Mindful Day 15, Stone x Stone

A beautiful hike in Palm Canyon which runs for 15 miles through the Aqua Caliente reservation. What makes it special is the running water that has created a lush area of palm trees throughout the canyon. You walk down into the canyon and are greeted by cool air and the sound of running water. The recent rains have certainly made the stream bigger, you could see signs of what rushing water had done everywhere. As we reached the end of this part of the hike we took a different trail back that overlooked the canyon and you could also see for miles and miles in every direction. At the high point of the trail was a gathering of cairns - the perfect place to stop, look around and be thankful for the heart stopping beauty in the world.

Mindful Day 3 - At the car wash

I love going through the car wash especially those that have the swinging, sudsy worms that swish over your car! I can't capture the changing  patterns on the windshield from the water, soap and worms fast enough. In Mary Oliver's poem, Mindful,  she writes of finding joy even in the ordinary stuff of each day. I found it in the car wash.

Going nowhere

Timing is everything. I am supposed to be on the way to Palm Desert today for a month of sun and fun. But becasue we are in the  midst of yet another snowstorm that plan has been changed to leaving tomorrow instead. It is hard to imagine a place that is warm and sunny right now! So I have been looking at some photos I took the last time I was there to revive my imagination. This is the first one - the color green, not white or grey but green. I can't wait to see green!

And blue, water and sun on water, and rippling water. Blue would be great.

Reflections, Venice, var. 25

I think it is done. This piece is over 9 feet long. I had a vision of it rippling down the wall but I have not been able to get the effect I want as yet with any devices that I have tried. Iwould like to make that  happen because at 9 feet is probably too big for most spaces. An answer will come.

Falling water

This is a detail of a metal serrated columnal sculpture at Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville, Water runs silently down all 4 sides of the sculpture sliding over the serrated edges. Somehow this creates rapidly changing patterns in the flowing water. Depending on how the light hits it there is dimension to the water as well. It is lovely and soothing and a photo does not do it justice.

Water patterns

Today we went on a architecture boat tour on the Chicago river. I took a lot of photos of the reflection of buildings in the water. I am not sure how this one ended up as this kind of pattern but I think they it is very cool!

Black and white

I love black and white imagery and this photo of another water reflection shows how powerful it can be. This is as is - no changing or enhancing - you would never think this was a shot of water.

Water reflections

Another advantage of being in Cancun (other then warmth, sunshine and fun) was all the water! I took many water reflection photos while I was there. I have several shots that I like that may become new art quilts. This is one of them.

Water photo

Back from a great week in Cancun - which I liked very much. The colors in the water and sky and pools are breath-taking. This photo of the bottom of a pool offers all kinds if interesting possibilities. The wobbly circle and the grid lines are change dramatically through 4 feet of water!

Stalagmites/stalagtites

The ice that has formed by water washing over this boulder has formed stalagmites and stalagtities. There is enough ice that it has taken on a bluish tint. It makes me think of glaciers!

What do you think?

I think this section of broken ice and moving water creates an image of a person's body. What do you think?

Ice and water reflections

This is the Rock River overflowed on to the surrouding area. The broken ice on the river piles up against the bank and then the smooth ice fills the field. I like the way these trees become segmented by the ice and water.

Eagles on the MIssissippi

This weekend, we went to LeClaire, IA for Eagle Days. We followed the suggested route making several stops along the way to see the bald eagles in trees and flying out above the open water looking for food. Also got to see take photos of interesting ice formations along the way. The water has been high and many places have water and ice where there normally woudln't be any. I like the ice on the river rock below because the icicles have frozen into teardrop shapes. 

See http://dancingbirdstudio.wordpress.com/ for more about Darcy's adventures with eagles yesterday!

Ice patterns

It has been a day of changeable weather- ice, wind, rain, snow. One of the outcomes has been some very interesting images created by the elements. I threw rock salt out on the driveway and front walk and the salt made holes in the ice that then let the rain in or caused the ice to crack! Fascinating what nature can create.