My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
While visiting my parents in Gold Canyon AZ, I decided to rise early and drive out to Peralta Road on the south side of the Superstition Mountains for some sunrise shots. I was given more than just a sunrise as I discovered this owl perched on a saguaro. I believe it is a Great Horned Owl and is probably searching for one more morsel before finding a cool place to spend the day. There is something special about being there just before sunrise.
“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Solitude is important in my life. Community is important in my life. Time alone nurtures my inner spirit, clears out the cobwebs, and heals. Yet, spending time with others also nurtures my spirit, helps me see life through others eyes and community also heals. Spending time alone shooting photographs helps me become a better photographer. Shooting with and sharing experiences with fellow photographers helps me become a better photographer. Why shouldn’t I embrace both solitude and community.
If you were an owl, would you want to be called ‘Monkey-face?’ I will admit, however, there is some semblance. The more I wade into the stream of photogaphy the more I want to know about the subjects I see in the view finder. Yes, people may compliment me on an image but what do they think about the subject? I do love the light on this Barn Owl and how it is facing the light, it makes for a fine image. But, what else?
With the ease of the internet, I’ve begun to snoop around to find out about the subjects. You can follow this link to a good article on Barn Owls. I did not realize the short life expectancy of Barn Owls, 1-2 years. Nor did I know about there different calls.
I admire the patience of Blue Herons or any wading bird. I sure have learned to accept patience as a vital part of keeping my serenity. This image as taken almost five years ago just after purchasing my first DSLR and was shot in jpeg format. Now that time has presented the opportunity to practice and learn, I know to shoot in RAW format. So, it’s good to be patient and good things will come to us.
Two of my roommates made a day trip to the zoo this past weekend and as you would expect for a weekend, children were everywhere. And, why not, aren’t zoos for children? NO! they are for all of us to enjoy. Anyway, Jamie was showing me images this morning and it triggered my mind to the images I took this past summer. I looked back through them and found some I really like. I added a few images to my gallery that you can find here. I enjoyed the above image depicting the enjoyment of a child meeting nature up close and personal and I chose the the following image as it shows and adult enjoying the nature.
How often do we make and keep eye contact with people? A few weeks ago I met a fellow co-worker and another man in the airport. The man he was with looked familiar to me but I was unable to think of his name or how I knew him. My friend and I exchange a handshake while my mind was focused on figuring out how I knew this other man. As I turned to greet the other man my friend would not let go of my hand. I turned and looked at him and realized I had not truly greeted him. I had quickly made eye contact, extended my hand and just as quickly turned away. It was a lesson for me to watch for eye contact and at times keep it a bit longer. I know that animals, birds will keep eye contact just as this gull does in this image. How often do we make and keep eye contact with people?