breathofgreenair

Bumble Bee Towers

Posted on July 2, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Honey Bell Towers,
Cool rooms, crisp white cotton sheets.
Bumble bee heaven.

Posted in elemental, nature photo, poem | Tagged flowers, Haiku, nature, photography, poetry, summer | 22 Comments

Plockton High Tide

Posted on June 30, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Although there are two high tides each day in the bays of Plockton, when the moon is new or full the water level is much higher. This full bowl of water gives wonderful reflections, and I caught this in the early evening on the eve of Junes full moon. Sometimes called the flower moon or the hay moon, although it’s light is visible for only a few hours of the summers short nights, it still exerts it’s influence on the sea.

Filling the bay so full that the grass and flowers at the edge of the water become submerged, and without a breath of a breeze, the liquid reflections are almost perfect. The landscape is painted for a second time on the sea, and in the soft evening light peace settles over the bay.

You can see that the causeway has vanished into the water, and the only way over to Rhu is around the long way. When I was a girl, you would find the highland cows down at the sea on an evening like this. They would wade into the water to cool down, and gaze around content with their lot. There were also wild geese who would chase you along the shore, but all the animals are now safely tucked away behind fences and gates.
I think Plockton looks at its prettiest when the tide is high and the moon is full, and the reflections are still and clear.

Posted in elemental, nature photo, travel | Tagged full moon, high tide, June, nature, photography, Plockton, scotland, travel | 21 Comments

Contrasting Textures of Time

Posted on June 29, 2014 by greenmackenzie

This beautiful weathered fence post has been in place at the edge of this field for many years. We know this by noticing the lines in the wood which have been enhanced and deepened slowly by the passage of time. Also by looking at the contrasting lichen and moss which have set up home on the bare wood. Time has allowed wonderful textures and contrasts to form on what was once a plain, newly cut post of wood, and these textures beg to be touched.

New objects often lack the textural appeal applied by the passage of time. When this rock first found itself resting on its place between field and sea, it would have looked quite plain, but now it wears some wonderful clothes. The contrasting textures between the smooth rock and it’s beautiful lichens have been built up over time. Cracks and blemishes in the rock face are often what allow lichens to find a foothold and begin to grow.

For me this wrinkly aged fence has far more appeal than a newer version free from the textures of time. It’s although hidden within its contrasting ridges and furrows there’s a story, of long windswept nights and endless sun filled summers. The textures hold a tale about the life of this fence, of this wood and of this place on earth. The longer the story, the deeper the textures and contrasts, and for me therein lies the appeal.

The smooth texture of the new can never compete with the exciting drama of contrast. The deeper the degree of textural difference, the greater the awareness of each element. I love the hairy lichen adorning this smooth rock like little woollen tufts. The contrasting textures pull at me, whispering to my fingers to touch and feel. Texture is a wonderful combination of sight and tactile touch, and time weaves the best contrasts.

In the same way I find a face which shows some signs of age and time far more beautiful and interesting than one which is smooth and as yet unlived in. There is so much character to be seen in lines, and in the way they shape the face as emotions pour through. A flat smooth skin gives nothing away, a polished mask which hides the tales of a life well lived. A skin which wrinkles into a beautiful smile around the eyes and mouth is so attractive, and yet there seems to be a collective dread of these signs of the passage of time. A desire to somehow pause, to cease being alive and so resist being drawn into the deepening textures of life. The textures of time tell beautiful stories if only we will lean in a little and listen. To be afraid of the wrinkles of time is to be afraid of life itself, and of the journey which changes us a little each and every day.

We can’t be who we were yesterday, so we might as well enjoy who we are today, and carry those lines and stories forward proudly. They make us much more interesting…..

See more posts about contrast at the WP weekly challenge.

Posted in change, mindfulness, weekly photo challenge | Tagged aging, change, lichen, life, mindfulness, nature, philosophy, photography, postaday | 21 Comments

Tidal Shift

Posted on June 25, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Watching the shifting tide move in and out across the shore is a great reminder of the steady rhythm of change deep at the heart of our own lives. We know at some level that life is a flow of change and movement, and yet most of us somehow hang firmly onto the idea that our lives, our sense of self and our friendships are fixed and unchanging.
‘This is who I am, this is what I think’ we will announce to ourselves and the world, forgetting that this self, this world and everything in it changes moment by moment. Sometimes the changes are so tiny that we might not even notice them happening, and this pace of change most of us feel comfortable with. However there are times in all of our lives when change happens fast, unpredictably and unasked for, and that speed of change can feel very uncomfortable and disorientating.

There is something very soothing about watching the tide go in or out over a shallow bay. The huge shift in the landscape can be seen moment by moment. You can watch little landmarks like rocks appear or disappear with the moving water volume. A whole world previously unseen can be revealed and then recovered in the space of less than 12 hours, and this world along the shoreline is rich with life which thrives in the constantly changing environment.
Perhaps it can offer us some clues about thriving within the inevitable changes within our own lives. Remembering that the water and the reflected views will return again with the twice daily tidal shift, we know that there will be another chance and that we needn’t fear the losses. We can be certain, that just like the beached boats, we will float again in the near future without having to do anything but wait. Our lives, like this tidal bay, will fill again even when we feel most empty.
A healing lesson from the ever shifting sea.

Posted in change, mindfulness, philosophy | Tagged change, life, mindfulness, nature, philosophy, photography, relaxation, spiritual | 43 Comments

Plockton Dreams

Posted on June 22, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Back in Edinburgh I’m dreaming of Plockton already. The wonderful clear light and picturesque reflections make it on of the prettiest villages in North West Scotland. It’s an artists and photographers dream, and they have been flocking to Plockton for as long as it has existed. Almost every Scottish artist has done at least one painting of Plockton, and you find photographs of its traditional white houses in most Scottish themed calendars.

There is something perfect about the scale of the houses, the water and boats in the bay, and the Crags behind. When the tide is high like this, near the full moon, and the wind is low, the reflections are wonderful. The whole bay becomes an artistic mirror, picking out highlights and shapes to throw more delight towards our eyes.

There’s a beer garden outside the Plockton Hotel with the most wonderful view. You can sit and watch the tide come in as you sip and relax. You can watch people busy in their boats, and playing in kayaks, dogs splashing in the sea and children fishing for crabs and tiny fish. As a child I sometimes used to row a little blue boat around these sheltered waters, and just watching the watery reflections in the bay brings back these memories.

My mother grew up in this village, and my Granny ran the two hotels, so I’ve been coming every year since I was a baby.
I wonder if you can see why I dream of Plockton when I’m not there?

Posted in art, photos, travel | Tagged artists, golden hour, nature, photography, Plockton, Reflections, scotland, seaside, travel | 55 Comments

Between Earth and Sky

Posted on June 20, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Between earth and sky lies the ribbon of green which supports life, and brings beauty and joy to all who walk there. The dark earth nourishes the roots, and the bright sky brings light to nourish the green leaves. This is the domain of the plants, and all of the life on the planet who feed within its green space.

At its zenith, in the full light of midsummer, this green space is bursting with fresh leaves and flowers. The bees and other insects are at their busiest, the mammalian life is grazing as though there might be nothing left tomorrow, and the baby birds are fledging and filling the sky with song. Here at midsummer, the point between the light and dark halves of the year, life is at its most vibrant. Nature calls us out to merge with her wild green force, and the suns power is at his strongest.

Flowers throw themselves open, and the insects oblige. The air is heavy with the sweet scent of roses, pinks and lavender, and flowers crowd and bustle for their spot in the sun. Everything seems possible at midsummer, and the green space of life demands our presence. In our gardens, in the hills, and in the ripening fields, natures green cloak is filled with glowing colours designed to attract.

Flowers are natures most entrancing design, and they live suspended between earth and sky, at their best over the solstice. I hope you place your bare toes on the soft green earth as the sun reaches his height, before beginning his descent towards winter. Breath in the vibrant energy of this slim green ribbon which supports us all, for without the plants, the earth would be bare of all life. Merry Midsummer to one and all from breath of green air!

See some other takes on Between at this weeks WP Challenge

Posted in art, mindfulness, nature photo, spiritual, weekly photo challenge | Tagged druid, earth, elemental, flowers, magic, midsummer, nature, photography, postaday, solistice | 45 Comments

Late Light over Skye

Posted on June 17, 2014 by greenmackenzie

When you visit Lochalsh and Skye one of the first things which will steal your artistic heart is the light quality. The clear air and the water all around, bounce this light in fascinating and incredible ways, leading to beautiful sights around almost every corner. In the winter they days up here are short, and wonderful colour filled sunsets are easy to catch, however in summer the days go on for ever.
On a clear sunny summers day it’s almost too bright for taking good photos, but the morning and the evening give wonderful lighting for atmosphere filled photos. Around midsummer this far north, morning is very early, with sunrise currently happening at around 4:30am, but the soft morning light goes on for many hours.
Sunset is currently around 10:30, and you get lovely softened light from 7 pm onwards. This means that the traditional golden hour for perfect photographic lighting, is actually several hours long up here. The remaining 6 hours of the day when the sun has dropped below the horizon, are filled with beautiful gloaming light, and even in the few hours of proper darkness, there is a small pool of turquoise light sitting in the northern sky.

These photos were taken around 7pm on a beautiful warm midsummer evening, looking across the Inner Sound towards Breakish and Broadford on the Isle of Skye

Posted in nature photo, photos, thoughts | Tagged Coullin, golden hour, light, nature, photography, scotland, Skye, travel | 28 Comments

Working with Extras

Posted on June 14, 2014 by greenmackenzie

I have been both blessed and cursed to have three built in extras whenever I’m out on a photo shoot. Sometimes I’m out primarily to walk the dogs, and the photos are an added extra, and sometimes I’m out to try to capture a particular scene, and the dogs tag along. The dogs however see it differently, and as far as they’re concerned it’s always all about them. If I’m tucked behind my lens, lost in the beauty of my surroundings for too long, they have developed various strategies for pulling my attention back onto them. Molly as the youngest is the least sophisticated and simply pushes her way right up to the lens, completely taking over the scene. This is photo bombing at its best, and it always makes me laugh, no matter how long I’ve been lining up a potentially beautiful shot. This time the light was changing very fast, as pools of sunshine would peep out from small gaps between speedily moving clouds. I had just got my settings right……and Molly popped up for some attention, which meant I missed the shot. Don’t worry though, there was another pool of light along in a minute or two.

Maisie and Willow have been at this extras game far longer, and they are more subtle and sophisticated in their approach. They will wander into shot at a discreet distance, and I often won’t notice immediately. I had spent a while setting up this shot when I spotted my uncalled for extra, posing in a grassy pool. I took the shot anyway, hoping she would move, as she often does, once I stopped looking through the camera. However she wasn’t for shifting, as she wanted me to walk out towards her, so I just took the next shot, deliberately making her the focus. I never did manage a shot here without one or all three dogs in shot, but I still like the effect.

Yesterday I had walked out to a coral beach which can only be reached at low tide, and as the tide had turned I was acutely aware of having only a limited window of time to take photos before I would become trapped. This photo was particularly time pressured as I was standing on a narrow spit of sand and coral which was fast disappearing into the rising water. The gorgeous length of sand sweeping into the background would only be there for another few minutes. Behind me is water, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get all three dogs into the water and out of shot at once. The best I managed was two uncalled for extras, so I will just have to go back another day, perhaps with another human companion to help with the required dog herding.

Sometimes it’s simply wonderful to have three willing extras to add interest and focus to a photo. Here Maisie is enjoying watching the waves and the seagulls, and she was so beautifully lit I could resist taking a rear view portrait. This reminds me of my childhood spent scrambling over these rocks and seaweed, usually with a doggie companion.

This final photo, with added extra, was all lined up beautifully. Just as I pressed the shutter Maisie appeared from behind the coral bank, where she had been patiently waiting in hiding to make her entrance. Somehow she has positioned herself perfectly in the landscape, and I actually really like this accidental extra.

The dogs bring such joy and mischief to my walks, and despite many ruined or impossible shots, I wouldn’t be without them. There’s always another day for taking images, but the dogs are here in the present moment, adding extra emotion and engagement to each moment of life shared with them. On reflection they are always a blessing, and a great lesson in not taking life or photography too seriously, after all it’s supposed to be fun.

See more photographic Extras at this week WP Challenge

Posted in dogs, mindfulness, photos, weekly photo challenge | Tagged dogs, landscapes, mindfulness, nature, photography, postaday, scotland, travel | 74 Comments

Cloud Calls

Posted on June 12, 2014 by greenmackenzie

Yesterday, late afternoon, the clouds parted over the hills, and more fresh blue skies and light poured down on us. The earth became a lush vivid green, which sat beautifully next to the sky blues above. However my attention was on neither the earth nor the sky, but on the wonderful shapes and textures of the clouds drifting by. These fluffy cumulus clouds, with their curving path leading out across the sky, were calling to me. The urge to float up onto this soft white street and to follow it out, onwards towards the horizon was strong, but alas my wings haven’t grown yet, and so I had to be content to dreaming from the shore. All sorts of shapes began to reveal themselves to me as I lay back and watched from a sun warmed rock, lapped by the gentle waves. To the left you might make out the purple hare chasing two of its young, racing over the top of my cloud bank.

Formed from water, but as light as air, clouds are dreams made real, drifting across our awareness. You can divine futures, not just the weather, from the shapes which reveal themselves to our eyes. Whole dream worlds exist on the tops of flying clouds, and if you lie back and watch you never know what you might see. Cherubs and angels, cloud fairies and sky dragons, cloud wolves and dogs all call this transitional space home. There is plenty of room and energy for change up here in the clear blue air, new patterns and shapes are formed on the whim of a breeze as the weather blows across. If you let your thoughts become like clouds they too will shift and drift, in and out of awareness. Set them free to run over cloud hills and glens, and to form and dissolve freely, and your thoughts might become dreams, and those dreams might become real.

The dogs had had enough of cloud dreams, and they wanted some fresh sweet water to drink, so we followed the little burn which flows down to join the sea here. All they needed was to find a way down the steep banks, which they thought I might be able to follow. But my attention had turned back to the clouds, rolling like mist and cotton wool balls over the mountains beyond. Perhaps some raindrops from those clouds would flow down this deep blue stream, and the dogs who came after us would drink them…..