Saturday, January 30, 2010

What a Square!!!





These photos are untouched. They are mystifying to me. I have watched the clouds all my life. Until I started taking pictures with my digital camera two years ago--I don't remember ever seeing square shapes in the clouds before. It is a mystery and oddly disconcerting.
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Sissy says I should call these "Borg" clouds!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Circle in the Sky


I'm always caught by surprise by the perfect circles I often see in the clouds. Lately I've also found triangles, squares and rectangles in the skies--which is VERY odd indeed!
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NOTE: If you want to see some truly interesting artwork check out my darling Sissy's new blog! I am so proud of her! Her perspective is truly unique. Here's the link: http://clytie-randomtrash.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pink and Gold

Last April I caught the golden light of sunset bathing these pink beauties before darkness fell. This is one of the lovely tulip trees gracing our streets. They are such fascinating trees. Their exotic blooms never fail to amaze and fill my eyes with their beauty.

I am so looking forward to warm weather and Springtime flowers.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Summer Twins


I took these pictures last summer. These lovely twins are so bright and beautiful. On this dreary grey day my eyes tingled as I looked at this photo. I think I need some sun and I have cabin fever.
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We could all do with a little good weather right now! Though I'm sure it isn't different than any other year, for some reason this winter has been the longest , darkest and dreariest I can remember. I am pining for Spring.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Eye of Tree

Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched? You know, that prickly uneasy sensation right below the neckline between the shoulder blades?

Goodness! Turns out it's a cyclops tree and he's looking right at me. I'm not sure about that quirky little grin he's has on his, er, face.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Golden


Last fall, just as the sun was coming up, I caught this lovely light showering morning gold over the weeping willow tree next door.
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I dearly love the vivid colorings of Autumn.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

My Great Ocean Adventure

The storms were offshore the first night. I caught this lovely view of bare branch, sky and ocean just before the sun went down.
The clouds looked like soft pillows laying on the air. I thought I'd like to take a nap there. Later that night the winds kicked up with gusts around 70 miles per hour.

The second day was beautiful! If you look closely at these clouds--you'll see a lovely maiden's face as she slumbers upon the blue.

I was astonished to catch this bear in the clouds. Can you see him? I am not sure I can make out what he's holding in his paws--what do you think he's holding?

The second night's sunset was spectacular! The storms predicted slipped southward, leaving behind a glorious trail of colorful skies.

Here you see the gorgeous haze of purple, pink and yellow as the sun hid behind the mists.


I thought the photo above looked like a little bit of heaven.


Abe, this picture is for YOU. I thought about your wonderful photography the moment I saw this seagull strutting along the rocks. Isn't he funny? You have such a gift. All the wonderful birds you capture on you camera reflect such personality. I like to think maybe I caught the genius of your photography in this photo.

This is the spouting horn found in Depoe Bay along the Oregon Coast. When the tide is high, waves compress themselves beneath the rocks, then blow up and out through a crevice. It is great fun to watch. This is only a small burst of water I was able to capture. There are only two such spouting horns in the world--one is in Mexico and the other in Depoe Bay, Oregon.


Above is the sunset which greeted our eyes Friday evening. The colors are just spectacular.


There was a storm approaching. A few moments later we were drenched in heavy rain. The storm followed us over the coast range mountains as we drove home.

Arriving home, we were greeted by yet another an incredible sunset. Here you can see the porthole in my garden as it looks without leaves.
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It is good to be home!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Ocean's Profile

Two years ago I clicked my very first photo of clouds where something unexpected can be seen. If you look closely at this untouched photo of the sea--there is the cloudy profile of a lovely woman looking at the waves.


Sunday, January 17, 2010

PINK Skies!



These pictures were taken in late Fall of last year. I was just astounded at the colors of this sunset--I ran around the block in my bare feet to catch colors of purple and pink as the sinking sun threw them against the clouds. The first photo is further up the horizon. The second photo was nearer to where the sun had just gone down.
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I'm sure passing motorists must have thought the barefoot lady with the camera excitedly clicking pictures of the evening sky was nuts!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Whas' Happenin'?

You've heard of shy violets? Not so with this one! This pink fellow obviously poked his head above ground, took one look around and said, "Hey! Whas' Happenin' with no leaves on the trees?!" His jaw appears to have dropped in utter consternation.

Tch tch tch . . .

Go back to bed little darlin'. Winter isn't quite done yet!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Twins

Last summer on a walk with my Friend Lynn, we found this unexpected bed of gorgeous flowers tucked away near the wild forest streams. The colors were so vibrant and filled my eyes so vastly I had to share their beauty with you on this grey cold day.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

My Lioness

This is My Lioness in late summer. Since Snowbunny left for city living, Crickette' is often my companion whenever I go outside. She watches the birds, stalks bugs and defends her turf. She also seems to find anything I do to be endlessly fascinating.
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To be so important to this adorable little scamp is pretty heady stuff! Of course, in the back of my mind I feel sure she's just trying to make my husband jealous.
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And she's succeeding. (Grin)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Shroooomzzzzz!

I remember this walk well--Clytie and I were astounded at all the varied mushrooms we found, including this cluster of shrooms . . .

This frilled skirted shroom . . .

And three shrooms all in a row!
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It is time to step through the mystery of the woods to discover anew the strength and beauty both of us find there. I can hardly wait to go on our next walk in the forest together! I wonder what amazing things we will find???


Friday, January 8, 2010

Pastel Oceans

Though this photo was taken two years ago with my lesser pixel camera, it is still one of my favorite cloud pictures, partly because of the pastel ocean colors, but mostly because of the sheer gorgeousness of the cloud formation. The beauty of this scene fills my eyes and heart with awe.

I have been away from my computer since Wednesday night. I came down with a terrible case of the stomach flu. I'm finally feeling a little better today--still running a fever with sore throat, but I'm on the mend.

Take care out there!


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

"X" Marks the Spot

On one of our woodsy wanderings, Clytie and I found this huge parasitic growth on an oak tree where the city had cleared away some gorgeous native growth in the name of conservation. It is either poison oak, or ivy. Whatever this is, it had been there a LONG time.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Watcher

I miss summertime when the earth is warm and rich with life. Here you see The Watcher. Her name is Snowbunny and until she moved away with her owners, she was often my silent companion as I tended the garden. I miss the little dickens.


Sunday, January 3, 2010

Spokes

I love the wheels on my 1980 Lincoln Versailles, which was given to me by my Papa Dave. No one wanted the car, he couldn't even sell her--so she became mine.

In 1995, it was reported there were only around 900 left in the entire world! I'm sure there are even less now. The reason for this shortage is because the rear end of the Versailles can be used in the old Ford Mustangs.

She is the oddest looking car--a long elegant front end with a short backside. She looks unbalanced. The dashboard is covered with teal blue leather, along with plush carpeting on the floors of the same color. She's white with a tiny pinstripe down the sides. She sports lights which turn on as one wheels around a corner, an eight track with am radio, lights in the keyholes, a thermometer outside the thermal heated side mirrors. That is only a short list of the many luxeries built into this amazing car.

And what a wonderful drive! Like pouring melted butter. When I drove her home for the first time, I asked "What is your name?"

She coyly lifted one crome covered shoulder and replied in that sultry big engine voice, "Kitten.'

I spoke to my husband about this, and he immediately explained he wasn't going to drive any car named kitten. He said, "She's the White Tiger."

I agreed with him, of course. A white tiger with the nickname of Kitten. (grin)

Friday, January 1, 2010

Holly Berry Jewels!

My darling Sissy Clytie has a way of catching the light. I have always envied her ability to capture nature's gorgeous jewels.
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Just this morning I was half way up the front stairs when a rainbow flash caught my eye through the window--there in the holly tree sparkled one of those illusive jewels. My camera was in my bathrobe pocket, of course. Here is the result!


I'm convinced the sparkle above is actually a little faery from my garden, twinkling a Happy New Year greeting!
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If you click on the first picture--you can see a heart at the center of that sparkling jewel! This one's for you, Sissy!