Exploring Nature (Getting Back on Course)

Bromeliad Cosmos

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:24:00 +0000

The image did not photograph square!! This shows you my first framed image that will end up at the Backus after Thanksgiving. I called it 'Bromeliad Cosmos' as the center of the bromeliad is like a little world of its own. All sorts of critters get substance from the water and nutrients found there. I love the symmetry of the leaves as they spread out from the center of the plant, the texture of the sharp edges of the leaves. I believe this is in the Neoregelia family. In contrast to this plant, some bromeliads have a spike that shoots up.

Creative actions at work

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0000

This will be my temporary home for the next two weeks. Elliot had made this table for me out of 2 x 4s, two hollow wood doors and for strength on top a 1/2 inch piece of 8 x 4 foot plywood. I have all I need right there. Good lighting, a ceiling fan, music!!! I have figured out, by using the patterns, the best way to cut the matboard. Now to get it done.

I need to cut some glass also. Cutting that first piece always makes me nervous. I will post an photo of the first completed image. The theme for my images is foliage. I love foliage with the sun coming through.

Searching

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:03:00 +0000

This beautiful cardinal is searching among the battle scarred roots of the red mangrove tree. I was not aware that the cardinals would even be interested in what could be found here, but this one kept searching.

Perhaps the cardinal was taking advantage of the low tide to do a bit of bathing as I see its feathers are fluffed.

At times we search in different areas for answers to life. Why, where, how can we handle this. What would be the best way to approach this problem in our life?

If we are open to all that comes our way, our answers might be found in very different circumstances than we would expect to find them. Too often we limit ourselves as to where we look, where we expect to find answers. New approaches to old problems, or even new problems is a good idea.

For me, the standard answers for sleep apnea have not brought me even 50% success. I have looked and tried, along with my doctors at all the usual possibilities and not found the answer that works for me... so now I must explore other avenues. Wish me luck!

Monstera Leaf

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Monstera deliciosa...
This a quite a vine... the leaf can grow to be almost 3 feet in length and 2 feet across. If braced against a tree it will grow up the tree and the leaves will get larger the higher it grows. It is also referred to as the 'swiss cheese' vine, for obvious reasons. There are smaller versions that make great potted plants with a support in the pot for upward growth. The stem of the vine is almost trunk-like and can stand upright for a while, then it will just fall over and sprawl, if not attached to a support.

Gloriosa time again

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:40:00 +0000

It started with just 3 tubers, but now there are a multitude... sending up the single stem vines. You can see how the tiny curls at the end of the long leaves can grasp on to anything to hold itself up. Some enhancement was done to the flower blossom, in order to bring out the detail against the background.

Holding on is something we all have to do at some time or other in our lives. Sometimes it is needed for just a little while so we can get our bearings. Other times we need to do it for a longer time for various reasons. The important part is to know how to use that support to our advantage without taking too much. We also must try to be aware when it is time to let go... and to say "Thank You."

Raindrop Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:54:00 +0000

I like the flower... some kind of iris, I think. It was given to me. What I was after was the raindrop near the center of the image. I find raindrops most interesting... This drop was on the bottom side of the petal, but the reflection seen is the roof of the structure above the petal! It has cross beams and is covered by bamboo fencing... I was not using a tripod which limited my progress in taking this image... meaning the settings.

Raindrops on a Spiderwort Blossom

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:04:00 +0000

I am happier with the raindrops than with the bee in this image. They act like mini magnifying glasses wherever they sit. They can also be a mirror, showing what is below or along side an object. Sometimes they seem to be barely clinging to the edge of a leaf or branch. When taking such an image, I am so afraid of disturbing the object for fear of making it 'let go.' An amazing aspect of nature they are.

Friendship & Friends with edit

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Friendship & Friends... two very precious things. They go together and can bring such joy to your life. Some friendships withstand time, withstand distance, trials, ups and downs... but they remain there forever, even in the passing of a friend.

Today I lost a friend. We made Cursillo together, shared our faith together. We watched each others children grow and worried with each other over the difficult times our children had. Judy and Don raised seven great children. (Correction... ten children!) I mainly knew the last two. We, in our Saturday Morning Breakfast Group, were aware that the others always backed you up with a prayer, a good thought or two, when times were tough.

Judy and I went through breast cancer about the same time. We compared notes, reactions and all that went with it. Then that dreaded thing came back to be with Judy.. in a different and most difficult place. They gave her 3-5 months but she lasted a year.

Judy... I know that now you are at peace. That pain will not bother you again.

I was at your funeral today (Saturday 7 18 09)... the church was packed. That is your legacy. I must apologize as I did not count three of your kids. What fine young adults they have become. Your family is one to be applauded. I know there were difficult times and situations, but in the end... they are solid members of society, each in their own way.

Another Night Blooming Cereus

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:28:00 +0000

For this shot, I had a large 6V flashlight on the ground about 4 feet below the flower shining upward. My settings were: f/29.0 @ 30". I was using a Canon XSi with the kit lens, 18-55mm. A tripod and mosquito repellent were also used.

A One Night Stand!

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:35:00 +0000

This night blooming cereus only blooms at night. The blossom itself can be 12 inches across. I took this at 9:30 pm and went out again at 5 am and it had already started closing. I was trying timed exposures, but those did not come out that well. This was a flash... not the best option for flowers as it leaves shadows and can be harsh. I will have some more chances in a few days. The full moon coming up would help... if only the clouds would stay away. So far, they are forever covering the sky.

Another view...

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:22:00 +0000

I realize the bud and sideways blossom are almost in the middle of the image, but for some reason I like the open space on the right. Again I am working on my focusing. This one had f/7.1 at 1/250 sec. I used a tripod and my Sigma 150mm macro lens. The lower f stop gives partial focus. I would say only the bud and the lip of the middle orchid are in focus.

That is about how I have been seeing life lately... some in focus and some not. Not sure how many of us are totally focused all day, every day anyway.

My orchid... Dendrobium

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:14:00 +0000

I think this is a dendrobium orchid. My son gave it to me many moons ago. It survived much neglect over the years demonstrating to me that the orchid is quite a resilient plant. It looks a tiny bit like the Celadon and Red Wine Dendrobium, only it is basically white and not a pale green.

Well, I do not have the usual equipment for studio photography so I improvised. I used an old cardboard portfolio with a black cover as my backdrop. My Ott lamp (as close as artificial natural light you can get) was my light source. Since I brought the plant in from outdoors, I set the pot in a dish with water.. just in case ants were in residence (past experience taught me this)

My camera was on the my tripod as low as it could go. My body was down there also, as low as it could go :-) I love the curve of the stem. I had the light coming up from below for this image as I wanted to bring out the detail of the labellum (red wine colored lip)
Settings were: f/22, 8"

No longer rolling wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Several years ago, I was back in Terra Alta, West Virginia... visiting cousins. This is the birthplace of my Dad. It is a town that is almost forgotten... in some of the most beautiful country on earth. Near my Dad's old home... Mr Teets had his collection of old farm equipment out along with old cars from the 30s and there about. I immediately was attracted to the wheels. These wheels made history, carrying early settlers, plowing the land, harvesting crops. I isolated four different wheels & large pulley wheels and then put them together in this collage.

Well... I entered this collage of images into a juried photography competition called the Eye of the Camera that is held yearly at the Backus Gallery in Fort Pierce. Florida. To my amazement and joy it took first place earning a blue ribbon in the Digitally Manipulated Division... and it sold!

Emerging Cracker Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:05:00 +0000

The blossom is emerging from the bud stage. It was taken in the early morning. By noon it will probably be completely open. Settings: f/2.8 1/50 Sigma 150mm macro lens.

There are days that I feel my life is emerging... from a good night sleep, recuperating from a cold or sinus infection, aches from the damp weather. There are many situations from which to emerge. As I get older, there seem to be more :-) I don't mind, as over the years I have learned various means to help me emerge from the difficult situations. I do need more patience now, as it takes a bit longer for it all to come about. I have learned that you just can't give up!!!

Cuban Tree Frog

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Down the road, thanks to this creature, a Cuban Tree frog, we will be hearing lots of 'ribbits' during the night. My rain barrel is full of tadpoles!! I used the Canon Zoom 100-400 with f/5.6 and 1/400.

Phalaenopsis

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

This was a Thanksgiving gift from my daughter that I thought I had lost! It started a new shoot and 'voila'! I was trying to photograph it while it was hanging. It never dawned on me to bring it in and do a studio shooting of it!

It was an overcast day and that helped not the bleach out the white petals. I used a Canon 100-400 Zoom lens, f/7.1 opening and 1/400 speed

Fangipani is here!!

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:15:00 +0000

I am actually studying and learning about my camera, the lenses, settings etc and it is a lot. It seemed so simple before, but I could not get things to happen as I wanted. Anyway, thanks to an online friend out in Utah, I have a good tripod and so I am able to really practice. Macro and photography in general requires patience!!!! Wow, it is actually more than just pushing down the button. The f/stop here was about 6.5 so just the flowers in the foreground are in focus. The light was early morning and so I eliminated the hot spots that come with strong sun.

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:22:00 +0000

The truth is going to have to come out. I have been an automatic camera user and now I am trying to learn how to really use my camera! I am a person who has trouble remembering which is her left and which is her right. Hence, the cheat sheet that will be with me always.

Brilliant Bougainvillia

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:44:00 +0000

This image should have come before the Jacaranda. They are almost finished. It is like looking at stained glass when you see the sun coming through the bracts. The actual flower is the small white flower. These vines bloom in the summer and in the winter. Depending on how you prune them, you can get a solid mass of color or a sprawling bunch of branches with color at the ends.

It is Jacaranda Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:21:00 +0000

This is the first jacaranda blossom on my tree. I used a telephoto to get the shot, so getting the perfect photo was not an option. The color is a soft lavender-blue in some trees. I feel I capture the correct color for my tree. Next will be the Frangipani and then Royal Poinciana in all its red brilliance.

Let me introduce you to....

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:19:00 +0000

This is my friend Stubby. You cannot see it, but Stubby has a stubby tail with a strange new growth starting. I noted when doing this photo that he also has a few notches in his right ear! Not sure how long squirrels live, but Stubby has been our friend since before the hurricanes in 2004. He was not around after the storms and we thought we lost him. His mate was lost as she did not return when he did.

Remembering Addie

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Palm Patterns and Lines

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:11:00 +0000

The cabbage palm has a most interesting frond to begin with, as it twists and curls. Add the shadows of another frond on top of this and you have a plethora of lines, shadows and patterns.

I think lately my life has taken on a similar look. So much going on and unfortunately not going on for so many. I feel lucky with all the lines, patterns, shadows and such in my life, in spite of the difficulties...

The Edge of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Some times I think we go through life... just looking at the surface of events, feelings and even people. We don't put out the effort to go deeper, to learn more about a person or event. "I don't have the time!" is our excuse. That person may have been the one with the opportunity you needed. That event could have given you important information for your future.

I know we cannot live our lives saying 'I could have,' 'I should have,' 'If only'... so don't let it happen! Stop a moment and go one step further to learn... to listen (especially if it is your family that is involved) How many times have you heard... 'I didn't know!', 'They never told me'... maybe they did, but you weren't listening.

Do not live a shallow life. Delve into the thick of life. Your answers may be waiting. Your future may be changed as you never expected it to... for the better! Yes, it is often easier said than done, but... Believe!!

"Beauty" Passing

noreply@blogger.com (Blue Heron) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:38:00 +0000

I had fun with this image. The Nature Photographers Network site has a weekly challenge and this week it was a still life from natural materials. All I was attracted to were the dried leaves, fronds and branches I saw in my backyard. So I gathered them up and positioned them at the base of a decayed tree stump. With a bit of this and a bit of that in Photoshop... I ended up with my still life!!

Humans are like the branches you see here. We get more lines and texture in our physical being, and yet we become more 'real' from within. Life does that to you. For most, youth is a blank slate waiting for life to write on it. Age shows the writings of life... au natural. To me this writing I see from my life, is like my badge of survival. For many, it is something to be disguised and hidden from sight.