SOTC 317/365

Compliments to Dandy Lion Confections for letting me photograph their delightful desserts!

Right on Time

As a photographer, my knowledge of seasonal timelines is pretty good. I know that the tulips poke their noses through the earth by Spring Break always; that they'll be in full bloom by the beginning of May. I know the canola is at its best right in the middle of July. I know that November sunrises align well with my morning routine (and they are specTACular!).

And I know that autumn in Edmonton generally reaches its peak in the last week of September.

With not one--but two--snowfalls before the autumnal equinox, I thought for sure that any colour left after so many trees had lost still-green leaves would be a very short sight indeed. And since September is my busiest month work-wise anyway, I wasn't paying much attention.

But today I had a different commute than usual--one that took me over the river valley--and I could not help but catch sight of the colours.

Turns out autumn showed up right on time.

2017 in One Word OR SOTC 265/365

I started a new story. I spoke up for what I need. I let it go.  I listened with empathy. I had hard conversations. I found courage to try again. I asked for help. I offered help. I tried something new. I shared joy. I listened to my feelings. I voiced my feelings. I expressed my feelings. I acknowledged my mistakes. I forgave others. I forgave myself. I re-defined my boundaries. I lived in my integrity.

I chose

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Downtown Calgary really is a photographic playground.

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"It's like a giant version of whac-a-mole."

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Working with some still life this afternoon...

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On an Autumn Morning, a photo on Flickr by Gina Blank

Greet the Morning Together (SOTC 89/365)

Because sometimes when you ask God for pretty colours,

He says "sure!"

This piece has inspired another art piece!

(What I do with photos, my mom does with fabric.)

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"When the snow reflects pink, you know it's going to be a good show."

Despite having west-facing windows, I can't actually see what the sky is doing in the evening unless I'm standing right in front of the glass. The windows are at just the right (wrong?) height that if I am standing back from them by any distance, all I see are the houses across the street and their front lawns.

I once almost missed a full technicolor sunset sky with double rainbow simply because I was sitting on the wrong couch.

Suffice it to say that if I glance out any window in my house and I notice that the ground is reflecting a pinkish hue, I've learned to stop whatever I'm doing, and get right up to the living room window to watch the sky as the sun goes down. Occasionally I am compelled to photograph the colors. With the recent warm temperatures, and still testing just what exactly my new camera is capable of, this was one of those evenings where simply standing at the window was not enough. I'm not even sure I zipped up my jacket as I burst through the front door. Down the stairs, across the street. Lean against the tree, and tip my head back towards the sky. Am I reflecting pink, too?

Colours of a Christmas Cactus (SOTC 78/365)

Colours of a Christmas Cactus (SOTC 78/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

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Curls of Fall Colours (SOTC 74/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

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Petals and Petals of Dahlia (SOTC 73/365), a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

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Gee, my living room smells fresh this evening.

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Colours on the Pier, a photo by gina.blank on Flickr.

Muttart Therapy OR SOTC 40/365

I bought an annual pass to the Muttart Conservatory today. In four visits it pays for itself. Last year I visited three times, two with the sole purpose of taking pictures. The thought of being able to go an unlimited number of times this year excites me, camera in hand or not! First of all, the Muttart is a green reprieve in the dark depths of winter--offering tropical climes year-round in one of its pyramids. Second, in its feature pyramid, vibrant colours are ever-changing with themed displays--a sight to take in through every season. Third, the other two pyramids remain temperate and arid all year round. It's like having a mini trip to Arizona or Seattle whenever I want without the cost of a plane ticket.

My goal this year is to visit the Muttart at least once per Feature Pyramid  display. There will be seven over the course of the year. The first one celebrates the Chinese New Year. As the display will be over by the time I get back from Hawaii, and my weekends are filling up fast, I figured I'd better check it out today. The pyramid was adorned in red and gold, featured a dragon in the centre, and was punctuated around its perimeter by many of their lovely orchids. I don't know who's responsible for the design of the Feature Pyramid, but they always do a great job.

I skipped the Arid Pyramid today, and spent only a little time in the Temperate Pyramid, given that, currently, it's not much warmer than the outdoors of Edmonton. I moved quickly to the Tropical Pyramid, my favourite.

Aside from the warm, cozy humidity that hugs you upon entry into the green space, it seems that there is always something blooming in this pyramid. It may not be the same each visit, but because tropical climes can grow plants all year round, it means there is always something popping open. Sometimes it's a Bird of Paradise. Other times a hibiscus. Today it was a water lily.

One small flower, opening itself up against an expanse of green to showcase its colours. Beckoning all who pass by to stop, look, appreciate. By the time I return, it may be gone.

But I see you today.
I see You today.

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This was not the shot I was going for.

This is what I originally had in mind. A nice vision, to be sure. An S-curve, a contrast of colour, of texture. And it's not a bad shot, really. But, what came half an hour later--after inching the vase left, right, around, switching rooms, using two flashes instead of one, and coloured gels to boot--was, to my pleasant surprise, a way more exciting image.

...This photo brought to you by -25C, and a no-extracurriculars evening.

Pleasing to the Eye

I could not get enough of these flowers at the Muttart today. I was there this afternoon shooting family photos for friends, shooting flowers both before and after, of course.

Now that I have seen the Butchart Gardens, I have to say that neither the Devonian Botanical Gardens nor the Muttart Conservatory hold a candle to the floral experience there. Nevertheless, the Muttart holds its own as a year-round escape to colour and beauty in this city. I have been often enough this year that I'm planning to purchase an annual pass for 2013 on my next visit.

A photo I took there a couple years ago (an impromptu shot in the middle of a portrait shoot, nonetheless) will be featured in the Muttart's 2013 calendar. This is the second publication this year in which a photo of mine has been included; crazy!

And all because I can't keep my eyes off the colours!

Leaf on My Shoulder OR SOTC 31/365

It is well-known that summer is my favourite season. All that green, all that life, all that sunshine, all that warmth!

Still, there is beauty in every season. I have always known this, but I find my awareness of this truth heightened in the last year or so. Perhaps it comes with age. Or perhaps because, as a home owner, each season means something different for my space. Or perhaps because I'm taking more pictures. Whatever the reason, this past year, I have really noticed the seasons more, and have been trying to embrace the beauty that they bring. Still, knowing a truth, and believing it are sometimes two different things. For example, you could not have convinced me two winters ago that winter was beautiful. Aside from the bajillion inches of snowfall and lack of sunshine, there was too much going on in my own life to be happy about most of that winter. As another example, several years ago, as I was still fresh dealing with separation from my husband, autumn didn't even register.

I think the beauty we see in the seasons is heavily impacted by what else is going on in our lives. And I think, in part, it might be one of the reasons God imparted a planet in the universe that rotates around the sun such that seasons exist. Spring, summer, autumn, winter. Spring, summer, autumn, winter. Regardless of what else is going on, these seasons happen. Spring, summer, autumn, winter. They may each look a little different from year to year, but the seasons are a constant in a world that constantly changes, in circumstances that are different from one moment to the next.

I mean, how awful would it be if the soft cherry blossoms of spring--or juicy summer berries, or the rich colours of autumn, or pristine fields of winter white--only occurred once, and it was during a challenging time of your life, and you missed it?

I think my sense of hope would dwindle.

I do think that God wants us to marvel in the beauty of each season every year, regardless of our own personal lives. The whole of creation is for His glory--we should always be acknowledging and praising that! And yet, paradoxically, I think God recognizes our brokenness. Our own human nature often gets in the way of recognizing the blessing of creation that He has given us. And so, He repeats these seasons, knowing that we may miss the amazing beauty here and there, and mercifully giving us the next season as an opportunity to praise.

...There is a leaf on my shoulder in this photograph. I didn't notice it until I uploaded the photo onto my computer. And I suppose I could have Photoshopped it out, but the leaf is evidence of leaves raked, rolled in, and tossed. I am enjoying the autumn colours, the autumn sunshine, soaking up His creation by rolling around in it a little. :)

I have a leaf on my shoulder.

Way better than a chip, I'd say.

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Busy bugs.