Tag: photography

Winter roses

We are nearly a month into winter in the Southern Hemisphere.  I’ve been mostly housebound for the last two days staying dry and away from the winter storms that blew in.  During a moment of brief respite, I walked around the front garden.  It looks like a wedding has taken place with petals strewn everywhere.  There are still plenty of roses, weighed down heavy with raindrops.  I had to take a few pictures, actually I took 112 pictures in a half hour wander!

Although I love roses, I absolutely love ice berg roses.  Usually pure white, mine seem to be tinged with pale pink.  They are prolific bloomers.  These are the ones I love and thought I’d share with you.

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It saddens me that people regard roses as ‘high maintenance’ flowers.  Mine just seem to look after themselves and survive my gardener’s brutal pruning.  Maybe what falls away, makes them more beautiful.  Something to reflect on.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird 

In response to Nancy Merrill’s A Photo a Week Challenge : flowers

It comes from within …

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Despite the frenetic lifestyle, I enjoy moments of peace on a daily basis.  I build these into my day, moments that nurture my spirit and soul.  Being of faith, my instinct is to set aside time to spend in prayer, a communion, a connection, to my Maker.  I don’t ask for anything or express thanks.  I am quiet with a heightened awareness, I am not alone.  It is time when I need to listen, so silence is important.

I listen with attentiveness with all my senses on alert.  It may be to the sound of waves crashing, the crunch of my boots on twigs, the click of my camera, the bounce of the kangaroo in the bush.  I no longer yearn for experiences out of reach.  With camera in hand and laptop before me, I am me no matter where I am.  The authentic me.  In that knowledge, is peace.

I learned years ago there are some experiences I will never experience.  And, I felt the bite of unfairness on more than one occasion.  It took years for me to realise.  Peace comes from within.  If we seek to make peace, we are at peace.  It is a place of rest and recovery.  It is a space where all else falls away, and within that nothingness, is a fullness of spirit that takes up all the space.

So I accept, some things are never meant to be for me.  I may not have found that elusive ‘something special’ that others acquire so effortlessly.  But I have the capacity to experience joy.  And, I make it my mission to seek it every day.

I’m leaving next week headed to the north.  I’m looking forward to wearing less clothes and walking along the beach.  Maybe find a heart again.  Or maybe even someone who wants mine.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to Word of the Day Challenge : Nurture

In response to RDP – Saturday: Peace

Among trees, I breathe …

 

I love being in timber country.  I find something spiritual among trees, a healing presence.  I love being silent when walking or seated among tall trees.  My earliest memory of childhood is being draped over a low hanging branch of a guava tree and pretending I was a leopard and watched the activity down below me at the water tank.  I believe one is never alone or lonely in the company of trees.   DSCN0742.jpg
This is in the timber country of Collie, in the south west of Western Australia, one of my favourite places to visit in winter/spring.DSCN0757.jpg
I just love this region with eruptions of flowers.DSCN7575.jpg
Have you ever seen ducks in a tree!  Yes, ducks!  (middle of the pic).  I was walking through Foxes Lair early morning when I heard the nasally honking of the Australian shelduck.  I know a pair to live here and often watch them do a circuit over the tall gum trees.  This morning I thought there were more and could not believe my eyes!DSCN7578.jpg
How cool is this?!DSCN7598.jpg
I love the colours of the shelduck.  On a dismal day, they were vibrant.DSCN7592.jpg
I love how a fallen tree offers a place to rest.DSCN7593.jpg
And, gives one a moment to consider a fall can be graceful, too.DSCN7676.jpg
This is one of my favourite trees between Moora and New Norcia in the north east Wheatbelt.

I had gone further north on my recent trip and found myself in beautiful beige country, almost painted in water colours. It felt like I was driving live through Hans Heysen’s art.  Heysen was an Australian artist.  I absolutely love his work.  He knew the bush by heart.  I’m learning how to do this, too.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to Lens Artists Photo Challenge – Trees

 

 

I gave you a garden …

I’ve always had roses in my garden.  In my old house, I had a hedge of 14 iceberg roses and when they shed the petals, it was snow in summer.  I loved them.

Dr T has a green thumb.  He loves native flora.  I regret not sharing his interest when we were married.  He created and kept a beautiful garden.  Never a blade of grass out of place.  I remember a particular argument with me (unfairly) accusing him of never doing anything for me.  He calmly responded, he gave me a garden.  I was so young then to truly appreciate the sentiment.  I do, now.

Dr T and I had made a deal we would plant a rose bush in the garden on the anniversary of our wedding each year.  The first one was Sweetheart and the last, Peace.  Sums up our long relationship and where we are now!  I really wanted to bring the Sweetheart rose bush with me when I moved but was reluctant in case it died.  My former home is around the corner from where I now live, so I see the roses every day.

I’m not a roses girl, but if you gave me tulips … especially white tulips … well, that’s another story.  I much prefer roses in the garden.  The only person who cuts and takes my roses indoors, is my neighbour who has my permission to enjoy them when I’m not home.

The last few days have been gruelling of driving long distances in very poor weather.  This morning I rose at 6:30am.  It was dark and cold in the chalet in the Wheatbelt, … minus 1 degree C I’m told.  I lay in bed for another half an hour trying to warm before the dash to the kitchen for coffee.  While in bed the freight train rolled past.  I felt the rumble through the floor.  A delicious feeling of vibration that travelled up my spine.  I enjoyed the moment thinking I’ll be home for the night.  I felt a pang of wanting to be home and where the roses are.

I left work early and arrived home just before dusk to find my front garden is awash with roses.  Probably the last of them before winter pruning.

Enjoy with me!

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Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Friday : Rose

At a billabong …

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Billabong, outback Kimberley region, Western Australia

I thought it was somewhat ironic the picture I was drawn to for this post is that of a billabong in harsh country, so far away from the manicured lawns and gardens in the city.

The Kimberley region in Western Australia is north of Perth and vast, hugely vast.  I’ve visited many times to towns and also indigenous communities, for work.  I have also holidayed there frequently when I visited a friend in Broome but never ventured to the true outback.

This is remote, harsh country in East Kimberley.  The dust is red and the foliage a beautiful green.  The billabongs are magnificent and lush.  I sat with a group of strangers, all writers from around Australia, at this billabong for a writing exercise.  The memory makes me shiver with warmth.  There were blue dragon flies that buzzed around me.  The purple water lilies shimmered in the heat.   It was one of the most memorable peaceful moments I have experienced.  The water looked so tempting.  This is saltwater crocodile country and this billabong may have been safe … but we did not take any chances.

I know I’ll return one day.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Saturday: Verdant

 

 

 

Home is, where the roses are

I have two and a half days at home before I leave again.  It is such a luxury that I woke this morning like it was Christmas and didn’t know which present to open first.  I gathered my thoughts and made a list that included some down time.  I’ve had a great day and feel rested.

On returning home from lunch it was like I saw my front garden for the first time.  My footsteps veered away from the front door and to the flowers.  The delicate roses survived the fiercest storm and that in itself, is a teaching moment.
thumb_IMG_5281_1024Some of the white iceberg roses are tinted in the palest pink.  They belong on a wedding cake.thumb_IMG_5283_1024.jpg
Some bloomed off course.  Something familiar, to me!
thumb_IMG_5291_1024Some were ethereal angels in flight.thumb_IMG_5289_1024.jpg
And others, so beautiful, even the bee stepped outside for perspective.

My focus today was one directional.  I set a task for myself to practice self-care and rest.  I achieved this without a twinge of guilt.  And, that’s how a day of rest should be.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Friday : Directional

Nature vs Nurture

The concept of self-care was introduced to me about a decade ago.  It is not a self-indulgence.  It is vital for physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health.  The premise is quite uncomplicated.  If you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after others.

I sought to be nurtured in different places and by different people.  The mix was never right and left me wanting to fill the void.  My only regret in life is that it has taken me so long to discover, nature can be a powerful nurturing force in one’s life.

And so my journey began …DSCN9464.jpg
I sought the embrace of tall trees.  IMG_1100.jpg
And in the outback where the wide open spaces and empty places are filled, within me.thumb_IMG_0906_1024.jpg
Usually solitary, there are times I seek footprints left by others.
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I neglected this boab bonsai at my peril.  It did not survive.  The warning signs I’ve since heeded, make time, those who nurture me, deserve my nurturing too.0-1.jpg
Best of all … no matter where I am and what I’m doing, just a glimpse of my daughter’s dogs, makes me smile.  Their loyalty and companionship is uncomplicated, with the only complication being in the gaze.  My kind of relationship!

Winter has arrived in Perth with fury.  I returned home last night in a storm.  I’m exhausted from the stress of the flight.  Today, I plan to have a hot stone massage, get a pedicure, do some cooking and then get back to ‘catch up’ work while watching the steady rain outdoors.

I’ve mapped my day and it looks perfect for me.  Wherever you are, may your day be perfect too.  Isolate some time for yourself.  You deserve it.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Thursday : Nurture

The exchange – sea art

For some the value of the work is in the dollar.  I’ve long moved on from that exchange.  I still feel child-like excitement as I prepare for each trip, even if I’ve been to the same place three times in a month.  I always find something to look forward to.  Mostly, I anticipate the natural environment and find an anchor in something wherever I visit.

One of my favourite natural anchors is a rock platform I’ve written about in another post. The word prompt jogged my. memory of the moment of exchange.

It’s the end of a difficult day.  I have nothing else to anchor me except the memory of that sea art.  I do feel it is an unfair interaction when I visit it; the rock gives me so much more than I have to offer it.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Wednesday – Exchange

‘Ikigai’

Yesterday my son invited me to breakfast, just the two of us.  His exams start on Monday and he wanted to go over some work with me.  He is 18 months away from graduation from a four year degree and can’t believe how quickly time has passed.  He now realises, when one enjoys what one does, the concept of time is irrelevant.  He’s been tapped to do postgraduate study and he’s conflicted if he should or not.  His lecturers also asked him to give a seminar to the incoming students, a pep talk, which he really enjoyed doing.  It’s such a pleasing thing to see others also recognise his potential.  After graduating from a four year spatial design degree and while working ten years in retail, he never worked in his chosen field and made a huge switch by returning to study.  I would never have imagined he would be a natural for what he wants to do with the rest of his life.  His choices are many but he’s really keen to work in clinical rehabilitation.  His mantra, “I want to make a difference”, encapsulates his chosen life.

I was telling my son about a book I’ve been reading, ‘Ikigai’, The Japanese Secret of a Long and Happy Life.  I’ve been trying to integrate this philosophy, at times unconsciously, and other times, with awareness.  One of the things I’ve been trying to do, is do something new each day.  That was enough cue for my son.thumb_IMG_5268_1024.jpg
Instead of having breakfast at home yesterday, we went to a Korean/Japanese restaurant and I had the best breakfast Asian broth instead of the standard Western fare.  It was just what I needed.  It felt nourishing and I came home feeling nurtured. thumb_IMG_4729_1024.jpg
Today I feel so distant from my city.  I no longer recognise the skyline.  It has changed while I was not looking.  I’m not enamoured by concrete, glass and metal.  It leaves me with the sense of window shopping life.  But, I do have plans to walk under the arches of the new bridge.  When Pink was performing in town, the city council lit up the bridge in pink lights.  It was pretty!DSCN7455.jpg
To leave the city and work in rural regions, is something that makes me happy.  I’m immersed in the moment, which is my chosen life.  This is lunch time in Coolgardie, in the Goldfields.  I’m far from home here!DSCN7456.jpg
I’m off again to the mining region where the mulla mulla is just starting to bloom.  There will be carpets of pinky mauve fluffy flowers soon.DSCN7459.jpg
And, of course, the golden gum flowers that signal winter are making an appearance.  Like me, tightly wound but waiting to bloom, when the time is right.

So I’m off again today.  The last two weeks were eventful.  I had little sleep but the down time to play, made it worthwhile.  That’s just about the sum of my life, for now.

May you experience the philosophy of Ikigai today.  May you find what intersects your passions and talents, that makes your day worthwhile.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

In response to RDP – Sunday: Sum

Beyond the deck …

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Beyond the deck, life is …thumb_DSCN4978_1024.jpg
Photographing new growth after a bushfire, Esperance, Western Australia.thumb_IMG_0146_1024.jpg
Sampling beer tasting shots, Margaret River, Western Australiathumb_IMG_0250_1024.jpg
Walking along the Fascine at sunset, Carnarvon, Western Australia
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Falling in love with life and love, iron ore freight lines, Pilbara region, Western Australiathumb_IMG_0867_1024.jpg
Cosy nights in … romantic B&B, Great Southern region, Western Australiathumb_IMG_0559_1024.jpg
Best of all … finding joy and purpose working with children, with special needs.

My life journey has not been linear.  The sharp twists and turns are now rounded curves.  What was, was meant to be.  This I accept because it has brought me to this point beyond the deck … a good place to be.

As always

a dawn bird

In Response to Judy Dykstra-Brown Photo Challenge: All Lined Up