• lake,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  trees

    Ladora Lake

    Ladora Lake looking South

    “My goal as a person and, consequently, as a photographer, is to witness, participate in, and hopefully share the delicate beauty of wilderness – those moments in time when nature and spirit transcend the make-believe world of politics, economics, religious squabbles, fleeting fashion, mass “entertainment,” and other means of wasting the precious gift of thought and inspiration we are each endowed with.” – Guy Tal

    I just observed a young boy, maybe 6 years old, walk into this coffee shop with his eyes glued to a smart phone or game boy? He never looked up. Unfortunately, he had been sucked into that small box with its dings, dongs, chimes, bells and whistles, blasting away to kill as many opponents as quickly as his nimble fingers could move. It was obvious he was no longer “witnessing or participating” in the world around him. His mother sat passively beside him with no attempt or chance of a conversation and I’m not sure she even wanted any of that. I wondered what that conversation would be like. Could he even have a conversation with her? Does he have, or will he ever have, the precious gift of thought and inspiration? Just watch our children, and unfortunately many adults, as they walk through life looking down at their handheld devices. Addicted?

    Anyway, I wanted to share the above quote from Guy Tal. His words so resonate with my heart and soul in this misguided world. If you have a chance to visit his website and blog, I highly recommend it. He’s a very good photographer and very much in touch with the world around him. I enjoy his little quips called, “Just saying.”

  • Canon Powershot G12,  landscape,  sunsets

    Sunset from last night….

    Sunset

    I finished a trip yesterday afternoon and felt exhausted. After unpacking and getting a bite to eat I wandered around the lake. There were a half dozen pelicans cruising the lake. I sat the edge of the lake on the grass and watched small fish darting among the rocks. Egrets were wading on the opposite side and probably dinning on the small fish. Mallards were everywhere but all of them quiet. I wrote, took in all the sounds and smells of the lake. The sun was setting in the west presenting a wonderfully soothing sight for the eyes of my soul. An enjoyable evening.

    My parents are out here for a visit for a few days, staying with one of my sisters in Loveland. I will be heading up that way so may not be on line for the next few days. Hope everyone enjoys the upcoming weekend.

  • Avian

    Yellow-Headed Blackbird

    Yellow-Headed Blackbird

    These birds make their presence in our western wetlands. They usually breed in loose colonies and build their nests over water, attached to cattails and reeds. Along with its cousin, the Red-winged Blackbird, they seem to pose for me on my walks around our lake.

  • landscape

    Knowing your histogram

    Lake Jackson
    Sunset on Lake Jackson

    This is an image taken in 2003 while on my way back from participating in a workshop in Jackson, WY. When shooting with film I always bracketed so when I started shooting digital I also bracketed exposures. Now that I have a better understanding of the histogram the need to bracket is not as important. I still do it on occasions but with the power of the histogram I sure use it less.