• Plants,  quotes

    Accept the Moment

    July 31, 2013
    Milkweed Bugs
    Romping in the Pollen

    “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
    ― Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

    Being the dreamer that I am, I’ve had a tendency to wander off to the past or the future, knowing I cannot live in either. As I’ve lived with life’s necessary lessons, I’m more prone to live in the present moment. I’m not as prone to look back on choices and experiences that have altered my life with “regrets.” The regrets have been replaced with gratitude, allowing me to enjoy the wonders of the moment. Photography has also helped in that process. If I allow it, the camera offers me a chance to look closer and more intent at life. It helps me slow down, take it all in and enjoy all that is in front of me. Most importantly, my camera can only take images of the present moment. No need to look back. Instead accept the moment.

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  • flowers,  Plants

    Purple Clematis

    July 30, 2013
    Sheree's Clematis
    Sheree’s Clematis

    “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”  Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

    A few years ago my sister, Sheree, decided to invest time, labor and money into her yard. The fruits of her time, labor and money is now a haven, a sanctuary for her. She knows those plants by name and talks to them everyday. They are family. They love her!

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  • clouds,  HDR,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas

    Just what I needed

    July 29, 2013
    Riverbend Ponds
    Riverbend Ponds

    Yesterday brought overcast skies and gentle rains throughout the day. Along with the rain and clouds comes cooler temperatures, almost had a Fall feel to it. Late in the afternoon the clouds broke and sunshine once again brightened up evereything. A sudden impulse to head out with camera and tripod for one of the nature areas led me to the Riverbend Ponds.  Clouds then began to build up to the northwest, darkening the sky. Rumblings of thunder let me know I was not going to have that much time out there. About 45 minutes of walking and taking a few images I started seeing raindrops on the water, telling me it was time to head back to the car. I just finished a 3-day trip Saturday afternoon so I needed the time away from the city and people. The Red-winged blackbirds were singing, while sparrows and swallows would sweep down and skim along the water surface searching for dinner. And, every so often a fish would break the water as it took some insect off the surface of the water, leaving circular ripples to move across the water. It was just what I needed.

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  • People/Portraits

    One More Portrait

    July 26, 2013
    Sheri
    Sheri

    “The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.”  ― C. JoyBell C

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  • quotes,  shadows,  spirituality

    The Cross and Shadow

    July 24, 2013
    On the Alter
    The Altar at John XXIII Church

    “So don’t be frightened, dear friend, if a sadness confronts you larger than any you have ever known, casting its shadow over all you do. You must think that something is happening within you, and remember that life has not forgotten you; it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. Why would you want to exclude from your life any uneasiness, any pain, any depression, since you don’t know what work they are accomplishing within you?”

    Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
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  • People/Portraits

    Sisters

    July 22, 2013
    Sisters
    Sisters

    I had the pleasure of shooting a session with sisters a few days ago. You have already seen images of each of them, and now one with both of them. What a great time with two very lovely young ladies, Jen and Libby. Thanks, girls, it was fun!

     

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  clouds,  landscape

    Ominous Clouds

    July 21, 2013

    Dark and Ominous Clouds
    Dark and Ominous Clouds

    On my way to play this past Friday and noticed these clouds along a housing development a couple of blocks from my condo. They were just so dark and ominous looking I had to stop and take a shot. Surprisingly, not one drop of rain fell. If you look close you will see a bicyclist in the center of the image at the edge of the trees. This is where the bicycle path runs.

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