As mentioned in a previous post, I recently spent two afternoons in a row at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Both days the refuge was fully in the grip of fall, but the first day felt a few steps closer to winter than the second. (Doesn’t winter always feel closer on cloudy days?)
As I tried to organize my photos into pairs, I found the last set of images impossible to manage. On November 4th I took only one photo of the approaching sunset, but on November 5th I snapped frame after frame, hurrying from one vantage point to the next…
Why do I see beauty in such sunsets? Why do I stop and stare? Why does my breath slow and the noise of necessity fade to a distant murmur?
It is as if the sky stirs something in my memory, something nameless and ageless. Then the sky’s glimmer dies to darkness, and my lungs grow hungry again as the ancient spark inside me dwindles. It’s all so fleeting that, as soon as it’s over, I begin to doubt. Perhaps it was an illusion, or a delusion. Perhaps it was just another sunset, just the end of another November day…
Rae Spencer 
A great way to journal.
Noise of Necessity — wish I said that.
Beautiful images — your words make us see them differently.
Thank you! 🙂
Very nice. What is the eye in the water?
It’s a turtle! I suspect it’s one of the pond sliders.
Some really beautiful pictures here, Rae. I always enjoy seeing what catches your eye. Strangely, they look particularly vivid when I view them on my iPad.
It’s interesting that they look different on an iPad. I wonder if the difference is in the brightness settings, or if the difference is in how iPads “see” the photos?
I’m not sure, but I think the colours and resolution feel a lot tighter on the iPad. A sharper, clearer picture… But they’re lovely, wherever they’re viewed. You have quite a talent.
Beautiful sunsets.
Thank you!
Please don’t hate me for saying this, but to answer your question, I think the “creative/beautiful” side inside us connects with the Master Creator and during these special moments, we are a twinkle in his eye. Beautiful photos!
Why would I hate you for offering an answer my question? I’m honored that you took the time to reply! And delighted, because your explanation is so lovely. I confess that I am undecided about who or what guides the universe, but I feel there is truth in the idea of being connected to a creative force, even if such connections are intermittent and fleeting.