Nikki’s Photography

Autumn storm near Taos, New Mexico. Wildflowers: Bird’s Beak 

I recently watched a very interesting documentary about the perilous state of our planet, and things we can do to affect the course of necessary change. Narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio I highly recommend seeing this film,  The 11th Hour 

Excerpts from the Album and song of the same title

 by Kate Bush, c 1989

The Sensual World

Mmh, yes.

…Stepping out of the page into the sensual world

Stepping out…..

to where the water and the earth caress

and the down of a peach says mmh, yes

…when I could wear a sunset, mmh, yes

…You don’t need words…

Stepping out of the page into the sensual world…

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http://www.katebush.net/ Recent release: Aerial, c 2009

Eight thirteen p.m. That’s the time it was when I last saw the Giant Sequoias, hopefully not for the last time. It was dark but there was still enough light left to take the last chance for one more photo.

Sky was the vivid blue that lasts only for a few moments before the last effects of sun disappear. It was the kind of blue where you check around and can’t distinguish any green from the next on the sillhouettes against it…so you’re sure it’s definitely dark… but wondering how could such a dark color be glowing so brightly? That blue is going to be the star, and have stars, in one of my next paintings.

This is the most glorious tree in our neighborhood. It’s across our back alley and has been a favorite subject for many years because the silhouette is so beautiful against any sky during any season or time of day. The photo was taken nine days ago during the almost full moon on September 12th.

OK, so the subject of sunflowers grows weary and cliche for some, but the plant has so much character, especially when the flower heads droop with the weight of seeds. Sunset is spectacular tonight with their swaying sillhouettes against the sky.

I was just coming home from shopping so I missed capturing the double rainbow arching over our neighborhood after a short storm. Both ends were visible, and rare sights like that are so electrifying! I hurried home to get the camera, then still managed a few shots of the golden glow accentuating everything as the sunset.

Storm in Calgary, Alberta

I have yet to see a tornado in Texas since we moved there, yet here is the first one I’ve ever seen, about to touch down in Airdrie, near Calgary Alberta  while we’re on holidays.

Watching it form is surreal, and though it’s not far away I don’t feel in any danger. It formed a perfect funnel then I watched it pull back again, spawning a skinny long string-like tornado, then dissolve.

The associated clouds are ominous and dark in contrast to the sunny neighborhood where I’m standing. I learned later this afternoon that the tornado touched down in a farmer’s feild for a few moments.

I’ve taken a lot of photos of this plant and its flowers because it has such strong character and creates a beautiful sillhouette during any time of day or season. It does crowd all the other shrubs though. Still learning about gardening in the South, next time I would plant it in an open or isolated spot allowing at least 3 feet of space around it. It grows so large so quickly, with a massive thick root ball, so it’s pretty much permanent once it’s been growing for a few months.