Blue Skies

Blue Skies, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's hard to feel blue when the skies are so blue. Branches reach up to the sky in celebration. February days, with pristine snow and bright sunshine are the best of winter. The heaviness of the long dark nights is lifting as days are noticeably longer.

Morning After

Morning After, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Early morning skies were dotted with cotton clouds. Morning temperatures, still cold, let the snow-painted branches keep their ermine trim. Later in the day drips and plops fell from the trees leaving branches naked once more.  It's that in between season.

Winter Sky

Winter Sky, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Winter skies add colour to an otherwise colourless landscape. The ground is covered in white. Trees are reduced to dark silhouettes. The lack of leaves opens up the sky which shifts in hues as the sun begins to set. Eyes gaze up, catching the last of the light before the long dark night.

Sept 5/10: Double Rainbow

Sept 5/10: Double Rainbow, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It's so important to stop in those moments to appreciate the ephemeral events. Rainbows are special for their fleeting existence.

I think as I start the school year with its frenzy of work I have to remind myself to stop and just enjoy the moment. There may not be a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but there is a golden moment when you take the time to appreciate it.

Still Waters

Still Waters, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Adventure Canada trip: July 23 - August 2 2010

There were times when I was at a loss for words, when the beauty and stillness made speaking an interruption to the incredible peace. As if by arrangement voices were hushed. The sky and the sea were one. There was a sense of reverence.

The play of the ever changing light was astonishing - like an art installation that constantly delights the eyes - changing mood in subtle steps.

I'll let these images speak for me - their voices are more powerful than mine.

More photos: click here

Jan 10/10: Sunset

Jan 10/10: Sunset, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Colours painted on the sky
change moment to moment
as the brilliant sun
sinks
The sky is spilling
onto the ground
Cutting a swath of pink
Across the frozen field
Ephemeral art
painted by nature
More photos 1 and 2

Day 254: Nature's Paintbrush

Day 254: Nature's Paintbrush, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Nature paints with a joyous brush
Streaks across the sky
I've been looking at her artistry
On the newly painted leaves
and in granite slabs
That tell the story of millions of years of upheaval
I'm not sure
we can ever match her creativity
She has such a large canvas
To play on.

Day 134: Changeable Skies

Day 134: Changeable Skies, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The wind blew all day, rapidly changing the weather. The morning sun was soon covered by clouds, first light then ever darker. Later the rain, driven by the wind, pelted down, sometimes almost sideways. By 5:00 these dark clouds hovered, threateningly, but the sun came through some thinning patches. I love the contrasts in light this created. Everything light-coloured was highlighted, everything dark seemed to grow darker still.

Spring storm.