Aqua Eggs

I peeked, I couldn't help myself and to my delight, there were two little aqua eggs tucked within the nest in our holly bush. I was so excited to see these little orbs of life and know that soon, there will be little bitty robins chirping for their mother to take care of them minute by minute every day for a while. It brings me great joy knowing they are right outside the window and I can check on their progress daily if I like. Ahh, the beauty of the seasons is just miraculous when you really think about it!

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?

Word - Huddle

The word for this week is huddle.

Its verb meaning - to crowd together; confer.

Its noun meaning - a closely packed group; meeting, conference.

I choose this dragonfly image because I remember how windy it was the day this was taken, he was holding on for dear life, huddle with the fencing just hoping to stay put. I loved the light on the wings and the extreme side view of his almost transparent body.

So what does that have to do with me today? Well, we are getting more snow in the Midwest, in fact it is coming down so hard I can't even see the neighbors house across the street. It is just making me huddle together with the family safe and warm under a flannel quilt or two. I do love the winter, especially the white snow in the yard and gardens,  but this year has been extreme to say the least. I am ready for just a little bit of sunshine giving us a taste of warmth and it looks like I might just get that later this week. But today, I am like this little green darner, just hanging on, hoping tomorrow is a brighter, warmer day.

Yucca Glory

I love yucca seed pods, they have to be my all time favorite and well, I really don't even know why. They are just so intriguing! The little chambers that hold the black seeds in neat and tidy rows. Their skeletal form bursting open like popcorn to expose the treasure inside. The delicate way they open as if holding something wonderfully exquisite. But most of all, I love that they will last through the winter standing upright with such conviction you can't help but notice them in the garden.

Here, they just remind me of a summer snow cone treat although they are only filled with snow from the evenings storm. The color in the photo is such an earthy one with the glorious yellow browns, the extreme winter whites and let's not forget that rich, vibrant royal blue sky. This is one of my favorite photos I have ever taken and now you know why. I hope you will look into the garden and see what remaining treasures are waiting for your attention. Be curious, take a camera and get inspired by nature!

Heading Forward 21/30

I shot this lovely bird of paradise flower while in Florida. Their exotic ways always intrigue the curious muse inside this artist. From their shape, does it not resemble a bird? To their wonderful color combination of orange and blue violet. Add the long elegant stem and you have this interesting beauty. For me today, this one is pointing to a new adventure, heading forward, not knowing the end results, just reveling in the endless possibilities of my own imagination. It is getting quite real, this next step. I am ready, let the discoveries begin...

A Familiar Stop 19/30

The Whistle Stop Cafe. Does it sound familiar to you? I sure hope so. After all it was the star of a movie with some very big names. I came across this scene in Savannah Georgia and well, couldn't help but snap a photo or two. I do hope you know its origin because I think it is a beautiful movie full of sentimental familiarities not to mention great friendships of a lifetime. Now where is that movie, I haven't watched it in ages...

Unexpected Beauty 17/30

This little visitor was at a rest stop along the highway. I just fell in love with the colors, the texture and all the interesting elements this little guy has on its body. Knobby antennae that almost look like twigs. A thick white patch of hair in the middle of its back. The elongated addition of tiny spikes all over. The sparkle of orange in the skin pattern mixed with a lovely shade of green. And let's not forget the wonderful terra coral of its colorful head. Mother Nature was at her easel smiling when she kept adding little touches of beauty to this tiny creature. What a smile it must have been! I don't know what kind of butterfly it turns in to but I can only imagine its beauty cannot compare to the tiny treasure beforehand.

Meditation 9/30

So, what do you think Venus is contemplating overlooking this scene? She welcomes visitors to our house and spends hours on end just standing there looking quite content with the ever changing scenery. To be in such a state of meditation, I'm not sure I would mind it at this moment. I have been looking within these past couple of months into what my soul really wants. Searching for the continuous passion of creativity and where it might lead. Remembering that "life is a journey, not a destination" is something I am always reminded of thanks to Ralph Emerson's wisdom. Do you think she would mind the company? Move over Venus...

Illumination 8/30

These are Resurrection Lilies and are a remarkable flower. Their leaves appear early spring, disappear then these clusters arrive on a tall spike of soft dirty pink in the fall. They always capture my attention because as you can see, they have a illuminating quality to their petals. The sunlight always seems to make them shine from within, like a miniature light bulb has been turned on for the mid afternoon. Brilliance, soft, serene, magical and mysterious are some of the words I would use to describe these lovely lilies. If you ever get a chance to attain some of these vintage flowers, say yes, you will not be disappointed!

Red Sparklers 7/30

I spotted these beauties from the front porch. They were just standing there all brilliant red and spectacular. I couldn't wait to go take a closer look. And yes, they are just as beautiful up close. Their petals are so thick and waxy in appearance yet the flower seems so delicate. I love that they present their stamen to Mother Earth first. A testament and thankfulness to the soil that keeps them nurtured all year long from heat and cold. I think they are always looking for a startled gasp of bewilderment from spectators. I know it got that reaction from me! They are tall too, almost 3'6". Oh yeah, a force to be reckoned with. I do hope the next time you see a sparkle of red in a garden, you will imagine this wondrous sight awaiting your arrival!

Summer Snowflake 6/30

Some Thesaurus words for "cluster" - array, assemblage, band, batch, bevy, body, bunch, bundle, clump, clutch, collection, covey, crew, gathering, hunk, knot, lot, pack, party, set.

I love, adore, seek out Queen Anne's lace whenever possible. Its tiny white cluster of flowers remind me of a summer snowflake. Lacy, frilled edges, a softness around the perimeter getting stronger towards the middle. This one even had a tiny magenta red center, a little surprise for those who have taken the moment for a closer inspection. What do you think was going through Mother Natures' mind when she was at her easel? Do you think she was longing for winter after the steamy, hot days of August? That is what I'm going to believe. After all, it does make me think of snowflakes and cool, crisp air!

A Lush Place 3/30

I couldn't resist taking a photo of my favorite statue, Venus de Milo, surrounded by all the lush greenery that this year has grown. It is like a tropical jungle at our house. The gardens are overgrown, the woods seem to be creeping in every so slightly and well, there is just no way to keep up with the weeds. It is pure mayhem but the look is just spectacular. The sun was shining through here and there so I waited until her face was slightly dappled then snapped a shot. I am loving how the statues are aging, finally. Most have moss growing on them making them disappear into the background a bit more, just love that!

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I See You!

I am totally captivated with gazing balls and how they view the yard. Can you see me? I can see you! Knew that would make you smile today *giggle, giggle*. This is my moms backyard and yes, she loves everything that sparkles so I always find a lot of tresasures to photograph while I'm there visiting. We share the love of flowers and just sitting on the swing enjoying life's daily pleasures, not to mention the birds, butterflies and squirrels to entertain us. How do you enjoy the day to day life you are leading?



Solar Ball

 

My mom has these little solar butterflies in some of her backyard planters and I am just intrigued by them. Not only are they an interesting color combination, the copper butterfly and the shimmering luminescence of the solar ball. But the idea that the sun will make it glow softly in the evening is just magical to me. I wanted your eye to really look at all the fun stuff in the ball and the interesting texture it is. Now, close your eyes and imagine a slight glow - pure wonderment!



White Really?

Another shot of the crab apple trees, are you sick of them yet? I sure hope not. They just make me smile and this photo makes me really want to show you how we perceive the value of white. Look in the blurred background on the right, that is a true white. Now look at the blossoms, although we know they are white, and we say they are white flowers, are they really. Look deeply into each bloom and you will see a multitude of lovely colors just waiting for your discovery. There are soft creams, greens of various tones and hues, a touch of pink coming through some and look at the lovely darks that are included. I do hope that if you were to render them in a painting, you would think to put all those lovely color varieties within their blossoms. Now where is my sketchbook...

Checkers Anyone?

This is the year, I can finally show you the amazing checkerboard fritillaria in clarity. I only have one bulb that survived and it is situated right outside my studio window so I don't miss the beauty of it. This year I was blessed with four blossoms, all in various stages of blooming, just precious. Can you just imagine Mother Nature when she came up with this specimen? I bet she was singing and dancing around for days with the joy of how creative she is. I know I am very grateful for that special moment she shared with her muse!

Holly Nest

The robin's have started gathering, nest building and laying their eggs. It is always a fun little springtime game of mine to find the first one and discover the wonder of the washed light aqua that awaits my gaze. I was fortunate to find just such a treasure today, in our large holly bush. Three little gems are inside and I will be out tomorrow hopefully to get a great snapshot or two. Why is it that they are always just above my head so I have to stand on my toes with the camera in the air? I think it is their way of getting back at me invading their privacy, making me look like a fool for the next couple of weeks. I can take it because the transformation is a treat I await for every spring!

What the heck?

I saw this from a distance, a curtain of lime green just hanging there. Light and color reflecting up and down the large lacy curtains. What the heck? I had to step closer just to see what kind of thing could be making this beautiful sheer bit of color. The weeping willow tree of course, just starting to get its little leaves. Of course, I have the photo turned so you can see the strands a little easier but I even love the texture this way because you really don't understand what it is you are looking at. Had you wondering, didn't I? I know, crazy artist girl LOL

Lichen, really?

Some thesaurus words for "texture" - arrangement, balance, being, character, coarseness, composition, consistency, disposition, essence, feeling, fiber, form, framework, grain, intermixture, make, nature, organization, pattern, quality, roughness, scheme, sense, smoothness, structure, surface, taste, touch, warp, weave, web.

I love all of the words because of their tactile nature. When I stumbled across these logs in our woods, I thought there were little white butterflies adorning the circle. Upon closer inspection, it is actually a thin white lichen that curls this way and that giving it remarkable character. I just love the look of it and spent about 30 minutes taking pictures of it on all the tree limbs laying on or near the ground. It must love our wooded area and get just the right amount of sunlight because we have these little butterfly jewels scattered throughout. Just makes me happy imagining them as a cluster of wings just waiting for the muse and the moonlight!

Hello Sunshine!

I picked one lovely jonquil to focus on and love the way it just makes me smile. It's just so happy and yellow and sunny and spring like, it just screams "hello sunshine!" I love all the ruffles of the center section surrounded by the pointed smoother petals on the outside. Mother Nature sure knew what she was doing when creating these little beauties. I wonder what her work table looked like and it this was just a happy accident of putting two things together and liking the end result :)
Hope they put a nice sunny smile on your face today!!