Sunshine & Light

I'm excited to share that I will be taking part in the Leap into Spring Photo Challenge. This challenge is hosted by 3 lovely bloggers who have a passion for taking pictures. Do you remember me taking part in the Winter Poetic Challenge? It's similar to that one, you can find out more information HERE or you can click the swanky button at the bottom of this post. It's so inspiring for me to see what others come up with for these challenges. The hosts also share helpful tips and information for taking better photographs. I really enjoy photography but I've never taken a class or anything like that. Half the time I'm clueless as to what I'm doing. I just play around with the settings a lot, so I'm always willing to learn something new.

This week's challenge is to capture sunshine and or light. Sunshine is medicine for the soul and when I close my eyes and think about it there is an image that almost always pops into my mind. It was captured when we still lived in Colorado and since I didn't blog at that time I thought I would share it with you now.

The picture above was taken in 2009 my husband took it. I know I haven't showed many pictures of myself so in case you don't know I'm the one in the front with the red pack. This was a backpacking trip that we took with friends over a long weekend. It was to a place called Ice Lake just outside of Ouray, Colorado. The picture on the About Me tab was taken there also. As we hiked to our destination we were looking for our friends who had gone ahead of us the day before to find a place to set up camp. The sun was starting to lower and was just above the ridge. It was blinding. It lit up the fields of water plants and wild flowers marvelously. We had trouble seeing through the blinding light under the ridge where our friends were supposed to be.

That whole weekend was full of light! It's always so renewing to spend time in the wilderness where you encounter no one else but those you came with. There is nothing better than walking in the light and to be in the light. It's so warm and comforting and regenerating.

The way the light would pierce through the mountains and fill the valley was breathtaking. There is no better way to wake up in the morning. This truly is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. There is something to be said for putting all your necessities on your back and working towards a destination and then staying for a while to explore. I only wish that at the time I would have realized that my duration in Colorado and having those experiences with dear friends would be short. I would have cherished every moment a little more and have loved a whole lot harder.

I have beautiful memories of how the light would make the water sparkle. We even came across some shallow pools and had lots of fun catching trout with our bare hands. It amazed me how radiant those trout were. It really amused us to be able catch them with our bare hands! Isn't it hard to believe those pictures were taken without my fancy camera, just a regular point and shoot? It goes to show that you can capture amazing memories no matter what kind of camera you have.

We've moved to Nebraska and have been here almost a year now. The experiences are very different but we try to get outside as much as possible. We recently went on a hike in one of the state parks. I loved how the sunlight trickled through the forest of new leaves.

It's magical when the leaves filter the sunlight! It's like the forest is glowing.

We came upon this amazing creature basking in the sun. He was relaxing after working hard to spin his magnificent web.

 

Only in Nebraska is there a need to point out where a photo opportunity is. Unfortunately we never did figure out what this sign was pointing to.

I would love to know which photo is your favorite and why. It helps me grow and it's always interesting to find out what others see in your pictures.

I hope that you are able to embrace the Light this Easter weekend and that you find it more soul quenching than you could have ever imagined!