My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
I had no clue what this leaf is but my wise and awesome sister, Sheree, actually both my sisters are wise and awesome, suggested it was an ash leaf. After a bit of prodding around on the internet, I think she is right again. 🙂 Anyway, staying with my theme of studying nature I want to emphasize the fine detail nature creates. A close look shows the intricate design in each of it’s creation, each with it’s own purpose. The details abound in nature.
These little buggers were all over the place. I found hundreds of these cicadas while on the same walk as yesterday’s image of the honeysuckle. There was not a sound from any of them as they rested among the shade. For me, a native of Colorado, I thought they were a locust of some sort but after asking around I discovered they’re called a cicada. A quick look at Wikipedia tells me they are an insect with large eyes wide apart on the head and usually transparent, well-veined wings. Pretty descriptive of what I saw. After learning what they were I remember listening to them at my grandmother’s house when I was a young boy. While taking this image one of them landed on my camera strap and just hung around with me for a while.
Outside my hotel in Nashville is a winding two lane road that leads back to the interstate. On one side of the road is a densely wooded area with a small stream meandering through it. While on the opposite side of this road are a couple of hotels and the noisy interstate. Guess which side of the road I like to walk on. I walk the wooded side where there is no sidewalk and the trees provide shade and the much needed soothing sounds for my soul. If we walk slowly along these areas where nature is alive we have the chance to see its exquisite works of art through its composition, lines and curves, textures, light, color, tone, and creativity. As a photographer I’ve attempted to present what I saw and experienced when I got up close and down on my old knees to experience Natures art. If anyone has read John Muir’s writing you will find that he also got down on his knees to see this incredible world of nature we live in.
Nature photographer, Guy Tal, has an interesting post on the need to understand art in order to be an artist. We need to be students of art and what greater teacher than Nature.
In 2009 it was estimated that the US had 58,000 storage facilities with approximately 1 in 10 people renting one of these units within these facilities. I’m one of those individuals who rents one of these units, the smallest one I could find. I needed to place the few pieces of furniture and personal items, I own in storage while working in Columbus, Ohio. I glad to say that next week I will be moving into an apartment and will clean out this unit. My sister and I have had a couple of good laughs because I don’t remember what I have in there. Wonder what I’ll find . 🙂
Some will debate about whether a photograph is art. That’s a debate I stay away from. Yet when I see an image of a flower, a clouded sky, a mountain stream, I realize that Nature is the true artist and is in the process of creating new work every moment. I love it!
Looking up from a table just outside a coffee shop in downtown Omaha, NE.
This was taken somewhere around my hotel in Alexandria, VA. I head for Denver today and sign the lease on my apartment and give them money. I will be moving a few things into the place but not planning on moving the bigger stuff until next week. I am looking forward to being closer to the airport and not have to commute for an hour and a half. Hope everyone has a good week.