A lotus blossom really is beautiful!  This particular morning at the water lily garden of our local botanical gardens, I was struck seeing a single lotus blossom lit up by a shaft of sunlight!  It was stunning!  The sun just illuminated the flower in soft, white light.  It glowed with a hint of pink while dressed in its surrounding lily pads like a dancer with ornate fans.  I love photographing lotus blooms.

In November of 2021, my wife and I took a trip to see San Francisco for the first time.  Yes, it was during Covid, and we had to wear a mask nearly everywhere when we were inside. But I work in healthcare, and my wife works in education. So mask wearing was the norm for our jobs at that time. We didn't let it ruin our fun.

The San Antonio Riverwalk is a fun place to visit. This colorful stretch is probably photographed by many people every year. I was walking along with my camera just exploring what sights I could find. When I turned around, the scene filled my eyes! I love a full palette of colors. While I prepared my camera for the shot, I noticed a mother duck followed by her fairly grown ducklings. Their appearance seemed to add that special little pizzazz for my photo!

Jekyll Island, GA is a delightful place to visit.  Historically, the robber barons of the late 1800s into the early 1900s built vacation “cottages” on the island.  The cottages were luxurious mansions by the standards of the time.  The millionaires built a club house of sorts for their hunting vacations and then built their cottages around the club house.  The island has changed hands multiple times but has ended up quite a tourist destination in modern day.

Remember the county fair? I grew up in a small northcentral Kansas town. Like all small towns, we had the annual county fair for a week each summer. It was usually in late July, and seemed to be the last big hurrah before school started. Of course, there were so many things to see and do. FFA and 4H competitions filled the buildings and barns with animals, food, and artistic entries to delight onlookers. There was usually a demolition derby at some point. There were various musical performances. And I can't forget to mention the carnival food including the general smell of buttered popcorn and hotdogs. Even in the middle of winter, I can close my eyes and recall the sights and sounds.

I love windless snowfall. The falling snow mutes all the noise as it nestles on every branch of the bushes and trees. Just standing and watching such a snowfall is one of the most peaceful things I have experienced. It is as if I can hear the peacefulness all around me, calling me to listen to the silence. Follow the black and white snow maze of the branches. There is no entrance or exit, but you can find a prize of respite from the pressures of the day. Breathe in beauty and rest tonight my friends.

St. Paisios of Mount Athos wrote:

The snow and bitter cold lead us to seek the warmth and comfort of our homes. But a photographer is drawn to go out. This is a photo of ice hanging from the bottom of a metal bench in Swanson Park. The temperature did not rise above freezing, but the sun would partially melt the snow followed by refreezing overnight. I knelt down in the snow to capture what appeared to be jewelry hanging from the bench. The background is simply the snow and shadow of the bench. But it makes it appear the ice jewelry is floating in the sky. I love to see the beauty of the natural world! Open your eyes to see the wonders all around you!