I’ve always thought of myself as a bit of a big kid. I adore daft humour, enthusiasm, vibrance, and love the way kids think. But there are some parts of being a ‘responsible’ adult that I don’t think you can avoid, for example, when you’re a grown-up, there’s so much out there that you don’t see anymore.
Often I’m only made aware of this by Misses E and M, by the fact that they can remember which house is my cousin’s by the colour of the pebbles in the front drive, or the shade of tiles on the roof. My little girls see so much more of what is in the moment and it can be quite humbling to have them remind me of what’s right there in front of me.
There are some things that I can’t help but feel that childlike leap of excitement about though. You know, that weird bubbly impulse that rushes up your spine and bursts from your lips in an unguarded expression of joy.
“Wow!”
Last week I had one of these moments. I saw my first full rainbow. And, it was also the brightest most vivid rainbow I have ever seen. It took my breath away.
In childhood, rainbows were always a thing of wonder. I felt so lucky to glimpse that ethereal band of colour that seemed to come and go as it pleased. I never really believed in the ‘pot of gold’, I just loved the fact that above me there was this little piece of perfection that seemed to have no other purpose but to please.
From my first glimpse and all the way home I tried to capture it. Leaving my car door wide open I backed across the Schmesco car park trying to get a shot. I think the Trolley Man was quite scared. I pulled up about half a mile away and once more pointed and clicked, but even with my camera on widescreen it just not could not hold the enormous shimmering arch.
These two shots are the best of what I took at home. I stood out in the street and stared and smiled. My neighbours were quite probably concerned for my sanity, but if they’d stepped out of their doors I’m sure they’d have understood.
Have you ever been able to capture a full one, or do they just like being all elusive?
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May 7th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Ah, well, here I can win. In my bit of America, you see huge rainbows, and often double ones. It’s so flat that you often get a complete view of the sky. Sigh – I knew there must be SOME advantage to living here.
May 7th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
oh I LOVE rainbows! They are sooo beautiful.
May 7th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
The only time I could have done I didnt have my camera or phone with me. It is all about looking for thejoy in the small things. Blogging helps, as I have my camera with me all the time
May 8th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Looks like the start of a double rainbow too. I do love them, they are so gorgeous. Can’t fail to make anyone go ‘wow, look at that!’.
May 8th, 2010 at 3:39 am
I’ve never captured a full one but I have managed to find the end of a rainbow:Rainbow’s End. Unfortunately I couldn’t get close enough to see whether or not there was a pot of gold there.
May 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am
I love capturing rainbows, too…haven’t found the pot of gold at the end yet, but I’m certain that one day I will. Love your shots, too
Sandi
May 8th, 2010 at 10:11 am
I love rainbows. In Ireland they were just spectacular, especially if they were over the lough – sometimes you could see the whole thing reflected in the lough like a mirror. Wish i’d have taken pics now xx
May 8th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I love Rainbows too. Only ever seen one full one but couldn’t get a picture of the whole thing!
May 8th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Aren’t they gorgeous. And like Iota, we have quite a lot of doublers here. Very awesome, in the true sense of the word.
May 8th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Great story! I always feel extra lucky when I can catch a glimpse of a rainbow.
May 9th, 2010 at 1:08 am
Aha, but did you find the elusive pot of gold? I haven’t seen a rainbow in nearly three years. They don’t seem to happen in the Middle East, although we do have more rain that anticipated.
May 11th, 2010 at 7:53 am
There’s nothing like a landscape framed by the laser of a rainbow. I adore them. Once when I was picking my daughter up from afterschool club I shouted to her through the door that there was a rainbow – I was literally trampled by kids (and grown ups) who all stood in the rain making firework-watching noises – the wonder of nature xx
May 11th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Beautiful! They are a rare beauty in CA (not a whole lot of rain).
May 14th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I love rainbows too – there is a long story which contents them to my dearly departed dad, it was his birthday yesterday so your photos were positivly lovely for me – thank you