For the Love of Skyscapes

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inEnvironmentTags:, , , , , , ,

Contemplate the entire Universe
As a magic show
On the grandest scale imaginable.
Fabulous art, an immense painting in motion.
God is a magician whirling galaxies of fire,
Juggling atoms, planets, and us.
Everything, everything is fleeting.
~Lorin Roche, PhD, The Radiance Sutras

Years ago, when I first began my travels West, I discovered the astounding beauty of skies. I was immediately captivated by the idea that beauty is love made visible, a statement I came across in a book I was reading at the time. I’m sure you’ve heard of the vastness of Western skies. Being able to see for what seems like forever is amazing. But the colors and cloud formations are unlike anything I had witnessed. I could remember so few sky images from the past. Was I too preoccupied in my former life to notice? Or was there too much light pollution in the East to appreciate the ethers? I can’t say for sure, but now I find that I photograph skyscapes as often as anything else.


It was in the tiny village of Arroyo Seco, New Mexico that I first saw a double rainbow. What a heart-opening experience! According to reference.com, a double rainbow is actually an optical illusion caused by sunlight entering a drop of rain, creating two internal reflections. It is also considered a symbol of transformation and good fortune. It certainly made me feel fortunate!

When I return to the East Coast and share the myriad of pictures taken on my journeys, I’m often asked, is the sky really that blue out there? And my answer is yes, when it’s not pink, orange, silver, black, or yellow! We do have the boldest blue sky I’ve ever seen (not just in the Southwest but in California & the Northwest, as well.) I’ve read opposing viewpoints on why the sky is so blue. Initially, I understood that dust was responsible for making it seem so vivid, and you know the desert has a lot of dust. But recently, I’ve seen that very clean air is required to get the boldest blue. Regardless of the reason, I’m grateful to be able to witness it (almost) every day.


As for the other colors often present in Western skies, a Science Daily article indicates they are due to the scattering of various molecules, light wavelengths, and our ability to perceive. Apparently, our eyes are more sensitive to some colors, and we are able to detect only a limited number of the hues present. But, what an amazing palette we have the opportunity to see! Sunrises of baby blues and bold pinks, monsoon and snowstorm sunsets with an extraordinary range of colors, and pastel pink snow skies heralding more of the gorgeous white stuff is on the way.


When it’s cold and raining,
You are more beautiful.
And the snow brings me
Even closer to your lips.
The inner secret, that which was never born,
You are that freshness, and I am with you now.
I can’t explain the goings, or the comings.
You enter suddenly, and I am nowhere again. Inside the majesty. ~Rumi

Night skies are fascinating in their own right. There are so many stars! And, the moon is sometimes so brilliant that I’m compelled to get up at night and look out the window. Its shine can be like a partially-dimmed sun.


Beauty must be love made visible. Looking upon the many spectacular skies with which we are gifted, my heart overflows and I am enveloped by a sense of wonder. I am grateful for my travels and my new home in the American West, where beauty emanates from every direction.


Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky. ~Hafez

Blessings for Beautiful Skyscapes,

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

70 thoughts on “For the Love of Skyscapes”

  1. Lisa this is so lovely! And I love the Rumi quote. making this post a sensuous one! Something I read recently reminded me to ‘look up’ more! Too often the burdens of the world bend our heads to look at our “iron legs” when really to be UPlifted, of course, we should look UP! Thank you for this wonderful post and for sharing your glorious photos. 💖🙏

    Liked by 2 people

  7. stunning shots, I’ve had a love affair with nature and especially skies and clouds since I was born 🙂 Posted a love letter that I wrote Mother Nature recently

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I’m a fellow sky-lover, Lisa. I think one of the reasons the sky seems to awesome in the West is that there isn’t as much to get in the way. When I visited NYC many years ago. the canyon walls are made of buildings and if you even try to see the sky, you’ll probably run into fourteen people instantly. There’s a reason Montana calls itself “Big Sky” and there are other big skies in this part of the world. That being said, I loved the sky in Illinois and took many, many photos of it. One thing you don’t see as much of in the Arizona skies, at least the part where we are, are clouds, although there are quite a few today.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    janet

    Liked by 2 people

  14. You have some really amazing pictures this post Lisa! And love the poems – such true words.
    I love looking at the sky … I remember, when I was a little , how I’ve laid on my back in our garden and looked at the clouds while making pictures of them.
    And recently I fell in love with the sky again, when we’ve walked our first Camino in Spain in 2017 and we’ve started walking early in morning … most mornings the moon was in front of us and the sun would start rising from behind us – those mornings the sky was just magical 😊.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. I so enjoyed this celebration of the sky, Lisa. Your photos are incredible, and I also enjoyed your narrative and appreciation for the wonders of the sky. And as a long-time resident of California and receiver of frequent big blue skies, I totally concur with the western sky magnificence.

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  17. Wonderful image of the western skies. Living in the country with limited light pollution has allowed us to witness similar dawn/dusk scapes, but always felt those further to the west held more natural beauty. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

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