My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
The day this image was taken we had light rain in the morning then high humidity in the afternoon. I needed to get out of the apartment so headed off to Inniswood Gardens for some shooting and head clearing. The large quantity of spring flowers has passed but the butterflies and bees are still actively gathering the remaining flowers. I do feel better!
Went for a walk this afternoon outside my hotel and found these little buggers. Now, don’t ask me what they are going, I didn’t ask. Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend so far.
I also wanted to share this image with you as it is awesome and brought a smile to my face.
They are everywhere. They love picnics and sandwiches. Hundreds will show up for these picnics. If ya wanna know why read this interesting article about ants and how they have a way of communicating among themselves.
I also wanted to share this email sent me by a friend: When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, “I’m not sure.” “Look in your underwear, Grandpa,” he advised, “mine says I’m 4 to 6.”
An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind.
Walter Bagehot
Have you ever watched a dragonfly? I mean watched them without lifting your camera to your eye. They are so elusive, always on the move, requiring patience to get a shot. They live a very busy life. I confess to chasing them to get an image and I’ve also stood, for what seemed like eons, waiting for one of them to come into my frame. Today I found a couple of them who landed on a fence rail and posed for me.
Just as this dragonfly moves from plant to plant, I’ve found my mind moving from this thought to that thought. But just as this dragonfly, I also need to stop and be quiet, find a fence post to rest. Let the sun warm me. Relax my fluttering wings. Rejuvenate and get ready to move on.
If we get down on our knees in nature, and not just in prayer, we will be given wonders to see.
Nature is always changing and presenting us with surprises. This bumble bee is an example of such a surprise. I was in Blendon Woods park playing around with my white balance preset, you know the adage, practice makes perfect, when this bee decided to get in the image. As a photographer, I had no problems with that.
Life is also constantly changing. Big and little surprises enter our lives on a daily basis. How do we handle the surprises in life? do we accept them or fight against them? Do we run away from them? I kinda like surprises, myself!
Did you ever notice how bumble bees are a lot like the Energizer Rabbit, they just keep on going? They have a mission in life to pollinate and then go after it. Wish my body could keep up that pace but alas the age thing is taking its toll. I’m posting this image because it was taken with the new Nikon 35mm f1.8 lens. I got as close as I could get with the lens then I’ve done a major crop in Lightroom 2, tweaked levels and a bit of saturation. That’s it. I think the lens performs well, especially for a $200 price tag. It’s a keeper and the lens stays on the camera most of the time. It’s a lot lighter to carry around, another one of those age things. 🙂
…comes thunderstorms, rains, the beauty and fragrance of flowers and blossoms, birds singing in the morning to brighten our days. But, right after Spring comes summer and of course butterflies. Can’t wait.