Let the light shine through

Lighting is very important in taking photographs. The best time of day to take photographs is early morning or late afternoon. That way the sun does not wash out your subject during the brightest part of the day. I prefer to photograph with natural lighting and getting up early to explore. It's amazing that something so simple can look so differently during a different hour of the day. So get up early, sip that first cup of coffee and go outside and let that little light shine!

Float like a Butterfly

More and more I find myself deeper and closer to nature. Some how, I have been blessed with an ability to not only find nature but at times it finds me. Some days I can get lost floating around in my own back yard following birds or butterflies. This day was no exception. While following a butterfly from clover to clover, it can become tiring. Standing up or sitting down. You just have to be patient and keep moving, turning the camera, turning your body, changing the angle for focusing, and still trying to get as close as possible. By the time you get all that into place in your view finder, it will probably flutter away to the next blossom! I was determined to get close to this one cabbage butterfly. Finally it headed to my blue hydrangea's and settled down for a long cool drink of nectar! I knew this would be an excellent opportunity to sit and photograph. Patience is a virtue they say! Keep shooting and never give up!

Wise Ole Owl Tale

Occasionally I hear dueling owls from my yard. It is interesting to listen to them in the evening after dark wishing I could go track them down for photographs. This evenings hoo hoo, hoo, hoohoohoo reminds me of an afternoon gardening when the sound of two Barred owls caught my attention. And yes, I did say afternoon, I looked at my watch immediately and it was just past 2pm! I was dressed in a tank top and short cut offs with dirt from head to toe. I thought, well, this is your chance. So I ran in the house, grabbed my camera and hurried across the street. My neighbor was outside and I asked permission to go through her back yard. She agreed and said owls are generally near her home. I had to make my way through the pricker bushes and across a small creek to get close enough where I could see one owl. I focused and anxiously clicked the shutter hoping the owl would remain close enough for me to get a shot. No sooner, did my camera send me a message, "Please insert memory card". Oh my gosh, I could not believe it! Well that wasn't very wise of me! The one time I actually get to photograph an owl in it's own habitat and I forgot to insert the memory card! I sadly watched the owl fly from one tree to another. I looked around to get my bearings and decided to go home and retrieve a memory card. I could only hope the owl would be in the same spot or close by when I returned. The owls had stopped communicating by this point and I never did see the second owl. So I quickly went back through the creek and pricker bushes to go home and start over on this adventure! Much to my surprise when I arrived in front of the pine tree where I last saw the owl, it was still there! Wow! I couldn't believe it, almost like it was waiting just for me. I must have taken about 20 photographs of the owl. As I approached closer I stopped in my tracks when a crow came and sat down beside the owl. The crow looked at the owl and cawed, almost to ask, "What do you think Wise Owl?" I kept right on taking photo's of the two in conversation. The crow flew on it's merry way and the owl turned to glare at me with a "You still here?" expression. I snapped one more shot knowing it could be my last before it took to the skies. I was so excited and happy, I didn't care much about my scratched up legs from prickers. My persistence and patience had paid off that day. However, word to the wise, don't ever leave your camera empty and without a memory card!

Memorial Day 2016

Every year we recognize and pay tribute to our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day. Most of us have had a loved one or family member that has served and gave. All gave some, and some gave all. We are grateful for our Freedom in our Country. You are free to have family gatherings and BBQ's in your back yards, pay tributes in parades and festivals. Our streets and back roads are decorated with Ole Glory waving high. Some of us visit cemeteries and put place flowers & flags on loved ones burial sites. Today I paid my respects to the Veteran's portion of the local Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens. I came across a young Killdeer Mother bird on guard. Her nest was directly between two Memorial stones. I was surprised she let me get so close. The sun was in my eyes and as I crawled closer, I realized she was protecting 4 eggs. Take a moment and give Thanks to our Fallen Heroes, the ones that paid the sacrifices, and protects our Country so you can enjoy your Freedom.
Freedom is not Free!

In The Nest, Out of The Nest

How did The Nest become The Nest? I used to live on a second floor apartment with a deck. As a photographer with an extreme interest in photographing birds, I began putting out all sorts of bird feeders. I eventually attracted over 40 types of birds that would come and feed on my deck. One day the Carolina Wrens came and nested in my Christmas Cacti. The babies hatched and I had the privilege of being home to photograph them. I continued living in that apartment for two years until I bought my house. My house includes a 1+ acre yard with approx. 10 bird houses scattered on the property and buildings. When I first came to view the property, I knew it was for me! I continue to call my home The Nest with a "Welcome To The Nest" chalk board sign on the back entrance door. Yesterday a new batch of baby wrens came into the world and my yard. One wren some how came into my house, most likely as the back screen door doesn't always close all the way. I thought the dog was doing a number on his new toy, but the squeaking became louder and louder and more intense. It was then I realized there must be something going on inside house! Mean while, the other wren family members were out just outside the door trying to coax this one out. As I tried to carefully get the wren to fly back into the kitchen and out the back door, I was able to snap a couple photo's. How ironic that the wren sat upon my "Welcome To The Nest" sign and patiently waited before flying out freely and safely. If you're ever in the area, please feel free to stop by The Nest!

Press on & choosing a cheerful heart

Press on and choose joy. Easier said than done? Mind over matter? Time heals all? Forgive and forget? Give it to God? Every one has their own myth about "Pressing On" in their journey through life. Why can't everyone just wake up and begin each day like it's brand new? The choice is yours but where does that strength come from? What works for me "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" may not work for you. Others may need to try a different path. Following our passions in life is a great way to keep ourselves mentally focused. My passion in life is Photography. I can get lost in wildlife and then I like to share with others what I find or see. Nothing but good can come from surrounding ourselves with nature, positive people and friends. People that give us joy and participate in our journey, whether good or bad. Being with people that listen, share, read or even pray for or with you is a blessing. Our family and friends can be the glue sometimes with extending that hand, open arms and loyalty. Compassion can come from others even if they don't understand, they stick by you.  God can use you, your pain and your story to teach others. None of us are perfect and we are all a working process. Some may feel the need for forgiveness, or maybe one is looking to receive an apology? These can all be difficult if there's no communication. Sometimes it can be a challenge for one to release anger caused by a difficult situation beyond their control. The phrase "keeping things bottled up" comes to mind because some may not want to release angry feelings that would be considered a mean characteristic. Other's live by "wouldn't hurt a flea" or "take their shirt off their back for anyone" may have a hard time knowing what to do with mixed emotions. Some people never had a chance to get something off their chest, good or bad before the other person left this earth or simply walked away. Grieving over someone is never easy, whether it's grieving over a death or a relationship that has ended. We can forgive but we don't forget. So what do we do with all that emotion?  It can be a long process and one thing is for sure, everyone's process is their own. Everyone is picking up the pieces from something or someone at one time or another in their life. Some say there is a two year rule after a breakup, some say there is a six year rule after divorce, some say just roll with it, let it go and you'll be ok soon. Some people in life have or have had to deal with addictions. Some are reminded and live by their rule of twelve steps. There is no over night fix and there really is no time frame, we are all unique. There are rollercoasters of emotions we ride on, we're human and we don't just shut ourselves on and off like a light bulb. One thing is for certain, We Press On. And we keep pressing on. If you're reading this, God is not finished with us yet. His hand is always there. He will bring everything to completion while we grow and continue to process. Over all, what really matters is a cheerful heart. I am grateful for my relationship with God, my friends and my family. I believe partnerships in Christ is a key to success. There is an unknown quote I used under my graduation picture in my senior yearbook several years back. It reads; "We must laugh now for fear may die before we laugh at all" Not that everything in life is funny, but that we keep that joy in our hearts. I will press on!