13 from the 13th

[kambriel]

Photos from my birthday pilgrimage yesterday up to the mountains where I was born...



This was one of my favourite sightings of the day ~ one we had to turn back for. It wasn't until we'd already been heading down the little one-lane road until we saw the "private" sign, as well as a no trespassing sign. The only way we could turn around was to actually go underneath the covered bridge where the path widened a bit. Not that we were complaining mind you ;) My favourite part are those two ghostly trees which seem to form an arc above the bridge. I'd imagine this to feel quite haunted at times...


We spotted this magnificent, and massive, raven in the wild:



We regarded eachother for a while, and then I'd like to imagine he began to sing:


Isn't this lovely? I remember visions like this from when I was probably 3 or 4 years old ~ they left a lasting impact on me, and a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of Nature:


A seemingly rather contented black bear, with the softest looking fur gleaming in the sunlight:


This deer had such a gentle spirit:


Behold the largest, highest quality natural specimen of amethyst found in the US:


Goethite, in all its luminous multi-hued radiance and lizard-like texture:


Separate and yet perfectly matched, through eternity:


Skull headed hand-sculpted statue of Venus:


The "Aurora Berryalis"!


We spotted this in the window of a closed antique shop... I don't think I noticed just how nice it really was (due to being tired and headachey from all the hiking), until I looked at the photo again later. Via the magic of Google maps, I found the shop, we called them today and they won't ship, but..... umm, yes, we're determined to go back and get it ~ that handle alone is simply amazing!


I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

~ Kambriel

[Kambriel.com ~ Etsy ~ Bluesky]

Comments

[mercurialgirl.livejournal.com]

Absolutely gorgeous, and I covet that amethyst somethin' fierce.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Isn't that specimen incredible? I actually ducked to look underneath it to see the raw "exterior" side of the stone... you know, just in case I happened upon some whilst out hiking around ;)

[visioluxus.livejournal.com]

Oh that parasol is gorgeous, and happy birthday beautiful person!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Methinks I should make something inspired by it and bring it out the next time we're there!

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

You saw a BEAR?!? Forget the parasol, that's where my envy goes. :) Although the parasol is quite fabulous.

It sounds like you had a good birthday. I hope for that to be indicative of how the next year will be for you.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

But... Bear *and* Parasol. :)

She looked like a giant Gund come to life ~ I don't remember ever having really regarded bear fur up close before, and have to say it looks much shinier and softer than I'd have imagined. She was quite a stunner.

The day had some highs and lows, but overall, with gifts from Nature such as those, there's really no way I could call it anything less than blessed.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Oh, happy birthday, Dear Darling!! I am so sorry it sneaked past me. It looks like you spent a most wonderful day with C. The photos are wonderful. You always see things in your surroundings that others don't :D

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and you're fine!

We shared a very nice day... I enjoyed showing him some of the vistas that I remembered as some of the first I'd ever seen, as I believe they really impacted the filter through which I view natural beauty.

What do you think of the parasol??

[ashbet]

Beautiful!!!!

And the Tom Swift book in the parasol photo makes me smile -- I have one that I inherited from my Dad :)

*looks at bookshelf* Mine is "Tom Swift and his Flying Lab" . . .

And Happy Birthday!!!

-- A <3

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thanks Andi!

I didn't even notice the Tom Swift book until I was looking at the photo (I was really worn down by that point of the day), but it looks so charming ~ very steampunk too with it's "aerial warship" theme! I've never seen one of those before, but am going to check & see what they're asking for it when we go back for the parasol (which I really hope is as nice as it looks in the picture!).

[solstice-lilac.livejournal.com]

Oh, how lovely! You always find the magic wherever you go.. you bring it forth with magic of your own. This is a wonderful full-circle journey! Thanks for sharing your day with us, and happy birthday!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

You always find the magic wherever you go..

It's the filter we choose to view life through, and for me, it's a kind of "survival instinct" to uncover the beauty that can be found in anyplace/person/moment.

I'm glad this was a way to help share the day with you, but there's no replacement for being together!

[christianet.livejournal.com]

That parasol is wonderful!

Glad you had a great birthday.

OMG black bear!

People think they're all dangerous, but they're pretty shy and timid. Early spring, the females can be bit aggressive if they think you are a threat to their cubs; basically if you stumble across one in thick woods, face to face, and surprise them.

But mostly they are fraidy cats. My dad was camping with my cousin Stephen in Vermont, near a huge blackberry bush; in the morning, they heard gronf-gronf-gronf sounds very close by. Dad unzipped the rain fly of their little bubble tent very quietly and they watched the bear, a young male, eat up for awhile. Then Dad looked at Stephen and said in a whisper, "Watch this!" And then he yelled, "Boo!" The bear took off like it was on fire.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it! Makes me feel slightly less crazed for deeming it worth going back for ;)

I'd be munching at the blackberry bush too, so totally can't blame the bear cub for that... and I saw what you mean about being shy & timid, as she seemed very much in the mode of just peacefully doing her own thing and not wanting to be bothered. Respectfully strong, with a mild temperament.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had such a lovely day!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

It was such perfect weather too ~ a tad blustery up on the mountain, but so fragrant with the scents of Spring wafting about in the air. I'm thinking Tickybox would have loved it (and we could have gotten her local fudge)!

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday! Gorgeous images. Seriously in this economy they won't ship to make a sale? Grrr. Like you said though and excuse to go back. :0 )

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

To us, not being willing to ship just sounds like such a foreign concept, but ah well ~ they have the right to decide how they do/don't want to do things, and I can respect that. I just hope it's as nice (or better!) in real life as it is in the photo after all that driving ;)

[humglum.livejournal.com]

Happy late birthday!

And...
Ravens!!

Do you mind if one or both of those ends up being used for photo reference? I have a ton I've been working from, but that second one may be very useful.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I think that would please Madame Raven very much! She did seem to be communicating something, perhaps it went beyond happy birthday wishes to making sure I put a good word for her towards making an appearance in your project! I swear she was actually doing different poses for me... and being so patient about it ~ she was definitely aware of me taking the pictures, and remained indulgent.

What I love about the first shot (not actually the first taken though) is it's like she winked at me and flashed her eye. I saw it happen through the camera lens, and was lucky enough to manage to capture that quick moment as it happened. She actually went on to open her beak wider after the second shot, and continued to open it a few more times, but without making an audible sound. Had you seen it, you'd swear she was trying to talk.

I have a few other shots of her too ~ let me know if you'd like me to email them to you, or if you need anything to be higher res and I'll be happy to do so!

[alonewiththemoon]

Beautiful photos, beautiful experience, and belated beautiful birthday to you!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

You'd have very much enjoyed the day ~ we spotted some other rare-looking birds, but they flittered by so quickly we weren't able to figure out what they were.

I still appreciate very much the little walking tour you gave us last Summer ~ that place is a true gem.

[maehymn.livejournal.com]

Lovely! LOVE that amethyst!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

To give you an idea of size, the "little" faceted stone in the upper corner of the photo is 53 carats. It was ~amazing~.

[maehymn.livejournal.com]

DAMN, that's cool! That purple is so intense and amazing.

[aoi-no-neko.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, looks like it was a lovely way to celebrate the day!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

For quite a few years now, I tend to make a point of being outdoors on my birthday and instead of material gifts, keep my eyes open to what surprises Nature has in store :)

[dali-muse.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I knew I was missing some birthdays! Happy Belated!

Thank you for sharing the photos! I love the raven one, and I hope that you get to go back and get that parasol!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

No worries!

She was an exquisite raven. Totally indulgent of me wanting to photograph her as well since I know she could have flown away at any time :)

We are going back to pick up the parasol... I have my fingers crossed that it will be extra nice in person! I wonder what the chances are that the blue in the handle could be turquoise, or the metal could be silver? One can hope!

[diannadinoble.livejournal.com]

The way you captured these moments is stunning!