Moody morning moon, orchids and other blossoms

 I headed out for my walk this morning in soft pre-sunrise light. This made for an opportunity to take a few moon photos with out-of-focus items in the foreground as you can see from the photo above (moon with barbed wire) and those following. 

The dark grey tones are a result of me trying to sharpen the focus on the moon. It does sharpen the focus but also darkens the background - still I like the result.

Images of a few of the orchids blooming in G's orchid house.

And a few bit of beauty taken during the week.

May the fragments of beauty lift our spirits and encourage us to hold on to hope.

Beauty for joy and hope

 

Over the last few years Fiona's dad Graham has spread joy and hope by installing orchid plants in about 30 trees outside villas in our little Maleny village. This year has  seen an abundance of these plants flowering.

So many folk have said how having orchids suddenly appearing in the trees just makes them smile. The great thing about  these flowering orchids is that they will stay in bloom for at least a few weeks - a gift that just keeps giving.

This blog post simply shares a few images of joyful-hopeful orchid beauty.

 Graham's orchids simply reinforces that  doing small local things can offer moments of hope in challenging times.

Blossoms to make one smile on the inside

 

I know I keep repeating myself but it is true - the warm weather seems to be bringing out so much beauty. Stopping to take the occasional photo is simply my way of taking the opportunity to immerse myself in some of the beauty. Check out the water dragon sunny itself in the second photo below.

There are quirky bits of beauty such as the new growth on the Cycad.

G's orchids are running riot.

And what about the following beauty photo by Fiona where she has captured the waratah (from a bush we planted many years ago) and the colours in the artwork.

May we have the presence of mind and take the time to pause and let the beauty seep into our spirits through our eyes.

An abundance of beauty

 

Spring has really arrived - just so much beauty piping up all over the neighbourhood. Sometimes it is a single blossom such as the one above (includes a black ant enjoying wander - can you see it); and on other occasions there are trees and bushes full of blossoms such as those below.

And a few more of those gorgeous single blossoms.

I am glad that nature pulls me up to admire its offerings - so much joy and hope. 

Below another spray of orchids in our magnolia tree - check out the wandering ant.

Beauty fragments including a reflection bending platypus

 

Beauty such as the dew incrusted and sunlit blossoms above and below easily capture one's eye and spirit.

Ducks perched in a tree, leaves cascading over the weir wall and a fast moving platypus bending reflections are not so much everyday moments - below.

G's orchids in his orchid house and in the ground seem to be enjoying the warmer weather and provide joy over a long period of time.

I feel so fortunate that I live in a place where such beauty is currently abundant.