I usually run with a theme. We have had a lot of 'grey days' here, literally and emotionally so this week I am focusing on glorious colour.
Starting in our Central Business District. As part of the Enlighten Festival a 'bubble display' was set up next to our Legislative Assembly. I believe the bubbles were illuminated at night - but they were spectacular during the day too.
Here they are reflected in the windows of the Legislative Assembly - and in some of the photos you can also see the building reflected in the bubbles.
Some of them were big too - as this shot which includes some passersby shows.
I was in town again last week and that area looks very drab without them.
Shortly after we went to the Van Gogh exhibition we saw an article that said that there was a sunflower maze. So of course we went. The maze was on an egg farm - situated about 15km (less than ten miles) from the city centre - which says a lot about my city. It is the nation's capital but green spaces are never far away.
It was only a maze if you were less than four feet tall but we enjoyed it anyway. And yes, sunflowers symbolise Ukraine to me.
We enjoyed it, the bees loved it - and I really liked the metal chooks on their gate too.
I hope you find colour, beauty and joy in your week(s) too.
The fantastic items, globes, they are beautiful, and night time as well. What a Sunflowers, excellent EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you. I am glad you liked them.
DeleteI loved everything about this post, not the least of which were all your awesome photos. Those bubbles! What an amazing idea. Crime and violence has become so bad in my city that some fool would probably come through and smash them all. And of course the sunflowers. I've always loved them, but now they have become more meaningful. The metal yard art is so fun. I have a small collection of flamingos, headed by one I named Pink Floyd. A few roosters. And a sunflower that has now rusted through and needs to be set on the curb for the next trash pickup. Have a great April!
ReplyDeleteCarol Kilgore: Sadly my city has those oxygen thieves too. I will feature a piece of work they attacked soon. I am with you on the sunflower front - and also on the metal artistry. Happy writing.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteFabulous bubbles - you always find something of interest on your travels. I love these, there is something so happy about bubbles! The sunflower maze looks beautiful too, watched over by the guardian chickens and being such a poignant symbol at the moment.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: The bubbles made me happy too. I knew they were there but when my bus went past them I KNEW I had to make a detour on the way home to photograph and marvel at them. I do hope that the people of Ukraine know that we are hurting for and with them.
DeleteFabulous color everywhere! Too bad the bubbles aren't permanent. Such fun and exuberance to experience. The sunflowers are incredible as well. You live in such a unique (at least to me) area. Metal art in any form is a pleasure to look at too. Thank you for sharing all of this. It gave me a much-needed spark of sunshine in my threatening to snow again day (in April!!) Jeesh! Many hugs and much love to you and His Excellent Furbeast.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Snow? I hope the weather boffins are strangers to the truth. I need colour and whimsy and am very grateful that my city provides both. For me, and for others. Captain Chainyanker had a bad day yesterday, but is back to his happy and difficult self today. Hugs to you too.
DeleteThe bubbles are amazing. And so many!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Weren't they brilliant? I loved the profusion too.
DeleteThe bubbles made me smile. 🙂
ReplyDeleteSandi: They made me smile too. If I am telling the truth they made me grin. Widely.
Delete😃 grinning is good 😃
DeleteI answered your comment over on my blog.
Sandi: I saw your reply. Thank you. I am not a believer, but am happy for those who find comfort and support in their faith - whatever that faith might be.
DeleteGood morning and thank you for such a colorful post, these bubbles are incredible, and I can imagine up close they are even more amazing. Day and evening lighting and all the reflections it's a photographer's dream come true. The sunflower maze so beautiful, and it's something we've pulled over to view too. One trip through South Dakota it was the perfect time to see endless crops of sunflowers growing like what seemed forever. They are beautiful. Cotton fields in bloom are too, which I first discovered in my dauther's home in Alabama. It's like a snow-covered field. Enjoy your week ahead, and take care I enjoy your posts immensely.
ReplyDelete212 Wits: Weren't the bubbles a joy? I do hope they bring them back again next year. And would love it if a permanent home could be found for them. Fields of sunflowers lift my heart and I would like to see billowing cotton fields too. Have a wonderful week.
DeleteAll so very bright and uplifting...and needed these days. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. Our wish and hope is that peace comes soon, and the horrors cease...forever!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week ahead, EC...I hope you find some chocolate goodies hidden around the place. Take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: Definitely needed. Badly needed. Sadly war seems to a constant, though I am hoping (so much) that this one ends quickly. The pain will linger though.
DeleteI hope you and your furry overlords have a wonderful week.
I love the bubble display. But I can't find any information on them. I left a comment on the Enlighten FB page asking them for info.
ReplyDeleteMike: Good luck. Enlighten is over for the year and I don't know that you will get a response from them. I hope I am wrong.
DeleteIf I were offered 100 bubbles, I'd take one sunflower.
ReplyDeleteMy good thoughts are with you. The peace of the night.
Sean Jeating: I am very glad not to have to make a choice, but will certainly be growing sunflowers when the season is right. Lots of them.
DeleteCanberra locals (not the political non residents) always come up with the most amazing things to see, do and celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI ‘love’ bubbles but trouble is they always burst and all your hopes and dreams vanish into space
I went travelling for my SS this week.
Cathy: I am intensely irritated when the media talks about what 'Canberra' does and says. We are more than our politicians. Of all flavours. I will head over to your Sunday Selections in a bit.
DeleteThere have been times I wished I lived life in a bubble. Those would be nice ones to inhabit. Love the sunflowers too.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: One of our politicians talks about the 'Canberra bubble'. The one I live in is very different to the one he visits. Thankfully.
DeleteThe bubbles look so good and bright in the daylight it is hard to imagine them looking better let at night.
ReplyDeleteThe sunflower maze must have been very enjoyable and at times even if you are taller than what is growing, it is still not terribly easy to how to get out.
Andrew: I thought that the daylight bubbles would be hard to beat too - and am very glad we made a trip to the maze.
DeleteThe bubbles are really lovely - it would make me very happy to see their lovely colours by day and/or night! And I'm a great fan of sunflowers, but have never had good results in trying to grow them - I think the area we live in is too windy.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what delights you will find for us next week, EC? I hope you have a pleasant and relaxing time, and that Jazz is behaving himself...
Alexia: Thank you. I am still posting photos from things we saw while I was on my blog break - and have another week or so of photos to share. We have grown sunflowers successfully - but not often. I will try again next season.
DeleteThe bubbles are beautiful. I hope they come back.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I hope so too. Some things from Enlighten do come back year after year. Hopefully these will too.
DeleteOh, I just LOVE the bubbles, and thank you for sharing the sunflowers, too. They do symbolize Ukraine to me also.
ReplyDeleteDJan: I think that sunflowers will always symbolise Ukraine to a lot of us now - and how I hope that peace comes soon. I am very glad that you also love the bubbles.
DeleteThat's quite an amazing display, quite beautiful. It would be sad to see them go away.
ReplyDeleteThe maze looks like it would be a lot of fun with children in tow, and maybe a picnic after wandering through it for a while.
My selections will be over here.
messymimi: Sadly the bubbles have gone, but I hope they return. We went to the maze on a weekday,but I suspect on a weekend that families and children DO enjoy it. I hope so.
DeleteYour city always has awesome displays and these giant bubbles are amazing. I wonder if the designer of these bubbles was influenced by people living in their own bubbles during the height of the Covid pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI love the sunflower maze and I bet the birds will also love it. Even the rusty chooks are charming.
Enjoy the new week.
Hugs,
Julia
Julia: I hadn't thought of the Covid bubble link. You may well be right. Such a colour filled bubble too.
DeleteYou have a marvellous week too.
I love sunflowers. There are often corn mazes around here near Halloween, but I've never gone, as they too are geared for the short and young. I love the bubbles. They're so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: That farm also had corn growing - but no corn maze. I wonder whether they will consider it next year. And yes, the bubbles were very, very beautiful.
DeleteYou are good fun. I ooooed and aahd over every bit of this!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I am so glad.
DeleteThe bubbles are so fabulous! I would have loved to walk through the sunflower maze, I saw the bees having a great time there. Love the rusty old chooks :)
ReplyDeleteRiver: Aren't the chooks wonderful? I thought they were really clever too and would happily have added them to our garden. And a big yes to both the bubbles and the maze.
DeleteYour post once again made me feel lighter-- Loved the bubbles! And the chickens! And the sunflowers!
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you. I am glad that this post lifted your spirits.
DeleteThe bubble and 🌞 flower looks amazing. I do wish you a very colourful and great new week too.
ReplyDeleteSteve: Thank you for taking the trouble to visit, despite me being unable to subscribe you. And thank you for your kind words and wishes too.
DeleteHi EC - what stunning bubbles ... how quite delightful ... amazing to find in the city centre. Ukraine deserves all the sunny flowers they would love and peace for ever ... countries need to respect their boundaries. Yes - those chickens are fun to see too ... happy week ahead ... with thoughts - Hilary xo
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: The bubbles really lifted the city centre - particularly so close to the politicians. And how I hope that peace in Ukraine is not far away. So very much I hope it.
DeleteSo lovely bubbles. Never seen.
ReplyDeleteThe sunflowers labyrinth sounds amazing.
Your photos are really beautiful. and they really are the opposite of the Ukrainian war. We are a little worried here in Finland because we have a common border of about 1,300 km with Russia.
orvokki: Thank you. I can fully understand your worry - and hope that it isn't realised.
DeleteThe bubbles are funny, I have seen bubbles where kids could turn around in them but this seems to be different. My favorite flowers are sunflowers ! And van Gogh had always been my favorite painter !
ReplyDeleteGattina: Some of these bubbles are certainly big enough for children, but there was no way to get in. I don't have a favourite flower - but do love sunflowers. And definitely love van Gogh. So much.
DeleteI'm finally back online and glad to be able to see these spectacular photos and exhibitions. Those bubbles are mind blowing. I was so impressed by the different sizes and the lovely colors as the light hit them. They remind me of soap bubbles in my dishwater, but far prettier and with a better backdrop!
ReplyDeleteKansas is the Sunflower state, but we have never had a sunflower maze to my knowledge. Someone was very clever to do that. I am short and would love to visit that maze. It's a fitting tribute to Ukraine, which I am sure is on everyone's mind regardless of the country from which they visit. Thanks for these incredible photos and those rusty chooks, too.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: I loved the colours of the bubbles - and the coloured shadows they cast. Definitely prettier than the ones in my sink too. I have seen fields of sunflowers before - but never a sunflower maze. And I think the chooks are charming. My thoughts, as so many others, do often to Ukraine...
DeleteHi Sue: This is all very lovely. I too would immediately make the association with sunflowers and Ukraine. What that poor country is having to endure right now is beyond belief. If there is one thing at which we excel, it is repeating the mistakes of the past. Once again we have permitted one madman to deal the cards for all of us.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: And that madman is safe from the death and destruction he orders others to inflict on other people. Which fills me with ballistic rage. Rage which is not muted by my enjoyment of beautiful things.
DeleteI love the bubbles but I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of sunflowers. They just seem too much like triffids to me.
ReplyDelete:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: I never would have made the connection between sunflowers and triffids. And now, thanks to you, I will (but will plant them anyway).
DeleteWhat a fabulous post! I kept thinking I'd like to see the bubbles look a bit frozen the way you photograph yours sometimes. The reflection shot is superb. The symbolism is the sunflowers is poignant. And those chooks brought a big smile, thank you.
ReplyDeleteKim: Thank you. The chooks were an unexpected joy - and they made us smile too.
DeleteWhat a unique display! I love the reflections, and the reflections of reflections. And the metal fowl and delightful.
ReplyDeleteA sunflower maze is a nice twist on the cornfield maze of the past, even if it's just for the vertically-challenged :)
I hope the grey days will become more colourful, in all ways. Hugs, dear friend.
jenny_o: I was tickled by the reflections too. If time had been more on my side I would have chased some more down. I hadn't even heard of cornfield mazes before reading Strayer's comment. Learning all the time.
DeleteAnd thank you.
P. S. "metal fowl ARE delightful" aargh
ReplyDeletejenny_o: Not a problem. My fingers are frequently too quick for my editing brain (such as it is) too.
DeleteThe bubbles and the sunflowers were both beautiful and amazing. You truly have some awesome exhibits in your area. Hope this week is sunny,bright and wonderful for you my friend, take care.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Thank you. We have some more grey days (weather wise) ahead, but the garden will love it (we are not getting rain in the profusion that other parts of my country are). You have a wonderful week too.
DeleteBig bubbles, glorious sunflowers, artistic chooks - my spirits are definitely lifted!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much beauty, EC!
Wally Jones: It is lovely that the same things lift our spirits half way across the world.
DeleteI love sunflowers and the maze looks like fun. Happiness for bees for sure! I think the bubbles are beautiful and amazing. What a magical display. Love!
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~Jess: The bees were very happy. Which is wonderful. As we were to see the colour and the life.
DeleteBubble-fantastic are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: Aren't they? I am so glad that one of my rare trips into town was during their short presence.
DeleteSunflowers are awesome. A few years ago I was in Hungary ands saw a lot of sunflowers. Love from Poland
ReplyDeleteGosia: When we lived in the central west of NSW we often saw fields of sunflowers. They were an amazing sight.
DeleteHow beautiful and delightful like being in bubble heaven. I love the sunflowers so very lovely and as bright as the sun. I hope you have a wonderful new week.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Sunflowers brighten the dullest day don't they? You have a great week too.
DeleteOhhhh me gosh I love it all, the bubbles, the chooks, the sunflowers. I love the way you actively seek and share joy. Bless you, Child. <3
ReplyDeleteneen maiya (guyana gyal): I am a beauty addict. Fortunately there is a LOT of it about.
DeleteWow, the bubbles are spectacular - I love them! Colourful and whimsical. It's too bad it wasn't a permanent installation. The metal chooks are great fun, too. (We call them chickens here.)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: We call them chooks OR chickens and these were charming. With luck the bubbles will be back next year.
DeleteI am in LOVE with that bubble display. And sunflowers always remind me of Tina. Thanks for sharing all this beauty, Sue.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti
Damyanti Biswas: I never knew Tina - but know that she loved sunflowers.
DeleteThey are not quite as beautiful as your frosty winter soap bubbles but longer lasting and of course, super sized :)
ReplyDeletekeep finding joy!
kylie: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. MUCH longer lasting, and more colourful too.
DeleteIt looks like a giant child has been blowing soap bubbles all over. How wonderful. While my heart goes out to the Ukrainians, I feel sorry for the Syrians too, they seem to be mostly forgoten.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): It was wonderful. Sadly there are too many wars going on. And war seems to be constant. New ones, old ones. I mourn for all those caught in the middle.
DeleteThe bubbles looks great, it really cheers me up to see them even in photos. The sunflower maze seems like a good place to daydream.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
lissa: The bubbles were great - and also a place to dream. You have a great day too.
DeleteYes, sunflowers remind me of Ukraine, too. I just love those bubbles! Wish I could see them in person.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: I wish that you and David could see the bubbles for yourselves too.
DeleteGracias por tan interesantes reportajes de estas exposiciones que me han dejado boquiabierto sobre todo las burbujas, por su colorido y reflejos que le dan un aire original y pintoresco.
ReplyDeleteEn cuanto a los girasoles, toda la provincia de Sevilla es una gran productora de girasoles, los campos de todos los pueblos en Mayo/Junio se visten de amarillo, y cuando están en todo su esplendor es un espectáculo digno de ver, de hecho, en algunos pueblos se han convertido en una industria turística sobre todo de turistas japoneses, que vienen años tras año miles de ellos a fotografiarse entre girasoles. Te recomiendo veas en internet: Los girasoles de Carmona, y te dará una idea muy clara de lo que te estoy contando.
De nuevo gracias, por tan bonita entrada, y por tu buen hacer.
Un cordial saludo.
Manuel: Thank you so much. And I will certainly look for Carmona's sunflowers.
DeleteThe sunflowers and bubbles are so cool. Such a pretty thing to see.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: They were - and lifted my spirits.
DeleteThe bubbles!!! Spectacular!
ReplyDeleteJemi Fraser: I thought so too.
DeleteWow those balls look so fun and cool.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: They were - and I firmly believe we all need fun in our lives.
DeleteThe bubbles sure make a pretty display and I always love being around sunflowers. Great sculptures too.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. I did love the chooks. A totally unexpected treat.
DeleteThank you for a post full of good things to see.
ReplyDeleteThe bubbles were fabulous, and I liked the sunflower maze, but aren't the metal sculptures great, I'm pleased you shared them here.
Enjoy the week ahead.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I firmly believe that we all need fun (and beauty) in our lives. I has seen the bubbles and the maze advertised so expected some pleasure, but the chooks were a totally unexpected treat.
DeleteThese colourful displays are amazing a dn great reflections as well. Love the idea of a sunflower maze. Such fun. I hope you have a great weekend I am on holidays but going home soon.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Thank you. I hope your holidays were wonderful.
DeleteBubbles ... lightness of being.
ReplyDeleteMay you know this in these days, Elephant's Child!
L.A.
L.A. Brook Kreuger: What a wonderful wish. Thank you so much.
DeleteOh my gosh, those bubbles are so you. Very creative.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: I am an appreciator rather than a creator - but I do a lot of it. Hugs.
DeleteOh, wow! Those bubbles. Out of this world. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: Thank you. I liked them, and am glad that other people did too.
DeleteAlways something new to see in your city. Thank you And I bet you sent the chooks picture to Meredith!
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Of course I sent the chook photo to Meredith - who liked it a lot.
DeleteI am amazed at the subjects you find to photograph.The bubbles are so unusual and beautiful and the sunflowers and metal sculpture are a feast for my eyes. Thank you for sharing these today.
ReplyDeleteGlenda Beall: Thank you. As I so often say I am a beauty addict. And fortunately there is a lot of it about.
DeleteDear EC, I so enjoy wandering with you through the artistic/creative atmosphere of your area in Australia. Always I'm amazed at the beauty and the ingenuity the artists display. I simply don't think that here--at least in Missouri--there are displays similar to what you share.
ReplyDeleteThe bubbles are beautiful and remind me of the ones you blow in your winter months--the ones that sort of freeze in mid-air. Ah! You, too, are an artist! Peace.
Dee: I am endlessly grateful for the public art on display in my city. Mind you, not everyone here does like or appreciate it, which will lead to a sad and grumpy future post. And, if there is no man made art to be seen I turn to nature - who never disappoints.
DeleteLove those chooks!
ReplyDeleteYou have a grand one.
Sandra Cox: They are great aren't they? We didn't expect them and both of us were delighted. Himself's sister loves chickens so we sent the photo to her - and she was delighted too.
DeleteThose bubbles are amazing! I love random art displays in public spaces. I love to see everyone's reactions to it. Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteJuli: I love public art too. So much, though I am often amazed at the number of people who seem to walk on by without seeing it - even those bubbles.
DeleteStunning colours love this bright and cheery post ♥
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you. I am glad to hear that.
DeleteThose bubbles look just like the ones you blow in your garden. Okay, maybe just a tad bit larger:)
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: A HEAP larger, and less fragile. Bubbles are always welcome though.
DeleteThe bubbles are fantastic! Do they remind you of your frozen bubbles? The sunflowers are so beautiful, and yes, for me they symbolize Ukraine as well. Your photos remind me of the big sunflower fields I saw in Turkey.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: I didn't make the link that so many of you have between these beauties and my frozen bubbles. I love them both though. We used to see fields of sunflowers in the central west of NSW - an incredible sight.
DeleteWoW what a beautiful and colorful bubbles! They look amazing. I felt mtself in one of sunflower farms here Lol. Our inner Anatolian Region covers many many sunflowers farms.
ReplyDeletebread&salt: An earlier commentator mentioned your countries sunflower farms. They must be a lovely sigh.
Delete