From 74 to 4

This weekend is the deadline to submit photos to the Iowa State Fair Photography Contest. You may recall in 2017, two of my images were selected for display, of which one of them received first… More

The First

The first of April, the first flower to bloom in 2022. The one and only crocus in my garden, it was here when we purchased the home. The first of what will hopefully be many… More

Bird Nests and Strawberries

We have not one, but two bird nests at our home this year. They have chosen interesting spots to build their nests. We have had nests where the morning dove chose to build this year,… More

Time To Stop And Smell The Flowers

Sometimes you have to make yourself stop and smell the flowers.  As I did this morning.  It’s time to get back to my happy place.  For far too long that place has been pushed out of sight. This morning was overcast, my favorite light to photograph flowers.  And it was time to stop and smell the flowers.

Would I remember how to see?  Could I make an image worthy of showing?  Well, all of you can be the judges.

It felt good to be in my happy place again, with all of my knowledge coming right back into focus (pun intended).  Camera settings, tripod level and angle, finding the story in my flowers all right where I left them and waiting for my return.  Seeing the world as I once did on an almost daily basis, I miss that world.

Too much distraction the last few years and 2020 has been even more of a distraction.  Time to tune the “real world” out and focus on “my world”.

Remember to take time to stop and smell the flowers!

Shasta Daisy

Coneflowers

Shasta Daisies

 

 

 

 

Favorite Images 2018

Another year has almost come to an end. Hard to believe 2018 is almost over. My time for photography has been limited this year and my time for writing has been even less. (Something to work on for 2019, making more time for both.) As I was pondering whether or not to show my favorite images for 2018, I wondered if there were more than a handful as I had only wandered through the nearby parks a few times. But those few times I knew I had to work hard and really make my time count.  To my surprise, while browsing through my Lightroom catalog of images for 2018, many I was quite pleased with. Each year there is a different theme to my photography and at first I thought it was all about trees, white and red this year. However, as I discovered images that I had forgotten about, two themes came to mind. One, I was looking for peace, for which I hope you see as I did when the images were made and still see today. Two, I was pushing myself to be creative.  With little time in the field this year, I was usually chasing a moment, when nature’s show would be for a short time, as little as a fleeing moment, making me work hard to catch it.  Whether a wet snow in early spring or an early wet snow in autumn. One week it was full autumn splendor and just a week later the trees had snow clinging to them.  The morning I photographed the snow-covered red maple trees, it was before I had to be at my day job.  I had about 35 minutes to make images.  Three from that morning made it into this gallery.

So as we say goodbye to 2018, I hope you enjoy seeing my favorite images of 2018!

Abstract Trees in Early Spring Snow

Snow Covered Trees in Early Spring

Abstract Trees in Early Spring Snow

Dutchman’s Breeches

Swinging Bridge in Spring

Surprise Lilies Covered in Raindrops

White Fungi

View From Behind the Storm That Had Been a Tornado in Pella, IA

Abstract Red Maple

Red Maple in Full Autumn Splendor

Red Maple and Crab Apple

Red Maple and Snow Covered Crab Apple

Red Maple and Cabin

Snow Covered Trees

Rust Tree with Birdhouse and Snow

Russet Snow Covered Trees

Abstract Reflection Snow Covered Branches

Snow Lined Path in the Woods