graceful graze. It was the mom's turn to graze as well, as the dad stood proudly by, watching for any sign of predator... he instinctively understands the his role as protector. 

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Raindrops on Mimosa

This is one of my favorite views out my backdoor window. The mimosa tree is now starting to bud, and with the gentle rain in the night I was able to capture the drops as circular wisps that bath the branch in nourishment from the night sky.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Cradling a Bee

As I admired the sunny blooms of the white azalea, I was surprised and elated to see this bee tucked in the center of the flower... cradled by the stamen. In just a few weeks the flowers will disappear, but I hope the bee continues to visit the other late blooming plants in the yard.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Apple Blossoms

There is a pretty little apple tree that sits on the front yard of a house for sale in the neighborhood. Though the house itself is in need of major repair, I have watched the tree blossom beautifully every spring to produce the little green apples that have been plucked and eaten by passing workers from the neighboring town. As I child I can still remember the tart taste of the crab apples and await the bearing of fruit that will occur in the coming summertime.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Dove in the Rain

It was the dreariest of days, cold April rain after a day of warm sun. My little dove friend sat so still as I took his picture through the glass of the back door. He just puffed up his coat of feathers and looked so self satisfied as he sat in the mimosa tree as the morning rain dripped in anticipation of the afternoon sun.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Kite of the Sun

I'm a bit of a rule breaker when it comes to taking photos. I don't follow the instructions from manuals. Most will tell you not to shoot in the direction of the sun, and yet look at this whimsical kite that occurred as an extension of doing precisely that. My hobby is my playtime and in solitary play, there are no rules.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

An Angel in the Unlikely

During a recent traipse through the wooded floodplain that is part of my playground, I spotted what appeared to be an angel ready to take flight. In actuality, it was the remnant of an animal jawbone that lay gracefully in the dirt. I am reminded that angels appear in many forms and in the most unlikely places... providing encouragement and inspiration.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ghost in Restraint

During a recent stroll along a stream bank, I noticed this ghostlike gathering of plastic being held by the branches of a tree. Nature has a way of harnessing the debris so carelessly discarded by mankind. The winds of April have all but ripped this ghost to shreds, but not before I caught it's dark eerie glare... staring at me.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Eye of the Fly

Often I find faces in the quiet bark of old tree roots. On further inspection, I noticed that one of the eyes on this little old man was made by the loathsome fly who stood idly by as I took the shot. It was touching, and I'll never look at the fly with the same eyes... they have their beauty too.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Catkins of Red Oak

It is early Spring, and while the forsythia blooms as yellow haze in the background, I am inspired by the dancing catkins of the early bloom of the red oak. In feline grace, the feathery leaves emerge pink, only to unfurl to the beautiful points of a summer's shade of green.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Laugh and Dance of Fire

Several times a year, especially on my special holidays, my husband and I light a fire in our copper bowl. I could sit for hours and watch as the flames dance and lick into the darkness of the night. Sometimes faces will appear and seem to join in the fun, and then flare and morph into other delightful images.