Observed Stones and Stone Surfaces in 2014

I love rocks.  I love how they are seemingly impervious to the elements and yet, over time, they begin to wear.  I love how they nestle together in a pile.  I'm particularly attracted to rounded, tumbled stones.  Those of you who have visited my garden or seen images know that I, er, have a few stones lying around out there.  I took a quick scan through my photos taken in 2014 and thought I would share some of the things I looked at, rock-wise, last year.  Why am I writing about this?  Well, one of the things I am always curious about is what artists like to look at.  So I'm showing you one
 of the things I look at constantly.

Petroglyph National monument in Albuquerque NM

Beach stones in California

Bluebonnets amongst the rocky terrain in the Texas Hill Country

Wind-worn limestone at Point Lobos, California

Point Lobos, California

Okay, this is not stone but is part of my obsession..

cast shadows through my corten steel outdoor shower screen.

African basket installation at the Crow Timberframe Barn,

Baltimore Ohio

Poured form concrete

a rock-inspired installation seen at Art Basel, Switzerland

Stacked stone wall, Tirano Italy

moss-covered wall, Tirano, Italy

cobblestone pavement, Tirano, Italy

Limestone wall at my hair salon.

Stacked stone cathedral wall, London, UK

Stone wall, London

Stacked stone and quarried rock, Tuscany

fencing, Tuscany

Roman-era stone steps, Tuscany

Imagine how many footsteps it took to wear these stone steps away...

Garden inspiration and color

I spent some time wandering in my garden this afternoon.  Many things bloom again after enduring the heat of summer.  It was a gorgeous clear day:  perfect for meandering outside and taking photos!

I love the shadows cast by the live oaks

 aloe

 purple coneflower

 Shrimp plant

ground cover on the rocks

For reasons that escape me, the lavender is blooming again!