Thursday, July 2, 2009

SKYWATCH FRIDAY – “Big birds flying across the sky, throwing shadows on our eyes” (Lake Erie)


Those of you who are Neil Young fans like me will recognize the title of this post as belonging to the lyrics of Neil’s song, Helpless—the one the begins, “There is a town in north Ontario.” Leamington, Ontario, where I live, isn’t in the north of the province. In fact it’s just a couple of kilometers from the most southerly point in all of Canada, where the land dips below the 42nd parallel north, and is the only point in our long shared international border where Canada is actually south of the U.S.

This sunset seemed to me like two birds’ wings—the dark wing of night advancing towards the east as the wing of day withdraws. Then I noticed how each wing was resting on a small “foundation” of its opposite. It reminded me, even though not circular, of the principle contained in the Taijitu symbol.



Optional music link:
For those who have the time and inclination, here is a LINK to a very beautiful PBS video from the American Masters series, of Neil Young singing an acoustic version of Helpless in concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall in 1971 (a much acclaimed live album) combined with almost dream-like northern landscape images.

Taijitu symbol from Wikimedia Commons


To view more skies from all around our beautiful planet, or to join in, visit SKYWATCH. Live links after 2:30 p.m. EST time or 19:30 GMT

28 comments:

shraddha said...

beautiful picture and just the right words....= perfection!

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent shot! This one did indeed take my breath away! I do love your words and interesting info where I always learn something delightful, interesting, insightful.

Happy SWF! Have a lovely weekend!

And thanks for your lovely comments, much appreciated!

Aleta said...

The Yin and Yang ~ very pretty and how appropriate for the picture.

bobbie said...

A fantastic picture and wonderful music. Thank you.

Kathie Brown said...

deborah, lovely descrition of the clouds like bird wings. I just got back and I'm playing catch up, but when I get the chance I may just follow that link. Very nice skywatch post.

Carletta said...

Love the shot and I like your interpretation of what you saw in the clouds!

My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

Guy D said...

Very beautiful sky, excellent shot.

Have a great weekend
Guy
Regina In Pictures

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

beautiful sky photo!
Belated Happy Canada Day to you!
SkyWatchFriday

Quiet Paths said...

Really great image, Deb. You've got a great eye for nuance.

Gemma Wiseman said...

There is a real sense of yin and yang in those clouds! Subtly beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I like Neil Young. Sure I remember that sound.
I see the connection, too.

Shelley said...

Beautiful shot - it looks like the sunny cloud is going to collide w/ the dark cloud! And I remember Neil Young.....gosh I'm getting old! LOL!

Anonymous said...

Powerful video. Two seconds in, my hubby said "no mistaking that voice"

Lovely photo, and so interesting what we see in the clouds above.

Ebie said...

I agree with your description. Very interesting how one side is dark and the other golden.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I had never connected Neil Young and his song (Helpless) with your area of the country.. That is SO neat. Beautiful song---and a great photo to go with it.

Beautiful skywatch picture, Deb.
Hugs,
Betsy

erin said...

excellent post commentary and the capture beautiful, just beautiful.

Great Grandma Lin said...

love your photo, just gorgeous...

magiceye said...

this is a gorgeous image!

Regina said...

That a nice cluods formations and colors. Great shots

Arija said...

Yin and Yang or a battle between good and evil?
Great capture.

srp said...

It is amazing how the light and dark of the clouds include just a touch of the opposite intensities. Nice job.

Carolyn said...

Such a beautiful capture and thoughtful prose. Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings and smiles

SandyCarlson said...

That's a yin-yang completeness that I really enjoy. Beautiful.

Rose said...

Beautiful photo...Neil Young fan here.

Rose said...

Oh, do you like Four Strong Winds by NY? It is one of my favs, and i know he didn't write it but I like him singing it.

kesslerdee said...

Gorgeous picture- and I "love love love" Neil Young!!!

kesslerdee said...

had to come back and thank you for the video link- I'm glad I took the time..the song is one of my favorites...one of many many favorites of his.

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the Yon Yang connection here. ;-)