Last day of 2007

We got one snowman made! Didn't have any long carrots, so the next best thing was a red candle! Found some pinecone eyes, an old straw hat, and some branches for arms. Everyone have a safe and happy New Year!

the shovel of snow

This is the shovel of snow the mandala below was taken from. It still amazes me that the shadow color of snow is BLUE, a reflection of the sky.

crystal snow

While shoveling snow (we got 8 inches) I pushed some up into the sunlight that was just cresting the roofline, it caught the light and sparkled. So out came the camera to try and capture the sparkle. Snow is such lovely stuff to photograph, there are so many moods to snow. I think I read somewhere that the Eskimo's have at least 20 or 30 different words to describe snow. The stuff from this last storm was light and fluffy, not very good for snowmen, but very full of sparkles and fortunately easy to shovel!

Lewis Falls

Since we are having another snow storm, I'm staying put inside and going back to September pictures, the one above is of Lewis Falls in Yellowstone. The larger star in the middle is made by the edge of the bridge.

Heart of the Amaryllis

Amaryllis are a Christmas plant in part beacuse of the wonderful velvet red of their blossom. They do come in different colors, the one above was red and white. Above is a picture of the heart of the flower. I like the star shape that formed. The straight lines are the stamen, and the filagree at the edges are the stamen shadows intertwined. The stamen curve at the end. Everyone have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your families, near or far.

birdfeeder squirrel

The neighborhood squirrel birdfeeder raider! I got the squirrel under the tree branch(an earlier mandala), this guy above was in full sun, but taken thru a window. He dives head first into the feeder, chases the birds off and the dog barks at him. Oh, well, he is a bit of nature and he's comical to watch.

melting ice

Melting ice has interesting edges, and they in turn make neat mandala patterns. It was melting today almost to 50 degrees - which felt nice - with the sunshine. The ice above was in a tire track and the redish color is the top of the pavement.

another orchid mandala

My earlier trip to the orchid greenhouse netted many beautiful shots. I continue to revisit them and create mandalas.

the stone

Here's the stone/rock that the previous mandala was taken from. I liked the interesteing pattern of drips in the snow.

walking around the yard in the snow

We again have cold weather. Yesterday the sun was out and my grandson and I tromped around the yard. He likes the crunchy sound as he walks over crusty snow. So with camera in hand I followed him. We'd get cold, go inside to warm up and go out again. The faint star above is actually sunshine filtering thru the branches of a pine tree onto a flat rock. I had to go back to the original picture to make sure myself.

winter snow and cold have arrived

The low light under the blue spruce branch didn't allow for the best picture, but on this cold winter day, I liked the squirrel huddled in the protection of the tree. It's almost a black and white picture with just a touch of color and the negitive and positive space battle for control of your eye. Do you see the squirrel or the intricate patterns made by the small branches?

Back to the Tetons

When we visited Jaskson Hole this past summer, we drove past some residential areas. One house had a meadow as a front lawn it was beautiful. The celtic cross designs makes bold patterns.

interesting clouds

Last weekend we had some interesting cloud formations at sunset and some unusual colors. This was taken with an arched cottonwood branch that made unusual patterns. At a friends house Tuesday, there was a wonderful window to watch the evening sky. The clouds and color filled the whole sky. I hope anyone who was out and about took time to look up, sometimes the view is breathtaking.

Peace on Earth - for December and always

This saying by Thomas Kempis (1379-1471) a German theologian, was in one of my many Christmas catalogs on a piece of jewelry. It seemed such an appropriate sentiment for this time of year, I thought I should incorporate it into a mandala. A greenhouse is a peaceful place for me, no matter what is growing. There is a wonderful smell of rich moist earth and the serenity of growing plants. An orchid greenhouse provided me with an opportunity to take lots of colorful pictures, to include the one above. There are so many different kinds of orchid blooms. I try to grow them myself but do not really have the proper conditions for orchids.