Have you ever noticed that the color blue doesn’t shout to make its presence known? It isn’t loud ike fire-engine red or sunflower yellow. It is quiet, reverent, and all-consuming at the same time. It says, ‘sit with me for a while, I’ll soothe your tired mind, aching heart, troubled soul’. The color blue quietly buffers the noise of the world. It is no wonder that I am constantly drawn to the ocean, or any body of water for that matter. With shades of blue like the feathers of a peacock, and shards of seaglass, no other color in the universe tilts my world upright like blue.
When Terri, at Second Wind Leisure Perspective, suggested Aquamarine and Icy Blue as her color challenge for January, I got excited. I have often written about my favorite color, and you may have already seen some of these photos. Please pardon the repeats. I haven’t labeled the photos below, but you may recognize them from our travels to Bermuda, Germany, Italy, and a favorite Florida spring where Manatees gather in the winter to shelter from the cold.
The last three photos especially highlight the range of colors from icy blue to aquamarine – a mosaic of sea glass celebrating our seaside town, a glass float that I found during a treasure hunt on Jekyll Island, (see this post) and the cascading feathers of a peacock at a park in Portugal.
For best viewing, click on the first photo, then click on the right arrow.
I am sharing my blues today and sincerely hope that your spirit is lifted alongside mine. If you’d like to join Terri’s color challenge for January, please visit her at Second Wind Leisure Perspective – Sunday Stills.
If I could color the new year, it would be blue, the color of peace, love, happiness, resolve…
Picture Retirement 
I love glass sea floats – we have a selection of them hanging under our upstairs balcony. Yours is just beautiful. Loved all the ocean colours in your photos. x
LikeLike
Hi Leanne, I was lucky that the one I found had those colors. Of course, I would have been happy with any of them, but wow, all my favorite colors in one beautiful object. I can imagine how beautiful a few displayed together must be. Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful day.
LikeLike
You have described blue perfectly. And your pictures beautifully display its wonderful qualities. One picture reminded me of when I visited Capri long ago and went in the Blue Grotto. I can still see that beautiful shade of blue water in my mind’s eye. Blue is very soothing and calming. I still love yellow first, but blue is my second choice. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Betty, that grotto was in Villefranche-sur-Mer, but I have seen others that remind me of it in Montenegro and Portugal. Caves of any kind are always a must-do excursion for me, as I know beautiful watercolors and a boat ride are usually involved. Can’t pass that up. Thanks for your kind compliments. Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos! I love blue for many of the same reasons, but it’s not my favourite colour. If I had to choose one, it would be purple and all of its various hues. You’re so fortunate to travel to so many places, Suzanne … and we’re all fortunate to follow along through your photos.
LikeLike
Terry, I love purple too. It’s a color choice I often make for clothing. As for travel, we have always taken a couple of short trips per year (even when we were working), but have made long-haul trips a priority over the past few years. We aren’t getting any younger, and navigating the system of trains, planes, and the growing use of technology in everything we do is becoming frustrating on many levels. I am glad you enjoy the photos. We enjoy sharing our adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That glass float is amazing. I love the color blue as well. So, sailing in the tropics fulfilled that attraction, haha.
Blue is a rare find in fauna and flora, which makes the peacock so special. Each time I find blue flowers, I stop and stare in amazement. I often take a photo of it as well. Great shots, Suzanne!!
LikeLike
Hi Liesbet, I imagine you saw many shades of blue during your sailing years. One blue flower that comes to mind is the hydrangea. It’s a favorite of mine, but unfortunately, it won’t grow well this far south. Beyond that one, there aren’t many. Once in a while, I see a bluebird in our back yard, but not often. I’m lucky to live in a place surrounded by water…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your blues are beautiful and you describe its attributes perfectly. I especially liked this: “It says, ‘sit with me for a while, I’ll soothe your tired mind, aching heart, troubled soul’”.
LikeLike
Sarah, the ocean is often a place I go to for reflection, inspiration, and soothing, so those words came from my heart. Some of the places we have encountered through our travels are truly awe-inspiring. But, mostly it’s the color of water that does it for me. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Suzanne, I love your beautiful blues! I really like all of images with blue water but my favorites are the sea glass, the glass float from Jekyll and the peacock.
LikeLike
Thanks Beth. I think those three photos best represent the range of colors in Terri’s challenge. The treasure hunt on Jekyll is going on now. We are thinking about going for a couple of nights, but lots on the plate right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your opening description of the colors of blue, Suzanne. It IS a calming color and thankfully so, since both the ocean and sky are blue. These are all stunning examples of aquamarine and icy blue. Must have been cool to find the sea glass. The peacock is especially beautiful.
Thanks for sharing and please reshare formerly used pics. I do all the time. I doubt most people remember those details and I love seeing them shown again.
LikeLike
Hi Terri, I’m glad you approve. It’s hard to resist a color challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good! That’s why I like to add one a month to the feature. They can be a challenge for me as well 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sharpest blue I ever did see was in Oman on a working cruise or something like that when I was teaching in Abu Dhabi. We are spoiled living in Florida with our Manatees. You have set up these photographs so well!
LikeLike
Hi, welcome to Picture Retirement. I appreciate your visit and your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the arrangement of the photos. I was attempting to create a color collage that would be beautiful viewed as one image or individually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Your pics brought back memories. I am grateful for when times were healthier for all of us. I like being semi retired but also happy we travelled more in our 30’s and 40’s. Hubby was in the military and prior to marriage, I worked overseas in a few countries. Now, we lead a good but quiet life. Thank you for your welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are always welcome. I’m glad my photos prompted good memories to surface. That’s what they do for me, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. My husband and I are experiencing changes as he continues cancer treatment and his diet. He has been going strong though since 2015. The VA is doing an excellent job with me and with him. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible shots! So many different shades – I think my favorite is the peacock’s head.
LikeLike