Category: photography

Most people close to me understand that while I am quite practical about many things, I also have a very open mind and an even more open heart when it comes to the mystical, magical, ethereal possibilities that exist. A lot of folks have no trouble believing in angels and even ghosts, but simple things like visible energy or communication between worlds is too ‘big’ for them to consider worth contemplating.

Whatever you want to believe, I often experience little magical miracles that occur when I least expect them and need them most. The miracles in my days are often tiny, like the small creatures that crawl or flit into view that I am sometimes able to capture with a camera. Since I, too, often feel unnoticed and insignificant, these creatures loom large in my radar and I want to share their magnificence with the world.

Bees have been prolific this hot, humid Summer. They have presented in all shades, colors and sizes in great numbers. My little garden has become a haven for winged things, many of whom I have shared with you already. I can often tell when one of my tiny friends is waning. A butterfly that sits too long on the bloom and will crawl willingly onto a finger is usually found dead soon after. The same goes for bees lingering too long or moving too slowly.  A few days ago there was a tiny bee who stayed in my garden for most of the day, crawling among my pink coneflowers, barely moving from bloom to bloom. It allowed me to get really close for photos and even hung around during the regular run of the sprinkler. I joked that our little friend was enjoying a spa day!

Since we have had temps in the 90’s it seemed our tiny pollinator was enjoying the refreshing shower. Although nearly invisible compared to the larger bumblebees and carpenter bees that visit, this little beauty was delicate and magnificent.

As far as I knew it was still around when we turned in for the night. The next morning the bee was gone but there had been a bit of early morning rain which left lots of lovely drops everywhere. Dewdrops and raindrops are in my top ten favorite things to photograph so I immediately started snapping photos with my phone. I made my way around the garden and ended up by the birdbath. To my great sorrow, I spotted my little bee guest floating near the edge, dead. I was saddened but not surprised. I took it out of the water and laid it in the dirt to be a part of the garden. 😔

When I began editing my photos I was delighted and not surprised to see beautiful, delicate little orbs around the cone flowers where my bee spent the last day of its life.

I have to say here that I have had all sorts of light anomolies in photos and definitely know how to recognize sunlight orbs and dust particles as well as mist spots. I have also taken photos that had orbs in them where none of these influences were present.

What are they? I can only guess. I personally feel they are energy, energy tied to extreme emotional responses. But that is my unscientific supposition. Then again, I am not a scientist. I am merely an observer and willing participant in this madly intriguing walk we call life. I will continue to watch for miracles, lift up the unseen into the light of appreciation, and accept what gifts the universe chooses to give me.

You look. You decide.

Just imagine the possibilities..

#1LinerWednesday