Monday, March 14, 2016

Stearn's Warf After the Rain




Some places guarantee magic, one of them is Stearn's Warf. I went there chasing a rainbow, but when I arrived, it was gone. Instead, I was greeted by frigid wind that whipped my hair and spun me into a dizzying swirl. It wasn't just the wind that spun me, it was also all of the life unfolding around me. There at the end of the Warf, surrounded by ocean on three sides, I found people, birds, clouds, waves, surfers, boats, and more, much more, all moving and changing second by second. And in that, I snapped photo after photo as if in a trance.

I dove into the images head on, participating in what I've come to know as the "sport" of photography. And as it goes, when one becomes so engaged, time disappears. It wasn't until my hands became so cold that I could no longer bend my fingers, that I realized I had been out there for two hours. Even though my hands and face were frozen, my mood had not contracted -- I was exhilarated. Too cold now to continue taking pictures (or even click the shutter!), I retreated to my car. There, I rubbed my hands trying to thaw them out. When that didn't happen quickly, I reluctantly decided, it was time to go.

Gripping the wheel with lobster claws instead of hands, I started the engine and began to back out of my parking place -- that's when it appeared, a partial rainbow, glowing over the mountains. It felt like an affirmation. As if nature was bestowing a gift. "You brought yourself here, Aneet, searching for a rainbow, you immersed yourself completely in everything around you. Just to let you know your ardor didn't go unnoticed, here, accept this reward, this nod to acknowledge the needle eye of your attention."


























































PS: Just to let you know, if you're on a computer, you can have a nice slide show by clicking on an image (preferably the first one), and then going to the film strip that appears. By clicking on a photo on the film strip, you can stay in the frame and continue clicking to receive a full show of large images.




22 comments:

  1. Again I so enjoyed your photos as well as your words. My comment on.your last entry must not have posted....so if I repeat myself I apologize.
    Still enjoying my break from the magnetism of the social media spectrum. I am in the midst of planning my Father's 80th birthday celebration. With the help of my older sister we are planning an afternoon of family, food, and lots of love. We are blessed to have a great man as our Father and plan on giving him the best tribute we can...Happy spring to you Ms Ford from the beautiful Pacific Northwest
    Best Regards until May
    Riche

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    1. Riche,

      Gosh, I thought I published your last comment here, and that I answered it. I will have to check what happened there. Meanwhile, I'm happy to see you here. It's been a while, and it's good to know that your life is unfolding in a rewarding way.

      I know that you party for your father will be wonderful, as you bring so much heart to what you do. Thank you for your good wishes, Riche, and may I wish you a wonderful springtime too, in your beloved Northwest.

      Sincerely,

      ~ Anitra

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    2. Hello Riche,

      I have checked back over the past few posts, and you're right, I don't see a comment from you. I know I have received more than this one. Hmmm, I will explore further. Meanwhile, we have this one, yay!

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  2. These are magnificent photos, Anitra --reflecting the joy of the experience and not the discomfort of the cold. And I'm so glad you were rewarded with at least one of the rainbow's feet. Nicely done.

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    1. Geo,

      Hello, hello! Always a delight to see you here. And happy you enjoyed the photos complete with rainbow "feet". And no, the icy air had no effect on my attention, not until I discovered my Popsicle fingers.

      Thank you for your generous words -- they are very welcome. Sending you and Norma my fond wishes for and happy and abundant springtime.

      ~ Aneet

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  3. Rainbows and magic appear in the strangest places... and unexpectedly. Be it on Stearn's Wharf with ocean on three sides or a remote backroad in the West Texas desert, little miracles that make reality worthwhile will pop up when you find yourself caught up in just moving through the moment without expectations of the unexpected.

    Mother Nature doesn't always let her miracles appear in idyllic circumstances-- as a frozen-fingered and wind-whacked Aneet might agree after a couple hours of bluster and chill. But Mother Nature does reward those who ask no more of her than the chance to be in awe of her beauty and wonder...

    About two weeks ago, my camera and I found ourselves on the banks of the North Concho at a resting area along Ranch Road 2034. The camera clicked away and I didn't realize until I got home and downloaded my photographs that it had found a blooming primrose I'd not seen before.

    The moral of the story? Perhaps...

    We don't see the trees for the forest? We see more than we think we see? Sometimes we have to step back before we realize what's been hiding in plain view? Don't go mistaking that Oenothera for a Calylophus?

    Me, I don't know about morals of the story. But I do know I savored the pictures and enjoyed the story with them. And look forward to more pictures and more stories.

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    1. Oh Louis,

      I want to wrap up that second paragraph and carry it with me everywhere. The "wind-whacked Aneet", the "bluster and chill", and "those who ask no more" than to be in the "awe of her beauty and wonder..." It's such a treat to read your words.

      I also loved your story of finding a blooming primrose. And in choosing a moral to your story, I am going to do my best not to mistake an Oenothera for a Calylophus :)

      I am delighted that you enjoyed these photos. It is my pleasure to be able to share them with you. Thank you for your generous words Louis.

      Wishing you and Madame a healthful and sparkling springtime,

      ~ Aneet

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  4. I'm so happy you have a new post! The writing is so engaging and evocative: it so perfectly expresses and compliments the photographs. And the images are a joy and lovely. It's such a wonderful post!

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    1. Hello Jon,

      It's delightful to see you again. I'm happy to know that you enjoyed this post :) It's a treat to have a memorable experience and to be able to communicate (at least some part of it -- greater or smaller) to others. It is particularly satisfying when someone enjoys it and tells you so.

      Thank you Jon.

      My sincere good wishes,

      ~ Anitra

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    2. Thanks, Anitra! I'll look forward to your next wonderful post!

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  5. Aneet hi!

    Just got back from Australia and can't tell whether it's 8:30 am or pm. The jet lag is always an experience when you travel such a distance through many time zones.

    These pictures you took are quite beautiful and your description of being so cold there is highlighted by the clothing everyone there is wearing. I wonder what the temperature was? I remember being in San Francisco in August and needing a coat! Even that poor pelican looks like he can use a jacket.

    I love the way you captured the mountains and that rainbow.....skillfully done!!!

    My best to you! Jonathan

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    1. Jonathan,

      Welcome back! How wonderful it must have been to have spent many weeks in Australia. I imagine it an exciting place to visit.

      I'm always delighted to hear from you and to get your take on things. I'm impressed that you noticed the clothing was geared for the cold. I noticed it too, but didn't think it was obvious.

      Who was the author who said, "The coldest winter I've ever spent was summer in San Francisco."? The temp here must have been in the 50s, but it was coupled with the cold wind coming off the water. That's what did it.

      So glad you enjoyed the post. Wishing you a wonderful springtime Johnathan.

      Sincerely,

      ~ Aneet

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  6. Hello Aneet!

    Stearn's Warf is indeed a great place to capture amazing views of the mountains. The sun tends to shine a little brighter when it comes back out after the rain, doesn't it?

    A rainbow to me is a symbol of hope and renewal, a gift for having gone through a storm. No matter what storms we go through in life both literally and figuratively, a rainbow is nature's way of telling us we made it through.

    Beautiful pictures Aneet, as usual. I hope these first few months of the year have treated you well, and as we turn the page towards Spring, I hope it blooms with nothing but good things for you.

    Best wishes and fondest regards,

    Joseph

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    2. Joseph Hello!

      Yes, you know Stearn's Warf :) And yes, it's true, the sun does shine brighter after the rain and the view becomes clear and crisp.

      I love your rainbow analogy. That they are symbols of hope and renewal, is an idea I think I will adopt.

      I'm happy you enjoyed the photos, Joseph, and I want to thank you for you beautiful wishes. Your tone in this comment gives me the sense that you are finding balance and receiving some rewards long due. You are an extraordinary person, and it seems some things are flowering in your life (perhaps within you.)

      Expressing my heartfelt good wishes,


      ~ Aneet

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  7. I've needed to delete a couple of comments, as they were (for some odd reason) posted twice ???

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  8. Jonathan ChesterMay 8, 2016 at 2:29 PM

    Hi Aneet!

    Just a simple hello and a sincere wish for a very happy Mother's Day with Erin!

    All the best......Jonathan

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    1. Jonathan,

      Your lovely Mother's Day message was happily received. Thank you so much. I trust that you had a wonderful day with your mother as well.

      My fond wishes,

      Aneet

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  9. Amacing hummmingburd - free from a big bird cage ;-) and happyly emancipated that way!

    I am not sure why exactly, but, you reach me somehow.
    I wish you also everything good and wonderful.
    Would be fun to give you a hug in real life though, haha!

    Kindly, Michael from Denmark

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    1. Hello Michael,

      It's nice to hear from you again. thank you for your kind message. I appreciate your Big Bird Cage comparison :)

      I want to send a bounty of good wishes your way,

      ~ Anitra

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