They say that familiarity breeds contempt, but I don’t believe that at all. I have watched hundreds and hundreds of sunrises, and I never get tired of seeing them. This is a later view, but earlier this morning, all those “popcorn” clouds were bright pink against the early morning blue. The ever-changing scene of the sky provides a slightly different perspective to each person, and so it is always new and always uniquely yours.
See the little faces looking into the sun?
The weather is making a turn, and we are in what they call “late summer.” But it sure seems as if we are really in early fall. The colors are rich, the flowers are still blooming, and everything is ripe!
“Windswept,” 1902, by John William Waterhouse. I think there must be a lake just beyond the treeline, and there is a stream running through the grass, reflecting the clouds. Her bare feet match the color of the flowers.
A yellow butterfly enjoyed the Loosestrife at the lake. See her bright green eyes? She is called the Clouded Sulfur (but that’s not her real name.) I call her Marissa.
This cabbage butterfly was hanging around the the mint flowers! Her face reminds me of a 1980’s supermodel (accented eyes, spiky hair). She only needs a little lip gloss to complete the look.
The pair of swans seemed to glow in the sun.
Not glowing anymore, but still, the swans are amazing! See the mallards swimming incognito behind the swan on the left?
We came up behind the mallard family a while later. They were resting on the shore. The splash of purple reminded us that she was designed by the King.
We were amazed to see an Osprey at the lake. This is the first time we’ve seen one at Lewis Emery Park. I had to zoom in to the limit to get this picture: He was at least 30 feet high. Look at those talons!
Whoops. I didn’t mean “talons,” I meant “nicely trimmed toenails!”
We have so much to celebrate: Life, the ability to work, to play, and to make a difference in the world. It’s so wonderful to just rest in the knowledge of what we have been given, to appreciate it all. The only problem is, how will we ever have enough time?
The fall reds on this dragonfly are designed to coordinate with the rest of the late summer/early fall world. The translucent wings are set off by a few dots of brown, and the gradient on his abdomen remind me of the colors of the maple trees, which have just begun to turn. See the scarlet marginal cell on the outside edge of each wing? This dragonfly is called the Calico Pennant.
The Violet Dancer. Damselflies are a lot smaller than dragonflies, but they are just as pretty. You might not notice them unless they move. Fortunately for me, this one landed, then flew around and landed back on the exact same place. Then she posed for me while I focused the camera, got the lighting right, and waited for the sun to come out. She was still posing when I left. Maybe we should call her the Violet Poser.
The most beautiful time of the year is just beginning! Give thanks for your eyes, for your ability to walk, and for a mind that can see and appreciate it. May God bless you today!
The Fullers Four 