“Life sometimes is hard. There are challenges. There are difficulties. There is pain. As a younger man I sought to avoid them and only ever caused myself more of the same. These days I choose to face life head on—and I have become a comet. I arc across the sky of my life and the harder times are the friction that lets the worn and tired bits drop away. It’s a good way to travel; eventually I will wear away all resistance until all there is left of me is light. I can live towards that end.”
Recognize that the very molecules that make up your body, the atoms that construct the molecules, are traceable to the crucibles that were once the centers of high mass stars that exploded their chemically rich guts into the galaxy, enriching pristine gas clouds with the chemistry of life. So that we are all connected to each other biologically, to the earth chemically and to the rest of the universe atomically. That’s kinda cool! That makes me smile and I actually feel quite large at the end of that. It’s not that we are better than the universe, we are part of the universe. We are in the universe and the universe is in us.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
This image was taken today about midmorning. The sun and wind were creating stars on the waters surface, so the photographer in me reached for my camera. Then, without an invitation, the geese decided to get into the frame, adding an unexpected impact to the scene. I find both the image and the quote reminding me that we are a part in the universe – we are one among the stars. I also find that’s kinda kool!
As I post this image the sun is shinning. However, the wind is picking up and dark clouds approach from the North. The temperature is a nice 58 degrees, yet they are predicting temperatures in the teens tonight and near zero the next two nights. The daytime highs will not be much above freezing as Old Man Winter moves in. So, I decided to post this bright and cheerful image from Saturdays walk. Stay warm!
PS: It’s now noon and temperature is at 28 degrees. We dropped 30 degrees in 4 hours and had light snow. Brrrr!
The city has worked on the Red Fox Meadows Nature area over the past 3-5 years. I just happened to be near the area and noticed the added improvements and turned car around to check it out. They have improved the walking path from the muddy trails to pea size gravel, added some fencing and signs in the restoration areas and a bathroom. I was impressed. I was also impressed with the sun as it rose above the trees to start it’s task of warming up the day. And, this park is only three blocks away. I’ll be back!
What is it about cemeteries that catch my interest. I’m not morbid. There is something about them that is artistic. We have patterns, shapes, colors, and shadows, all of which my photographers eye is drawn to. On this specific morning I was not headed for any cemetery but as I turned the corner and saw the light, I had to pull in and spend some time there. Starbursts can change the feeling of an image. Without this starburst it would be a simple and dull image of a tree and grave stones. By using an aperture of f11 I was able to attain the star effect but not the lens flare. Oh well, the image works for me and hope is does for you.
