• leaves,  quotes

    Leaves

    August 10, 2024

    For all the great thoughts I have read
    For all the deep books I have studied
    None has brought me near to spirit
    Than a walk beneath shimmering leaves.

    Steven Charleston, Spirit Wheel

    My walks over the past few days have been cooler and wet. The much needed moisture and a break from the heat is welcomed. I love walking in nature especially when green leaves are covered in dew from the mist. I was awakened during the night as thunder shook my room and rain tapped on my windows. I did not sleep well after that. This morning has been sunny but more storms later this afternoon. I also got in a nice bicycle ride while the weather was good. I will attend a friends retirement party this afternoon and probably overeat, again. Suspect a nap after that!! Enjoy your weekend!

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  • fall season,  leaves,  Metro Parks,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons

    Sometimes They’re Even Good!

    February 4, 2023
    Leaves found on a walk at Blendon Woods Metro Park – 2011

    While I often try to anticipate those things that may occur in my little world, there’s always a surprise or two, and sometimes they’re even good!

    Earl Moore

    Wanted to share these words of wisdom from a comment our friend Earl made on one of my posts. He is referring to surprises in life, those wanted and not wanted. I am currently finding surprises in my life that at first seem unwanted but in some ways have turned out to be good. He has reminded me of that. His words also reminded me of the fondness I have for those surprises we can find in our photography. For me they happen most often when I venture out in nature with my camera, open to what my heart can see and accept. While living in Ohio for two and a half years I was able to experience trees and plants I was not familiar with. I loved what I was seeing and experiencing for the first time. As I reflect back it was on these walks when I first began to ask the questions: What surprise is nature going to offer me today? What will I expect and accept? You never know, sometimes they’re even good!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunsets,  trees

    Walking off the food coma

    November 27, 2020
    Sunset at Reservoir Ridge

    Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and overate like I did. I came too from my food coma early this afternoon. After clearing my head and realized how much damage I did yesterday, I knew I needed to walk it off. I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area for the walk and sunshine. So did half the city. Anyway, I got my walk in and my steps. I cooked two cornish hens for the first time and first time to eat one. Pretty simple actually. I invited my friend Joan over at the last minute and shared one with her. Have a great weekend!

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  • cattails,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants

    … and journaled

    April 7, 2020
    Cattails at Red Fox Meadows natural area

    This morning I walked to Red Fox Meadows because there is a grassy area where I like to sit and journal. But, this morning I found a soft place to sit near a marshy area with cattails and red-winged blackbirds. The red-wings were putting on a free concert while snatching flying insects. A woodpecker was working on a cottonwood behind me.  A red-tailed hawk sat perched on a distant tree scanning for rodents or a pigeon. I watched, listened and journaled. 

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  quotes

    Broken

    August 26, 2015

    Broken
    Broken

    We are coming up on September already. Students are back in school. Mornings are turning crisp so I’ll be putting the shorts away pretty soon. Not sure how many images I have of this broken fence. But, I take a photo just about every other time I walk past it. Anyway, if I’ve posted an image of it before, I apologize.

    “We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places.”
    ― Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt

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  • natural areas,  Plants,  trees

    Depending on the Season

    January 15, 2014

    20131231_DSCF0956
    Environmental Learning Center

    Windy outside. Has been for the past three days with gusts up to 45 mph. Definitely have to hang on to your hat. Yet, with the sun shining and comfortable temperatures, I took a walk. While walking I noticed something about the wind. The wind  that blows in the winter has a distinct sound as it blows through tree branches barren of all leaves. It is so different than summer winds where trees are clothed in leaves. Nature makes it’s own music depending on the season.

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  • Fujifilm X-E1

    Dr. Pepper

    December 2, 2013

    Dr. Pepper
    Dr. Pepper

    Found this on a walk along Spring Creek trail. Straight out the camera. This is not a rant about the people who leave their trash wherever they are done with it. However, I will share a bit more about the Fujifilm X-E1.

    I am still finding myself accidently rotating the exposure compensation knob with my right thumb. It’s taking me longer than I expected to adjust to it’s location. I am a slow learner, ya know.

    So far the 18-55mm f2.8-4.0 lens has been a surprise. Not sure what my expectations of the lens were as I bought it in the kit. It’s heavier than expected but that is more than compensated with it’s optics. I do not find it uncomfortable to hang around my neck for a 2-3 hours on a walk. It’s sharpness meets my needs and beyond. I’ve experienced some focus wandering with low light and low contrast scenes. Moving the focus point by pressing the AF button and moving the focus point with my thumb is time consuming and awkward. Right now, I prefer to keep my focus point in the middle then press the shutter to focus on my subject and reframe the scene. I will keep playing with it as there will be those times when I need to change that focus point.

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