My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”
Buddha
This was taken on a road trip back in 2003 about 6 months after purchasing a Nikon D100, my first digital camera. It’s the first of many practice photos iv taken since.
Back on November 6th was a full moon. I happen to notice the rise of the full moon was forecast for 5:04 pm and the sunset was forecast for 4:59 pm. I needed to find a place to experience this. I chose County Road 13 which is a dirt road about 10 miles east of town. It was a bit cooler than I expected but I was dressed for it. There are a couple of trees that I enjoy using in my sunrise images so I thought I’d use them for the moonrise images. After quickly setting up I began the wait. For some this is a boring time but I sort of enjoy it. I listen to and watch the birds near me. I was setup to catch the moon on the eastern horizon but all the activity in nature was happening behind me in the west. On the west side of the road were the gulls, ducks, geese, red-winged blackbirds, a huge owl, a red-tailed hawk, and about a dozen pelicans were having a party on and along the shores of Timnath Lake. I didn’t get the email about the party.
“Parks and gardens are the quintessential intimate landscapes. People use them all the time, leaving their energy and memories behind. It’s what’s left behind that I like to photograph”.
Michael Kenna
While on a walk in the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area I encountered an elderly gentleman on the trail. He had a walking stick in each hand and a small Canon around his neck. As he walked in front of me he would stop every once in a while, look around, taking it all in. He would raise the camera to his eye, frame a shot and press the shutter and methodically move on. No chimping. The walking paths in this area are level and easy to walk so for us elderly folk it is a great place to touch base with nature. I caught up with and enjoyed some time walking and talking with him. We both agreed we enjoy our nature areas. Just a few days before, this scene was covered in snow.
“If you’re not feeling the full joy of life, it could be that your creative urge is not getting enough play.” Thomas Moore
I intended to shoot some images of the rising moon last night, which I did, but they were nothing compared to the sunset in the west. This was my play time last night. It was a tad bit cold but what a joy to experience.
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.
A few years ago I made a trip to the west coast and back in my car. I camped wherever I could to save on cost and be in nature. One of my favorite nights was at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. The water in this lake is crystal clear with the bottom of the lake strewn with colored rocks. It sits in a valley created by erosion and glacial activity. This visit was made in June of 2004 just after the massive fires of 2003. Approximately 136,000 acres burned within the park boundary. This came after 5 years of drought and the hottest summer temperatures ever recorded in the park. I had a nice campsite back among the trees and away from the lake. Because of the noise from campers and the chugging sound of RV generators I took a walk to the lake. I’m glad I did and just happen to have my camera with me. I think it’s a great way to relax before going to bed.
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
Ansel Adams