Owls and Orchids

Sunset at Byron Bay Lighthouse – beautiful

 “The power of imagination makes us infinite.”   John Muir

What makes us, writers, bloggers, artists, photographers and so on, different from everyone else “out there”?  We all have the same bodies, give or take, we have similar backgrounds within a huge range of possibilities, but what is the indefinable something which sets us apart from the rest of society.  I feel it is that inner drive to make yourself understood. It is the need to share your ideas, to craft them and polish them and then put them out there, into that vast unknown sea of the ‘audience’ and find out if we have managed to resonate with others.

Some artists do what they do for their own satisfaction and need no acceptance from others. For most of us it is not simply nice to be acknowledged, it is the standard by which we measure how well we are at putting forward our ideas and inspiration.  From books to art, to the landscape of nature we seek and find inspiration for our ideas, our incredible imaginations which craft together thoughts, ideas, rich tapestries which spread a canvas of possibilities for others to share. To be acknowledged as successful in that endeavor must be a heady brew indeed.

At present I’m drawing with broad strokes on a huge palette until I find, or rather narrow, my niche. Perhaps it is also true that I need courage to grasp that idea and run with it and see how far it can take me. It is also true that I have no real desire to narrow my area too far and thus stifle a spark of genius which may float my way.

Let me share with you some of the sources of inspiration which have been given to me recently.

The beginnings of sunrise. The blazing light of the sun behind the clouds and the shadowed trees in the foreground. The ocean seems almost peaceful as it gently rolls to the shore.

Darkness banished, the sun in all it’s glory and spirit orbs welcoming the dawn.

Golden sunlight pours out from the cloud cover, bathing the land with molten gold. No wonder the people of old believed it was magical when the sun appeared each day. It shows us the power and majesty which surrounds us and that anything is possible. It’s a palette of colours any painter would be thrilled by.

The beauty of the full moon, mysterious and magical.

The terrific days and nights of the past full moon when she was the closest to earth for years, bringing with her thoughts of the ‘wild hunt’ with Pan, the Druids and mystery and magic in the air.

The stirring view of the moon’s light across the ocean as she rose into the sky.

I found this picture irresistible to take, thinking of how luxurious it would be to soak in the water as the moon’s light washed over me.  Just an old-fashioned romantic, or perhaps a sorceress of old, charging up her powers by the light of the moon, and so wonderful for charging up your crystals.

Two pairs of wood ducks wandering around the garden.

It was a pleasure to see the ducks wandering around in the garden, totally without fear. I spent hours just enjoying the freedom they made me feel and they waddled along finding grubs wherever they went.

Rolling ocean waves.

You cannot help but be overawed by the power and majesty of the ocean as she pounds on the beach. It makes you realise how small we are in the grand scheme of things, but it is thrilling to watch as the waves cleanse the air and refresh the body and mind. Simply invigorating to be a part of it.

High seas and stormy weather.

The same section of coast during the storm – the power and intensity were even more awe inspiring as they thrashed the beach over and over again. The roar was incredible, you could imagine the old timber galleons being pounded to pieces with the ferocity of the waves.

The magic of a rainbow after a storm.

A beautiful rainbow after a storm, with the colours so defined. I made a wish and looked for the proverbial pot of gold. Perhaps the pot of gold is seeing the rainbow arching across the sky.

Still feeding her babies.

We’ve watched this family of Eastern Rosella’s grow up. There is a nesting box in the poinciana tree and over the weeks we have been able to watch the parents make their trips back to the nest and watch the babies pop their heads up to be fed.

A Major Mitchell standing guard on the bird feeder.

This was a rare treat. Major Mitchells are usually found in inland Australia. I’ve been told this is really unusual so we’ve made the most of watching them. They may be Corellas or Bare Eyed Cockatoos.  Whatever their name it’s been wonderful watching them, even if we did lose all the figs on our tree.

These are some the things which give me inspiration, which motivate me to think, feel and dream outside the box. The world surrounds me with inspiration if I look to see it.  The desire to write, to communicate my ideas only means that I haven’t yet said all I want to say and if I have a ‘dry’ period, as a friend said, I only need wait for my next dream. Either way I know that I am ‘polishing my craft’..

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

– Harriet Tubman

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