A Day of Sun and Rain

This was a day of rain intermingled with periods of blue sky. Above, the magenta of a sunrise increasingly obstructed by gathering storm clouds. There were a few episodes of light rain today, which ultimately ended with clearing and blue skies, even the faint traces of a rainbow, as seen below, on the right. I have yet to catch a rainbow for a photograph when it is vivid and bright. This rainbow, when I found it, started to strengthen its vibrancy, but then quickly faded away. Next time, as they always say, next time.

Break in the Clouds

"A" Mountain, Tempe, AZ

Today started out dark and stormy. I was enjoying more Pacific Northwestern flashbacks. But later in the day, the clouds broke apart to expose blue sky and sun. The sky was a deep, vivid blue sea in which puffy white clouds sailed across. To add to this sense of motion was a slight chilly breeze. But it didn't last for long, as gray gloom gathered once more in the late afternoon to extinguish the sunlight. Still, it was a nice change of view from a weekend of solid gray and rain. During the bright midday, I took this photo of "A" Mountain on the edge of ASU's Tempe campus. I know people who climb this mountain and it must be great exercise. I might have to take up the challenge someday.

Speckled and Spectacular

Pacific Ocean, Laguna Beach, CA

Thirsty after all those desert photos? Well, although this is salt water, the Pacific Ocean, maybe this will help to quench your (visual) thirst. I took this photo about four years ago at Laguna Beach, California, when I visited friends in Los Angeles. It was a late afternoon, after visiting several art galleries, most of them selling artwork I could never hope to afford. But then, I caught a glimpse of this, and it brought things into proper perspective. Far more spectacular than any painting or sculpture, a view of this is free and far more soothing. It makes you wonder why we seek with such frenzy poor substitutes for the satisfaction that we can find in the world as given to us. Shining and speckled with sunlight, the horizon of the Pacific is vast, seemingly endless, and offers intimations of infinity, something present and yet beyond our grasp. Perfect, as is.