I was raised by nature lovers. My parents raised me to adore the beauty of the world. They pointed it out everywhere we went. The various colors that made up a gorgeous sunset. The spring buds making their grand debut on the barren tree branches. The way a field of grain looked when the sun was slanted just so. Maybe that’s why I always feel so compelled to take close-up pictures of nature on trips, etc. like here (at the end of the post) and here. I love the details of it all.
On particularly lucky days growing up, my Dad would take us on “nature walks.” We’d look for the “signs of spring” when the snow finally melted and the earth would begin to thaw. We’d oooo and ahhhh about the green shoots popping out of the ground and the way the tulips would open to greet the day.
Sometimes when summer drew to a close he would announce on some random morning that he had felt it: the slight change in the air. The change that meant Fall was on it’s way. After that we’d look for “signs of Fall” and we’d soak up the vibrancy of the oranges and reds spreading slowly, gradually through the green trees surrounding us and creeping down the mountains by where we lived.
I think my parents’ love of beauty was key in creating the strong ties we all feel to Bear Lake. Living there each summer growing up we’d get our breath taken away each day as we’d watch the lake turn to different colors according to the mood of how the sun would hit it.
One day it would be emerald green. The next it would be slate gray matching the tumultuous mood of the clouds bringing in a storm. Then the next day it would be bright turquoise striped with the tiny white cap waves that would spread white lines out in rhythmic motion across as far as we could see.
Yes, our love of the lake grew as our love of nature did. And I’m so thankful for that.
This year even more than the color of the lake, I loved soaking in the sky. And I tried to capture it as it changed moods:I love that my kids have started pointing out beauty to me. Lately I’ve noticed that they’ll stop me to check out a sunset, or the way a particular cloud looks like a giant laughing pig.
I’m so thankful to my parents for helping us feel that extra measure of gratitude for the earth.
And I’m so thankful to God for making it all so beautiful.
Incredible!
Shawni, I love reading and seeing, your blog!
Okay……not only could you write a book about Mothering you could seriously write a book about Clouds and have it a best seller as well! Unreal….all of a sudden I want to have pictures of the sky in my house…gorgeous!
I'm with you, I LOVE the sky and all the beauty of the Earth. Thanks for the inspiring photos 🙂
Beautiful photos!!
What a beautiful post, and beautiful pictures. I'm the same way with nature. I love finding all the beautiful things Heavenly Father has given us. Each time I see a beautiful sunset, sunrise, fields of green, gold, whatever it is I always start singing in my mind the song, "For the Beauty of the Earth". It's amazing all the beutiful things he's given us.
Shawni, those photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful photos! We too love Bear Lake and all of its beauty. The water is an amazing color. I will never forget the first time I saw it. I was in awe! It's now our family's favorite place on the planet. I only wish we could spend the whole summer there.
I think you have a gift ~ looking for the good and beautiful things. Thank you for pointing it out to us too!
Brilliant.
Just beautiful. You certainly have captured the mood in each of these shots. I really enjoy the pictures you post on your blog.
Spectacular! You know how much I love clouds but you have captured them with rapture. That's the best!
You inspired me to take more pictures of the sky!
Shawni, you're gifted.