Monthly Archives: January 2015

Winter Bird

Winter brings new birds to the feeder, ones that we don’t see during the warmer months. One of my favorites, the junco (a female), is featured here. They’re small (about sparrow-sized), dark, and quick moving, so getting an image I’m satisfied with is challenging. But that’s part of the lure of photography–striving to improve, honing my craft. When we lose that desire we stop growing. So here’s to a new year, filled with challenges and possibilities, and a continuing thirst to capture and share the world’s wonder and beauty.

F Junco II, Version II, Prev Edits+Bokeh, Int22, WhiteMist69 20, Ex-11Sh17, Watermark Ex, Sh&ClarAdj, E44, Crop Birds, Sun Dogs JAN 9 2015 032

Unexpected Gift…

We’ve been experiencing below zero temperatures for most of the week, and because of ice crystals in the air, we had sun dogs this morning. I don’t make resolutions, but one of my goals for this year is to act rather than think about it. Accordingly, in spite of the cold, I bundled up in a hooded winter coat, grabbed my camera, and headed outside.

I knew I had a very narrow window of opportunity; the sun was so intense I could barely see what I was shooting. It was more of a “click and hope” situation. These images are the result.

Every day holds a miracle, it we open our minds and hearts to the moments. This was mine: a moment of grace, an unexpected gift of Winter beauty.

Sun Dog Trio, TempAdj Ribbet collage

As shot, temperature slightly enhanced. For best viewing, open images in a new window.

Why I Blog….

Today, one of the blogs I follow (Friendly Fairy Tales, Brenda Davis Harsham) wrote a post about why she blogs, and at the end, she invited others to share their reasons. Here are mine:

I blog because…artist don’t create in a vacuum. Because the world has enough ugly. I blog to share suspended moments in time, in the only way I know to do that.

I blog because it exposes me to a wider world view, because through blogging I meet and interact with people I otherwise wouldn’t. When someone takes the time to comment that a particular photo has resonated with them, touched them emotionally or lifted their spirit, it’s immensely satisfying. It tells me that someone out there “gets” what I’m trying to convey, through my images. And for me, that’s what it’s all about.

Fencepost and Grass Heads, Version II, Watermark Crop, Ex&Sh Adj AM Fog Walk JAN 03 2015 134
Walk on a Foggy Morning

Why do you blog? I’d love to know.