While taking some photos out in the garden this morning a little butterfly stopped by on the Abelia Grandiflora for a quick drink. A small moment to appreciate the beauty of life and nature.
Photo 1: Abelia Grandiflora in morning light
Photo 2: Little Visitor on Abelia
Photo 3: Taking a sip
Photo 4: Abelia love
It’s a stunningly beautiful morning in Northern California today. As my children excitedly anticipate the start of the summer break the mood is jovial and we pay attention to little details on the school run. We spotted a swallowtail butterfly fluttering between the emerging white agapanthus and its wings were catching the morning sunlight. There is so much we can be thankful for and these small moments remind me about the joy to be found in living.
Photo 1: Be thoughtful. Be Kind. Be Considerate.
Photo 2: There are small moments of beauty in every day of you choose to find them.
Photo 3: Each new day is an opportunity to try again!
Photo 4: Surround yourself with positive people who nurture your dreams!
Reading my children’s yearbooks and seeing all the good wishes made me want to share them too – so HAGS to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere and HUGS to everyone in the South!
Situational awareness is a useful skill and it requires paying careful attention to your surroundings. Since we were Bond movie fans as kids my brother often used to tell me to “Pay attention 007″ and I even use it on my kids now too.
Photo 1: Bee and Horse Chestnut flowers
In the Bond movies Q (the Quartermaster) famously says to James Bond “Now pay attention 007″. It’s remarkable how scenes and lines from movies spring to mind in various situations. I am usually so involved in my lists that I don’t pay attention to much else happening around me unless I have my camera in hand.
My camera increases my mindfulness since it focuses my attention. When I walk or even drive somewhere I often remember the locations of a particular flower or tree in bloom.Intention gives focus which in turn makes one more mindful.
The busyness of life and our emphasis on the next task does not usually allow this attention to permeate our days.
Photo 2: Butterfly on Thistle
I know that it can be learnt to a certain extent because when I have my camera I scan for interesting details all the time. It’s also interesting though that sometimes when I am shooting a particular bloom I shut out everything else around me. Not always a good thing when you’re taking photographs in the woods so tuning in the other peripheral senses at those times is useful.
The more attention you pay the better your situational awareness will be. It seems as with most other types of learning, the more you practice, the better you become.
I am so grateful to have the space to pursue something I love and now I have taken the plunge to see whether it can make me an income as well by launching an artist website today. Taking photographs of flowers is my passion. It energizes and invigorates me like nothing else. It fuels my soul and focuses my chi.
Photo 1: Swallowtail Butterfly on red Yarrow
The photo above is my latest upload on to the site. The one below of the white Agapanthus is my first sale!
Photo 2: New Beginnings
If you are feeling so inclined I would really appreciate some comments on the images I uploaded on the site.
My photos appear to be popular as floral greeting cards so I am planning to print some batches as well. I still have so much to learn but I am thoroughly enjoying the journey!
Thanks for your support!
A butterfly perched on the tip of Society Garlic in bloom.
Photo 1: Butterfly Society
On the creek trail not too far from our house I found a rather large thistle in bloom. While I was focussing on the bloom a lovely Painted Lady Butterfly came to feed off it and it was followed by some bees and a little Skipper butterfly as well. Thistles must taste good to bugs and they don’t seem to like sharing a bloom either.
Photo 1: Painted Lady Butterfly on Thistle
Photo 2: Butterfly and Bee on Thistle
Photo 3: Thistle bloom
Photo 4: Thistle bud
Photo 5: Two blooms, two bugs
Photo 6: Bee and Skipper butterfly on Thistle
Photo 7: Bee on Thistle
Photo 8: Butterfly and Thistle bloom
Although our buddleia is fading fast the butterflies are making the most of the remaining blooms. Took a few quick pics this morning before taking the kids out.
Photo 1: White Butterfly on Buddleia
Photo 2: Tortoise shell butterfly in the morning sun
Photo 3: Ready for take off
Sometimes you get to see some pretty things on the school run.