Most Liked Photography Blogs (166)

What a fantastic morning! Finally, we see some sun again. Getting up at 5:30 am to take advantage of the cool morning air, I headed out on my bike ride around the perimeter of the town, along the river.

It took me four hours to ride today, due to the many, many stops I made, the early morning light and shadows making everything so much more appealing. I'd barely started when some flowers amongst the blackberry brambles caught my attention, dew drops glistening in the dawn light.

I have no idea what the wildflowers are, definitely not part of the blackberry vines, growing on thick stalks in the middle of the thorny jungle. Several photos later and a 'good morning' to another early riser, I headed for the dike.

I noted that sun rays highlighted a grove of trees at the base of the mountain, and just as I changed lenses to take the shot, the sun breached the mountain top, flooding the area with luminescence. Standing in the shadow of a tree, long shadowy fingers stretched across the corn fields, their top leaves like thousands of spikes piercing the sky.

Cycling past the little old house that looked like it had sustained a fire in the back, with windows and doors boarded up, I'd been tempted to take a photo for our photo club's abandoned buildings subject. Too late! A huge caterpillar was already there, on top of a pile of debris which at one time would have been part of the house.

A slough on the other side of the road is home to a myriad of animals and birds. One particular dead tree, surrounded with brambles seems to attract a plethora of birds. I'd always vowed that one day I'd just sit by the tree and wait for the birds. Well, today was that day!

I had a hoodie in my panniers, and used that to sit on, while I waited for the birds to get used to my presence and frequent the tree. I was richly rewarded this morning, and saw all kinds of birds, many that I couldn't tell you what they are. The redwing blackbird was elusive as usual, however, I do believe I got a great shot of it as it puffed up both wings and screeched. A tiny hummingbird hovered right near me before landing on the tree. Unfortunately, a truck zoomed by and disturbed them, and the hummer was gone.

Around the country roads where blue chicory lines the asphalt, interspersed with yellow mustard, white, lacy Queen Anne's lace, deep yellow buttercups, and bright yellow dandelions. Barbed wire fencing separates the road shoulder from the large expanses of field, the early morning light turning it into an appealing photo.

I sat amongst the chicory and Queen Anne's lace for quite some time, photographing bees and the flowers. Further down the road, a red ladybug contrasted sharply with her green background.

Taking the path through the tunnel of foliage, I have to take my clippers again the next time to cut back the blackberry vines that choke the trail, grasping at clothing. Past another slough, I surprised a blue heron near the road in the slough, and a duck with her ducklings. I managed to get some of the ducklings, and one of the heron, although I have lots of photos of herons.

From there, it was pretty much head home, as I realized how much time I'd spent, the day was getting warmer, and I was needing a beverage of some kind. I did have water with me, but hadn't partaken of it - I probably should have.

Although I haven't checked my photos yet, I know I have some in there that I'll be really pleased with. I'm sure there'll be some kind souls that will let me know what some of the flowers and birds are. I'm certainly enjoying my camera, not just for it's photographic ability, but also because it's such a teaching tool!

You learn something new every day!

What does one do on an overcast day? Well, you can do all the things indoors that you've been putting off, or, if you're me, you get in the car to find a landmark. Granted, it's not a landmark everyone would want to visit, but it was interesting.

I had no idea the area I lived in had so many hidden areas! Travelling the back country roads, farms abounded with verdant hay fields alternating with towering corn fields, and sunflowers lining the roads, their bright yellow heads sagging with the weight of their seeds.

Exploring the road, I wanted to see where it ended up, and, as I suspected, it ended up at a dead end. The great part of it was though, as I drove down the gravel lane, a dike dissected it, so I found another place to ride my bike and explore. I just had to find where the end of it was.

Driving back along the lane, cows lay on a grassy hilltop overlooking the slough.


Passing the cows, I glanced under the trees and spied an old semi truck near the overgrowth. What a find! I love these old trucks and cars, especially in a state of disrepair.




I had a couple of people pass me and look intently at what I might have been photographing, and I'd bet that they hadn't even noticed the truck before.

Carrying on back down the road, I took a side street in hopes of finding the end of the dike, and sure enough, although it's not the end, I believe it's close enough, as the farm gates on it are closed. I have no idea how far it goes, but I'm going to find out, hopefully tomorrow, if it's just overcast like today.

Returning to the winding country road, I drove back to my planned destination - an old cemetery. Now, it's not my thing to visit cemeteries, but this one opened in 1895 and closed in 1946 and someone had mentioned the other day that it was well worth a visit.

Parking at the bottom, I'd been warned that it was on a really steep hill, and they definitely weren't lying. Holy cow! Starting the climb up the many, many stairs, after the first set of stairs, a bench made from boulders had been set into the side of the hill.


A sloped path cuts across the grass from the left side stairs to the precipitous stairs on the right. Looking upwards, and with a bad knee, I wondered if I'd make it to the top. Thankfully I'd grabbed my cane, as there are no railings to hold onto.


Starting up, there are, as any cemetery, there are large headstones encircled with wrought iron fencing.




Some of the fencing is missing on some of the graves, or laying in a heap behind a headstone.




I criss-crossed the grass in order to take photos, glad I was wearing my hiking boots with the extra grip on the soles. I definitely needed them as the hill is exceptionally slanted. Finally, I reached the top where the founding father of the town and his family are buried, their crosses signifying the end of the property at the very top of the hill. You can just see the top and a cross between the two trees from the below photo.


Turning around to make my way back down, here's how steep the hill is, the road at the bottom on the left:


And a different viewpoint looking down the hill:


Almost near the bottom:


On the same row as the one above, a child's grave is marked with a sheep on top of the headstone. A discarded stuffed toy lays at the foot of it, there for who knows how long?


-cont-

Have you ever done something and felt totally exhilarated afterwards? This morning was one of those mornings for me. This week has been overcast and yesterday it just teemed rain off and on all day. I didn't ride my bike as I was exceptionally tired from the long drive and work I'd done the previous day.

I didn't realize how windy it was this morning until I wheeled my bike out of the garage. A gust of wind blasted me, almost toppling my bike on it's kickstand as I shut the garage door. Well! This was going to be an interesting bike ride! Pedalling into the wind, I had to work twice as hard as I usually do, and lower my gear a notch.

Usually, I don't like riding into the wind, but this morning, somehow it was refreshing. Riding towards the dike, the approaching train sounded like it was coming right at me. Sunflowers bent their sunny heads with the force of the wind, the nearby cornfields rustling eerily in the strong gusts.

Too much cloud cover to see any colour of the sunrise this morning, it was still a glorious morning, the unmistakeable screech of eagles circling above. Smaller birds flitted in and out of the bushes, although many of the summer birds left during August when the smoke from the forest fire was so bad.

I didn't stop for any photos this morning, I simply enjoyed the ride, the dawning of the day, and the exhilaration of having completed a strenuous ride.

My sister has left to drive back to Arizona, so I've added a few photos of a couple of days ago, some with her, some on my early morning bike ride.

One of my first views on my bike ride. Mt.Cheam standing guard over the valley, the sun rising behind it.


After riding under the bridge, one of the farmers kindly lets me ride through his fields.


One of the sloughs I cycle by, quiet on this particular morning. Usually, herons and ducks are present, and if I'm lucky, the beaver.


Riding past the Friesan horses after a rainfall, raindrops were highlighted on the numerous spider webs in the page wire.


My sister and Mom dropped by later in the morning, where we went out for lunch to the local deli, and then headed out to where the old truck was located. She took photos of that while I busied myself with the rare local wildflowers. Blue chicory is common and grows everywhere. The white chicory is rare, but there it was! And the variegated kind they don't even mention, but again, there it is!




We headed to the historic site of Harrison Mills, where an abandoned mill crumbles and is the canvas for graffiti artists. My sister was thrilled that I took her there, although she'd been there a couple of times and never found it.


Behind the mill, I believe this was the remains of the old dock where they shipped lumber down the river.


A CP rail train traversing the river where two rivers converge.


A very good but busy week. The wind this morning blew all the cobwebs out of the brain and it looks like it's also blowing the clouds away and blue sky may prevail!

Today was a beautiful day! My son and I took a trip to Mabry Mills off the Parkway in Virginia and then drove the Parkway to Fancy Gap and home. I love days like this!




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You make the photo caption (5) ! .......


'Yet, an otter thief, caught by camera !'


Or you make the caption for the following photo;

Or add your own caption for the following photo, if you like;

Have you ever heard the saying, don't be good at something you don't want to do? I heard it many years after I developed the liniment I make, and after it had taken over my life. It was never something I wanted to do for a long time.

Twenty-one years later....

So yes, I did and do make an excellent product, but it wasn't something I wanted to do for a long time. Filling bottles isn't my idea of a good time, or creative. As I'd attended University and received my certification in graphic design, that's what I really wanted to do. Although the business took most of my time, I still found time to do some watercolours and drawing. That took a back seat when I was under a lot of stress.

After moving a year and a half ago into this small community, it was the absolute best decision ever. I have the single floor house I always wanted, with a small yard for me and Sadie (the cat) to enjoy and a big enough garden to grow some vegetables. I joined the local FB community page, where I noted there was a tremendous amount of complaining, and public humiliation occurring.

I started posting some photos on it, just to break up the constant negativity and to show people how much beauty was in the area. Little did I know I'd receive a following and many people that would log on every day to see what I'd posted. Nor did I have any idea that those photos would lead to my 'fans' wanting a calendar - a very lucrative undertaking.

I have already received requests for calendars for next year, although it seems I will have a fair amount of competition. The District I live in wants to use some of my photos in a calendar for their 125th Anniversary next year, and other locals seem to think I should tell them how to put one together and help them sell theirs. Um, they obviously don't get that they are competing with mine, regardless of whether they're doing flowers or whatever. People are funny.

As I knew the District's calendar would affect my sales, I suggested that they do a small booklet, kind of like a guide for a walking tour for their anniversary. After speaking to the coordinator, it sounds like they're committed to doing a calendar, but they also love the idea of a guide for the area and have been given funds to do 'something' for the 125th. I'm thrilled and flattered that my photos are appreciated.

At photo club the other night, as I'm the webmaster now, I had told them how out-dated the site was and how difficult it is to change anything on it. They asked me if I'd re-do their site and they will pay me for it. Woohoo! There's the new camera body I wanted!

So this next month will be busy re-doing the website, meetings with the District in regards to their 125th, and I almost forgot about the book the First Nations publishing house wants me to put together.

At this point, I've still been gallivanting around taking photos, but it appears I'll have to structure my day a little better in order to get these projects done.

When it rains, it pours. But I'm okay with that when it's pouring appreciation and feeding my need to be creative.

I love life. It can be a truly wonderful experience, if you do your best to make it so.
One of the things I enjoy is wild nature and photographing it, capturing the moment in time.
I used to post nature photos on CS on a regular basis a while back
and shared 3 photos with you 10 days ago.

So, here are 3 more of mine for your viewing pleasure.

Let me know which of the 3 you prefer the most, if you don't mind;


#1. Great Egret landing





#2. Stuart Florida sunset boat sillpoettes





#3. soaring male Osprey

On Friday, I headed down to Fairhaven in the U.S. to take my bike in for it's 10 hour check up. Needless to say, I have ridden far more than 10 hours, as Thursday alone I rode it for 9.5 hours. While waiting, I toured the town, practicing my street photography. Some of the benches have a statue of a renowned figure lounging on them, to the delight of many who have their photo taken with them.

The first one - a statue of Mark Twain outside a book store.


The g/f taking a photo of them. Strong legs on that girl! Look how she's squatting.


Mark Twain, himself.


The town has tons of old brick buildings that have been renovated and add to the appeal of it.


I could hear piano music across the street, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from as I was looking into the bright light. Two ladies told me the piano player had pushed the piano down the street and set up on the corner to play. His music was absolutely delightful.


Two young ladies glazing outside a pottery shop.


Down a cobblestone alley, a restaurant is set up in a courtyard. One of the tables is set off by itself by this tree and raised a couple of feet above the cobblestones.


A cool door handle for an up-coming subject for photo club.


Family patio dining.


The red umbrella and dress caught my attention.


In the courtyard, people relax and enjoy some refreshments, or read.


Yep, the red hat caught my eye.


Savouring some ice cream.


Desultory conversation.


Across the courtyard, another statue.


Chopsticks are not a challenge for some.


Two Mexicans outside of a Mexican restaurant loading up a dolly.


Part of the courtyard, rimmed with restaurants (and a huge book store).


Looks like the statue's perving...


Wife is ahead, sampling the sweets while hubby limps gamely behind.


His turn! And look, they even matched colours.


Piano player returning from one of the restaurants.


I guess this guy prefers his own music.


Giving me the eye...


Busy corner.


I didn't see anyone in red tights, but this mature lady had red runners!


This couple was from Oz and asked me to move off the bench I was sitting on, next to some statue taking notes. No problem. Another couple asked me how my date was - I told them he was a little quiet, but he was at least writing everything down.


Another old brass door handle.


Conversing on a round bench.


Busker joining the piano player, maybe?


An old chandelier in one of the vintage buildings.


....cont. in comments.....

Over the past couple of years, I've immersed myself in my photography, loving every second of it, and being challenged to do more and create more in the photo club. It's been a fantastic journey, and now that I'm officially retired, my down time from Dec to May with my business is now spent with my camera.

I can honestly say that I've improved significantly with my photos, but still have lots of room to grow. It's heartwarming to have a 'following' on facebook on my photography page, which I finally launched only a couple of weeks ago. I've received several requests to purchase photos, which, in itself, is quite an honour.

As a result of my immersion in photography, my artwork has taken a back seat. I haven't drawn or painted in some time, mostly because I'd rather be outdoors. The camera allows me to combine my sense of adventure and curiosity with creativity. As a result, photography's the winner. lol.

Although I've retained membership in the watercolour club, I rarely go to the meetings as they're in my old community - a 45 minute drive each way. I don't like driving at night, and my interest in the club has waned, significantly. Partially, that's due to being ousted from the jobs I'd been doing, without any consultation. I was just informed one day that someone else was taking over my jobs - things I enjoyed doing. I told the president that never again would I volunteer to do anything for the club. I'd put up and regulated a fb page, administrated their web site, and designed their bookmark - yes, for free.

As I didn't attend the meetings, that's fine if they wanted someone else to take over, but not to say anything to me ahead of time was, imo, rude and inconsiderate. It wasn't that I hadn't done what they'd needed done, it was simply politics. So fine, don't ever ask me or expect me to do anything again.

When I got home on Wednesday night, there was a message from a member of the club (of course, not the president), would I be interested in scanning and photographing their art work for a calendar for them this year? There'd be up to 36 pieces of artwork to scan and/or photograph and they wanted it all done in one evening.

Ha ha ha ha!!!

No.

I told the guy no, I had too many commitments and my own calendars to put together. It wasn't an 'honour' to be asked. It's a sh*tty job, scanning all that artwork or photographing it. And there's no way I was going to be responsible for someone being pissed off because their artwork wasn't the right colour tones or whatever. And do I want to photograph someone's art work? Hardly. Like I said, it's a sh*t job, because it's not just taking the photos or scans, it's adjusting and editing everything afterwards. For free? Nope. G.F.Y.

There are some people in the watercolour club I really like, and why I continue to stay, but the president can pound sand if he thinks he can send a minion to ask for a job obviously no one else wants to do. It's mind-boggling how many people are trying to pick my brain about making a calendar and my success at it. Just amazing no one wants to know you until you're successful at something they want. Then they expect you to give it to them for free, after they've shunned you. lol.

Anyway, it's another beautiful day here, there's photos waiting for me to take, and orders to get ready. I'm going to enjoy every second of it. :)