Our Back Yard
This is a volunteer tree growing in our raspberry patch that really should be cut down. I worked hard most of the summer trying to ignore this weedy tree But, with the right light, a proper point of view and good timing, even a “weed” can be glamorous.
Yellow
My wife and I were out for our morning walk the other day and even in the relatively poor light of a street light, I could tell that this tree would be worth seeing in sunlight. So I went back yesterday morning and took several photos. I’m not sure if the people who own the [...]
Textures
I wandered into our backyard looking for color in the soft morning light. I found color. But instead of subdued light, I found a couple leaves lit by the angular sun. And this relatively bright light also brought out the texture of these leaves. I say it over and over, but I like the fact [...]
Still Green
We are closing in on the end of September in South Dakota and that means that fall is here. While there plenty of leaves on the ground, there are also tenacious plans that aren’t quite ready to give up. When I saw these leaves, what caught my attention was the subtle backlighting caused by the [...]
Before the Start
In the minutes before the start of a sailboat race, things can look a little chaotic. The challenge is to cross the start line (not visible in this photo) after the starting gun goes off, not before. Before the race, then, you might have boats that are going in opposite or seemingly random directions. All [...]
Slowly Going Nowhere
Somebody once said that a good definition of sailing was “slowly going nowhere at great expense.” These boats were photographed leaving Gig Harbor in Washington state on a nearly windless day and they were certainly moving at a deliberate pace. Though it was a generally gray (a typical western Washington) day, the boats in this [...]
Manipulation of Another Kind
In yesterday’s post, taken yesterday morning, I was commenting on how manipulative HDR photos could be. Later in the day, I was taking a few photos of some fancy gourds my wife bought at the farmers’ market on Saturday and I realized that these gourds must be the product of manipulation, too. I think some [...]
First Flowers
Finally, after what seemed like an endless winter, the snow is almost gone and the first delicate crocus are pushing up through the bare earth. This flower shot isn’t anything new on this blog but these flowers are only a few days old. And to me they stand as a symbol of good things to [...]
What Is Reality?
Here’s something that just occurred to me when I saw this picture: Much of “Reality” is what we perceive superimposed with what our culture tells us we should think and feel about our perceptions. Thus, the distorted image of the Colorado state capitol building reflected in a nearby office building isn’t real. But if that’s [...]
A Summer Morning
I wasn’t really looking for a photo like this to post but when I came across it, I was so powerfully reminded of what it feels like to stand in this place on a promising summer morning that I had to publish it. I can feel the humid breeze, I can sense the growing warmth [...]
Hidden Blessing
As much as I dislike winter, I must say that there are some things I like about it. In this case I stepped out our front door with my camera to look for something photogenic in the aftermath of our last major snow storm (14″ and wind). And I found a plant left over from [...]
Let It Snow?
I waded out to the mailbox in snow that is now about 10″ deep to take this photo. Since then I would say we’ve had a few more inches. Plus wind. Let it snow? Really!
It’s Getting Old!
You say “winter wonderland” and I say “I’ve had enough!” Yesterday the high temperature was -8 F. I say bring on the green grass and the daffodils. . .
Carlos
This is what South Dakotans do in their spare time – shovel snow from roofs. This is a shot of our acquaintance, Carlos, who seemed to be a little more enthusiastic than I was when he took shovel to snow on top of our house. Carlos is from California and he told me that where [...]
Foot Steps
Foot steps left on a sandy beach are commonplace. Go ahead: do a Google search for “footsteps in the sand” and you’ll see what I mean. But footsteps in frost? Those photos are hard to come by. So I am offering this picture of my footprints (high arches and all) for the world to enjoy.
Red Chaos
I’ve read that some scientists say there is no such thing as chaos – that Nature, in it’s apparently random state, is really ordered and predictable. Smarter people than I will have to find order in today’s jumble of berries and branches. And quite honestly, I don’t mind a little chaos. . .
Late Start
We are used to snow in South Dakota, of course. But snow still has the potential to interrupt our routines. The last two days have seen 2-hour late starts in our schools. Thus, because I didn’t have to be to work until 10 today, I found myself driving around looking for photo opportunities. Here, students [...]
The Snowy Dog
People are crazy about their pets and I was certainly guilty of being crazy about our Springer Spaniel, Polly. She seemed to love life and everyone she met. Polly is long-gone now but I come across photos of her every once and a while – I had forgotten I had this one.
I Teach Photography. . .
I am an amateur photographer but I am a professional educator. I’ve taught English, history and philosophy for over thirty years. But this year I took on the task of teaching photography/media in a new program at the technical college in our town. And it has been a challenge. Today, I sent an email to [...]
Where Did All the Flowers Go?
If you are inclined to be philosophical, you might read deep, existential meaning into today’s picture and the title I gave it. Yes, I suppose you could say, as Macbeth did, that life is a “walking shadow” and a “brief candle signifying nothing.” And you could say that nothing better symbolizes this sentiment than twisted, [...]
Tenacious
Once again, I made a foray into my neighbors’ yard. It seems that the tulips, leaves and apples are occasionally more photogenic on the “other side.” I have been watching these apples for a while and after our recent snow, thought I should capture a photo or two. To do this right, I need a [...]
Frosty Hangers On
I was about ready to leave for work yesterday but I made the mistake of stepping into my back yard. What drew me was that I could see that we had gotten a good frost during the night. The other thing that drew me was the soft, filtered light coming from very thin cloud cover. [...]
More Frosting
These are tiny, dime-sized leaves rimmed with beads of frost. To photograph things like this was my mission yesterday, though I like yesterday’s post a lot more.
Fall Fire
I was in the garden early this morning looking for frosty leaves and as I was heading back into the house, I saw these leaves, which were illuminated by the strong sunlight just making its way into our yard. I took a few shots, not knowing what I’d get. This photo is evidence that what [...]
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