• Plants,  trees

    The Quaking Leaves

    October 30, 2011
    Cottonwood Tree

    A few days ago Mark Graf had a thought provoking post entitled The Passinate Observer. His post caused me to realize something about myself, and therefore this post. I believe photography has helped me develop into that Passionate Observer he talks about. Even though I am getting older, I am seeing things with newer eyes, that Passionate Observer. I dont just see a tree anymore but I take the time to look at the leaves, the bark, the bent and twisted trunks, the broken limbs, the birds nest or the raptor perched in search of prey. I walk up and touch it. Silly as it may seem I even talk to them. One morning I watched a couple intently walking the trail around Lake Ladora at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. Their heads were down, focused on their stride and the conversation, yet never looking up at this tree. They ignored the yellow quaking leaves calling out to them.

    So, I agree with Mark and his quote by Diane Arbus, that in order for us to “capture some emotion” of what we felt we must first be observers, even simple observers. Then when we’re passionate about what we see, we have something special. Maybe this couple will be able to see the beauty of this tree, the art in nature, if we present it to them through our photography.

    And today is my moms 80th birthday, So, I’m in Phoenix to celebrate her special day.

    Read More
  • Plants,  trees

    Cottonwoods at Sunrise

    October 28, 2011
    Cottonwoods at Sunrise

    This past weekend I spent a couple of hours at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It’s been a while since I paid a visit. I arrived 40 minutes after the gates were to open but found the gates locked. Another photographer and I waited for about 30 minutes before they showed up and found they had changed the time to 7:00 AM for the Fall season. I walked the Lake Ladora tail and was so enthralled by the colors of the cottonwood trees. As some of you know my eye does go towards trees, usually isolated ones. I’ve read where photographers need to know their subject so I’m in the process of learning more about these cottonwood trees. I’ve always wondered what the pioneers saw as they crossed the Great Plains on the Santa Fe or the Oregon Trail. Most of the short grass prairie had few native trees so they often went for a long time without seeing any trees. The prairie was frequently seen as a very foreign and hostile environment to people from the forested east. No trees meant no wood for cooking. Dried bison dung was used for cooking fuel instead! No trees also meant no shade, which can be very precious on a hot day in summer.

    Read More
  • Canon Powershot G12,  Documentary/Street

    I ♥ Coffee Shops

    October 26, 2011
    Mocha Latte

    Starbucks had its start in Seattle with its original store located in Pikes Market. And, it’s true, they have stores everywhere. Yet, just below my hostel was a little coffee shop called Seattle Coffee Cafe. I tried it out the morning I left and enjoyed my mocha latte but was intrigued by all that I saw around me. Two young men worked the shop, one on the register, connecting with customers and taking orders. The second man was behind the bar, hand grinding the beans, damping the coffee by hand and pouring the shots through his manual machine.  The whole process was a work of art. The little heart added to my mocha does not improve the taste but adds a special touch. Makes you feel like your not just someone to quickly get out the door.

    Read More
  • Candid Portraits,  Canon Powershot G12,  Documentary/Street,  People/Portraits

    Red Hair

    October 25, 2011
    Red Hair

    I walked to the top of one of the cruise ship buildings where people could look out over the Sound towards Bainbridge Island. I noticed this young lady as she stared out over the Sound, seemingly lost in her thoughts. I quickly took two images and then moved on to leave her with her solitude.

    A Place to Read

    I had taken the ferry boat earlier in the day over to Bainbridge Island. The gentle movement of the ferry through the water felt soothing to me. Totally different than an aircraft. I walked around the ferry on the upper deck looking out across the Sound while a light mist fell. I found this young lady avoiding the elements and reading her book. After the 35 minute ride I walked through the small town. It really is small so I immediately fell in love with. I meandered through a small bookstore then stopped in for a hot chocolate and scone at the Blackbird Bakery. It was another good day!

    Read More
  • Candid Portraits,  Canon Powershot G12,  Documentary/Street,  Food,  People/Portraits

    The Colors

    October 24, 2011

    Peppers

    Last week I spent a couple of days in Seattle, flying up on Wednesday and coming back on Friday afternoon. I took one small backpack with spare shirt, shorts, socks, toothbrush and just the G12. I stayed at the Green Tortoise Hostel which is located at the corner of Pike and First Street. It is literally across the street from Pikes Market Place. First of all the hostel was great. I stayed in a room with four beds with only three of them occupied. Andrew was from England and Bosco was from Miami. The hostel provided breakfast each morning: eggs, pancakes and toast. The only stipulation required you to make your own breakfast and then cleanup after yourself. On Tuesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm they offered the Dead Guy tour where they load you up in the hostel van for a tour of Seattle. Along the way they take you to the graves of Jimmy Hendrix, Bruce Lee, and Brandon Lee. I passed on that. They offered free dinner on Tuesday and Thursday. So, I did indulge in the taco dinner on Thursday.

    Read More
  • Documentary/Street

    Selling Pumpkins

    October 21, 2011

    Selling Pumpkins

    While on my way to meet a friend for lunch I passed this family selling few pumpkins. I just had to stop and get a photo. They weren’t very talkative but they also did not try to sell me anything. I wonder if the truck still runs! Hope everyone has a good weekend!

    Read More
  • Badlands National Park,  National Parks

    The Badlands

    October 19, 2011

    Badlands National Park in South Dakota

    Another one of my motorcycle touring trips included a couple days visiting the Badlands in South Dakota. I was not expecting the beauty I discovered there.

    The Lakota called the topography “Makhóšiča“, literally bad land, while French trappers called it “les mauvaises terres à traverser” – “the bad lands to cross”. This dry terrain is a type of soft sedimentary rock and clay-rich soils that have been extensively eroded by wind and water. It almost has a look of volcanic rock. And, it is so rich in colors, patterns and shapes. This type of terrain can be found in several locations in the U.S. such as Makoshika State Park in Montana,Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Another popular area of badland formations is Toadstool Geologic Park in the Oglala National Grassland of northwestern Nebrask and you can include Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah.

    Read More