Category Archives: Photography

Christmas Day

It was to be a quiet Christmas Day for two. We decided to splurge on the drive and spend time in the beauty of  Longwood Gardens. We were a bit surprised at the number of folks with the same plan. From the voices traveling around us, many were far from homes in other countries.

Longwood Tree

It has been a number of years since we visited and always there are cameras. This year it seemed that at least half our fellow travelers were using other kinds of devices.Longwood Conservatory

Progress into the conservatory was slow as so many groups and couples posed every few feet.

Longwood Conservatory

I had taken my camera so I was caught up in capturing everything I could see when I suddenly realized the camera was flashing its low battery signal.

Longwood Conservatory

And it came to me – my battery was low too and I needed to recharge: breathing fragrance, looking deeply into plants, enjoying the laughter, marveling at the gardeners work,

Longwood Conservatory       Longwood Conservatory

walking slowly, holding hands,   Longwood Conservatory  watching sunlight fade and lights glow from trees  Longwood Conservatory  sharing dinner, walking in cold, crisp air, recharging, rejoicing! Longwood Gardens

We had seen stars shining, nature singing! Singing the praises of their Lord and Creator this Christmas Day! Joyous Holidays to you!

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Longwood IMG_2161 Longwood Longwood conservatory

Evening glory

sky painting

I know, I’ve posted many sunset sky photos. I can’t seem to help myself!

I was out in rush hour traffic and my camera was home on the counter, probably a good thing or I would have been seriously tempted to drive into a farmer’s field to try and capture the magnificence of 5:00 p.m.  I had to wait until I could get home and this was the sky art at 5:20. As Heather said today, “There’s always beauty around us to enjoy.”  I love that days begin and end with beauty surrounding us; even when we think we can’t see it, it is there.

Skywriting

The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

clouds of day

Day after day they continue to speak;

clouds by day

night after night they make him known.

blue light evening

They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies;

Blue light, pink sky

yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the earth.

sunset blaze

Psalm 19: 1-4 NLT

chasing sunset beauty

Clouds, exquisite displays in the heavens; writing beauty in the sky.

A fancy gift

Dublin Elaine DaylilyMany years my older sister gifts me with a lovely perennial plant to try in my garden. Last year she found one with my name. How fun is that? The name of this beauty is “Dublin Elaine” which is rather a play on words as the flower itself is a double and it is also considered a re-bloomer – a double season. This daylily is now blooming after most of the others have finished so it is quite spectacular showing off its fancy ruffled edges in the mostly green border.

I caught this bloom today in early morning sun; so beautiful!

Through a lens

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Earth’s crammed with heaven,

and every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Recently I read this post by Chuck Summers on his need to take photographs. I felt a kindred spirit as I too can feel a need to step outside even just my kitchen door and capture something wonderful – a blossom, a darkening sky, a tendril, a bird or squirrel – reminders that one day is never the same as the one before nor is an hour or even a minute.

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And bees do not always sleep in a hosta bloom.

Everything can change in an instant. Possibilities abound! Somehow, entering into the world of photography in my small way enables me to engage my whole day with different eyes.   As Chuck Summers says, “There is something extremely therapeutic about spending time in the midst of God’s Creation.”

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And at the end of day, I sense the words we sang at every campfire closing –

Day is done, gone the sun

From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky

All is well, safely rest

God is nigh.

Amen

 

In the good old summertime…

Summer holidays always take me back to the river shore places… sisters and brother and cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents…fishing, crabbing, floating, sunbathing, picnics, grilling, ice cream treats… Today I thought I would share some photos from the past before mine, in the good old summertime!

Photo_2004_9_27_21_39_51_editedGetting out into the countryside…I can see the water in the background…well dressed for the day’s outing! And yes, those do look like mugs of beer!

Aunt Annie Petersam SimonI love this photo of Great Aunt Annie. I never knew her but everyone spoke so highly of her kindly disposition, I’m sure I would have liked her very much. I particularly enjoy this photo of her in a row boat, so erect and holding her beaded handbag!

1919 - Bowling club outing - Clara Fangmann center ( Mary Olert, "Deceased")Dramatic entertainment circa 1919 – the Ladies Bowling Club Outing.

Grandpop One of my grandfathers had a shore place on the Bird River. Nothing fancy…two bedrooms, living room, outhouse and a separate summer kitchen. Need water? There was a pump. Who needed anything more? Friends and family filled the place every weekend.

Gone fishingAnother favorite of mine – my dad on the left in the only beach attire I remember – fully dressed, including shoes! Going fishing, crabbing? We would push the rowboat up to the pier and he would step down into it and off we would go. Never mind my sister and I had bare feet while he dropped the crabs into the boat bottom. They would scurry into the corners or under the seats while we sat cross legged fearing for our toes!

Watermelon! Cantaloupe! Cherries! Peaches! Plums! Blueberries! Blackberries!

All in the good old summertime! Enjoy your summertime!

Keeping busy

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Three weeks ago, encouraged by my daughter, I started an on-line photography class http://www.susannahconway.com/e-courses/photo-meditations/

This has so expanded my attention and narrowed my focus. I’m learning composition and design details so I hope some of my behind the scene frustration will end and my offerings here will improve! What I started with hesitation has become great fun; I love when that happens, don’t you?

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Now I need to clean up my computer and do some program changes…I’m not so sure that will be great fun, but I will hope to enjoy the results!

Like a magic trick!

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I find it quite difficult to capture birds at the feeders on film. But I couldn’t resist trying to hold onto my surprise. The goldfinches stay all winter but the feathers are like olive drab uniforms as they stay undercover. Then the suddenly happens – and there he is in splendid color! So much wonder happens in spring. I want to clap and shout, “Bravo!”