Venus Peek-a-boo

We have three star magnolias surrounding Venus in the front garden.

I loved the way she played peek-a-boo with me while taking photos. Sometimes she would vanish behind the tree but other times she just came into view just letting me get a glimpse. I always look forward to these trees blooming because it means winter is over and spring is here to stay. Welcome spring!

Word - Luminous

The word for this week is luminous.

Its adjective meaning is emitting light; lighted; clear, intelligible.

The petals in the sunlight, is there really anything more beautiful than this? Not in my mind, really, it almost brings me to tears the way the color overlaps and mixes with the sunlight to create an orchestra of luminous quality that my artistic muse can't ignore. I just can't say enough, the beauty is there to see, you just have to look, it is everywhere. The soft delicate values show the fragility of each little petal on these mini daffodils. The deep orange centers just give them so much depth and darkness really making you see the transparent nature of blooms in general. I think this is one of my favorite photos I have ever taken and well, it is one I will be thinking about for weeks to come. Look around today, see what every day presents and find that one thing that makes you grateful for its existence. Find the magic!

Daffodil Color Palette

The daffodils are in full bloom right now and I am taking advantage of the nice weather to shoot as many as I can with my camera. When I was looking at this photo I became entranced with the colors in the bloom. There is yellow, yellow orange, yellow green, green and browns throughout but I wanted to focus on the yellow color scheme. Isn't it a great one. These palettes really focus you attention and see all the glorious shades included in just one simple bloom. Just magical!

Laughter

All the daffodils lined up together made me think of a marching band. As they blew in the breeze, their heads swayed in unison gently bobbing from one side to the next. I just couldn't help myself from laughing. To find humor in the most ordinary of things and really appreciate them for all they are, isn't that a wonderful gift to have bestowed upon you? I know I feel very lucky to have such a curious muse just waiting for the next opportunity to find something special in the everyday!

Solitude

Our pond life suffered from the harsh winters weather. We lost several large koi, catfish, bass and bluegill. Not tragic by any means but when you see them grow up year to year, it is a loss when they are gone. This little shell of a Rose of Sharon seed pod stood on the edge of the pond and made me think of solitude, the passing of the seasons and what is in store for us this year. I love the soft colors, the hue of the frail pod offering itself up to the sunshine and the muted pond in the background. I chose the off kilter composition to make you think and ponder for its meaning. What is it saying to you? Are you listening? I sure hope so!

Just Lovely!

I love this photo, I mean love it!! The soft background layers of nice muted colors really helps push our undivided attention to the flower in the foreground. The tiny blossoms tightly together to form one large bloom is just astonishing in itself. Mother Nature had to be smiling when she created these because she gave them the most glorious of colors just to make you stop and take notice. Believe me, as I came around the corner of the house, the sight almost took my breath away, just lovely. Today, let yourself be taken by surprise, let your mind wander and look for inspiration all around you!

April Snow?

This is not a winter scene, this is my yard on April 15th, I know, right?!* We were finally celebrating spring with the windows open, mowing, picking up sticks and 70's weather then this. After three gorgeous days, we awoke to this beautiful scene of winter with 6" of snow on the ground. It was so gorgeous, like a winter postcard! The pond dark and reflecting, the clouds in the bluest sky, the rich darkness of the trees and the winter white all around. Yep, nothing like Midwestern living this year, you just never know what you will awaken to!

Nest Building

I love the Seasons and can't imagine my life without them because each one holds its own treasure to open up and unfold to us as spectators. It is who I am, the curious muse, looking for inspiration wherever Nature provides it. I wait all Winter hoping to see that little breast of tomato red outside my window. When the Robin first arrives, there is excitement in the air because that can only mean one thing. Spring is coming and soon Winter will be over, the end of one season and the birth of another. I am always on an adventure to find where they build their nest. Oh, they know me and let me take photos throughout the Spring without too much trouble. We have bonded over the years and they know I mean no harm, I am just a curious observer who interjects herself a few moments at a time. This is the first nest of the spring and I cannot wait to see it filled with many small speckled robins blue eggs that are always a delightful treasure to discover. I wonder what tomorrow's exploration will bring?

Well, hello Spring!

The temperature reached 76 degrees today, yes, 76, wow!! How could I not adventure out with camera in hand? I couldn't help it. I just had to go outside for an impromptu nature walk. I couldn't believe all the lovely flowers hidden among last years leaves, just waiting to be discovered. I stumbled upon this little mini, the early one of the group, in the little bed surrounded by our driveway. It is so small, as tall as your hand from stem to flower tip, yet so brilliant in appearance you really can't miss it. Its beauty was just standing there blowing in the breeze, welcoming Spring home once again.