My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
This was taken after the snow storm had passed through the night. Nature has again created a winter scene for us to enjoy. For me the plowed and shoveled snow of our cities is not a pretty sight. These piles of snow with their sand/salt mixture and various liquid anti-icers and de-icers is not pleasing to me. I would rather see the winter scene as nature made it. I’m also not one to enjoy the cold that comes along with natures winter art but the scenes, even the simple ones, bring a smile to my life.
Most artist will tell you that their ability to inspire themselves was the key to their success. Well I have plenty of inspiration but I’m lacking in “motivation”, which is preventing me from moving forward with those inspirations. I’ve little motivation lately. I hardly take the camera out for walks and when I do it’s for short walks. I could blame the cold but that will not suffice. Just not motivated.
Motivation is what causes us to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge. They say there are three major components to motivation: activation, persistence and intensity. Activation is something gets us started. Persistence is the continued effort required. Intensity is staying focused through its completion.
Motivation can be activated in several ways. It can be caused by the influence of others, such as a shooting session with another photographer. Making a list of projects. Searching for new places for images. Shoot a different venue such as portraits rather than macros, or macro rather than portraits. Work on storytelling. Being invited to try a project such as Earl’s calendar. Or working new software for creating books such as Paul.
Something had to be done to get me moving. So, I decided to take a cold walk without my camera. I bundled up against he cold and took the treacherous walk as the melted snow was now turning to black ice. Without my camera I was seeing a lot of potential images. There was a lone Canadian goose just sitting on the ice, no other birds around him. It was so out of the ordinary I suspect the bird may be ill or wounded. The next thing to catch my attention were the cattails along the edge of the lake. The stalks are standing tall while in stark contrast their snow laden flat bladed leaves bend heavily downward. And then there were the rabbit tracks in the snow. They were telling of scampering feet looking for cover. Between the edge of the lake and sidewalk I discovered feathers that told of the demise of a bird. I wondered if death came from the powerful claws of a hawk or owl. This exercise was new to me, and it seemed to do the trick. What steps do you take for motivation?
“Don’t settle for hours in front of a large screen TV when you can have a larger life.” David Duchemin
They suggest 111.3 million people tuned in to see the Superbowl. This number went up to 114 million for the half time show and the final moments of the game showed 118 million viewers. Not sure how they come up with those numbers but that’s not what this post is about. My focus is on those large numbers of people glued to their large screen TVs. I just wonder are we missing out on a larger life?
I spend way too much time on the computer. I wonder if I’m a blog addict ( notice the quiver in my voice). I think it all started when I joined a small community of photographers sharing their images on a site called pBase. I enjoyed seeing others images and enjoyed the feedback on my images. Loved those at-a-boys. I then started buying more equipment, spent more time in the field and making great plans for a career as a pro, bringing in the big bucks. I joined a couple more photo websites. Next came the world of blogging and the spiral began increasing. I started spending more time on the computer in my attempt to be a better photographer. That was all good but I could easily get lost in my computer, leave the present world of real relationships, working on projects, eating and sleeping. It is amazing how deep and dark that hole of cyber-space is. Two to three hours later I would find my way out, shaken, dazed and confused. The tea pot had boiled dry, the sun had gone down and I’d missed meeting up with Patricia. Could be why I’m still single. Anyway, here’s the little tree I’ve discovered.
As I took a few images of this tree a hawk decided to enter the scene. I have a couple of images of it as it flew in from the left side and perched on one of the branches. I like the ones of him coming in but this one of him perched spoke to me me. So, here it is!
I start another trip today then head for Phoenix on Sunday morning to visit family. Enjoy the weekend!
This is one of the surreal presets found in HDR Effects Pro. Again, it is three images at on stop. I chose HDR effects Pro because it felt their presets were not as surreal and closer to the natural feel. I’m not a fan of the surreal images we see done with HDR but as with most people I have to also play around with the software.
I’ve had a couple of jobs where I needed to commute to work. Those varied from 20 minutes to an hour. For the past 8 years I’ve not had to deal with that. I’m not a fan of commuting and considered commuting a waste of “my” time. There are too many other things I would rather spend my time doing, like photography. I also work with flight crew who live in other cities (Austin, Seattle, etc.) but are based in Denver and commute to work. There are some commuters who will have two flights rather than one which means part of their days off will be spent getting to and from work. If flights are full or there are delays they may not make their flight(s) home. It’s tough on them.
However, this summer that will change as I move back into my condo in Fort Collins. It then will take me about an hour and a half to get to the airport, and that’s in good weather. However, I’m planning on working halftime, two trips a month, so I will only need to commute about twice a month. That works for a short time.
This morning, I bundled up good and headed out to again meet the morning sunrise, out in nature and away from the city. It was really a combined scouting trip. I drove in a direction I’d never been before and went farther than I expected. To my enjoyment I found some new areas worth shooting that included several groves of trees and rolling hills. As, I headed back to my apartment, I looked down at my odometer and realized I’d just driven about 60 miles round trip. I had to laugh because here I was commuting to enjoy the sunrise. So, I commute for my solitude and sanity.
I also apologize in advance for future postings of these new found groves of trees. 🙂
On December 8, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – (is) a date which will live in infamy.” He was referring to the Japanese surprise attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, the attack that catapulted the United States into the Second World War. As momentous as the attack on Pearl Harbor was, December 7, 1941 was also the date of another event of no less consequence for mankind. The first transports set out for the first extermination camp, Chelmno, which began its murderous operations the following day, December 8.
There are some who will brave the cold to see this hoar frost covered grass. And, some will not experience this frost covered grass but be reading an article about Tebow’s latest win. Interesting how some events receive a lot of attention while others go by almost unnoticed.
Cottonwood trees on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
I’m not sure but something about the alignment of these trees tells me they were planted. Scientists are studying the patterns of nature, attempting to find a mathematical answer. We are constantly finding out more about nature but this is one question where the answer may only be a moment of awe. So, for me this row of trees is just not the pattern I see nature using. Nature has its own way to create patterns.
These are the two trees I’ve happily photographed this past sumer. The crops surrounding them have been harvested. The leaves have begun to drop exposing bare branches. The Rocky Mountains are hidden in the background by the morning fog. What a glorious morning it was. I’m grateful for this morning experience and look forward to many more.
