Slot Canyon

I took this photo a few years ago within a slot canyon in southern Utah. Not a lot of bright colors here, but still, beautiful shades of browns combined with beautiful contours can add to our sense of amazement concerning nature: It is amazing what nature can design for us, in this case with the help of winds and occasional rushing waters.

We All Love a Rainbow

How can we not love a rainbow? It comes but for a moment. Its beauty is derived from both sunlight and drizzle or rain. Notice the hint of a second rainbow (its colors match those of the brighter one, but in opposite order). The photo was taken just off my front porch. One does not have to go far to find beauty. The problem is that we often do not pause to enjoy it before it is gone.

Touch of Old England

I took this picture within the first days of living near the town of Bedford in England while stationed in the Air Force. It is an old town, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was the home (and prison) of John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim's Progress. I lived near Bedford for three years. The river is the River Ouse. Despite what went on in this town ages ago, one can still find beauty in the old structures, the river, the swans, and in the faces of the people themselves. The Breitenstein (Harris) history dates back to towns like this in England and in the rest of Europe.

Falling Leaf

You've got to admire the beauty of Fall. I love to watch the leaves drop. This leaf fell from the tree just behind it during a light wind, blew my direction, and landed literally at my feet.  I will be raking a lot of leaves this week, 

but I will thoroughly enjoy the moment.

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever

A flower's beauty can be found, of course, in not only roses. This house plant was just waiting, it seemed, for me to take its picture after my mind admired its simple beauty for so long.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its loveliness increases;
It will never pass into nothingness . . ."
--John Keats

A Rippling Stream

I went out a couple days ago to enjoy the fresh air and scenery on Alpine Loop. I took photos of the mountains, yellow adorned aspens, and fall colors in general. But what grabbed my attention the most was perhaps this little stream, its clear water, and its rippling acoustics. Sometimes we have to go out of our way to look for beauty, but even this stream, with its accompanying colorful stones and plants, was only a few miles up the road.

Momentary Beauty

Even a weed, in this case a spent dandelion, can momentarily overtake other flowers in beauty. Things beautiful can be found in just about anyplace we choose to look for it. This photo was taken in my back yard, just minutes before the dandelion's fragile beauty disappeared.