Category Archives: haiku

Side by Side

Posted by Mike on

Macro, Monochrome
Haiku

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
Side by Side
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/160s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Learning to Open

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Midday, Macro
Haiku

Open

Learning to open
Be not hindered by others
Shine on your own time
Learning to Open
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/2000s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Sunrise Cruise Ready

Posted by Mike on

Clayton, NY
Haiku

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
Sunrise Cruise Ready
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 4s, 18mm, f/11, ISO 400

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…

Light Within

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Macro
Haiku

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
Light Within
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/60s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Lost in Reflection

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park
Haiku

I am me. I know who I am. I didn’t always. Why does it take so long to find out? Does it for everybody? Surfing the waves of my memory I can point to events that forged the earlier version of me. Would changing those events make me different now. Probably. Would I want to… no. I am me.

Lost in Reflection

At the water's edge
True self revealed deep within
Lost in reflection
Lost in Reflection
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/400s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200

Sunrise Blues

Posted by Mike on

Bellamy Harbor

Bellamy Harbor has not been a sunrise destination for me in quite a while. After the city placed the fences around the canal control gates I didn’t want to up my frustration for the missing harbor view. I get it. I understand why. Still annoys me.

I did go Saturday morning though. I was half hoping the fences would be down (they are not). Maybe there would be a way for me to get my favorite view of the harbor (there is not). I’m sure there is another view that will be “the view” (nope).

I still enjoyed my time at the park but it was related to being there. The sound of the water rushing over the spillway. The call of the ducks as they paddled through the water. The rustle of leaves in the trees. Aaahhh! Good morning…

Sunrise Blues

Mornings unhindered
A state of serenity
Hear the sunrise blues
Sunrise Blues
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1.3s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200

Sentinel

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park
Haiku

As long as I have been going to Delta Lake to photograph the views I have been drawn to this tree. I have captured its image throughout the seasons. I never understood why this tree held my focus until I realized, the tree is me…

Sentinel

Stoic in the wind
Sentinel to the water
Lake dreams unfurled
Sentinel
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/40s, 13mm, f/11, ISO 200

Sun Kissed

Posted by Mike on

Floral, Macro
Haiku

You can capture an image of what you see…

the artist shares what they feel…

Sun Kissed

Reaching to the sky
Old dreams unrealized take flight
Wings kissed by the sun
Sun Kissed
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro, 1/30s, f/2.8, ISO 200