Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Fabulous Fall

Splash of Colour by Sara Harley
Splash of Colour
It is a joy to live in a place that has four seasons. Each transition is different, and each season brings something special. Autumn is a beautiful time of year with endless colours. After the long hot days of summer, it feels wonderful to put on a cozy sweater and snuggle with a good book, or a cat, or both.

My town is filled with walking trails and they are magical in the fall. There is the smell of pine needles, and the sight of leaves falling, dancing in a gentle wind.

The kid in me comes out occasionally, and I swish my feet and crunch through the fallen leaves as I walk. The sun streams down through the trees, nature's spotlight.

In the middle of town, sometimes it's so quiet all you can hear is the wind rustling through the leaves with no evidence of the nearby traffic. It's calm and rejuvenating, and just a pleasurable for me as a walk along the shore.

Riley, my Wheaten Terrier, and I have an agreement. i wait patiently as she sniffs and explores. In turn, she has learned to wait for me as I pull out my camera and record whatever has caught my eye.

Nature's Spotlight by Sara Harley
Nature's Spotlight
 

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Sandscapes

Alone in the Crowd by Sara Harley
Alone in the Crowd
Everyone has a happy place, somewhere that completely relaxes them. A happy place is somewhere you go to get yourself re-balanced when things seem out of sorts.

Sitting in a favourite chair with a book, walking the dog, visiting with grandchildren, listening to the bird song in the woods, a simple cup of tea.

We are all different, and we all have our own place to go to when we want to celebrate life, or when we are feeling down and need to find solace.

My happy place is the beach. I don't go to beaches for sunny skies and sunbathing. Beaches, for me, are for walking and peace of mind. If something is bothering me, I head to the beach if I can. The wind seems to clear my troubled mind, and the sound of the waves reminds me that life carries on, no matter what. 

From larger than life vistas to intimate landscapes, the tides and sand create visual art that is constantly in motion. More and more often, I focus my camera on the details in the sand, what I refer to as "sandscapes". I have been working on a collection for a couple of years, and although I haven't had many beach excursions this year I did manage to capture a few to add to my collection.

If I was to wish for anything, I might wish that I was more comfortable with change, adapting as well as the sands and comfortable with new challenges.

But in the meantime, I find solace in the ever changing gifts and joy in the peace of mind that a walk on the beach can bring. 

The Dance by Sara Harley
The Dance