Friday, September 27, 2013

Sky Moods

We crested the top of the pass and I gasped. The moon shone bright above the peak of a mountain. It was a big, full moon. A harvest moon. I asked my son to slow the car. I rolled down the window and leaned out with my camera in hand, trying to capture the scene.  I snapped a couple pictures, unsatisfied with the results.

“You like sky pictures, don’t you?” my daughter’s friend asked me from the back seat. We were on our way home from a softball game.

“Why do you think that?” I asked.

“You posted a moon picture last night on Facebook.”


“Oh. Yeah I guess I did.”

Truth is, I love the sky. Sometimes I go out on a clear night and just stare into the dark vastness. We live in the mountains and have almost no light pollution. I can see satellites gliding across the black velvet backdrop like a sailing speck of glitter. 



I relish the day sky too. I love how the clouds are like a face displaying moods. Sometimes, like me, there is a mixture, refusing to be confined to just one. Dark and angry clouds coexist with blue skies and only shadows and hints of emotions, like a pout or furrowed brow. 




With shifting hues and lights, prisms of color, it is always changing. The sky is constant, but it never rests in the same image. It is dotted with puffs of morphing cotton, or teeming with stormy potential, or even so blue it almost looks fake, like a drawing by a school child who chooses "sky blue" for her picture. In the evening, sunsets of orange and red show off with a flaming grand finale. Some mornings dazzle with purples and pinks, an early dawn greeting and sneak preview performance for those who rise with the sun. 

This is what I feel in my heart and soul. I too am changing, restless, passing moods like the intangible shades and shapes of the sky.






The sky reflects back to us what we see in ourselves. Sometimes we are flashy and bright. Other times we broil with dark, obscuring clouds, angry, sad, desolate, lonely, analytical, dramatic. Still other times our countenance is calm, peaceful, content, resting.


There are times we glow in beautiful colors, showing off  rainbows of playfulness, potential and promise.  




I believe there is always a light within us—whether the sun of the day or the moon at night. 


All these beautiful passing flavors of the omnipresent heavens remind me of our steadfastness, despite the feelings that flicker and pass. Like the firmament, we too are created to reflect and show off depths and subtleties, shimmering and roiling, moods caught on a breeze. 

The sky's beauty is the Artist's playground and shows us we too are a beautiful canvas, splashed with paint, a product of continuous creativity. 



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43 comments:

  1. Gorgeous shots -- and I love the sky, too.

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    1. I never really pulled that together until she said that to me. It was the catalyst for thought.

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  2. The sky is all about expansiveness, too, which makes our spirits feel bigger, I think. These are amazing photographs :)

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  3. Amazing photos. I tried to take a photo of the moon several months ago - it was low and large in the sky - but all I could get was a small white dot surrounded by complete blackness. I am not a natural photographer!

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    1. It's not my strength either nor do I have the camera or software to really give these pictures justice. But I try. I take A LOT for the few that do turn out.

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  4. Julie, this is a beautiful post! I loved your narration and your photos; I, too, am a sky-lover. Before we moved to the farm we lived on a country lot that was heavy with trees which obscured the sky. Occasional trimmings always had to be repeated. Out here we see expanses of sky. I especially love watching storms roll in, and I always look out the window if I get up during the night. Oh, those stars! No light pollution here, either.

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    1. Oh I too love watching storms roll in. There is almost an "alley" in the western mountains where I can watch the clouds boil up or sheets of rain move in or the snow start to blow. It's fascinating.

      Aren't the stars in the complete blackness amazing? I love watching for streaking falling stars, and imagine they are sent just for me. ;)

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  5. This is so beautiful--the words and pictures. I think it's very cool (and very "writerly") that you're self-aware enough to understand WHY you're drawn to images (and real visions) of the sky.

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    1. I've always snapped a lot of sky pictures but didn't give it thought until my daughter's friend mentioned it, and that was the catalyst to prompt my spin of thoughts. Thanks for stopping by. Nina. I've enjoyed your posts.

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  6. Having one's head in the clouds is most certainly not all bad!

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  7. hey Julie I'm not just saying this, but you could put those photos and create a 12 month calendar... those shots are spectacular and your post is a perfect complement :-)

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    1. I'm fortunate to live in country that gives me beautiful scenery and touchy-feely enough to attach it all to emotions. ;) Thanks, Mark.

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  8. Amazing photos, Julie. I've been so glued to my computer lately I've neglected to check out the sky.

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    1. Look up, Pat! :) Yes, but you're going to have works of written art to show for it.

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  9. Those are absolutely gorgeous. I love the third one.

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    1. Diane, I've loved your photographs too. I love what your eye sees. .

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  10. Beautiful sentiments and photos Julie. Amazing. I'd never given the sky it's due props. I do feel that way about sunshine, the moon and bodies of water. :) Writer’s Mark

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    1. Colorado has such big expanses of sky and the mountains just set it off sometimes-- I think that's why I am tuned into it.

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  11. Julie,

    What an enlightening look at the sky and it's reflection of our moods. The changes, the joyful brightness, the dark grey gloom. The pictures were captivating...the view you have. And your ability to capture it is a gift in itself. Mine are never as clear.

    I've been carrying my camera around for the same purpose (when I remember), catching shots around town for future posts.

    And the writing was as captivating as the pictures. Beautifully written, Julie.

    M.L. Swift, Writer

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    1. Mike, I take a lot of pictures to get a few I like. But yes, I do live in the midst of gorgeous scenery! I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures too. :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. The sky, the ocean and fire. I could sit and stare at all three for days and not get bored. Nature is fascinating and gorgeous, and man do I need to get out and enjoy it more than I do!

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    1. Ohhh Crystal, spot on! Yes, fire and the ocean (or in my case, rivers) just keep me entranced! And I need to be better about getting out more too. My writer butt gets stuck in the chair too much.

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  13. Gorgeous - absolutely breathtaking photos. I love them all!

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  14. Stunning photos, and your ability to capture the emotions of every image is brilliant! I agree with Mark that this would make a fabulous calendar.

    Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie :)

      Sometimes when I get in Nature Girl Contemplation mode, these things strike me as deeper than just a feast for the eyes.

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  15. Beautiful words and stunning photos. I like the sky too, but my favorite days are the clear blue cloudless summer ones.

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    1. Ahhh love those clear summer days. We actually get these piercing blue skies in the dead of winter. Cold as heck when it's like that though.

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  16. WOW! I didn't know you were such a talented photographer, too. I am learning something new about you all the time. I have a friend who does photography and he got his stuff into this really cool co-op in Chesterfield, MO, in an outlet mall. Here's his website if you want to check it out: http://www.joekoppart.com/

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    1. I actually just kind of play around and don't have a great camera, but thank you. It's more like a hobby. Fortunately, I live in gorgeous scenery-- makes me look better. I'll check out his site- I love good photography. Thank you!

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  17. What a wonderful blog to showcase your talents - so many :) This one was spot on, how moody Mother Earth can be, if only we would take the time to observe. And how are so very much like that which goes by above, often without comment or the barest of glances, usually with a grumble how she isn't doing it all our way ...

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    1. I do love the moods of the sky. Today it is cloudless and startling blue. A perfect backdrop for the golden aspens!

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  18. "The sky reflects back to us what we see in ourselves." Beautiful words, Julie! I have the chills. Thank you for encouraging me to take time to slow down and admire the sky more :)

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    1. Angie-- I'm so glad you're back! I'm enjoying your blog. Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. Lovely post. The pictures and your reflections.

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    1. Hope it was a nice break in your day-- thanks for stopping by.

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  20. Big sky country...it actually reminds me of Vermeer paintings and how light and the sky are never really just blue and white:)

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    1. HI Mark, thanks for stopping by. Today, our sky truly is just this pure eggshell blue with white fluffy clouds. Very Happy.

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  21. These are gorgeous photos and thoughts. I have always loved sky gazing, in any and all weather, day and night. It seems I'm in good company :)

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    1. Jen, we share this love then. It seems to draw me outside myself, into a larger expanse and connection and flat-out, just beautiful eye candy. :)

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