Thursday, February 21, 2013

Everything connects to something else . . .


"A human being is part of the whole, called by us the universe, a part
limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as
 something separate from the rest - a kind if optical delusion of consciousness.
This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires
and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves
from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living
creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."   - Albert Einstein


This week our theme for Photo Friday is connections. And well, that pretty much doesn't leave anything out of the artistic equation, because everything connects to something else eventually . . . physically, spiritually and by nature. Even intellectually by strands of ideas and information, AND, through this connection we call technology.

We are all connected at the very least because we all share space with this thing we call Earth. Connected to each other, to the environment, as a community, a society, and as a human race. Connected to everything whether we want to be or not, and whether or not we comprehend or acknowledge it.


I love and feel deeply connected to nature . . . everything has a purpose. I believe we were both designed to take care of each other. As stewards we have been given the honor to take care of this beautiful Earth God created, and she in return would take care of us. Unfortunately, I don't think we have been doing a very good job.


{Bonnie's texture Scratched lens}


These are more images from my visit to my local nursery last weekend. I'm not sure what kind of  butterfly this will become, but in order to change it needed to find somewhere to connect while it goes through its transformation.



A butterfly finding a connection of the sweetest kind . . . 

{Bonnie's textures - Sunbeam, Flying over Ireland and vintage vellum}


And an extremely important connection . . . of the pollinating kind!  We are extremely dependent on the connection bees have with flowers and trees. You could say our lives depend on it. Did you know that of the 90 percent of the worlds food supply (that's 100 crop species), that bees pollinate more than 70 percent? And did you know that since 1950 the bee population has gone from 5.5 million colonies to 2.5 million in 2007 while our world population keeps going up. So the next time you see a bee, thank her! Yep, the females are the gatherers of pollen and nectar.

This is my photo art Friday submission, to which I cannot remember the textures I used - I was in the groove and forgot to write them down.


A monkey connected to a branch...you have no idea what you'll find at my nursery - exotics of all kinds!!


Yes, you can have your very own monkey or komodo dragon for your garden, and cracked eggs for planters. Acres of pure humor...hours of entertainment.


But I did find a few lizard friends, this one kept peeking out behind the plant at me. I do just love these guys, they are so curious.


"Tug on anything at all and you'll find it connected to everything else in the universe." - John Muir

And to that quote, I say that our actions matter. What we choose to do or not to do, affects more than just ourselves because everything is consequential.  

I appreciate your connecting with me each week! Have a wonderful weekend all!

Love, Kim
XO




38 comments:

Gail Dixon said...

Beautiful post with lovely photography. I especially love the little anole peeking from behind the plant. So cute.

Jennifer said...

Beautiful photos and I love both quotes! That lizard is so cute. They make me happy. :)

leanne can blog said...

Love the last lizard shot, the way that you can see the shadow of his hand- very cute.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Wonderful post and fantastic photography! for Cool Clicks ^_^

Kim Cunningham said...

Each and every post an inspiration, Kim! I love your way with the word. Your images are always breathtaking! I think you and my 11 year old daughter would enjoy each other's company. She would find you kindred. She loves nature, and spends all summer playing with Green Anoles!

Andrea Dawn said...

Another great post, Kim. Love the last little critter.

Mary Gene Atwood said...

Just wonderful! Words and photos.

Cathy H. said...

Amazing collection of photos! I love you thoughts on nature. We certainly do need to take better care of our earth! Your macro photography is stunning!

Mary Gene Atwood said...

Just wonderful! Words and photos.

Kmcblackburn said...

Your photography never fails to amaze me!!

Jeanne said...

Your photos are always so amazing Kim, and you are always true to your connection, and see the most intersting little things in nature.

Sueann said...

I heart your words and all your photos! Wonderful, bright and clear with a marvelous result from the texture overlay!
Hugs
SueAnn

Kris @ beyond the whiskers said...

Beautiful pieces. Really love the colors in the third butterfly picture and the shadow of the little green hand in the last photo.

Nicki said...

Very profound words and absolutely terrific nature shots with excellent choices of added texture. I especially like that last shot of the lizard and the transparency of the plant showing its hand/leg. Fantastic clarity.

Sharon said...

Awesome post on connections! Your words ring true. And I'll echo several others and say my favorite is the little green guy in last photo. He looks like he's peeking out from a shower curtain. So cute!

Deanna said...

oh boy, another great post. You just continually amaze with with your wisdom along with your beautiful photography.

Unknown said...

You have such a wonderful way with words my friend. I wish I had that talent. You photos are fabulous. Your lizard shots always make me smile..

Hugs~

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Beautiful words and what fantastic photos the little lizard what fun...

Anonymous said...

So great photos and beautifully done pieces

Tamar SB said...

Now that is a nursery! I love how connected you are to nature and that you share it with us - another foot of snow is on it's way so this makes my warm sunny and bright!

mail4rosey said...

Ohh, I wonder how big the lizards are? We had the little ones in FL. and they really were so cute!

This is a nice post to visit. :)

I'm visiting today from Thursday's Favorite Things.

Brenda said...

Wonderful and inspiring texture work, especially the first flower. Simply gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

these are amazing!

Sherri B. said...

Beautiful thoughts...and beautiful photos!! Your love of nature is always evident in the love and respect that you show when talking about your photo subjects (and the experience you had while taking them). The big lizard (dragon?) doesn't look as scary here - he kind of has a sweet face! Aww... :)

Ida said...

Fabulous post. I really enjoy your photography and thoughts.
My goodness you find the most interesting things on your outings. The Komodo dragon and Monkey are so fun but that little lizard peeking out at you is just adorable. - Your flowers are beautiful and make me long for spring even more on this cloudy day.

Linda/patchwork said...

What a beautiful post.
And, your usual wonderful photos and editing.

Stephanie said...

These photos are so beautiful! I love the textures :-)

tiarastantrums said...

WOW! Amazing shots!! What lens do you use?

Currie Silver said...

oh my, Kim... this one bit " in order to change it needed to find somewhere to connect while it goes through its transformation." just sang so to me...
thank you for your wonderful posts that I so look forward to each week. you have really "connected" to this theme and in your always amazing and unique fashion!!xoxo

Kathryn Dyche said...

I love taking trips to your nursery with you through your blog . . . you always find such fun and inspiring things to capture. I have a thing for Chimpanzees so my eyes lit up when I saw the monkey. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.

Anonymous said...

I just think your photos are awesome, how you can get so close into the center of a flower with such detail -- thrills me!!! I look forward to seeing what you share each week -- thanks..
Hugs

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Beautiful images and textures. Valerie

Serendipityissweet said...

Your nature photography is so beautiful Kim. Viewing it always puts me in a better place. I really love seeing this amazing world through your lens. :)

Have a great weekend!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Gorgeous, fascinating series of photos! Love the amazing colours of the lizard!

kathyinozarks said...

awesome photos Kim, love the monkey-great shot, and love your frogs too

HansHB said...

Awesomw photos!

A Creative Grace said...

I love these images Kim, the lizard especially, so cute!

Barbara said...

I think I am in love with that little lizard, he is just a scene stealer.

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