wind dancing ...

Certainly not every evening produces the spectacular and unique 'sunset', but many do - the kind that makes you wish you were located somewhere with a high vantage point. This sunset on July 29th caught me without the 'vantage point' I would have liked, but I nonetheless felt it worth a quick trip back to my abode to grab the camera... The weather forecast had been for scattered thunderstorms that day (and indeed there were many) with high winds creating an "upper level" disturbance conducive to 'severe weather'. As the storms cleared at the end of the day, the high level winds and remaining clouds combined with the setting sun to create a 'ballet' of grand visions that stirred the soul by its presentation ... And once again, I was overwhelmed by my own insignificance ... yet thankful and blessed - by privilege ...

my old friend is 'moulting' ...

The summer heat is bearing down on wildlife this late July (as well as on the rest of us). Early morning walks at sunrise found my old friend standing on one leg precariously in his favorite pine tree near the lake and looking "a little worse for wear"... He is going through what I assume to be an annual 'moult', leaving his feathers in various locations that he frequents around the lake. Still, it is always a 'treat' for me to find him there - whenever I have a chance to wander and wonder within his world...

early mornings ... this time of year

One of the most pleasant walks with camera in July is ... after the morning mist has collected on leaves and plants. It is fascinating how the plants seem to have been 'waxed', yet the water drops still 'cling' to their surface - resisting the gravity that urges them to fall or to 'roll on off'. It is a tenuous, yet quite natural, connection. Glad I was up and about :-)

Staying focused on the horizon ... ...

... is sometimes difficult for me. A friend may be sick or need help, a child may need attention, or an unfinished task may need completion. These are the things of life, but they need not create a dilemma if I 'focus' a little part of (perhaps) my 'little' mind on the simple things that provide opportunities to help others.... For me - I like to think they make the horizon more 'visible' .... tomorrow.

When the 'moment' is not fleeting ...

When is a flower beautiful, but when it is sensed? Perhaps it is when its fragrance is ... breathed, its color and form are ... seen, its softness is ... touched, or maybe even its sound is ... heard - as the wind rustles through its gathering in kind. Will its beauty last? Perhaps ... it will for me, if ... I can 'appreciate' the spiritual 'gift' it is and represents to me within my world. In my youth and in my career, I was in such a 'hurry'. It seemed (I remember :-) that I never had the 'time', had far too much to 'do', too much to 'see', too much to 'learn', too much to 'accomplish', and too many 'competitions' to win - lest I fall behind... I think that's the way much of my life has been. I don't think we 'see', or 'really appreciate' the beauty around us in nature ... until we are 'free' to 'seek' it - when life's 'struggles' become secondary, and the importance of our 'possessions and achievements' are at last and at least subordinated ... to our sense of happiness, peace, and 'appreciation' - not for what we 'lack', but for what we 'have' ... For me, I realize I am perhaps at last ... alive, and thankful - for the gifts of friendship, family, love, and the beauty in our world ...

a million plus ...

That is the number of views / "hits" or 'times' my photographs have been viewed on "Webshots" as of this past weekend. My album entitled "Outer Banks" was featured on Sunday (editor's pick for July 10). Downloads to peoples' desktops have now exceeded 75,000. I do enjoy sharing the photos with all those who may enjoy seeing them. To me, it is a way to "give back" a little something to the world - a world in which I have been fortunate in so very many ways ...

thinking of a poster series ...

After printing a recent high resolution photo within a 'poster' format PS Elements (12" x 18") and being pleased with the outcome, I'm thinking that I might like to produce a 'series' of these utilizing NC landmarks. Anyway, it allows me to use my limited 'creativity' a step or two beyond just photos. The photo-poster shown above is sort-of my first stab at it. I used a photo taken recently inside the grand old lighthouse in Corolla, NC (both original and an inverted copy) to create an overall and hopefully interesting symmetry with layout and text ... I like it anyway :-)

when they can get 'bread' ...

A visit to the park, almost any park, with a supply of bread crumbs can get you 'connected' again to nature. Though there seems to be an ample supply of the food that sustains the mallards handy all along the lake bottoms, if they see you passing out the 'goodies', they are always eager to state their preferences and rush to partake of your generosity. For me, they 'give' back far more than they receive ... with their beauty, grace, and in reaffirmation of our 'connections' ... each to the other.

from the top ...

Whalebone Park ... looking southwest from the Currituck lighthouse at Corolla, NC (one of many views).

a view from the top ...

Still processing photos taken on my trip to the outer banks this spring. ... Historic Currituck Lighthouse is well cared for and is one of the few coastal lighthouses that is open for climbing by the general public ... As one enters, caution is offered concerning the wind on top. I can say that the warning is accurately made. It IS very windy! However, making the climb rewards with grand and unique views of Corolla and the northern coast of North Carolina. Though I had been to Corolla a number of times, this was my first climb to the top. So glad I didn't blow away. :-)

silhouettes and sanity ...

Some would say that silhouettes are rather dull as photographs, but to me they are fascinating - particularly so if they incorporate texture. I like to capture the creamy texture of sunlight reflections on water near the time of sunrise or sunset. I think of it as a part of nature's grand art gallery - a gift to us all that sustains hope, humility, and indeed sanity.

Carolina Blue ...

I'm an NC State fan. But, I have to admit that the skies in NC are "UNC - Carolina Blue". I don't discriminate when it comes to beauty in nature, and this "old friend" / Great Blue Heron sure looked majestic as he perched for a time within the pines of my home state.... Guess that's because he's a "natural" ... and he knows me by heart. :-)