A Philosophical Concept

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Zion National Park, Utah

So, get this - I drove by this famous bridge where 20+ photographers lined up waiting for something. I know it's an usual sunset spot. But given the weather, you would think people can apply common sense to conclude that there wouldn't be sunset tonight, right?  NO!! They were all standing there as if they knew what they were doing... Finally, around 6:15 pm, I couldn't help to ask: "Could you educate me on what you're waiting for?" One guy replied: "Sunset! The rock would glow and the clouds would turn red..." "But there will be no sunset tonight." I said. He replied: "We are just hoping there will be..." Do you find this encounter interesting???

At 6:26 pm, I was the first person leaving the precious spot on the bridge, and 2 people immediately took my spot. This is an interesting philosophical concept. All of us, in one way or another, blindly follow others. And when our rational minds tell us we should do otherwise, our emotions would still question our logical decisions. I can tell you I am one of those fools! When I left my spot tonight, somehow I was led to believe that I would miss something significant. Close your eyes, and I am sure you can relate to what I am talking about!

Life is like a box of Chocolate... (3)

I got my favorite chocolate yesterday...

Sunday night was really cold.  When I woke up yesterday morning, the entire canyon valley was filled with fog and low clouds -- they were literally everywhere, moving and dancing around the canyon peaks.  I immediately entered into a frantic mode trying to capture the magical moments.  But for future reference, don't even try to ran around and chase nature's wonders with a camera.  No matter how good of a photographer you are, the true beauty of mother nature can never be recorded 2-dementionally!

The morning clouds left me much sooner than I had hoped.  Honestly, the disappointment of not being able to adequately capture those moments was enormous.  But I decided to let it go and move on with the rest of my day.

I spent more time with my little Virgin River.  She was so lively and full of unpredictable beauty...  Here are 2 images I captured for you just so you can meet her!!

Pictures 1 and 2 = Let The River Sing...

Zion National Park, Utah

November 3, 2014

     

Life is like a box of chocolate... (2)

The chocolate I picked for today was bittersweet.

It rained on and off all day.  There were times I wish I brought my rain gears; there were times I wish I could just forget about the heavy camera gears and be fully in the moments; there were times I literally told myself it's okay to NOT work, it's okay to simply sit by the river and listen to the river sing...

All in all, it's been a great day to be in the canyons -- to walk deep into the trails and reconnect with my lovely little Virgin River.  Even when raining, the air was so fresh, the leaves were so bright, the water was so clear -- in light gold, pure green, reflective red and bondy blue colors. 

It's a wonderful place for soul cleansing!

Life is like a box of chocolate... (1)

So, I have been traveling for the week and decided to drive to Zion for the weekend. 

I have to tell you, the world of desert is unpredictable!  As always, the morning drive involved high drama where I went through gusty winds, desert sand storms, amazing golden sunrise, rain storms, rainbows, double rainbows...  And the canyon mountains were covered by thick clouds, thin clouds and dancing clouds! 

All of this was not in my plan.  I came here with one thing in mind -- follow the calm, lovely little Virgin River and capture the golden leaves in the canyon valley along the river under the warm sunlight.   

It reminded me of what Forrest Gump's mom told him: Life is like a box of chocolate, you just don't know what you're going to get.  It is so very true!  But one of my friends wisely told me today: "It's a box of chocolate, whatever you get, it can't be too bad.  So, just enjoy it!"

With that, I thoroughly enjoyed my first day at Zion.  I love autumn, and I especially love Zion's autumn -- the mix of golden leaves with red rocks holds special beauty of this world!

Rain in the forecast for tomorrow, and it will be colder than today -- but the chocolate is STILL going to be sweet.

  

Fall 2014 (Cont.)

Monday, 10/20/14

 

8 years ago when I worked and lived in Reno, I had a drama about an apple from my little apple tree outside of my house. 

What I learned from that experience was -- life's moments are to be recognized, captured, cherished and fully enjoyed!

To that end, after 2 weeks vacation, I took another day off today to chase the amazing fall colors!  It was a gorgeous day in Chicago, so I drove to Starved Rock State Park.  I picked today in hope that no one would be at the park.  It was great -- there was me and the golden trees, the rolling hills covered with colorful leaves, hundreds of birds singing happy songs and gentle winds making the leaves dance...  Pure joy!!   

Pictures = Fall 2014

Starved Rock State Park, IL

October 20, 2014

 

 

The Yellow River

I had a chance to spend a few days in Shanxi province while in China, and visited the ever-so-famous Yellow River.  The reason the river is so yellow is because it flows through the loess plateau in China.

The Yellow River is the third-longest river in Asia, following the Yangtze River and Yenisei River, and the 6th longest in the world with the estimated length of 3,395 miles. Originating in Qinghai province of western China, it flows through nine provinces, and it empties into Bohai Sea in Shangdong province. The Yellow River basin has an east–west extent of about 1,180 miles and a north–south extent of about 680 miles. Its total basin area is about 286,659 sq miles.

The Yellow River is called "the cradle of Chinese civilization", because its basin was the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilization, and it was the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. However, frequent devastating floods and course changes produced by the continual elevation of the river bed, sometimes above the level of its surrounding farm fields, has also earned it the unenviable names China's Sorrow and Scourge of the Sons of Han.

The Yellow River is one of several rivers that are essential for China's very existence. At the same time, however, it has been responsible for several deadly floods, including the only natural disasters in recorded history that have killed more than a million people. The deadliest was a 1332–33 flood that killed 7 million people. Close behind is the 1887 flood, which killed anywhere from 900,000 to 2 million people, and a 1931 flood that killed 1–4 million people.

Yellow River, China

October 8, 2014

 

 

Fall 2014

Feels like work has taken over my life lately... It took away most of my time, my mind, and more importantly, my sense of artistry.  Believe it or not, I have not taken any vacation time off since April when I went to China -- go figure!  I am soooo tired!!

Since I will be out of the country on vacation for 2 weeks starting this weekend, I sneaked out last weekend and took the one and only autumn picture of 2014.  Not sure if the leaves will still be here when I come back, but I am keeping my fingers crossed -- really, truly hope I could see more of the amazing fall colors...

You have no idea how much I regretted for not being able to spend more time at that sweet little pond, but I hope the colorful sentiment has been captured!

Woodward Lake, Michigan
September 27, 2014