Clouds

 Clyde Butcher's clouds are art.

I found Clyde on Facebook recently, (Clyde Butcher Photography) and am sharing just a bit of his art. 

He said:

I've been photographing in Myakka River State Park for many years, but after my stroke, it became my new backyard and second healing waters. Much like Big Cypress National Preserve was for me after the loss of my son.

Nature has always had a profound ability to heal me, and the water, in particular, has been my sanctuary. My time in the Everglades helped me heal in ways I never imagined, and now, in Venice, I've found the same comfort in the gentle flow of the Myakka River.

To see more of my images from Myakka and be inspired just as I have been: https://bit.ly/3S6Ytsw

 

He also has a web site clydebutcher.com

I lived in Florida many years...where it's mostly flat and wet. And all summer long thunder clouds float into being each afternoon. I once had a poster (black and white) of one of Clyde's beautiful clouds.

Wikipedia says this:

Beyond photography, Butcher is an active environmentalist. He has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural habitats, particularly the Florida Everglades. Through his galleries, exhibitions, and public speaking engagements, he advocates for conservation and educates the public on environmental issues.

My photo of Lake Tomahawk in September 2023. 

Another view of Lake Tomahawk from November 2023.

Yes, North Carolina has thunder clouds also.

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Sharing with Skywatch Friday!

Today's quote:

There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. -Logan Pearsall Smith, essayist (1865-1946)

More weather changes

 Right below my balcony (on the ground floor whille on this side of the building I'm on the second floor) look at these sweet daffodils!.

Saturday morning looked like this...I could see the snow cloud as it descended to the valley.

 All morning we had steady snow, which didn't stick to many things. But the expected warm up didn't happen either. At least it would be considered just a trace of snow. (I'm so hoping we get several inches at least once this year!)

This morning we were forecast to get sunshine and gradual warming again.  However a big foggy cloud had parked over the valley. And it was there until I went over to see my favorite creek...when finally some blue sky appeared. I'll be sharing photos from Flat Creek with its remains of snow over on "When I Was 69" blog soon.

Dawn's early light

 This is worth my posting, because I usually am hiding my head under a pillow when the sun comes up.  But on Christmas morning, there I was wide awake at 6 am, plenty of time to have coffee before the sunrise!

 Sunrise on Christmas morning, a great beginning for a beautiful solar-returning year.

These clouds were the precursors of many more, and I don't think I saw the sun again all day...though being continuously below freezing, I didn't go out much.

Clouds meet a mountain

Looking south and east, there's usually a ridge of mountains from our view in Black Mountain, where Rte. 9 wends its way to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure eventually...or maybe Fairview and Arden. 

The other evening I watched as clouds caught on the mountain tops, then slipped down the slopes.

A bit of nature reminding us of her beauty, if we stop to look in our busy lives.

Today's Quote:

Daring to dream what is deepest in our collective longings is what makes us most human and fully alive.

Wendy Wright

A Pisgah trip

Pisgah Mountain is south of Asheville, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A friend and I decided to go to a lovely little spot on the side of the mountain, the Pisgah Inn, for lunch. And maybe see some vistas.

That was a big maybe with the low clouds and frequent rain on last Wednesday!

Our first overlook towards the south and east (I think).

 Some industry in the distance, perhaps along I-26.

My dear friend Helen.

Whoever lives in Bad Fork Valley must not mind the name too much, because they even have a golf course.

This is my favorite picture from the day.  The clouds would continue to whisper across the road, and sometimes we got real raindrops.  But they were more and more prevalent the higher we got.

So having tables by the windows offered no views except the delicious food...and other diners shown here.

But Helen was right, for a few minutes we got to see the view of the mountains and even some goldfinches (didn't even try to capture them in photos).

Through the window of the Pisgah Inn.

A lot of construction was going on where the deck used to be, apparently it will be larger soon.  That will just mean a reduced view from inside the restaurant, but more space to stand and look when outside.  I wonder if they will still have a place for people to smoke like they did last year when I visited.

Today's Quote:

Each word we speak has a life of its own, a vibratory signature that creates waves into the expanse of the universe. Daily Om