Category Archives: haiku

Isolated

Posted by Mike on

Haiku
Flat Rock Park

My daughter came down for a visit this weekend. We had a good time. She had heard enough from me about the taqueria I tried a few weeks ago that she wanted to see what the hype was all about. Of course, we ate too much. I suggested we go for a walk at Flat Rock Park.

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the warmth of the sun as we attempted to work off our lunch. As we walked, me sans camera, I was making mental notes of images I saw that I would need to return to capture. I did stop and grab a couple with my phone but nothing worth mentioning.

Sunday wasn’t as warm as Saturday but still a great day to be out and exploring. This time, the camera was definitely with me. It was early afternoon which means direct, harsh light but I knew I could use that light for a few of the images in my head. Light, shadows and texture. You’ll see, as soon as I process them.

When my daughter and I were leaving the park I had pointed out a view of the pond/lake(?) that I always tell myself I need to capture. So, this time I made sure I stopped the car. No excuses! Take the damn picture.

Alright, don’t get so worked up about it.

I still believe this view at sunrise would be better and now that I mentally recorded that the park opens at 6am, I’ll be back. Anyway, here it is…

Isolated – B&W
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/200s, 41mm, f/8, ISO 100

I also had this running through my head…

Isolated 

Stoic in nature
Isolated and alone
Standing with resolve

Now, I’m a fan of B&W images and I think it works for this one. I couldn’t leave it alone though, I wanted to play a little more with it. I tweaked the color version with a blue fade process.

Isolated – Blue Fade
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/200s, 41mm, f/8, ISO 100

And for those of you that prefer a good color image…

Isolated – Color
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/200s, 41mm, f/8, ISO 100

You’ll have to let me know which image you prefer…

Sit Beside Me

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park
Haiku

The sun is waning
Sit beside me and enjoy
Enduring beauty

Sit Beside Me
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S, 1/50s, 26mm, f/11, ISO 100

Gentle Caress

Posted by Mike on

Midday, Floral, Macro
Haiku

What a day!

Don’t let it pass without enjoying it.

I know!

Go for a walk. The trail along the river will be good. Bring the camera, you know there will be plenty to photograph. Make it happen!

Alright, I’m going. Where’s the camera? Got it. Let’s go…

I walked the Mohawk River Trail and it took me a lot longer than normal. I was finding great subjects for the macro lens. I made it all the way to my normal turn-around when I captured the “keeper” image. The one!

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy with a lot of the images I was capturing but this one jump started my brain. The walk back along the trail was at a quicker pace than the first half. I was churning over a haiku to go along with the image.

I haven’t done that in a long time…

Caress

Whisper in her ear
Void of empty promises
Love's gentle caress
Gentle Caress
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Golden Glow

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Another view of the sunset from Tuesday evening. I think Mother Nature didn’t want me to get too greedy. Three beautiful evenings in a row was enough because Wednesday she reminded me that rain was important. The glow of the sunlight on the reeds in Delta Lake State Park was the first thing to catch my eye when I walked onto the beach. I have a landscape view of this same scene which shows more of the reeds with their golden color but I preferred this version which focuses in closer to highlight the color of the reeds against the backdrop of the silhouetted, darker trees.

  Euphoria

  Golden sun highlights
  Remnants of joyous summer
  Euphoria shines
Golden Glow
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/160s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200

Until the End

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

As much as I stated in my previous post that there is still time left to summer, the signs of autumn are beginning to appear. I went for a walk yesterday morning along the trails in the Griffiss International Sculpture Park. It was a beautiful morning but in every direction I pointed my camera I noticed the changes. From the fading blooms of the flowers to the leaves starting their color metamorphosis.

I do love photographing flowers past their prime though, so the changes are an opportunity for me. My playground may be in flux but my focus is still clear. Photograph what I see, create what I feel…

Glorious

Life fully enjoyed
Shining brightly for us all
Gloriously you
Until the End
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2500s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Summer’s Last Hurrah

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park
Haiku

I know summer isn’t over yet. Although this weekend is typically the “end of summer” at the beach in Delta Lake State Park. There usually is a big bonfire on Labor Day to celebrate the end of the swimming season. I’m not positive if there will be one this year. After this weekend the buoys outlining the swimming areas will be removed and the lifeguard chairs will be put away. The beach will be for sunset gazing only.

Obviously there is more summer to be enjoyed but the symbolic act of closing the beach does get the next season going (in my mind anyway). Maybe it is because I look forward to Autumn each year. Maybe in the past this weekend was the last free weekend for the kids as they head back to school next week. For me though, it is another weekend, but at least it is one with an extra day off. 

Summer's Last Hurrah

Sunlight fades to grey
As the beach empties of fun
Summer's last hurrah
Summer’s Last Hurrah
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/160s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Holding On… Again

Posted by Mike on

In The Yard, Squared

Something interesting happened yesterday. When I woke I found one of my images had been selected for Explore on flickr. This happens once in a while, either an algorithm or an individual selects an image to be highlighted in the Explore section on the flickr site. I’m not sure how the image is selected but when it happens it does draw extra attention. I won’t lie, it feels good when it happens, but it is not something I aim to achieve.

The interesting part for me is the image that was selected is from 2018. Which to me indicates an algorithm is at work when selecting for Explore. That’s OK. It doesn’t lessen the exposure of the image nor anyone’s enjoyment of it. What I like about it is based on the image selected, a dandelion! One of my “weed” images, ha! 🙂

The whole event did get me thinking about the image and that brought out the following…

Burdens of old thoughts
Memories, links in the chain
The past has a weight

Today, this moment
Realization emerges
A future revealed

Tomorrow shines bright
New journeys free the spirit
Stop your holding on
Holding On
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/200s, 40mm, f/4, ISO 400

West Canada Morning

Posted by Mike on

West Canada Creek, Hinckley Reservoir
Haiku

Bursts of Color

The moon bids farewell
Mother Nature's show begins
Dawn bursts in color

Standing at the end of the boat launch capturing the last light of the full moon serenity washed over me. The calming sounds of water flowing always have that affect on me. And then I turned around… Eos, the Dawn, was waking up.

Colors. Wonderful morning colors were filling the horizon. Serenity was now replaced with an urge to capture this goddess who ushers in the day. The recent storms must have caused havoc with the creek as a maintenance barge was parked behind me. I’m a sucker for a reflection as well as a silhouette. Bonus points for this one!

Maintenance
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mmm f/4, 15s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

What’s next? Ah, the spillway (dam) at Hinckley Reservoir. It has been a long time since I have seen water flowing over the spillway. That will be my next stop. The interesting dilemma is how to capture the view. I park near a bridge over the West Canada and walk the length looking for the best view. It freaks me out slightly as the water is not far from the bottom of the bridge. It didn’t appear to be moving this fast as I was standing next it capturing the moon but now I feel the power of the flow. Incredible!

At the very opposite end of the bridge I find the view I wanted to capture. The trees lining the banks of the creek create a funnel for the sound of the water rushing over the spillway. I stand and listen for a few minutes. Other sounds of the morning have vanished, the water is all I hear. I can feel it following the water down the creek.

Over the Top
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mmm f/4, 3.2s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 200

One more stop before I’m done with the dawn. I walk from my spot on the bridge toward the spillway itself. The access road allows me to get quite close. I would have preferred to find a spot with out the fencing. Not much choice. Being this close the spillway hides most of the colors on the horizon. I thought of hopping the concrete barrier and going to the water’s edge for a better view, but no, that is me even though I’m sure there is no one else around. I settle for this one…

Let it Flow
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mmm f/4, 2s, 13mm, f/11, ISO 200

My task complete I walk back to the car for the drive back home. It was a good morning!