• Art,  Canon Powershot G12

    Geese

    August 30, 2011
    Sculpture

    The sculpture, Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness, consists of 67 bronze and stainless steel works by Kent Ullberg, of Corpus Christi, Texas. The sculpture occupies four corners of the 16th and Dodge intersection as well as works on 15th Street. This wildlife monument includes 3 bulls standing at 8′ and weighing nearly 1,400 pounds, several yearling bulls, and 2 cows with their calves, as well as a large water feature with 8′ Canada Geese in bronze taking flight. As the geese fly across the street they are attached to 18′ bronze trees, a traffic signal, the corner of a building, a light post, 2 other poles, and culminate with several stainless steel geese suspended within the glass atrium of the Bank’s headquarters. Each of these works has been strategically placed to engage visitors, particularly children, as they pass. This image was taken while taking the G12 for a walk around the sculpture.

    Read More
  • architecture,  Canon Powershot G12

    Fewer Images

    August 29, 2011
    Shadows

    “Our eye must constantly measure, evaluate. We alter our perspective by a slight bending of the knees; we convey the chance meeting of lines by a simple shifting of our heads a thousandth of an inch…. We compose almost at the same time we press the shutter, and in placing the camera closer or farther from the subject, we shape the details – taming or being tamed by them.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

    I stood and looked at this scene for a while. I found it appealing with the light and shadows, knew there was an image there but had questions running through my mind. Where did I want to stand or kneel? Did I need to step back or forward? Did I want someone within the frame or not? Strangely, without lifting the camera to my eye, I walked through the portico and turned around. I think walking through was the best thing I could have done. Observing it was not enough, I needed to walk within it and experience the shadows, the light, the marble walls. It was then I raised the camera. It seems I shoot fewer images to get the feel and look I want as I progress through this photographic journey. What about you?

    Read More
  • flowers,  insects,  Plants

    Busy Caterpillar

    August 27, 2011
    Busy Caterpillar

    It seems I’ve been so caught up in the bigger landscapes that I’ve forgotten about the little stuff. A couple evenings ago I walked the bar ditches of a country road, sticking my nose in another world with a macro lens. I enjoyed myself until I knelt down in a patch of bull head stickers. I assume this caterpillar to be a moth rather than a butterfly. It was amazing to watch such a veracious eater, I had all the time I needed to shoot. Man did my knees hurt afterwards. Need to remember to take some knee pads or buy a longer macro.

    Read More
  • Plants

    A BIG Yard

    August 26, 2011
    The Front Yard

    A farm house is hidden among the trees located just to the left of the grain elevators. This farm house is located just about in the middle of the section of land so it is surrounded by farm land. A one lane dirt road leads to house with these sunflowers on either side. I think it’s interesting that this farmer has a yard that is full of sunflowers rather than a couple of aspens, a flower bed with potentillas and hostas along with about 400 square feet of grass. They have a great view and neighbors are not too close.

    Read More
  • Art/Design,  Food

    It’s all gone now ….

    August 25, 2011
    All gone but the seeds

    Faye had a sweet post on her blog yesterday. Her image and story awakened some forgotten memories of my childhood. Just like her story, we would gather with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for a summer evening meal. I remember the grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, pork and beans and of course chips. What I remember most was the homemade ice cream. My uncles would take turns hand cranking the White Mountain freezers. Man those were good times. So, Faye’s image of the watermelon is to blame for the indulgence in some good old watermelon last night. It’s all gone now. 🙂

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  moonrise

    Wide Open Spaces

    August 22, 2011

    Rain Clouds to the East

    “Those who find beauty in a landscape do so because it touches a place of beauty already within themselves.” – Courtney Milne

    I find I’m in this phase of looking for those wide open spaces. It may be because of the amount of solitude I’ve been taking over the past few years and reflecting where I am in my personal life. It may also be do to the time spent in the Ohio Valley where wide open spaces were not as prevalent. It may be because of my fascination with clouds. Whatever, here are two more from the eastern prairie, taken the same evening about an hour apart. I apologize if I’m posting too many of these landscapes and I’m giving you fair warning more are coming. 🙂

    Read More