Reaching for the Sky

A recent stay in Lavey-les-Bains for three days in a Spa Hotel

I was able to get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

These were taken just as the first rays of sun were touching the tips of the mountains

in the early morning.

These lovely shots were all taken from the balcony in my hotel room

It was certainly very beautiful watching the rising sun illuminate the mountains

There was still a little snow, but most was melted.

I know that these two tips which are part of a mountain called

La Dent de Morcles

As the sky lightens, the green trees become visible

Fluffy clouds are always somewhere to be seen

This one almost looks like a volcano

A daytime shot from the park adjoining the hotel

Such a beautiful place to walk and the grass was dotted with buttercups.

The early evening sky brings in a red hue across the mountains

A charming crescent moon becomes visible

and for a few minutes, the sky takes on a shade of royal blue

Back to the moon again through the side window of my room

As night descends, it's time to put away my camera until those first rays

of sunshine illuminate the mountains again the next morning.

***

This thermal spa is at the foot of the Alps.

It is fed by the hottest springs in Switzerland.

Temperatures vary between 32°C - 36°C, depending on the season.

It is indeed a beautiful place to stay for a few days.

The mountain views are spectacular.

There is also a lovely park with many trees that runs along

the Rhone River nearby.

The fast flowing water can be heard from the hotel rooms.

I would love to go back there for a short stay in the autumn again!

July Photographic Adventures

OPENNESS

The spaces in-between

Life isn't just made up of light and shade

but also of the spaces in-between.

This capture made me think of a jigsaw puzzle and what I noticed the most

were the open spaces of sky.

What if the spaces were the most important part?

They are a reminder of how essential openness is to follow the path

that stretches out before me without preconceived ideas and limitations created in the mind.

PAUSING

Evening walks are slow and relaxed. 

I like to take the time to pause and stop and look around me

to notice what catches the light in the last rays of sunshine.

The red leaves invited me to look further into each detail of their structure,

how the stalks caught the light

how the edges of the leaf looked so beautiful

and noticing the tiniest spider's thread on one side.

Pausing and taking the time to notice details makes everything seem more beautiful,

more present, more intense.

ACCEPTANCE

It sometimes rains on holiday!

If the rain hadn't been so generous when I visited England recently

I would never have seen the wonder of reflections in puddles.

They are an art all on their own!

OPEN-FOCUSED ATTENTION

On an early-morning walk, I passed these self-sown poppies

which had found the tiniest slice of earth between the wall and the path.

Their random demeanor pulled me in.

The simplicity of these wild poppies  made me feel totally connected to life

just the way it is!

Feeling a connection with that moment was beautiful

and as I look at this image, I rekindle that connection.

CURIOSITY

There are certain turning points in our lives when decisions are made

as different paths and choices appear before us.

I am today, the result of my decisions and of my personal destiny.

I am curious to know how my life will play out in the days and months

and even the years to come.

Yet, I have no fixed plans, that would actually limit me,

I like to remain open, letting my natural curiosity lead me

to discover new paths.

Going with the flow gives me freedom.

Life is like a hall of mirrors

what images will be reflected back at me?

WONDER

The translucency of petals

I am a seeker of light, both in my photography and in my life.

Wonder is everywhere.

When we look around us like a small child seeing things for the very first time

in open-eyed wonder, we are totally connected to the marvel of Life!

CONNECTION

Have you ever noticed how connected everything is?

When I go on my walks, I notice so many connections.

I paused to take in the texture and colour of a rusty post and noticed

how the old wooden fence was connected to the post

and then the green vine which brought everything together 

by draping itself across the open wire fencing and around the post.

The pale green lighting in the background illuminated the whole scene

as I stopped to savour every detail.

HUMILITY

is being open to the realization that everything is an opportunity for learning.

We discover unexpected treasures along the way

even in the darkest places.

SIMPLICITY

A draped curtain

filtered light seeping through the slats of the almost closed shutters.

A feeling of peace.

ATTENTION

When raindrops create art

Taking time to stop

to move in closer and really see each detail.

How those raindrops, like shiny jewels, glisten.

Taking the time to focus my attention and to marvel at what is around me.

FASCINATION

Water has always fascinated and inspired me

the colours, the reflections, the rhythmic movements

how it is ever-changing

often calming

sometimes wildly energizing.

CONNECTING TO THE SKY

The crescent moon, still delicately apparent in the early morning sky.

A plane cloud dispersed

creating a soft, fluffy backbone against the blue.

As I paused to look up, there was instant connection

the three of us:

moon, cloud and the sky-gazer

alone in the universe in that moment

I embraced the scene with all my being.

Simplicity, wonder and emotion fill the frame like a contented sigh.

***

I have recently participated in a workshop called

Adventures in Seeing

with Kim Manley Ort

I have been discovering new connections

with the world around me and have been on new photographic adventures!

Have a look at the link above

to join Kim on future adventures.