Inspiration

Late yesterday afternoon, I took a break from writing to go for a walk.  The monarchs must be in full preparation mode for their migration to Mexico because they were everywhere, drawn singlemindedly, almost drunkenly, to the asters that lace the ocean roadside.  Later, as I headed back west towards home, I was greeted by a sunset that made 1970's soft-rock album colors look understated:
And then this morning, the sunrise was equally magnificent. 
As the morning continued, we were visited by a northern mockingbird who let me come as close as I wished to photograph him.  The black-capped chickadees wanted nothing to do with me, understandably, as I am a great hulking beast in comparison to their tiny frames, but the mockingbird posed for a very long time while I snapped frame after frame. 
All afternoon in between errands and reading a book for a class that I'll be teaching in the spring, my mind wandered back to 

the bird, 

the sun,

and the butterfly.  

As I worked, they wove into my thoughts and new ideas began to form for poems and other schemes.  This, I thought, is inspiration.  It's being aware and open and perceptive; it's working--every day--at one's craft; it's never waiting for the muse, but seeking her at every turn.

And when I began to type this post (please believe me when I say this, because it is exactly what happened),

I happened to glance out my front window, and this is what I saw:

Not one, but two rainbows.

All this thinking about inspiration has made me decide to write a series of posts this week about some of the people and things that are inspiring me most right now.  I can't wait to tell you more!  

Also, I'd love to hear from you: what provides you with inspiration?  To whom do you look for ideas or the spark to set your imagination in motion?