Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Blue is the Hue

81 Comments

Blue is a favourite colour. Rich, cool, elegant, business-like, cerulean, lapis … no matter how you describe it, blue is rather versatile.

I’ve always found it to be calming and relaxing; when I was tired after a long, difficult stint at work, just looking at the blue sky felt very comforting. The issues were still there, but I felt better.

I vividly recall coming to the Okanagan Valley for a beach holiday three months after the start of Covid. My brain felt drained, and so knew I needed to recoup.

M and I sat comfortably on Skaha Beach, swimming when we got too warm but mostly lounging with our feet up, the cooler nearby, a book in hand.

But reading wasn’t what I wanted to do. I simply sat and observed the blue water and blue sky, mind pretty blank, and began to feel rested. This simple activity was marvellously tranquil and relaxing; it was such a wonderful thing.

I’ve read that blue and green are both comforting colours, and I’ve found that to be true. I think one of the reasons why sunny days and long walks or hikes outside are so good for us isn’t just because of the physical benefits; the act of just being outdoors is so good for the brain and our general well being.

Happy Thursday.

81 thoughts on “Blue is the Hue”

  1. I won’t disagree. Blue is my favourite colour too and there is nothing better than a blue sky and sunshine to make life feel good. Throw in a green field or blue water and relax…

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    1. Yes, throw in a green field and relax. We have great trails all around here that give us access to lots of blue – and green, too – getting outside in those colours and the fresh air is always such a good thing.

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    1. I agree completely, Belinda. I always found that walking to and from work was very helpful that way. Even if it was extremely cold out, the skies were often clear and I was able to drop some of the day’s stresses.

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  5. Those blues look so very serene. Beautiful shots. Our sky has been very blue here, too. I can’t stand it when I see the trails from planes mucking it up here. But that’s city life for you.

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    1. That’s such an interesting article, Wayne! Thanks for sending it. I wasn’t aware that the ability to see blue – or shades of green – are tied so closely to local evolution, but it totally makes sense. We are products of our evolution in every other way!

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      1. A little bit – supposed to be between 6 an d9 degrees for a high all week with rain, rain, rain, starting tonight. I hope that will wash away the snow that persists in our yard more than anyone else’s because of the shade of tall firs.

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    1. Thank you very much, Tricia. Red is actually my all-time favourite but I love blue, too, especially a royal blue. I agree; an excellent anti-stressor and anti-depressant. I hope you have a relaxing weekend also. Cheers and safe travels.

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    1. Agreed. The are so many variations and subtleties. Apart from the sky (and its reflection in water), blue doesn’t otherwise appear a lot in nature, but it certainly packs a huge impression when it does!

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    1. I agree. I grew up very near the sea and have always missed it. We now live near Okanagan Lake, so it’s wonderful to replicate that sense of openness, even though we live in a valley between two mountain ranges.

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  14. What a better way to cleanse our mind than watching across a blue sky? It’s so refreshing!

    I’m so happy we have a clear sky these days, and the snowdrops are coming out. Spring is calling🙂

    p.s. mail on the way😍

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    1. Agreed – there’s nothing like a beautiful blue sky to help provide a brain break.
      How wonderful that you have snowdrops starting. I’ve noticed spring bulbs beginning to pop up here, too. So great.
      I’ve sent some mail back. Cheers. 🙂

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  15. Lovely pictures again, Lynette. Blue is my favourite colour (not least because it’s the colour the Scottish teams wear!). When my 7-yr-old nephew was asked why he supports Sheffield Wednesday rather than Sheffield United (who are in a higher league) he said “Because they wear blue” as if it was completely obvious.

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    1. Thank you very much. 😊
      I love how children have a completely different sense of logic. How could you not love a team that wears blue? 😊 Blue is not my all-time favourite but it’s definitely a cherished colour, especially when I see a blue sky! Cheers.

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    1. Thank you very much, Linda. I love it as well. For me, blue always tends to have a calming effect, even if I’ve been very stressed. It’s amazing the effect colour can have. And yes, wonderful to photograph!

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  33. A lovely celebration of the colour blue in both photographs and words, Lynette! I too find it so relaxing and the photos here are beautiful and filled with harmony! In Sweden one forest road running along a lake is known as ‘blue-green road’ – the two colours of nature and both which offer the much-sought after peace! ❤️

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    1. Thank you very much, Annika. 🙂 “Blue-green road” – agreed, what a wonderful name and description for these two colours that provide so much tranquility in life.
      As you can tell, I enjoy taking pictures of the nearby lake but especially during twilight when the blue wavelengths are almost outside the human visual range but cameras can still see them. The last picture in the series is a “blue hour” shot that I like a lot. Cheers. ❤️

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