On Being Blue
“What if the blue i see is not the same color blue you see?”
Neo Shamon
It’s a funny thing about blue. There are as many varieties of the color as one can imagine, and beyond that, blue can also depict sadness or feeling unhappy. Last week we bid farewell to the WordPress Photo Challenge, which made many of us a bit sad. So this week, I’ve decided to look at some happier examples of the blues.
“Let the blue of the sky and ocean take your blue away when you feel blue.”
Munia Khan
Here on Kiawah we are blessed with an amazing variety of birdlife. How can a photographer complain when faced with a gorgeous, normally furtive night heron mucking about in the bright green algae of a local pond? (And yes, their eyes really are that red!) How can one be sad while watching a feisty little bluebird making the most of a local birdbath?
“If you are feeling blue, try to paint the sky with It.”
Muhammad Imran Hasan
Even while playing (bad) golf on a beautiful day, the sight of a lone egret posing against a bright blue sky is enough to make one smile even after a nasty double bogey. How nice of him to wait until we’d finished before soaring off to his next destination. 🙂
“Blue is everlastingly painted by the deity to be a source of delight.”
John Ruskin
Finally, I’ve seen many great blue herons here on Kiawah, and photographed quite a few as well. The capture above, however, is one of my favorites. To me, the shape of the heron’s neck, and the expression on her face, looks almost angelic. One wonders what such a beautiful creature must be thinking at any given moment.
May all of your blues this week be happy ones – see you next week.
Love the heron but have to say my favorite is the bluebird. Partly because I’ve always heard “bluebird of happiness” but this is the first time I’ve seen it.
For one or other reason I skipped this post. Had I read it beforehand I would have linked it to my moon post as seeking blue skies on the moon will leave you feeling blue. Absolutely gergeous shrimp boat shot
😊 thanks for coming back Abrie
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Were your ears burning a little bit today? I’m taking a class about writing blogs and our homework was to bring in links to sites we liked. Everyone liked yours – the beautiful images that help tell a story, memorable quotes, and just the right amount of text. Just wanted to pass that on. 🙂
That is a really fantastic compliment – you’ve definitely made my day and then some!!
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gorgeous HAPPY shades of blue!! loving this egret…..so peaceful!!
Good way to move on from the end of the photo challenge Tina. What a great shot of the bluebird in the birdbath 🙂
Thanks Andy—esp for not commenting on the double bogey 😊
Oh my, but you sure did justice to the color ‘blue.’ 🙂
Thanks Judy!
Where would we be without blue? So many possibilities. Lovely post Tina.
Spoken like a true artist😊. Thanks Andrew
Very powerful, Tina! Especially when skies in Paris are more grey than blue…
Thanks Juls – hope the sun is shining in your world by now!
The contained elegance of the heron or the dizzy pleasure of the blue bird bathing? What an amazing world we get to share, Tina. Wishing you the happiest of weeks (and maybe, even, no bogies? 🙂 )
Well said Jo! And a fun week to you too!
blue-tee-ful post and loved the flow of the layers and splashes of these soft gray blues and rich ness – has a cheery vibe and usually blue can well – um, feel blue – ha
LOL, thanks Yvette!
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Everything from your bird photos to your reflections on the color blue was what I needed. Most of all, your capture of the bluebird bathing has such a warmth to it. Thank you.
Happy these found their way to brighten your day😊
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Wonderful photographs, Tina, especially that magnificent heron.
Have a wonderful week!
Thanks Lisa, you too!
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Uplifting series.
Many thanks Sally
So beautiful!❤
Thanks!
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Gorgeous post – I’m glad I am seeing this on Back to Work Monday!!
😊glad to give you a smile Nora!
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Beautiful photos! No blue colored birds here – it’s raining, so the sky isn’t even blue!
Well, we need rain too I suppose Margy! Hope your sunshine returns soon!
Thanks for sharing your happy blues. Loved them all!
Many thanks Patti
The bathing bluebird is wonderful. I love to see bird having a bath, they have such a splashy time of it.
Thanks Jude! He was indeed a happy little fellow 😊
The opening photo of the bluebird is especially sweet.
Thanks Jane
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Beautiful blues, T. The bluebird is a wonderful shot and the Night Heron is such a gorgeous bird.
Thanks Jane. That little bluebird was quite a different shot for me. He was really enjoying himself! They’ve set up house in our backyard which is fun.
Beautifully captured, Tina! Gorgeous GB. Love the last image. 🙂
Thanks Amy, my fav as well
The bathing bluebird is one of my all-time photos you’ve posted. You are simply an amazing photographer, one who obviously loves life and has the patience to capture it beautifully!
What a lovely compliment Rusha, you’ve made my day!
What a lovely post! ❤ The pictures are simply amazing.
If you have time, go check out my travel blog, thanks!
https://christysdiaryblog.wordpress.com/
Thanks christy, will do! Thanks for stopping by
That last picture looks like a painting. Great shot!
Many thanks LV!
The bluebird looks so happy and as Amy said, looks like a fun shot. Maybe the egret was enjoying your golf game…he must have gotten a kick seeing you do a double bogey and was silently laughing away 😀 Hopefully a better round at the golf next time round, Tina. Amazing shots as usual and have a good week 🙂
LOL Mabel, he probably did have a chuckle at my expense! A great week to you too
Adorable capture of the heron, love it. Despite the fact that one of his brethren has all but emptied my fishpond in recent weeks. 😦
Oops! Plenty of fish for them in our lagoons so no worries on our end!
That bluebird is truly a fun and happy shot!
He was certainly enjoying himself Amy!
What a gorgeous collection, Tina! You’ve got so many wonderful shots here. I am a bit “blue” too about the end of the challenge. It brought so many of us together every week, but we should not let it end! It’s been great fun.
Hi Patti, and thanks! Look forward to your note. Have given it lots of thought
I’ll contact you very soon, Tina. I’m so glad you’re thinking about it. So have I.
It’s funny with the description “I am feeling blue”, because you do not say that in Germany. But I like it as well as your wonderful pictures of blue.
Interesting! I’m sure you have many German idioms that don’t make sense to us! Thanks for your visit and comment!
Love the blues! How can you tell that the great blue heron is a female?
Thanks Laurel. I assumed it because she was minding the nest while her mate was fetching twigs to build it up
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That makes sense!
I still yet to see a blue bird. Your shot of frockling on the water makes me feel gay and happy. All shades of blue is my favourite color. Double bogey, is that a good hit?
Hi Perpetua. We have so many bluebirds here, I actually have a mating pair in my backyard. As for a double bogey, sadly no, that is NOT a good thing! We always say a bad day of golf beats a good day of work any time 😊
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Tina–the bathing bluebird is so darn cute. He must have been washing his hair also, with that tousled look!
LOL, you’re right Lois!
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I do miss the photo challenge. That last shot of the heron is wonderful and the bathing bird makes me smile. Have a great weekend!
janet
Thanks Janet
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I love blue, simply gorgeous, Tina!
Thanks Terri!
Good thinking abut positive blues – and great shots. The great Blue is a truly divine picture…everything about it.
Many thanks Ann-Christine. She was quite amazing!
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The delicate colors of the feathers on the Great Blue Heron are simply gorgeous, Tina.
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Thanks Allan, she was truly a beauty, and as large a heron as I’ve seen in a long time.
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Your blues are absolutely amazing. Love the blue heron.
Thanks so much Colline
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These are so beautiful, Tina. I might try to paint one, with your permission. I promise I would never sell, much less show it to anyone outside my family 😀😀
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Ann, I’m honored that you’d choose to paint from my images. Paint away my friend – but do let me know if you are happy with you results. I’d love to see it!
Love the header!
Thanks Kath! I think that was my first foray with the Fuji 🙂
Lovely shots, Tina.
Thanks Sharon! Hope all’s well out there, especially with the wee one!
Some beautiful blues Tina, thank you so much for sharing and enjly your weekend!🤗💖 xxx
And thank YOU for stopping by, and for your comment. A wonderful weekend to you too Xenia
Thank you Tina! 🙂💜 xxx
I love the blue bird splashing around – beautiful shot of the bird and he splashing water drops! I remember when they were becoming extinct and my parents worked so hard to feed and give them water. I always feel happy when I see one. The blue heron is great.. maybe she’s singing “I feel pretty, oh so pretty!”
Maybe so ML – do you know I don’t think I’ve ever heard a great blue do anything but squawk?!! Glad you enjoyed the little blue – he was having a blast in the bird bath that day.
Lovely images
Thanks so much MM!
Egret and sunny skies is stunning and of course the joy of that bluebird in the fountain !
Thanks GF. Number 17 at TRC. I actually had a par but a double bogey did a better job of making my point LOL.
This week had more than its share of blues with the sad news of two high-profile suicides. Nature, especially beautiful birds, can be a welcome balm. Thanks for these positive-side-of-blues photos!
You are so right Lex – I’d totally forgotten about that as I wrote the post before either one. Terribly sad. I especially feel for the young daughters each left behind.
Love em all…. especially the birdbath….
He’s a happy little devil, isn’t he?! Thanks Miss Linda!
Tina, such beautiful shots! I especially like “Egret and Sunny Skies”.
Thanks very much Hien – he sat posing for quite some time!
Oh, what a brilliant idea for a post! Great images, as ever, Tina
Thanks Sue – surprised at how challenged I was without the Challenge LOL
Teehee! We can all challenge ourselves…
Beautifully done, Tina! I love that last photo and also the blue bird bathing…gorgeous!
Thanks so much Dina!