I’m gonna leave this right here, take a step back and let you take it all in…
As someone who had to mow the lawn on a weekly schedule during the grass growing days, I hated dandelions. I never put the effort into “weed” control like my neighbor so my yard would eventually invade his, much to his chagrin. But the moment I started “seeing” the world around me as I began this journey with photography, the dandelion has been a constant and sought after subject.
I have photographed dandelions in every stage of their life. One of my favorites has been hanging on my wall for years (check out Dandie from this post back in April 2016, Grass). When I first moved into my current apartment I’m sure my neighbors wondered about the guy on his stomach out in the grass pointing his camera at the weeds.
I’ll continue exploring the dandelion. I am fascinated by its detail and structure. I wish to never lose my fascination with this weed…
Take Flight Side by side they wait Wind to free their hearts one dream New journeys take flight
I’m still learning about the drone. I haven’t ventured out much with this summer and that really annoys me. I should be flying that thing all over central NY, hell, anywhere I go it should be in the air. I’m hesitant to use it. Part of me is worried I’m going to crash, part of me is worried someone is going to tell me I’m not supposed to be flying it, and there is a part of me that doesn’t like the thought someone might negatively comment on my results. That part, the last part, that is the thinking I need to overcome.
I did have a blast flying it this past weekend. Rather brave of me to let it free over the water. And look, it survived! The video(s) I took still needs to be processed. They are nothing great. I’m still learning what constitutes an interesting video. I need to find that YouTube channel I was watching and learn again. And I need to practice. As soon as the rain stops… lol!
So, back to the image today. Stay on point! Say good morning to Clayton, NY. The sun was beginning to break free of the horizon, the colors were sliding from blue to orange and the sounds of the town waking up were starting to mix with the water lapping at the shore. It was a good morning to be on the St. Lawrence river…
Open Learning to open Be not hindered by others Shine on your own time
I have been wanting to get up North for awhile this year. And by North, I mean to the 1000 Island region of NY. Specifically, to Clayton. I had visited the area for a friend’s wedding in 2018 and have continually told myself I needed to go back. Sunday was the day for my adventure.
Sunrise was going to be around 6am. I wanted to capture the morning blue hour which put my arrival time at 5am(ish). Two hour drive backs me up to leaving the apartment at 3am and getting the boys (cats) situated put my wake-up call at 2:30am.
Clayton is on the St. Lawrence River and it was a little windy when I arrived. I wasn’t sure if my piloting skills would hold up to flying the drone over water in the wind so I started by running around with the camera. What a beautiful morning. The sounds of water lapping against the shoreline, the intensifying colors in the sky and the overall peacefulness made the drive totally worth it.
I even managed to sit in an Adirondack chair and simply enjoy the view. Highly recommended!
Morning Light Water and wind flow Light arises, greet the day Your journey begins
I did collect enough courage to fly the drone. I haven’t processed the images yet. I’ll save those for another day. I also expanded on the adventure and explored the coast from Clayton down to Oswego. Sticking mainly to the smaller routes and slowly making my way back home. More on that too…
I went for a walk after dinner. No, it wasn’t because I ate too much… OK, maybe a little.
I decided to walk the canal trail. Not usually as many photo opportunities but I can hear the sounds of the Mohawk River. Added bonus today was the sound of the rustling leaves in the trees. The wind was an issue trying to grab my images, but I was OK with that. The concerto Mother Nature conducted was exactly what I needed.
I did find a few images…
Light Within Self recognition The path to embrace yourself Be the light within
Thursday evening at Delta Lake yielded a trove of images. I was running up and down the beach area setting up the camera for every view I liked. It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would have been for such a beautiful ending to the day. I’m OK with that. There are days you want company and others you revel in the solitude. I’m good with that too.
MLCreations Photography 