Friday, August 17, 2012

Be still . . .


  
As the dawn breaks over the horizon, for which I see no beginning or end,
I sit in stillness and know that you are God. When I silence my heart and mind,
I can hear you call my name. And as my eyes take in the beauty around me,
I see all that you have written.  - Kim


I had set my alarm, but hit snooze a few times too many. I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it on time for the show, but decided to just go anyway. I'm glad I did . . .  I raced out of the car with camera and tripod in hand, and this was the very first click of the morning. And surprise, this week I do have more than just the sunrise. ; ) 


And as soon as the sun rose just behind the clouds, it turned into this . . .


If you look really closely in the photo above, far in the distance in the golden light,
is this shrimp boat that I zoomed in on.


There is just something about the stillness at the start of the day, although that doesn't mean everything else around us is still. There seemed to be a fierce game of chase going on.


And I wasn't the only one in need of a little reflection.




And then I was off, just down the street, to sit and just think about nothing. It's one of my favorite spots along the coastal birding trail, a small wooden platform off in a little alcove. This place is kind of like
an eraser for my mind, where inspiration comes in the stillness. The silence of real life. Where you can hear things you can't see rustling about, where you can hear the buzzing of a dragonflies wings.



And on my walk, I have to say that I was a bit surprised to see Wisteria blooming this late in the season. The photo art Friday theme this week is container and I'm stretching this one a bit. The heavenly scent is
contained by this beautiful vine....I know, I know, but it's all I got.

{Flower Art Friday / Photo Art Friday - textures, RHWest Script, and age it from Pixel Dust}

As I started heading back to the car I just happened to spy this Night Heron up in the trees. He wasn't at all
liking the clicking of my camera and didn't stick around long.


And then shortly after that, I had found a bench in the shade and sat down to take a break from the heat. And there it was, this Green June Beetle rustling around the ground. It was incredible, as the metallic colors seemed to glow in the shade. Oh, but I didn't have my macro lens with me (it was still in the car), so I looked around for something to carry it back on, hoping the whole while it didn't fly away and that I could actually change my lens without losing it.  


Just check out that antennae! And it was no small beetle at about almost an inch long and half an inch wide. It was pretty difficult to really capture all its shiny metallic colors, and he didn't want to play dead and roll over so I could show you his belly that was a metallic copper. He would have made a great specimen for some resin jewelry, but I wasn't about to kill it.

{Shoot.Edit.Submit}

"Not to be able to stop thinking is a dreadful affliction, but we don't realize this
because almost everyone is suffering from it, so it is considered normal. This incessant
mental noise prevents you from finding that realm of inner stillness that is inseparable from being."

-Eckhart Tolle

How do you quiet your mind, do you have a special place?
Wishing you a wonderful weekend with some stillness!
Love, Kim
XO





 photosbyleanne Photo Art Friday  

32 comments:

Unknown said...

what a beautiful post to read first thing this morning. Something I've tried to focus on more & more, "be still & know that I am God". So simple, yet we make it so difficult.
Looking for my quiet place all the time......

Brenda said...

We all benefit from your decision to go anyway - notwithstanding the snooze button. Gorgeous shots.

Liz said...

What a gorgeous post Kim!! Your poem at the beginning is so beautiful and the images that follow are simply divine. Sometimes we need to just sit and reflect on the beauty of creation.
Thank you for this post... it's been a really rough few weeks and it couldnb't have come at a better time!!

Honey from the Bee said...

I felt I was there with you - beautiful post. As I get older I enjoy the mornings more and more. It is the stillness and that I feel I am alone with the world if only for a moment.

Linda/patchwork said...

Thanks...I needed that.

You must live close to the beach. Those are such gorgeous sunrise shots.

I like your 'container'.

Have a great weekend.

Gina Kleinworth said...

AH-MAZ-ING!!!!!!!!! Loving those water shots- A LOT! Then I get to that last one- you totally rock that camera!

Serendipityissweet said...

Amazing! Love each one as they are so stunning and unique. That second one....absolutely devine!!!


We love watching the night herons around here. You can always tell which trees they nest in by the crab claws dropped beneath.

Dotti said...

Ahh - "quieting the mind" - that's always the challenge, isn't it? You, however, have found the perfect place to do that. Just a lovely post from start to finish.

xo
:-D

Andrea Dawn said...

Those who got here before me have already said it . . . "amazing post". Always love your photography. Gotta find me some beach time.

TesoriTrovati said...

Just gorgeous! I have a little metallic beetle in all its glory on the shelf in my office. It somehow got into the building and trapped in my window (and there are no screens and it doesn't open so it is a mystery!) So it died naturally and looked so pretty. I have it there to marvel at and one day I might put it in resin. Good idea! Your pictures are always so glorious, but you have have those lovely surroundings to entice you! Enjoy the day!
Erin
P.S. I haven't forgotten about you and your custom pendant! I have been working like a busy bee over here and when I can surface for air, I am going to attempt carving my own stamp with your idea! Stay tuned! ;-)

Kathryn Dyche said...

Here in Virginia there was an aquaduct that I would go to which I found extremely peaceful and could sit there for hours feeling peaceful and serene with damselflies and dragonflies flying by. Going to have to find some new spot in Ohio once we get there. Will be interesting to see what critters I can hunt down with my macro lens.

Kathryn Dyche said...

By the way I never tire of sunrise/sunset shots, there's something so magical about them.

LindyLouMac said...

I am calling by from Photo Art Friday what a beautiful composition for the meme of the wisteria. Ours bloomed for a second time as well this year, it must be the weather.

Pat said...

A great series of really beautiful images!

Sherri B. said...

What a beautiful post...your photos take my breath away and your words resonate deeply. You are just as gifted with writing as you are with photography. Lovely!! I can't imagine living near enough to the ocean to be able to visit it on a morning when the sun is rising...maybe one day. Until then, I am grateful for your images that fill my senses when I see them. Thank you for sharing, Kim - have a great weekend!

Ida said...

What a wonderful post. Filled with beautiful words and divine pictures.
The Wisteria is gorgeous and beautifully edited.
Awesome photo of the June Beetle as well.

Linda said...

beautiful color and subject here! :)

Anonymous said...

THEY ARE ALL SO WONDERFUL!
Especially the sunset pictures. They are so peaceful.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Lovely posy Kim. your photo drive/walk was very productive. I find leisurely solo photo walk is great for stillness of soul and a chance to listen deeply - however these are few and far between, so I'll snatch a few minutes here and there.

heyjudephotography said...

So glad you got there in time to capture these beautiful photos!

Karen said...

What a glorious start to a day! Beautiful.

Deanna said...

Ahh what beauty both in your words and your images. Those beetle shots are really incredible, but my fav in this group is that second shot after the sun came up. It is just spectacular!!

Linda said...

Oh what a beautiful sight! That sky is just beautiful! This is the perfect place to be still.

I always wonder about those shrimp boats. Imagine the mess there is since all those gulls swarm around it!

It looks like you had a wonderful start to your day! I hope you have a great weekend!

xo,
Linda

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Your photographs are breath-taking and your photo-art inspired Kim. So pleased you share your art with Photo Art Friday.

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beautiful post Kim, and the first two photographs are especially wonderful.

NatureFootstep said...

what a great way to start a day. :) Love the sunrised shots. :)

Inspired By June said...

Lovely post, Kim. Perfect for my Sunday morning. How wonderful that you have such a special place to go and reflect and see God at work in such a beautiful way. Fabulous shot! I loved them all! Thanks for sharing your piece of the world :)

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Kim what a lovely set of photos, they are so restful thanks so much for sharing.... have a great weekend...

Currie Silver said...

oh try to raise my jaw up off the floor!! heavenly...

as for me, I just stop and notice the stillness, the activity, the way Life carries on at its own sweet pace...

then I breathe myself into its embrace...

Kim said...

The sunrise was just wonderful, so are the reflection shots. But you know what a sucker I am for bug shots. And a totally cool one at that! I hope you had a great weekend. Big hugs to you.

Cathy H. said...

Quietness, peacefulness, that's what I feel as I look at these incredible images! This morning as my day begins, I thank you for these few peaceful minutes!!

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