Monday, November 9, 2009

lunchtime stroll



i spent a wonderful lunch hour at the arboretum near my work one day last week. it was a bit nippy but the sun felt so good and i found the entire time so therapeutic. i have a bad habit of staying at my desk and letting the stress and pressure of work get to me. when i force myself to get away i feel like i find the real me, the person who can let go of all the worry and find beauty in the simplest of things. i was completely enamored with these tree tags and took a whole series of shots from different angles with varying amounts of tree and clouds.





my heart leaped with joy when i saw these wonderful shadows and reflections! i could feel the tension wash away as i walked through this area.

 
 

this overhead arbor woodwork created those delightful shadows and reflections. i could have sat and watched the clouds through this  frame all afternoon.


 

loving how the sun made these leaves look almost transparent. funny how i feel that way at work sometimes -- like i don't exist in the brilliant mix of beautiful young talent. that's when i most need to get away with my camera and find the confident, creative me.



 

wouldn't it be great to sit here with a hot cup of tea, a warm blanket and a good book?  no one to bother me or outshine my contributions. no competition, no deadlines -- just peaceful solitude, the warm sun and happy thoughts to keep me company.



 

fall makes me really think about seeds and how they are both the end of something and the beginning of a new life. i love full circle moments and seeds signify that concept to me. 




 

this shot captured my eye as i loved the contrast between the strong grass and the soft, fragile seed fronds against the cirrus clouds. just like these seed fronds, aren't we all a little vulnerable?
 

 

 i took a series of these shots as well with the chain in focus sometimes and out of focus sometimes.



 


this little duck so inspired me. it's as if he knew we was creating a picturesque moment for me to capture. he knew i was having a down day and he provided that little spot of beauty i so needed to see. he confirmed my belief that beauty is all around us if we only open our eyes to see.


21 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

A wonderful series of photos Julie. Focusing on beauty is a great tension release.

RNSANE said...

What a magical interlude you made out of your lunch hour! Your photographs are incredibly beautiful, perfect, really, with such clarity, and thought. The duck is the perfect finale. I would say you managed a gourmet meal during your short break from work. No one in your office has a clue, I'm sure, what they missed!

Christine said...

gorgeous photos today, Julie. Glad your walk put things into perspective.

ArtistUnplugged said...

Lovely pics!!!! Like you, I really enjoy the shadow pattern pics and you have some awesome ones. Stopping to appreciate the simple beauty can help that stress....hope it did!

lori vliegen said...

well, after seeing your surroundings, i think you should ask if you can move your desk outside....maybe next to that nice bench?!! :)))

Dot said...

Julie - this was a lovely post. I am glad that your walk put things into perspective for you. Love the photo's you shared. And I agree with you that there is so much beauty that surrounds us. And is there to be appreciated when we take time to see it.
Dot xx

Mary Wadsworth said...

Nature is the best medicine, beautiful photos thanks for sharing:)

Teresa aka Tess said...

I agree with Lori, you should definitley move your desk outside. Lovely photos, I really liked the benchs. Thanks for sharing and for the gentle reminder to attempt to see things differently.

Betsy Brock said...

What a great idea...nothing like a little fresh air and beautiful nature to clear your head!

Martha Lever said...

Wonderful pictures!! I just love the tree tag and the last one with the duck---but they are ALL great!

Zabeth B et Y B said...

it's good for us you had a bad habit of your desk staying, your shots are wonderful. I love particulary the duck... very nice shot.

Cindy said...

i tend to stay in the office at lunch time, too. i loved your venture out side and the shadows, although that last photo of the duck is my favorite. so dear.

Staci Danford said...

OMG that duck picture is just wonderful.. Looks so incredibly peaceful and perfect.. LOVE it.
Staci

Almost Precious said...

Nature in all her glory can be the best medication to lift the spirit of frazzled humanity. I find nothing more inspiring than nature herself. Love, love, love the little ducky photo how very serendipitous.
I lucked into one of those rare shots for my blog too, but my photos are not nearly as beautiful as yours are.

Almost Precious said...

Julie, thanks for visiting my blog, I thought that you would appreciate the photo of my long legged friend. :)

I am always amazed at how small this world can be and all the incredible coincidences (perhaps just fate) that occur. I've come across bloggers who are living in places where I once lived or grew up in, these little findings seem to draw us all closer together somehow.
Bradenton is a lovely place and 3 of my grandchildren have been born here. I thank you so much for sharing your BTW with me, it was a very special insight.

Kerri Jean said...

I love life through your eyes, Julie. You capture such wonderful moments. I also need to get away from my desk more. I do not do it often enough!!!

Donna said...

Julie, what beautiful pictures you took over your lunch break.
It's good to spend some time with nature, sometimes it makes all the difference in the world.

Hugs,
Donna

Fannie said...

Love all the photos, Julie. Thanks for sharing. Inspiring . . . shadows. Have a great weekend.

Cindy said...

Julie
Your pictures are so serene and inviting..I can see how they would lift your spirits! Yes, that bench would be a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a moment (if only I could slow down)...and the duck picture is my absolute favorite! What a sweet picture.

Robin White said...

I especially loved the "framed duck" pic as I was actually drawn to the sticks stretching out over the water..I sat for the longest time just staring at it...knowing that it HAS to have a secret message encoded within it's tangles! Thanks for sharing this found treasure!

Serena Lewis said...

OH, what a beautiful array of photos! I LOVE your shadow shots! I hope the stress at work calms down soon for you. As I read in your later post, it would be scary and stressful especially when your co-workers are getting laid off. Try to keep a positive mind. xo