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 earVoid of empty promisesLove's gentle caress
Gentle Caress Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO 200
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.
EuphoriaGolden 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
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…
GloriousLife 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
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
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
Bursts of ColorThe 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!
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 FlightSide by side they wait
Wind to free their hearts one dream
New journeys take flight
Side by Side Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/160s, f/2.8, ISO 200
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