Monday, September 22, 2014

Chasing Rainbows


I'm always on the hunt for rainbows.
You never know where they might pop up.
I came dashing down the stairs yesterday,
and there were rainbows all over the wall.







But sunshiny, rainy today, 
we were treated to the real deal.





"Pull off!  Pull off!"  
I shouted to the Ever-Patient Terry
as he drove through Breckenridge traffic.
He complied, even though he had been
slowing and stopping repeatedly
as I hunted for fall leaves.





This magnificent rainbow appeared out of nowhere.









People were bailing from their cars
to catch the rainbow with their cameras and phones.





I had to tinker with the pictures a little
to capture the rainbow as it was in the sky.
The colors were so vivid they hurt to look at.

The rainbow vanished in no time at all.
When one appears, you just have to stop 
and take in the unexpected and ephemeral beauty.






Here's my absolute favorite rainbow song,
by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole.
Enjoy!



30 comments:

  1. Oh rainbows are just so special. I was walking PPPArrk one day and had to climb a steep roadway from Black Rock Beach, I turned and there was a rainbow just screaming to be photographed and guess what I forgot my camera. But the thing is I remember it to this day! Now that's a good thing as Martha Stewart always says!!

    I listened to the rainbow song as I read your Yellow Aspen post!

    Mmmm!!

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    1. Hi Ron! Isn't it funny how we always remember the one that got away! Photographing rainbows has always been frustrating for me. They never turn out how they looked in the sky. Snowcatcher mentioned a special lens in her comment below, and I have a point-and-shoot, so maybe that's why I can't get the shot I want. But I discovered by tinkering with Aperture that I could make my photo look like the sky looked, so I am HAPPY! I try always to have my camera with me, because guaranteed, if I don't there will be a shot that gets away. I hope that you are enjoying your Friday.

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  2. Spectacular! You definitely have to pull over for something like this. Or run out of the house like a maniac! LOL...

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    1. We photo nuts get each other, Martha! LOL! Happy shooting this weekend ~ maybe you'll get some great fall photos!

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  3. They sure are a sight to sea. Not sure I'd go rushing down the stairs for one though, probably trip and break my neck haha

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    1. Haha, I'm always bruised and scraped from running into things or falling down. I still have a cut in my hand from my death grip on that tree root. Do I ever learn ~ nope! You are incautious and daring with your blog, though! You run in places I'd never have the guts to go. Happy weekend to you!

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  4. I love rainbows...and it is so true, they don't last long! Beautiful post.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! As you've probably realized, I'm playing catch-up again. I hope that you had a good week and are looking forward to a great weekend!

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  5. What a gorgeous one you've caught! I so love full rainbows, and I rarely have the right lens with me when they happen, so this is pretty darned special!

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    1. Thank you for the kind words, Snowcatcher! I just have a point-and-shoot camera. I don't have the patience to deal with lenses. Shooting photos on the fly is what works for my personality ~ a little ADHD, especially the hyperactivity part ~ LOL! But your comment explains the mystery of why my rainbow photos don't match what I see in the sky ~ until now! I discovered that I can play with photo editing to bring out what I saw. Have a great weekend!

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  6. Wow, that's a real beauty definitely something to remember. x

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  7. A bow laid upon the sky is a covenant between the great universe and earth. Unforgettably beautiful and binding. Wonderful photos!

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    1. Thank you, Geo! Rainbows always make me feel hopeful and joyful. Have a happy weekend! I'm caught in catch-up mode again, but I'll be over to visit your blog very soon. Take care!

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  8. It's life's simple pleasures that make it all worth living! Thanks for sharing your joy!

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    1. Thanks, Chickadeegirl! They are what makes life worth living! Have a happy weekend!

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  9. What beautiful photos!! Rainbows are one of Mother Nature's most amazing treasures :)

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  10. Now that is a bright rainbow!! Good eye.

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    1. Colorado has amazing rainbows, Alex! I don't know if it's because we're so high up or if there is another reason. Breck is about 9,600 feet or 2,926 meters high. Have a happy weekend!

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  11. Beautiful! I saw the same rainbow on 9News. Was it your photo?

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    1. Hey Terry! It wasn't my photo, but your comment made me feel so happy! Have a great weekend!

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  12. Wow.. such a beautiful rainbow! lovely pic

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  13. Thanks, Dawna! Sending positive vibes your way for a happy get-together!

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  14. HOLY MOLY!
    Louise, these are BEAUTIFUL! And how fortunate to have been able to get these photos! Great work!

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  15. Thanks, Jim! What can I say? I live in a BEAUTIFUL world! Have camera. Will travel. Thanks always for your wonderful support!

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  16. WOW!
    That is a real rainbow with very strong colors!!
    It must have been awesome to watch! These are quite rare, I think I have seen this only once so far in my life!
    Cheers, Fundy!

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    1. Hi Noushka! It was magnificent, and people were jumping out of cars to take its picture. It made the news on TV. It had a double phase briefly, but I was back in the car, and when we pulled off again the double part was fading. We get these rainbows a number of times every summer, and in Aurora where we live, they are often double rainbows. And they are always vibrant with strong covers. I've never been able to truly catch the colors with my camera, and I've just learned you need the right lens to do it. But I was able to edit my photos to bring the colors out ~ Duh! After years of chasing rainbows I just thought of trying that last weekend. I hope that your are enjoying your weekend!

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  17. M.A.G.N.I.F.I.C.E.N.T.!!!! Oh and that song. Whew. One of my fall-time favorites....

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  18. T.H.A.N.K.S!!!! I was thinking of you and Sophie when I was adding the song to my post. It always soothes me, like a hug from my mom.

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