My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Part of what photography does so well is to dispense with preconceived notions, reeducate, and reshape one’s thinking and attitudes about places and things–even history. – Len Jenshel
I agree with his quote as I feel photography has reeducated and reshaped my thinking. As long as I am looking I will see images. As long as I have a camera with me I will have the opportunity to go home with an image.
I am heading back home today. Plan on getting in about 8-9 hours drive time. Not going the scenic route but will drive the interstates. It was a good sabbatical but will be glad to be home. Enjoy your weekend.
I walked over to the golf course to see about finding some images of the moonrise but clouds prevented didn’t allow those images. But, as many “good photographers” know we must also look behind us and in this case the lingering sunset is what was being given me. This is a jpg file exposure and tone adjustments then cropped to 16:9. The exposure settings were 30s at f22 with an ISO 200. Hand held.
Just kidding. 
“If you only photograph when you feel like it… you’ll never be totally successful as a photographer.” Freeman Patterson
Wherever I have traveled the culture, people and plants are an interesting attraction to me. I have seen amazing plants that are not indigenous to Colorado, such as these Palm Trees. Each area is like a textbook for me as I see these beautiful plants and try to find out what they are and a bit of information on them.
Another plant we do not see very often in Colorado is the lantana, a perennial flowering plant in the verbena family. They are used a lot in the housing areas here due to their ability to survive in this arid and hot land. They produce these aromatic flower clusters of red, orange, yellow, or blue with these white florets. They are just beautiful.
This past Saturday afternoon I went to a BBQ at my oldest daughters home. They grilled up some elk burgers and brats. Games were played, children and puppy dogs ran all over the place and lots of laughter was heard.
Chris and Cody supplied the meat while everyone else was asked to bring a side dish. Well that meant there were too many salads and deserts to fit on one plate so multiple trips to the table were needed. I found this young girl exploring all of the back yard, walking stick in hand.
As the sun went down I stood along the fence in their backyard with camera in hand and watched the colors. Nature was magically making art and I had a great front row seat.
There are times I wish I could sit at the base of a tree and listen to the stories it has to tell. What changes has it seen in it’s life? How many bird songs has it heard in its life? Does it feel ignored when so many people walk by and really never looked at it? I touch it and feel it toughness. Solid and firm. I see it’s scars, the twisted and broken branches that its sustained through the years. How many eagles and hawks have perched themselves on it’s branches awaiting the unsuspecting field mouse. Yes, I would read a book of stories written by a tree.
“A tree says: My strength is trust. I know nothing about my fathers, I know nothing about the thousand children that every year spring out of me. I live out the secret of my seed to the very end, and I care for nothing else. I trust that God is in me. I trust that my labor is holy. Out of this trust I live.”
Hermann Hesse
I drove to Loveland yesterday morning to meet my sister for coffee, share a hug and some talk time. As I came upon this scene I needed to stop and take it all in and I jus happen to have my camera. The water at the bottom of the image is a large puddle of melted snow in the wheat field.
“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” ― Rollo May
While on a walk last week I ventured into St. Josephs Catholic Church. It was the time of day I like to visit when there few people. There was one man praying the Stations of the Cross, otherwise I had it to myslef. Churches are still a place in our city where I can find a place of quiet. Very little external noise finds it’s way in. I then use these places to sit and journal or meditate or read or all of them. Before going into the church I looked up and noticed the steeple against the sky. That’s one image.
Solitude has become an important part of my life. I enjoy it and need it. My condo is a place of solitude, a sanctuary, a way to distance myself from the busyness of the world. Please don’t think I’m a hermit because I need community, to have people actively in my life. I find community with family, friends, coffeehouses, bookstores and libraries and in nature.
I think many people attend church for weekend services and avoid weekdays. I am the opposite. I do not attend a church but spend time in church when most people are working. I go to churches for the quiet and solitude. And, I admit I am also seeking photo opportunities during these times, stirring my creativity and being open to a scene that can appear before me. I noticed the baptismal font and have a second image.